How to Visit Bahai Gardens in Haifa, Israel
When in Haifa, make sure you won't miss its most famous UNESCO-listed attraction, Bahai Gardens. In this Bahai Gardens travel guide, we share everything you need to know before the visit, including whether you need to book a tour, how much things cost, what to wear, or how to get.
Until recently, before we visited Haifa, we had had this city only vaguely connected with the football team that plays with the Czech teams from time to time in the European leagues.
Fortunately, this narrow-minded knowledge did not prevent us from visiting this important Israeli city.
And by the way, when we hear Haifa nowadays, we imagine the tasty cuisine, bad traffic, beautiful views over the harbor, cats, and the UNESCO-listed site, Bahai Gardens.
And then, once again, many cats that wander its streets. But jokes aside.
If you just started planning your Israel itinerary and cannot figure out whether Haifa is worth your time, we would say that at least Bahai Gardens are the reason to visit the city.
There's probably no travel guide to Israel that would not have featured a photo of the iconic view of the terraced gardens with a beautiful golden-roofed shrine on the top of the hill.
It is not a secret that Israel is a multi-religious country, and the Bahai faith is only a welcoming addition to the whole picture.
And the Bahai Gardens are so different from the religious places we've seen in Jerusalem or Bauhaus architecture in Tel Aviv.
By the way, about 7 million people all over the world follow the peaceful thoughts of the founder, Bab.
If you want to know more about this religion, or you are just attracted by perfectly trimmed trees and shrubs, colorful flowers, and beautifully maintained terraces located on the northern side of Mount Carmel, keep on reading.
Although visiting Bahai Gardens seemed like an easy task, for us first-time visitors, it was actually quite confusing.
That's why we've put together this practical travel guide that includes everything you need to know before you go.
Hopefully, we will answer all your burning questions, so your trip will be as smooth as possible.
History
But first things first. We do not want to underestimate you, but the chances are that you've never heard of the Bahai religion.
Or you've heard the name but stored it safely into your subconscious without actually knowing the story behind it.
Although the Bahai Gardens guides are ready to give you all the information you need, we feel this post would not be complete without a brief introduction.
The Bahai belief is actually not that old, The founder of the religion, Bab, was born in Iran in 1819.
He was a visionary from an early age, and when he was 24, he announced himself a prophet - but not a regular one.
We must say that his teaching was very different and progressive from what we would probably expect from a guy living in the 19th century in that area.
Bab emphasized women's equality, was against violence and focused on education and science.
He found his followers pretty quickly, but this popularity was quite unwelcomed, and he was jailed and, later, killed.
This peaceful religion did not die with him, mostly thanks to Bahá'u'lláh, the most devoted follower.
At first, it seemed that Bahá'u'lláh would meet the same end as Bab, and he was sent to a prison in Akko (a town close to Haifa).
After locals realized he did not represent any threat, he could move freely around the town, and he could even work on creating more solid foundations of Bahai religion.
We would say that thanks to peaceful doctrines, it was quite easy. After he died, he was buried in Akko.
By the way, the same as Muslims pray with their faces towards Mecca, Bahai believers pray the same way, only in the direction of Akko.
Before he died, he also wished that the founder, Bab, would be buried on Mount Carmel.
This place is nowadays marked by the shrine, which is the pride of Bahai Gardens that are from 2001 one of the must-visit places in Haifa.
Bahai Gardens Official Entrance
Now let's have a look at the more practical side of visiting Bahai Gardens.
It is quite essential to know where the official entrance is for planning the trip. And we must say, we were having problems here.
As we walked around the harbor early in the morning, we planned to arrive by the entrance right after the gardens opened to avoid the crowds.
The truth is we did not read much about the site beforehand.
We assumed that the main entrance is located by the impressive gate et the end of Ben Gurion Street that features the iconic view of the terraces and the shrine.
But the main gate was locked even after the time the site was supposed to be open, and no one showed up.
We waited for like another 10 or 15 minutes, and when it was obvious no one was gonna come and open the gate, we decided to visit the local visitor center just a few steps away.
Here, a lady behind the desk told us that the main entrance was elsewhere.
As it turned out, we had to climb stairs that lead along the left side of the garden, up to Hatzion Avenue.
So if you want to visit the gardens, write down the name of this street.
First, there's the entrance for the public, but if you want to visit the site properly and take a guided tour, carry on along the street, walk under a bridge, and you will reach the gate in about 100 meters.
On Google Maps, search for Bahai Pilgrim Reception Centre.
How to Get
Once you know where to go, getting to Bahai Gardens is pretty simple, and you have a few options.
To be honest, we would rule out getting to the entrance by own car as the traffic in Haifa is notoriously bad, and there's no proper place to park nearby.
While driving in Israel is fine, it's better to leave your park at your hotel's parking when getting around the cities.
Therefore, we would recommend you to find a hotel near the gardens, so you'll always be within walking distance of this gem.
