6 Best Sights in Haifa, Haifa and the Northern Coast

With its attractive boardwalk and beachside kiosks, Carmel Beach sits in front of the Leonardo Hotel at the southern entrance to Haifa. Amenities: food and drink; parking (fee); lifeguards; showers; toilets. Best for: swimming.

On Saturday at Dado Beach, Haifa's longest sandy stretch, Israelis of all ages come and folk dance to the delight of onlookers. You can also find exercise equipment, picnic areas, and a small bathing pool for young children. The northern part of the beach is wheelchair accessible, as are the restrooms and showers. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: swimming.

This museum, on the southern edge of the Wadi Nisnas neighborhood, displays artwork from all over the world, dating from the mid-18th century to the present. It also serves as a special repository of contemporary Israeli art. Included are 20th-century graphics and contemporary paintings, sculptures, and photographs. The print collection is of special note, as are frequent solo exhibitions by young Israeli artists. The museum also houses an interactive children's wing.

Amid masses of trees and lush foliage in the Gan Ha'Em park is a seemingly happy collection of roaring lions and tigers, big brown bears, chattering monkeys, stripe-tailed lemurs, a placid camel, lots of snakes and reptiles, one croc, a kangaroo, and fierce-eyed eagles and owls—plus a bat cave and a waterbird pond. It's a hilly place, but a tram can take you up the steepest terrain. A small natural history museum and petting zoo complement the regular educational exhibits.

Housed in a landmark building (designed by Alexander Baerwald, a German Jewish architect, in the early 20th century) that was the original home of the Technion, Israel's MIT, this museum features excellent interactive exhibits sure to captivate children and adults alike. Explore the mysteries of DNA, the disorientations of mirrors and visual illusions, or the promises of green energy.

Just next to Dado Beach, Zamir Beach is regarded as one of the best in Haifa, with fine golden sand and many amenities, including coffeehouses, restaurants, access for people with mobility issues, and even Wi-Fi. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee); showers; toilets. Best for: swimming; walking.