Middle East
Israel
Haifa District
Haifa
Places to visit in Haifa
Stella Maris Lighthouse and Carmelite Monastery
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Stella Maris Lighthouse and Carmelite Monastery

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See all things to do
Stella Maris Lighthouse and Carmelite Monastery
4.5
About
Serving as a pilgrimage centre, this impressive church of the Carmelite Order houses a collection of antiques and its nearby monastery once served as a hospital for Napoleon’s soldiers.
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397 within 5 kms
kalamaris
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0.6 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Seafood • Mediterranean • Middle Eastern
Shawatina
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Golden Coral
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0.6 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Lebanese • Mediterranean • Middle Eastern
Eataliano
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0.8 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Italian • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Santa Maria
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Reef Cafe
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Millhouse Cafe
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איטליאנו דלה קוסטה
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0.8 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Italian • Mediterranean
Shawatina by the Beach
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Maxim
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Attractions
73 within 10 kms
National Maritime Museum
82
0.5 kmSpeciality Museums
Clandestine Immigration and Naval Museum
155
0.7 kmHistory Museums
Cave of Elijah
111
0.6 kmHistoric Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Aerial Cable Car
193
0.6 kmTrams
The German Colony
985
1.3 kmNeighbourhoods • Historic Walking Areas
Yefe Nof Street
450
1.8 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Louis Promenade
730
2.1 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks
The Baha'i Gardens
3,752
2 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Religious Sites
Sculptures Garden (Gan Hapsalim)
146
1.2 kmArt Galleries • Gardens
Madatech-Israel National Museum of Science, Technology, and Space
567
2.6 kmScience Museums
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
370 reviews
Excellent
171
Very good
135
Average
55
Poor
9
Terrible
0
SmartTraveler
Muar, Malaysia658 contributions
Star of the Sea
Apr 2023 • Couples
We visited the Stella Maris Monastery near Haifa. It is on Mount Carmel overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The biblical significance was the cave of Prophet Elijah and his fire miracles in the Old Testament. There is a grotto beneath the church to commemorate him.

The Stella Maris Monastery was also the home of the Carmelites monks during the Crusade eras. They live frugal and hermit-life on Mount Carmel, emulating the Prophet Elijah. During the Napoleonic wars, there were French troops massacred by the Ottomans. A pyramid-shaped plaque was erected at the church front.

Inside the church are painted ceilings and domes portraying the work and ministries of Prophet Elijah. The Latin name Stella Maris dedicated to Virgin Mary, means Our Lady, Star of the Sea.
Written 13 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AndyWildman
Le Dorat, France607 contributions
Interesting for a short visit
Feb 2023
A very interesting and atmospheric church but not an awful lot to actually see or do once you have taken in the view and gazed at the ceiling.
Written 25 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Swantje W
Pasadena, California, United States13 contributions
Disappointing
Jan 2023
The Elijah’s cave area was the only thing that was open. Even that wasn’t inviting for any prayer or reflection. Not even the restrooms near the church were open, so I had to find a restaurant where they let me go. It’s sad when the best area for reflection is the windy outlook area with narration.
Written 2 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tony C
Bedford, UK1,143 contributions
Nice but not a must see
Oct 2022 • Couples
One of the many monasteries you will see if you are touring Israel. They all have something else to offer and being with a guide so you can understand it’s place in the Holy Land.
This is situated just outside Haifa on the hill so provides some great views of the city below.
Written 23 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julia L
Chesterfield, UK88 contributions
Great things come in small packages
Apr 2022 • Couples
Small and compact but with so much detail and beautiful colours and of course Elijah’s second cave. The friendly friar was very proud of his information leaflet he’d written and rightly so. At just $1 definitely get one and read and tour, you’ll learn so much more and see things you might miss. We were able to do our own tour and it was just fascinating.

There’s several interesting points outside too both in the grounds and across the road.

The lighthouse is under scaffolding and the other Elijah’s cave (now a significant synagogue) is under renovation.
Written 27 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ogol17
Joshua Tree, CA1,013 contributions
Beautiful church
Nov 2021 • Solo
The church is beautiful and interesting, and the leaflets at the entrance (1$) provide details explanations about what you see
Written 29 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Temper43 - Alfredo
Panama City, Panama1,321 contributions
Beautiful church on top of Mt Carmel
Jul 2021
Beautiful church and important site to visit by pilgrims arriving to Israel, run by the Carmelite order, the site is impressive and of an impressive architecture, it is not very big but worthwhile visiting, across the street is the lighthouse and at present is closed to the public.
Written 8 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BillPNo1
Friendswood, TX691 contributions
Stella Maris Monastery at Mt. Carmel
Jul 2019
We visited the Carmelite Monastery - Stella Maris Monastery - at Mt. Carmel last July on our trip from Tel Aviv to Tiberius. We had previously visited there about 5 or 6 years ago and were pleased to have been able to make a second trip. While the upper level Church is beautiful and inspiring, the most awe-inspiring site is the lower grotto chapel (where God spoke to the Prophet in a "small. still voice"). This is a spiritual and significant place to visit for it's Old Testament historical impact and for it's New Testament importance as the founding location of the Carmelite Order.
Written 26 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ECLadines
Paranaque, Philippines2,801 contributions
Prayers and meal at the monastery
Apr 2020
Had a simple and quiet lunch here at the monastery arranged by our pilgrimage operator. This after mass by our group and visiting the church itself with a statue of Virgin Mary venerated by many Catholics here. A cave underneath the altar is the statue of Prophet Elijah who had lived here for sometime. If you want to experience some solitude, this place in Haifa is the place to be.
Written 23 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rob M
Grand Rapids, MI9 contributions
Beautiful Architecture and History
Jan 2020
The views from the site are worth the trip up the mountain side. The art work/architecture is incredible. Be sure to learn of the history.
Written 22 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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