On Foot
We found getting around Haifa on foot the best, and if you are just moderately fit, we recommend you do the same.
Chances are you will stay in the German Colony, from where you get to the official entrance by a stairway that leads all the way uphill.
It is not that bad, and you can reach the gate in about 15 minutes.
We know the perks of taking the guided tour is walking through the gardens downhill, but we think a small exercise never hurt anyone.
Bus
Honestly, we did not have enough time to explore Haifa's public bus system.
Still, we noticed that there's a bus station in front of Bahai Gardens entrance.
Bus 23 connects the German Colony with the gardens, which is very convenient to tourists.
From Hatzionut Avenue are the gardens very inconspicuous, so have the GPS on your phone ready and ask the driver to drop you off by the entrance.
They will know where to stop.
Here you will find more information on how to get around Israel.
Taxi
If you are in a hurry or too lazy to climb Mount Carmel, there's always an option to flag down a cab, although we consider it a pretty expensive option for what it offers.
On the other hand, if you travel in a party of four, you can split the cost and enjoy the sweeping views along the way.
Tour
We know it can sometimes be challenging to combine visiting so many wonderful places Israel has to offer.
One option that covers many sites in one day is taking a tour.
Unless you take a private or specialized tour, you must know that visiting Bahai Gardens means just taking a quick photo stop by the entrance.
Although it might be enough for some of you, it is necessary to point this fact out to avoid disappointment.
If taking a tour sound like your preferred travel style, check out this Caesarea, Haifa, and Akko day trip from Tel Aviv or Caesarea, Haifa, and Akko day trip from Jerusalem.
Can You Visit Bahai Gardens Without a Guide?
When we searched for information on whether it is possible to visit Bahai Gardens independently, we found that it is doable.
Unfortunately, we did not pay too much attention that it is possible only in certain areas. It was almost a crucial mistake.
When we finally reached the upper entrance, were searched by guards, and entered the garden accessible to the public, we quickly realized that we were allowed only in a small fraction of the entire site.
What was odd was that this part was really tiny, it rather looked like a park, and there were no views we were expecting.
We quickly walked around and asked an employee we met where we could see the 'real' Bahai Gardens.
Only then did we learn this is really the only part we can see independently, and if we want to visit the UNESCO-listed site, we have to take a guided tour.
The Bahai Gardens tour is free and bookable on the official website in several languages.
Unfortunately, it was too late to make the booking, so we called the office, and a lady told us we could try to join the tour without the reservation.
Fortunately, it was not the main tourist season, so everything ended up well. We just had to walk to the other entrance, the official meeting point.
So long story short, we found the information that it is possible to visit Bahai Gardens independently a bit misleading.
In reality, make sure to reserve your spot well in advance.
It might be a downside if you do not know your exact schedule yet, but the truth is that spots fill up fast.
The truth is the view of the Bahai Gardens from Ben Gurion Street is also breathtaking, and it is always the last resort when things won't work out.
We still think it is worth it to walk inside the gardens and get a more intimate experience.
Visiting Bahai Gardens With a Guide
Although getting to the Bahai Gardens was not as smooth as we expected, we were in for a treat when we finally got inside.
From the very beginning, we could notice that our guide is knowledgeable, but he also respects Bahai religion, which was definitely something that made our visit unforgettable.
We walked in a small group along perfectly shaped flowers and bushes and meanwhile listened to the story of Bab.
We stopped to take photos from time to time, but the entire visit flowed smoothly.
It is important to know that Bahai Gardens have two parts, but visitors can only enter the lower one. The upper part is sacred.
We did not have a feeling we missed something at all, though.
The path unmistakably led us to the shrine of Bab, the most noticeable structure in the gardens that we could already admire before.
Once we walked past the building, we started descending via stairs that lead in the middle of the garden.
The open views of the terraces, fountains, and the sea on the horizon were nearly perfect.
Now we can understand why the guided tour is only one-way.
While descending, we could fully focus on details that would probably not be that obvious if we had to make our way up.
The whole tour took about 50 minutes, which was a reasonable amount of time. We did not feel we were rushed and had plenty of photo opportunities.
We even sat down for a while and just admired the location, and it was easy to understand why this place was added to the UNESCO list.
Opening Hours
At the moment, Bahai Gardens in Haifa is open from 9 AM to 5 PM, every day but Monday and Tuesday.
As it is closed two days a week, it can be quite challenging to fit the site in your schedule, especially if it is crucial for you to see the gardens during your Israel trip.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a plan on what to do on Shabbat, Bahai Gardens are not, for obvious reasons, affected by this weekly Jewish celebration, which might be a good tip.
You can spend the whole day on the coast and add on your schedule, for example, Caesarea, Akko, or even Rosh HaNikra.
The gardens are also closed on Yom Kippur, a major Israeli holiday, and Bahai holy days that are usually stated on the official website a few days in advance.
