National Maritime Museum

Haifa


This museum, founded in 1953, covers five millennia of maritime history across its three floors, from barnacle-clung amphorae to Israel's recent naval history. Temporary exhibitions on themes from pirates to naval battles rotate on the ground floor, while the archaeological treasures – Egyptian canopic jars and Roman remnants recovered from Haifa Bay – are in the permanent collection above. Explanation is in English and Hebrew.

The star piece is the Lod Mosaic, formerly the floor of an affluent Roman villa, depicting mammals and fish in impressive detail.

This part of town is served by buses 111 and 112 from the German Colony, Wadi Nisnas and Hadar; bus 111 also goes to Haifa-Hof HaCarmel.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Haifa attractions

1. Clandestine Immigration & Naval Museum

0.13 MILES

Using a series of powerful video testimonials, this fascinating museum showcases the Zionist Movement’s determined efforts to infiltrate Jewish refugees…

2. Elijah’s Cave

0.19 MILES

Holy to Jews, Christians, Muslims and Druze, this cave is where the prophet Elijah is believed to have prayed before challenging the priests of Ba’al on…

3. Stella Maris Carmelite Monastery

0.19 MILES

The Carmelite Order was established in the late 12th century when Crusader-era pilgrims, inspired by the prophet Elijah, opted for a hermitic life on the…

4. Haifa City Museum

1.23 MILES

Split across two buildings, the City Museum examines Haifa's last century of history and features rotating exhibitions on contemporary life here. Most…

5. Shrine of the Báb

1.29 MILES

Though it’s primarily a pilgrimage site, modestly dressed visitors are allowed to enter this domed shrine holding the remains of the Báb, spiritual…

6. Baha’i Gardens

1.39 MILES

These formal gardens flowing down 19 steep terraces to a resplendent domed shrine – the final resting place of the prophet-herald of the Baha’i faith –…

7. Viewing Balcony

1.43 MILES

Situated about 100m up the hill from the tour entrance of the Baha’i Gardens, this viewing platform allows a bird’s-eye view over the Shrine of the Báb…

8. Beit HaGefen Cultural Center

1.43 MILES

In an old stone building across the street from the modern Beit HaGefen Arab–Jewish Center, this gallery-cum-social space sponsors interfaith social and…