Haifa: Israel's Gem by the Sea

• Helloשָׁלוֹם
  [Shalom]
• Goodbyeלְהִתְרָאוֹת
  [Lehitraot]
• Yesכֵּן
  [Ken]
• Noלֹא
  [Lo]
• Please/You're welcomeבְּבַקָּשָׁה
  [Bevakasha]
• Thank youתוֹדָה רַבָּה
  [Toda raba]
• Excuse me/Sorryסְלִיחָה
  [Slicha]
• How are you?אֵיך אַתָּה?
  [Eich ata?]
• Fine. And you?טוֹב. וְאַתָּה?
  [Tov. Ve'ata?]
• Do you speak English?אַתָּה מְדַבֵּר אַנְגְלִית?
  [Ata medaber anglit?]
• I don't understandאֲנִי לֹא מֵבִין
  [Ani lo mevin]

• I'd like to see the menu, pleaseאֲנִי רוֹצֶה לִרְאוֹת אֶת הַתַּפְרִיט, בְּבַקָּשָׁה
  [Ani rotse lirot et hataprit, bevakasha]
• I don't eat meatאֲנִי לֹא אוֹכֵל בָּשָׂר
  [Ani lo ochel basar]
• Cheers!לְחַיִּים!
  [Lechayim!]
• I would like to pay, pleaseאֲנִי רוֹצֶה לְשַׁלֵם, בְּבַקָּשָׁה
  [Ani rotse leshalem, bevakasha]

• Help!עֶזְרָה!
  [Ezrah!]
• Go away!לֵךְ הַלֹּךְ!
  [Lech halech!]
• Call the Police!קְרָא לַמִּשְׁטָרָה!
  [Kra lamishtara!]
• Call a doctor!קְרָא לָרוֹפֵא!
  [Kra larofe!]
• I'm lostאֲנִי אֹבֵד
  [Ani oved]
• I'm illאֲנִי חוֹלֶה
  [Ani choleh]

• I'd like to buy...אֲנִי רוֹצֶה לִקְנוֹת...
  [Ani rotse liknot...]
• I'm just lookingאֲנִי רַק רוֹאֶה
  [Ani rak roeh]
• How much is it?כְּמָה זֶה עוֹלֶה?
  [Kama ze ole?]
• That's too expensiveזֶה יָקָר מַדָּי
  [Ze yakar madai]
• Can you lower the price?אַתָּה יָכוֹל לְהוֹרִיד אֶת הַמַּחִיר?
  [Ata yachol lehorid et hamageer?]

• What time is it?כִּמָּה הַשָּׁעָה?
  [Kama hashaa?]
• It's one o'clockהַשָּׁעָה הַאַחַת
  [Hashaa haachat]
• Half past (10)חֲצִי (עֶשֶׂר)
  [Chatzi (eser)]
• Morningבֹּקֶר
  [Boker]
• Afternoonצָהֳרַיִם
  [Tzohorayim]
• Eveningעֶרֶב
  [Erev]
• Yesterdayאֶתָּמוֹל
  [Etmol]
• Todayהַיוֹם
  [Hayom]
• Tomorrowמָחָר
  [Machar]
• 1אֶחָד
  [Echad]
• 2שְׁתַיִם
  [Shetayim]
• 3שָׁלֹשׁ
  [Shalosh]
• 4אַרְבַּע
  [Arba]
• 5חֲמֵשׁ
  [Chamesh]
• 6שֵׁשׁ
  [Shesh]
• 7שִׁבְעָה
  [Shiv'ah]
• 8שְׁמוֹנָה
  [Shmona]
• 9תִּשְׁעָה
  [Tisha]
• 10עֶשֶׂר
  [Eser]

• Where's a/the...?אֵיפֹה נִמְצָא...
  [Eifo nimtza...]
• What's the address?מַה הַכְתוֹבָת?
  [Ma haktovat?]
• Can you show me (on the map)?אַתָּה יָכוֹל לְהַרְאוֹת לִי (עַל הַמַפָּה)?
  [Ata yachol leharot li (al hamapa)?]
• When's the next (bus)?מָתַי הַבּוּס הַבָּא?
  [Matai habus haba?]
• A ticket (to ....)כַּרְטִיס (ל...)
  [Kartis (le...)]