Entrance Fee
Israel is, in general, a very expensive country for tourists. Therefore, every attraction where we did not have to pay a steep entrance fee was a welcoming change.
Yes, visiting Bahai Gardens is free of charge, which is almost unbelievable when considering its fame and beauty.
It's also great news for those who are visiting Israel on a Budget.
Of course, if you found this religion intriguing, you can always donate or spend some time working and taking care of the garden.
We actually saw a few workers in the garden, and our guide told us that every Bahai believer should support the religion with money.
Still, if they do not have enough finances, they can maintain the garden for a while and pay their respect this way.
When is the Best Time to Visit Bahai Gardens
It is crucial to say that it is possible to visit Bahai Gardens year-round. You can expect the best weather between March and October.
These months bring warmer weather (it is probably too hot in July and August), and the chance of rain is low thanks to mainly clear skies.
It can for sure rain during this period, but usually not for that long.
We visited Israel in November, which is considered off-season, and the weather was still perfect - warm and dry, but that's for sure not something a traveler can rely on.
Winter is usually colder with more frequent showers. The rainiest month in Haifa is January.
Despite the seasons, Bahai Gardens are beautiful, and we would not be worried about planning your visit anytime.
On the other hand, because of the terraced layout, it is good to know that the site might be temporarily closed after heavy rains because of safety reasons.
When it comes to the best time of the day to visit Bahai Gardens in Haifa, we would definitely recommend you to arrive early in the morning.
It is the time when you can reserve guided tours that will take you around (almost) the entire complex.
Here you will find more information on the best time to visit Israel.
What to Pack
It should go without saying, but from our experience, we know it is sometimes better to repeat this, especially when it comes to countries with a warmer climate.
Bahai Gardens is a religious site, therefore, you should wear modest clothes.
There's no need to overreact. It is enough to wear regular jeans (no shorts) and a T-shirt that covers your shoulders.
As a precaution, we always packed a few extra layers in our daypack, just in case the rules at the particular site were more strict.
Of course, in the winter, add a fleece jacket or rain jacket.
There's almost no shade, so pack a hat, sunscreen, and water bottle.
There's a security check by the entrance, so make sure you do not carry any objects that could be considered suspicious or dangerous.
And, by the way, no chewing gums during your visit. Chewing is together with eating and smoking not allowed there.
Where to Stay in Haifa
We arrived in Haifa when it was getting late and booked the place to stay about an hour before we arrived in the city and were quite lucky to get a quite reasonable deal.
Haifa's traffic and parking situation are pretty challenging, so our main motivation was to find a hotel with a parking lot.
Although Haifa cannot compete in popularity with Jerusalem or Tel Aviv, we definitely recommend you to make a booking in advance.
Here's our selection of the best hotels in Haifa for every budget category.
Budget | Hostel Roks - This clean accommodation with a friendly atmosphere is only about one kilometer from the gardens, which is hard to beat. Some rooms even have a kitchen if you want to keep your Israel budget at bay.
Mid-range | The Colony Hotel - A wonderful hotel in the former German Colony is located in the original house, which is half of its success. Breakfast is tasty, rooms comfortable, and if you select this option, you will be within walking distance to almost every must-see place in Haifa.
Luxury | Golden Crown Haifa - One of the best hotels in Haifa offers perfect services, nice views, and a location close to the port. If you want to enjoy your time to the fullest, you surely won't make a mistake with this alternative.
Staying Safe
Haifa is considered a safe travel destination, but you should exercise caution as in any other place.
That's being said, we walked around the city even after dark and then early in the morning and did not have a strange feeling as we should instead be in our hotel room.
It was actually quite pleasant to see Haifa outside the busy hours.
In our opinion, the most dangerous part of the visit was driving its streets and then crossing roads.
If Haifa felt safe, then Bahai Gardens seemed to us like definitely the safest place in the city, if not the country, and not only because the site is walled and guarded.
We've said it many times, but even when things are seemingly calm, you should never underestimate the ever-changing security situation in Israel.
We recommend you read the news while in the country to get a better insight into the country's current mood in society.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Are Bahai Gardens Worth Visiting?
In our view, Bahai Gardens are a perfect tourist attraction and a must-visit stop, even if you are just passing by Haifa.
The place is photogenic, and if your schedule is tight, you do not have to miss it completely because you can make a quick photo break at the foot of the hill and carry on.
On the other hand, the visit won't take you more than an hour and a half, even if you take it slowly.
We believe this is an okay amount of time when you are road tripping the country and want to see more that day.
In general, Bahai Gardens are very visually captivating, and the spiritual undertone of the unusual religion is the cherry on the top.
We were glad that we spent the night in Haifa, had enough time to walk around its city center, and enjoyed the local food.
The best part was enjoying the views from the top of the gardens overlooking the terraced gardens, harbor, and the sea.
Although the beginning of the visit was not that smooth, everything, in the end, went well.
And we hope we inspired you to at least start considering including Bahai Gardens in your travel itinerary.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
