Bahá’i Holy Places in Haifa and the Western Galilee Historical Site

Address: Mount Carmel, Haifa 34655, Israel (terraced gardens on the slope of Mount Carmel)

Website: https://www.bahai.org/

Hours: Gardens generally 08:00-18:00 (hours vary seasonally); Shrine and terraces may close for private events-check ahead

Admission: Gardens free; guided visits to the Shrine of the Báb and terraces free; tipping voluntary

The Bahá’í Holy Places in Haifa and the Western Galilee are a group of religious buildings, gardens and administrative properties of the Bahá’í Faith in northern Israel, inscribed as a World Heritage site. The complex is centred on the Shrine of the Báb and a formal system of terraces on Mount Carmel.

The group of properties reflects the development of the Bahá’í community from its mid-19th century origins and the establishment of the Faith’s international administrative institutions in Haifa and the western Galilee. Individual buildings and gardens were developed and adapted over the 20th century to serve religious, commemorative and administrative functions.

The principal cluster sits on the northern flank of Mount Carmel in Haifa, with terraces descending toward Haifa Bay; additional related properties are located in the western Galilee area near the coastal city of Acre (Akko).

• Visiting information: Access to the terraces and gardens is free and they are open to the public daily; the terraces provide clear panoramic views over Haifa Bay and the city.
• Site composition: The site comprises multiple properties in Haifa and the Western Galilee that together form the Bahá’í World Centre and its associated holy places.

What to See#

• Shrine of the Báb: Situated on the northern slope of Mount Carmel in Haifa, this shrine is the focal point of the Haifa terraces and a principal pilgrimage site for the Bahá’í Faith; it sits amid formal gardens that extend up and down the slope.
• Haifa Terraces and Gardens: A sequence of formally planted terraces and axial pathways descending Mount Carmel, arranged in a geometric layout that frames views over Haifa Bay and the Mediterranean.
• Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh at Bahjí: Located near the city of Acre (Akko), this shrine and adjacent gardens are the most sacred site in the Bahá’í Faith and a destination for pilgrimage.
• Bahá’í World Centre administrative and archival buildings: Administrative, archival and community buildings of the Bahá’í World Centre in Haifa, housing institutions and offices associated with the global Bahá’í community.

From Haifa’s central train station, take bus lines 13 or 16 toward the German Colony or taxi up the Carmel (5-10 minutes). The terraces are pedestrianized; most visitors begin in the German Colony and ascend the central stair axis. Street parking in the area is limited.

• Arrive before 09:00 or after 16:00 to avoid tour-operator peaks and get clearer photos down the axis of the terraces.
• Dress respectfully-this is an active pilgrimage site for Bahá'ís and many visitors are pilgrims from around the world.
• Start at the German Colony neighborhood and walk up the terraces to feel the slow reveal of the city and bay.
• Photography of the interior Shrine is restricted; exterior terraces and views are the main photographic rewards.