The Bahai Gardens, Haifa

The Bahai Gardens in Haifa are one of the most beautiful and immaculately kept gardens in the world, a breathtaking series of nineteen terraces cascading down the steep slopes of Mount Carmel around the golden-domed Shrine of the Bab, the holy centre of the Bahai faith. A UNESCO site, their perfect symmetry of manicured lawns, flowerbeds, fountains and hedges, framing sweeping views over the city and the bay, makes them a serene and stunning masterpiece of landscape design.

What to look for

• The cascading terraces - the nineteen immaculate garden terraces.
• The Shrine of the Bab - the golden-domed shrine at the centre.
• The views - the sweeping outlook over Haifa and the bay.
• The perfect symmetry - the manicured lawns, fountains and flowerbeds.

When to go

Spring and autumn for the mildest weather and the gardens in bloom; the upper viewpoint and terraces have set opening hours, and access to walk the full length of the terraces is by free guided tour only, at limited times, so check ahead.

Practical notes

Access is limited: the upper and lower gardens are open to view, but to walk down through the full length of the terraces you must join a free guided tour, held at set times and often only in certain languages, so plan ahead. As a holy site, modest dress and quiet respect are required. The famous full-terrace view is from the top on Yefe Nof street.

Nearby

The German Colony, the port and the Carmel coast are in and around Haifa.