Cruise ships calling at Israel dock at Haifa in the north or Ashdod in the south. Haifa puts you a short walk from downtown and the Bahai Gardens. Ashdod means a shuttle, taxi or tour to reach Jerusalem (about an hour) or Tel Aviv (around 40 minutes).
Haifa cruise port: where ships dock and getting into town
Ships dock right at the Haifa Cruise Terminal on Ha’Namal Street, no tendering, no waiting for a boat to shore. Step off and you’re on Ha’Atzmaut Road, with the Haifa Centre HaShmona train station right next to you and the German Colony an easy walk away.
The newer terminal building has duty-free shopping, a cafe, currency exchange and free Wi-Fi, and it’s built to cope with two large ships in port on the same day. It connects straight to the train station, the international airport and the main road into downtown, so getting into the city is usually a few minutes by taxi or on foot, not an expedition.
Almost 30 cruise brands call at Haifa these days, and the Israeli line Mano Maritime runs seasonal sailings from the port. More and more, Haifa is where a cruise starts and ends, not just somewhere it passes through.
Israel runs full border control at the Haifa terminal on every arrival and departure, and there’s no US-style pre-clearance to speed things along. Getting back on board means a passport check as well as the usual ship security, not just a tap of your cruise card. If two large ships are in port the same day, give yourself extra time before you need to be back.
Downtown Haifa, including the German Colony and the Carmel Centre, gets its own write-up in the dedicated Port of Haifa cruise guide.
Ashdod cruise port: getting to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv
You can’t just walk out of Ashdod port under your own steam to reach Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. The Port Authority runs air-conditioned shuttle coaches between the berth and downtown Ashdod, though most people are headed further than that.
Ashkelon is closer still, at roughly 20km to the south. Immigration at Ashdod happens face to face inside the terminal, before you head out to whatever’s taking you onward.
Private vehicles can’t come inside the port itself, so even if you’ve booked your own driver, you’ll meet them at a pickup point outside rather than at the ship. For the full picture on facilities and transfers, the dedicated Port of Ashdod cruise guide has it all.
Plenty of itineraries that include Israel also call at other stops across the region, covered in the wider Middle East cruise port guide.
Where to eat near Haifa cruise port
The best food near Haifa cruise port is a short walk away in Wadi Nisnas and the German Colony, both an easy stroll from the terminal, with Arab street food and hummus on every corner.
- Hummus: the chickpea dip itself, topped with whole chickpeas, ful or pine nuts and olive oil, served with pickles, raw onion and bread. Wadi Nisnas is the classic spot for a hummus breakfast.
- Falafel: deep-fried chickpea balls in pita with salad and tahini; queues form on Wadi Street in the German Colony, and they’re worth joining.
- Shawarma: spiced meat carved from a vertical spit, sold at casual stalls throughout downtown Haifa.
- Malabi: a milk-based dessert with syrup and nuts, a good way to finish a walk through the German Colony.
Where to stay near Haifa cruise port
Staying near Haifa cruise port downtown makes sense if your Israel cruise starts or ends there, since several hotels sit within walking distance of both the terminal and the train station for onward travel.
- Golden Crown Haifa: about 15 minutes on foot or under 10 minutes by taxi from the terminal, close to the German Colony with views of the Bahai Gardens.
- Diana Hotel: around 5 minutes’ walk from the port, a smoke-free property near the German Colony, Wadi Nisnas and the train station.
- 1926 Designed ApartHotel: also about 5 minutes from the port, with studio rooms that include a kitchenette and, in most cases, a balcony view of the Bahai Gardens.
The same stretch of downtown works just as well if you’re staying on after the cruise, with the train station right there for day trips before you fly home.
Luggage storage at Haifa cruise port
Haifa cruise terminal doesn’t have a left-luggage locker on site. The nearest lockers are at Hof HaCarmel station, a different and more southerly Haifa station, and they’re only available while that station is open. If you’re disembarking early or flying home late, sort your bag storage before you arrive rather than hoping something turns up at the terminal.
A private left-luggage service is the safer bet on either end of a cruise. You can find a place to leave your bags near Haifa cruise port and pick them up again later the same day.
What to wear in Haifa: outfit ideas for a port day
What to wear in Haifa comes down mostly to the Bahai Gardens, the city’s main sight, which has a strict dress code: shoulders and knees covered, no shorts or sleeveless tops, and nothing torn.
- Pack something with sleeves and a knee-length hem, for both women and men, if the gardens are on your list. Staff check the dress code at the entrance and they mean it.
- Choose grippy, comfortable walking shoes: the gardens have close to 1,700 steps on pebbled paths that get slippery, and you’ll need to take your shoes off to enter the inner terraces.
- A hat earns its place in the bag too, since the terraces offer barely any shade over a long visit.
For more ideas, have a look at these casual cruise outfit ideas for women and cruise outfit ideas for men.
Best photo spots in Haifa
The best photo spots in Haifa all sit around the Bahai Gardens and the streets nearby, easily done in a single port day.
