Haifa Cable Car

October 6th 2014

When people think of grand views in the northern city of Haifa, they usually think of the famous Bahai Gardens which is a must-see destination for many first-time tourists to Israel. The Haifa Cable Car offers another, completely different opportunity to grab an incredible view of the seaside city.

The Haifa Cable Car is actually three spherical cars, painted a noticeable orange, that run up and down Mount Carmel all day long. The ride lasts just five short minutes, but allows for a bird’s-eye view of the Haifa Bay, which is the home base of the Israeli Navy, the slopes of Mount Carmel, the Mediterranean Sea and the entire city of Haifa. If you’re going to be spending any significant time in Haifa, or just want the thrill of a cable car ride, the Haifa Cable Car will give you an aerial perspective of the geography of the city that is impossible to attain from the ground.

Visitors enter the cable car ride at the Bat Galim Promenade at the level of the sea. At the entrance, don’t miss the artists’ exhibit. Each week, there is new artwork on display to appreciate and possibly purchase. Once you arrive at the Stella Maris (Latin for “Star of the Sea”) outlook in the Carmelite Monastery at the top of Mount Carmel, you can spend time enjoying the view. Refreshments are available at the top for you to enjoy while looking out at the majestic views. Most people will purchase a round-trip ticket, but if you’d like to hike down, it’s possible to take the stairs all the way down to the Cave of Eliyahu.

Across the road from the entrance to the Haifa Cable Car is the Clandestine Immigration and Navy Museum which tells the related stories of Aliyah Bet – the illegal immigration into pre-State Palestine, as well as the history of the Israeli Navy. You can see the museum’s ship and submarine from the cable car.

There is an entrance fee and a discount when purchasing a round-trip ticket. Children up to the age of 2 can ride for free. Although the Haifa Cable Car is operational for a short time after dark in the winter months, it’s recommended to go during daylight hours to fully appreciate the spectacular views.