Haifa's history dates back to the Late Bronze Age, around the 14th century BCE. Archaeological excavations have uncovered evidence of a small port town that served as a hub for maritime trade. The ancient settlement was strategically positioned on the slopes of Mount Carmel, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, which made it a valuable location for commerce and military endeavors.

During the Byzantine era, Haifa grew in significance, and the construction of churches and monasteries flourished. In the 7th century CE, the city fell under Islamic rule following the Muslim conquest of the Levant. Haifa continued to thrive as a commercial center, and its population became a blend of various cultures and religions, including Christians, Muslims, and Jews.

In the 12th century, Haifa was captured by the Crusaders, who fortified the city and built castles and towers to defend it. The city became part of the Kingdom of Jerusalem and saw an influx of European settlers. However, it remained a contested territory, frequently changing hands between Crusaders and Muslim forces until its eventual recapture by the Mamluks in the late 13th century.

Under Ottoman rule from the early 16th century, Haifa transformed from a small village to a bustling port town. The Ottomans reconstructed the city's harbor and encouraged trade and settlement. The 18th century saw the arrival of German Templers, who established a colony and significantly contributed to the city's development by introducing modern agricultural and industrial practices.

Following World War I, Haifa came under British control as part of the British Mandate for Palestine. The city experienced rapid urbanization and modernization, becoming a major industrial and transportation hub. The construction of the Haifa port and the arrival of the Hejaz Railway transformed Haifa into a critical gateway for goods and passengers in the region.

In the years leading up to the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, Haifa was a focal point of Jewish-Arab tensions. The city witnessed significant conflict during the 1947–1948 Civil War in Mandatory Palestine. Eventually, Jewish forces took control of Haifa in April 1948, leading to the exodus of a large portion of its Arab population.

Today, Haifa is Israel's third-largest city and a vibrant cultural and economic center. Its diverse population includes Jews, Arabs, Christians, Druze, and Baha'is, reflecting its rich historical tapestry. Haifa is renowned for its technological and educational institutions, such as the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, and its beautiful Bahá'í Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Haifa, located in northern Israel, is accessible via multiple modes of transportation. The closest international airport is Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, about 90 kilometers away. From Ben Gurion, you can take a direct train to Haifa, which takes roughly an hour and a half. Alternatively, there are numerous buses and shared taxis (sherut) available. If you prefer driving, car rentals are available at the airport.

Haifa has an efficient public transportation system that includes buses, the Carmelit underground funicular, and trains. The buses and the Carmelit connect various parts of the city, while trains can take you to other cities in Israel. Taxis and ride-sharing services like Gett are also widely available. For a more scenic experience, consider taking the cable car from the Bat Galim neighborhood to the Stella Maris Monastery.

The currency in Haifa is the Israeli Shekel (ILS). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and shops. ATMs are plentiful, and you can exchange foreign currency at banks and exchange offices. It's advisable to carry some cash for small purchases and in case you visit places that do not accept cards.

Haifa is generally a safe city for tourists, but it's important to remain vigilant. Avoid secluded areas at night and be cautious in crowded places to prevent pickpocketing. Neighborhoods like Wadi Salib and Hadar have higher crime rates, so exercise caution when visiting these areas.

In case of emergency, dial 100 for police, 101 for medical assistance, and 102 for fire services. Haifa has several hospitals, including the Rambam Health Care Campus. Pharmacies are widely available for minor health issues. Make sure you have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies.

Fashion: Do dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites. Avoid overly revealing clothing. Religion: Do respect local customs and religious practices. Public Transport: Do offer your seat to elderly passengers and avoid eating or drinking on public transport. Greetings: Do greet people with a handshake; it's a common practice in Israel. Eating & Drinking: Do try local cuisine and kosher food. Don't refuse hospitality, as it can be considered rude.

To experience Haifa like a local, visit the Flea Market in the Wadi Nisnas neighborhood for unique finds and local foods. Spend time in the German Colony, known for its shops, cafes, and stunning views of the Bahá'í Gardens. For a quieter experience, head to the beaches like Bat Galim and Dado Beach. Don't miss the opportunity to ride the Carmelit funicular, the only subway in Israel, for a unique perspective of the city.