The Carmel Range, often referred to simply as "Mount Carmel" (though this more properly refers to the hills immediately above Haifa), is a compact region of hills in Israel extending westwards from the Central Hill country to the Mediterranean Sea.
Cities
- Haifa – An interesting and busy metropolis, containing the beautiful Baha'i gardens.
- Zikhron Ya'akov – A romantic town on the south-eastern end of the Carmel Range, overlooking the Mediterranean.
Other destinations
Although hardly qualifying as "cities", the settlements of the Carmel Range are nonetheless fascinating:
- Daliyat el-Carmel 📍 – the largest and southernmost Druze town in Israel, located in the heart of the Carmel National Park, southeast of Haifa. Established 400 years ago, Daliyat el-Carmel has a population of 13,000 Druze residents, tracing their ancestry to the hill country near Aleppo (Halab) in northern Syria (reflected in their strong Aleppo accent and the name of the largest family in the village - Halabi). A large market in the center of the town sells traditional Druze and Arab products and draws tourists from Israel and from abroad. A memorial center for fallen Druze IDF soldiers also exists in the town. The shrine of Abu Ibrahim is located in Daliyat el-Carmel, and the ruins of several Druze villages are located in the vicinity.
- Isfiya 📍 – built on the ruins of a Byzantine settlement, the village's many Crusader ornaments and relics found on the walls and in the houses lead historians to believe that the village was once a Crusader center. The remains of the fifth-century Jewish settlement of Husifah were unearthed in the village in 1930 and include a synagogue with a mosaic floor bearing Jewish symbols and the inscription "Peace upon Israel". Some 4,500 gold coins dating from the Roman Period were also found. The modern village was founded in the early 18th century, when residents made their living from the olive oil, honey and the excellent grapes growing in the region. Some 9,000 people live today in Isfiya: 70% Druze, the rest Christians and Muslims. The tomb of Abu Abdallah is located here.
- There are also a few small Jewish villages and towns which mainly serve tourists, notably Beit Oren 📍. Much of the Carmel has been declared a nature reserve/natural park to protect it from further development.
Understand
Dividing the Coastal Plain from the Jezreel Valley, the Carmel Range retains its own unique landscape and culture. The hills are home to a number of Druze villages, the focus of many travelers' visits to the region. There are also sites of Jewish and Arab cultural/historical interest, and many beautiful mountains and forests.
Get in
The Carmel is bounded by Road 4 (the old Tel Aviv-Haifa road) on the west, and road 70 (Zichron Yaakov-Yokneam-near Haifa) on the south and east.
From Tel Aviv, leave the freeway (road 2) at Zichron Yaakov. Then either turn left on road 4, or continue straight on road 70, depending on your destination.
There are frequent buses going up and down roads 4 and 70. Buses and service taxis also travel from Haifa to the Druze villages.
Get around
Several roads go through the Carmel and they are pretty scenic.
See
- Muhraka (Keren/Queren HacCarmel), 32.672653°, 35.088271°. A monastery located at the southeastern corner of the Carmel (opposite the town of Yokneam). There are stupendous views of the surroundings if the weather is clear. Traditionally, this is where the Biblical prophet Elijah had his showdown with the prophets of Baal. The monastery itself is not that impressive, but more a place for American and Chinese tourist groups seeking souvenirs quoted in US$. You can drive here, or else hike up from the road. ₪4 (but on your own you might get in for free, if you search long enough for coins)
- Ein Hod, 32.699579°, 34.983194°. An artist's colony which is fun to walk around, even if you don't end up buying anything.
- Janco Dada Museum, 32.7009718°, 34.981697°. Includes both an art gallery and a lab where you can try your hand at creating your own art in the Dada style. 2017-05-31
- Nisco Museum of Mechanical Music. Has a unique and captivating collection of music boxes. 2017-05-31
- The Nahal Me’arot Nature Reserve (Wadi el-Mughara Caves), 32.671397°, 34.964934°, +972 4-9841750. 8-15/16:00. "Sites of Human Evolution at Mount Carmel" and a UNESCO World Heritage site. On the western fringe of the Carmel, next to road 4, a series of caves are located in the mountainside. One of them is a major archaeological site due to its habitation in prehistoric times and can be visited. ₪22/9/9 adult/student/child
- Mount Carmel National Park and Nature Reserve, 32.742559°, 35.002398°, +972 4-8228983, gl.carmel@npa.org.il. The Mount Carmel National Park is the part between Wadi Milek in the south (road 70) and the southern tip of the city of Haifa, and thus including Muhraka Monastery, Hagana Hill, Nof Carmel Road, Mishmar Hacarmel Farm, Mt Shokef and the Patrolman's lookout. ₪36/120/240 private vehicle/minibus/bus (only on Saturdays and religious holidays, collected at the parking lots of "Little Switzerland" and Pit'hat Nahal Oren)
- Hai-Bar Carmel Nature Reserve, 32.754258°, 35.016909°, +972 4-8320648, haybar@npa.org.il. only open during Saturdays and religious festivals, visits for groups can be organised. A park with the purpose of raising of endangered animals of the region for potential re-introduction to the wilderness. ₪22/9 adult/child
Do
- Mei Kedem (May Kedem), 32.5547154°, 35.0060783°. Sat-Tue 9am-4pm, Fri 9am-1pm. Open only from March-October. Walk through an underground aqueduct dating to the Byzantine period, which was used to supply the city of Caesarea. Water still flows here, so the site is only open in summer when it's warm enough to be comfortable. You need to participate in an organized tour, which is best purchased ahead of time. ₪30 adult, ₪25 child
- Mitvach Portal, HaTamar 2, Yokneam, 32.65969°, 35.10494°, +972 54 789-6361. A shooting range offering a variety of activities.
Hiking
In general the Carmel has lots of beautiful forested landscapes which are great for hiking and biking. Some of the more popular ones are:
- Nachal Yagur, 32.7325°, 35.069444°. a steep forested riverbed. You start at Isfiya and go down the canyon to Kibbutz Yagur at the foot of the Carmel.
- Little Switzerland, 32.74772°, 35.01150°. well-known scenic hiking area.
Eat
Pita, in the Druze villages.
Sleep
Your best bets are Zikhron Ya'akov, Haifa and nearby Caesarea or Nazareth.
- Beit Oren Vacation Hotel Carmel, Beit Oren, +972 4-8307444.
Stay safe
The Carmel is perhaps the safest place in Israel. Watch out for the usual dangers, like dehydration in summer and swimming at the beach without a lifeguard.
Go next
- The Western Galilee at the coast, the Lower Galilee with Nazareth and of course the Sea of Galilee region are must sees closeby.
- Jezreel Valley and from there into the West Bank