Stella Maris Monastery

Religious Site Carmelite monastery atop Haifa with panoramic Mediterranean views

Carmelite monastery on Mount Carmel overlooking Haifa Bay, with a church and viewpoints; draws pilgrims and visitors for religious history and Mediterranean views.

Main image

Stella Maris Monastery is the Carmelite monastery on Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel, overlooking Haifa Bay and the Mediterranean. It serves as a religious centre for the Carmelite community and as a pilgrimage site linked to the tradition of the Prophet Elijah.

Key features include the monastery church and an internal cave shrine that is traditionally identified with Elijah; this cave forms a devotional space within the complex. The monastery terraces and entrances give wide views across the bay and the city of Haifa.

The Carmelite presence on Mount Carmel dates back to medieval hermit communities and was later formalised as a monastic order; the present buildings have been rebuilt and modified over centuries and continue to serve both religious and visitor functions.

The monastery is located on the slopes of Mount Carmel in Haifa, within the Haifa District, and is reachable by road from the city centre and coastal areas.

  • Elijah cave shrine: The site includes a small cave shrine traditionally associated with the prophet Elijah, which forms part of the monastery's religious attractions.
  • Viewpoint: The monastery's terrace offers a wide view over Haifa Bay and the Mediterranean, a popular viewpoint for visitors to Mount Carmel.
Stella Maris Monastery
Stella Maris Monastery, Haifa, Israel (Mount Carmel)
32.8267, 34.9703
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https://www.stellamaris.org/

How to Get to Stella Maris Monastery #

Reachable by bus from central Haifa or by taxi; the Carmel Mountain Road (Derech HaCarmel) leads up to the monastery. A moderate walk from Haifa’s lower neighborhoods is possible but steep.

Tips for Visiting Stella Maris Monastery #

  • Walk the coastal path north toward Bat Galim for dramatic views of Haifa Bay and the Bahá'í terraces from a less frequented angle.
  • Bring a light jacket - sea breezes off the Mediterranean can be sharper than expected even on warm days.

Best Time to Visit Stella Maris Monastery #

Spring and autumn provide the most comfortable conditions for hiking Mount Carmel and visiting the monastery without summer crowds.

Spring
March-May · 14-24°C
Wildflowers on Mount Carmel and comfortable weather for cliff-top walking.
Autumn
September-November · 18-28°C
Warm seas and fewer midsummer visitors; sunsets are especially striking.

Weather & Climate near Stella Maris Monastery #

Climate

Stella Maris Monastery's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with hot summers (peaking in August) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 8°C to 30°C. Moderate rainfall (589 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 65 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
AugustSeptemberJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
37°
Warmest Month
5°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (153 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

64 Good

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
8° – 16°
71%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

153 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.5
UV Index
Moderate
10.1h daylight

February

February is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (102 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

68 Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
8° – 17°
72%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

102 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
10.9h daylight

March

March is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (56 mm).

76 Very Good

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
10° – 19°
73%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

56 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.3
UV Index
High
11.9h daylight

April

April is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 13°C. Light rainfall.

90 Ideal

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Cool
18°C
Temperature
13° – 23°
73%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

21 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.7
UV Index
Very High
12.9h daylight

May

May is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 16°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.

94 Ideal

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
16° – 25°
73%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

6 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.2
UV Index
Extreme
13.7h daylight

June

June is warm with highs of 28°C and lows of 20°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

98 Ideal

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Warm
24°C
Temperature
20° – 28°
74%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
4.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.6
UV Index
Extreme
14.1h daylight

July

July is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 22°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

98 Ideal

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
22° – 30°
74%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.6
UV Index
Extreme
13.9h daylight

August

August is the warmest month with highs of 30°C and lows of 23°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

100 Ideal

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
23° – 30°
74%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.3
UV Index
Extreme
13.2h daylight

September

September is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 21°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.

100 Ideal

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
21° – 29°
70%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

2 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.8
UV Index
Very High
12.2h daylight

October

October is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 18°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

94 Ideal

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
18° – 27°
68%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

21 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
11.2h daylight

November

November is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 13°C. Regular rainfall (89 mm).

73 Very Good

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Cool
18°C
Temperature
13° – 22°
64%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

89 mm
Rainfall
2.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
10.4h daylight

December

December is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 10°C. Significant rainfall (139 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

65 Good

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
10° – 17°
68%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

139 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.5
UV Index
Low
9.9h daylight

Nearby Attractions to Stella Maris Monastery

Israeli National Maritime Museum
Israeli National Maritime Museum
Museum in Haifa exhibiting Israel's maritime heritage
Museum 316 m
Bahá’i Holy Places in Haifa and the Western Galilee
Shrine gardens and terraces central to Bahá'í faith.
Historical Site 329 m
Tell es-Samak
Tell es-Samak
Coastal tell with Bronze Age archaeological layers
Archaeological Site 1.4 km
Israel Railway Museum
Israel Railway Museum
Museum displaying Israel's railway history and locomotives
Museum 1.8 km
Shrine of the Báb
Shrine of the Báb
Ornate terraced shrine on Haifa's slopes
Monument 2.1 km
Tikotin Museum of Japanese Art
Tikotin Museum of Japanese Art
Haifa museum dedicated to Japanese art collection
Museum 2.4 km
Mahmood Mosque, Haifa
Mahmood Mosque, Haifa
Historic mosque in Haifa's lower city
Mosque 2.4 km
St. Elijah Cathedral, Haifa
St. Elijah Cathedral, Haifa
Prominent Haifa cathedral overlooking the city
Church 2.4 km