Visiting Haifa On A Christian Tour

Haifa, Israel Monday April 6, 2015

Haifa is a portal to the rest of Israel, an industrial, well-connected city where passengers on a cruise to Haifa, Israel can easily book excursions and tours of Tel-Aviv or the Jordan River. It’s not well-known as a tourist destination, but the city boasts impressive museums and outdoor attractions like the beautiful Baha’i Gardens or the Haifa City Museum. In its own right as a destination, Haifa has a growing arts scene and areas like the German Colony are bustling commercial areas where travelers can grab a bite, rest from the day’s exploration, and catch views of the glittering Mediterranean Sea.

Haifa’s proximity to religiously sites for those practicing Jewish and Christian faiths makes the experience particularly meaningful for travelers passing through on their Mediterranean cruise. These days, Nazareth isn’t the small village depicted in the Bible—it’s a full- grown, modern city—but its role in the life of Jesus Christ makes it an important religious site. You can stand at the crossing of the Jordan River, only a little over an hour from Haifa. The Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount is believed to have been delivered is merely an hour east, too.

TOP SIGHTS AND ATTRACTIONS

BAHA’I GARDENS

This is one of Haifa’s most visited sites, attracting tourists from all over the world to witness the unique gardens. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Baha’i Gardens honor the Baha’i faith. The ornate, gilded shrine was built to commemorate the prophet Bab, whose missionary work spread the faith, which now is practiced by 7 million people. Take a free tour to the summit of the gardens, where a panoramic view of the gardens and Haifa unfolds below you. A guided tour provides extra context and history of how the gardens came to be.

STELLA MARIS MONASTERY

Monks called this ornate monastery home during the 19th century. A tour won’t take long, and you’ll learn more than ever about the Carmelite monks and their significance in the area. You can take a cable car to get to the monastery from the Bat Galim promenade as well. You’ll see an overarching view of Haifa from the summit of the hill the monastery is perched on.

ELIJA ‘S CAVE

In Jewish, Christian, and Muslim faith, the prophet Elijah took refuge from Jezebel in this cave, which you can now tour while on your Haifa cruise. It’s a short walk from the Stella Maris Monastery to the cave, and signs will indicate where to enter. Those interested in historic sites will enjoy Elijah’s Cave for its religious significance to these groups.

VISIT MOUNT BEATITUDES

Tour the area where it is believed Jesus’ Sermon of the Mount was delivered. The Mount of Beatitudes will offer a view of the Sea of Galilee on one side and striking cliffs on the other. The Mount of Beatitudes’ significance to the Christian religion means many flock to the site, and you should expect crowds.

TRAVEL TO NAZARETH

If you want to take a trip outside of Haifa, you can be in Nazareth in a quick 45 minutes via car or taxi. Nazareth, like the Mount of Beatitudes, hold special religious significance for Christians. According to the New Testament, the Virgin Mary encountered the angel Gabriel here and found out she would give birth to Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Today, Nazareth juxtaposes its role as an ancient religious site with new expansion as a tourist destination. Visit the Basilica of the Annunciation or Nazareth Village while you’re stopping through.

HEAD TO THE JORDAN RIVER

The Jordan River is a significant site for both the Jewish and Christian faith as both the place where the tribes of Israel crossed to reach the Promised Land as well as the river in which Jesus Christ was baptized. Via train or car, it takes about an hour to reach the Jordan River from Haifa.