Established in 1868 with the arrival of two pioneer German Templar families, the German colony extends along Ben-Gurion Avenue and forms a picturesque pivot point, linking the Bahai Gardens on the slopes of Carmel and the port of Haifa. Houses line the streets, along with buildings which have been preserved, renovated and restored down to the last detail to keep in line with the architectural details of the Templar period. The tour route includes the Kishtot (Arches) House, the Pross Cafe, Shumacher House, Jaffa Way and the Templar Cemetery.
Built in 1921 as a garden city, this neighborhood eventually became a vibrant commercial and economic center. It's also the social and cultural focus for the "Hebrew Haifa." Many immigrants from the former Soviet Union choose to live in this part of Israel. This has led to a rekindling of the spirit of social and cultural renewal. Visit the Toister House in the Herzliya neighborhood, the Technikum neighborhood and the Glikin House along this tour.
Referred to as "The Wadi" by Haifans, Wadi Nisnas is a picturesque Arab neighborhood that has stone houses, narrow alley ways and an oriental-style market. This produces the atmosphere of a village in the center of a busy and bustling city. The tour goes to St. Luke's Church, the Aziz Khayat House and the Mar Elias Church.
Constructed according to the garden city design concept, the Bat Galim neighborhood aims to combine the fast-paced city life with the quiet village life. Plants and gardens surround each house and serve as barriers to break up the monotony of buildings lining the streets. As one of the first garden neighborhoods in Israel, Bat Galim received high regard by well-known elite figures who lived in Haifa during the garden's establishment. The tour stops include the Carmelite Monastery, the houses of the Samsonov family and the Bat Galim Promenade.
Surrounded by an arc of white-marble administrative buildings, the central feature of the Bahai World Center is the Bahai Shrine with its golden dome. The spectacular Bahai Gardens flanks the shrine on both sides. Built upon 19 garden terraces with ornamental fountains and promenades, the center of the Gardens is home to the Shrine of Bab. The first two prophets of the Bahai religion were buried at this location. It is a well-known symbol of Haifa and attracts many visitors, pilgrims and vacationers from both Israel and abroad. The tour route goes to the highest gardens, the lower gardens, the inner garden and the Shrine of the Bab (the Golden Dome).