- Upper Terrace Balcony: panoramic views over the Shrine of the Báb, Haifa’s port, the bay and the Galilee Hills from three viewing platforms.
- Shnayim Be’November Viewpoint: a viewpoint near the gardens’ main entrance, good for a straight-on shot of the terraces.
- Louis Promenade: a sunrise spot overlooking the gardens, useful since the gardens themselves close before sunset.
- Wadi Nisnas: the market streets here make for colourful, lived-in shots away from the main tourist sights.
How to spend a port day in Haifa
A port day in Haifa works best around the Bahai Gardens, German Colony and Wadi Nisnas, all within walking distance of the terminal.
Before you sail
- Check whether your cruise uses Haifa or Ashdod before planning shore time
- Note the Bahai Gardens dress code: shoulders and knees covered, no shorts
- Book a private left-luggage service in Haifa if arriving early or leaving late
Short port day: under 6 hours
- On dockingStep off the shipNo tenderWalk straight off Haifa Cruise Terminal onto Ha'Atzmaut Road, no tender needed.
- +10 minHummus breakfast in Wadi NisnasHummus breakfastWalk to Wadi Nisnas for a hummus breakfast, topped with whole chickpeas and olive oil, served with pickles and bread.
- +50 minBrowse the German ColonyWalkableWalk on to the German Colony and browse its streets ahead of lunch.
- +1 hr 20 minFalafel lunch in the German ColonyFalafel lunchJoin the falafel queues on Wadi Street for lunch, deep-fried chickpea balls in pita with salad and tahini.
- +2 hrsEnter the Bahai GardensDress code requiredWalk to the Bahai Gardens, cover shoulders and knees for the dress code, and head in to the terraces.
- +2 hrs 45 minBahai Gardens terracesGrippy shoesClimb to Upper Terrace Balcony for panoramic views over the shrine, the port and the bay.
- +4 hrs 15 minWalk back to the terminalPassport checkWalk back to Haifa Cruise Terminal, allowing extra time for the passport check before boarding.
The time on the map is the whole walk, every stop added together.
Open this walking route in Google Maps
If plans change: If the falafel queues on Wadi Street are too long, grab shawarma from a nearby stall instead.
Long port day: 8 hours or more
- On dockingWalk to the German ColonyNo tenderStep off the ship at Haifa Cruise Terminal and walk to the German Colony to start the day, no tender needed.
- +20 minBrowse the German ColonyFalafel stopExplore the German Colony's streets and join the falafel queues on Wadi Street for a late breakfast.
- +1 hrEnter the Bahai GardensDress code requiredWalk to the Bahai Gardens, cover shoulders and knees for the strict dress code, and head in through the main entrance.
- +1 hr 45 minClimb to Upper Terrace BalconyGrippy shoesClimb through the nearly 1,700 steps to Upper Terrace Balcony for panoramic views over the shrine, port, bay and Galilee Hills.
- +3 hrs 15 minPhoto stop at the main entrancePhoto stopWalk down to Shnayim Be'November Viewpoint near the main entrance for a straight-on shot of the terraces.
- +4 hrsHummus lunch in Wadi NisnasHummus lunchWalk to Wadi Nisnas for lunch, hummus topped with whole chickpeas, ful or pine nuts and olive oil.
- +5 hrs 30 minBrowse Wadi Nisnas and head backPassport checkBrowse Wadi Nisnas's colourful market streets for photos, then walk back to Haifa Cruise Terminal, allowing extra time for the passport check before boarding.
The time on the map is the whole walk, every stop added together.
Open this walking route in Google Maps
If plans change: If the Bahai Gardens dress code stops entry, spend more time around Wadi Nisnas's market streets instead.
Israel cruise port FAQs
What are Israel’s cruise ports?
Israel’s two cruise ports are Haifa in the north and Ashdod in the south, and which one you use depends on your cruise line and itinerary.
Is Haifa a tender port?
Haifa is a docked port, not a tender port: ships berth directly at the terminal and passengers walk straight off onto Ha’Atzmaut Road.
How do I get from Ashdod port to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem?
Ashdod port to Tel Aviv takes about 40 minutes by taxi or shuttle, and Jerusalem is around an hour away.
Can I walk out of Ashdod port on my own?
Walking out of Ashdod port on your own isn’t allowed, so you leave by shuttle bus, taxi or an organised tour.
Does border control apply when re-boarding at Haifa?
Border control applies to every arrival and departure at Haifa, with no US-style pre-clearance, so re-boarding means a passport check as well as the ship’s own security.
What should I wear to the Bahai Gardens?
The Bahai Gardens dress code calls for shoulders and knees covered, no shorts or sleeveless tops, and shoes off to enter the inner terraces.
Is photography allowed in the Bahai Gardens?
Photography is allowed throughout the Bahai Gardens, just not inside the shrines themselves.
Which cruise line is based in Haifa?
The cruise line based in Haifa is Mano Maritime, running seasonal sailings alongside the international brands that call there.
How many cruise lines currently call at Haifa?
Almost 30 cruise brands call at Haifa, some using it as a homeport rather than just a stop.
Last Updated: 19 October 2026