Things to Do at Stella Maris Monastery

Complete Guide to Stella Maris Monastery in Haifa

About Stella Maris Monastery

Stella Maris Carmelite Monastery sits at the northwest tip of Mount Carmel at 100 Stella Maris Road, charges no entry fee, and opens daily 8:30 to 12:00 and 15:00 to 18:00 (shorter hours on Sundays). The current church was built in 1836 over a cave that the Carmelite order considers the dwelling place of the prophet Elijah, and the dome interior holds a painted scene of Elijah ascending to heaven in a chariot of fire by Brother Luigi Poggi, the colors still vivid against the vaulted plaster. A marble statue of the Virgin Mary with the infant Jesus, carved from Carrara marble, stands above the cave altar, and pilgrims light candles that fill the grotto with a warm orange glow. The church is built in a cruciform plan with barrel-vaulted ceilings and Italianate proportions that feel distinctly Mediterranean rather than Levantine. A small museum in the monastery's side wing displays Carmelite artifacts, Portuguese tile panels, and a history of the order on Mount Carmel from the 12th-century hermits who first settled here. The monastery grounds include a garden with a Napoleon-era stone marker commemorating French soldiers who died nearby during the 1799 siege of Acre. The terrace behind the church overlooks the Mediterranean coast all the way to the Lebanese border on clear days. The cable car from Bat Galim beach to Stella Maris costs 25 ILS one way (about $7 USD) and takes 6 minutes, or drive up the winding Stella Maris Road. Combine with Elijah's Cave, a 5-minute walk downhill.

What to See & Do

The Baroque Church

The monastery's ornate church features beautiful ceiling frescoes depicting scenes from Carmelite history and biblical events, with particularly striking artwork above the altar

Elijah's Cave

A small grotto beneath the monastery where tradition holds that the prophet Elijah once lived and taught - it's a pilgrimage site for multiple faiths

Panoramic Terrace

The monastery's terrace offers sweeping views over Haifa Bay, the Bahai Gardens, and on clear days, the coast stretching toward Lebanon

Carmelite Museum

A modest but informative collection explaining the history of the Carmelite order and the monastery's role in the region's religious heritage

Memorial to French Soldiers

A poignant monument commemorating Napoleon's soldiers who died during the 1799 siege of Acre and were treated at the monastery

Practical Information

Opening Hours

Daily 6:00 AM - 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM, though hours can vary for religious services and holidays

Tickets & Pricing

Free admission, though donations are welcomed for monastery maintenance

Best Time to Visit

Early morning or late afternoon for the best light and fewer crowds, particularly beautiful at sunset

Suggested Duration

About 45 minutes to 1 hour for a thorough visit

Getting There

Drive up Stella Maris Road. The monastery has decent parking most of the time, and several Haifa bus lines stop nearby if you're using public transport. Better option exists. Take the Carmelit subway to Gan Ha'em station, then catch a short bus ride up the hill. The monastery sits close to the upper cable car station-perfect for combining visits. You can easily hit the beach afterward. Two stops in one trip. Fair warning: the roads wind quite a bit here, so take it slow if car sickness bothers you. The curves can be brutal.

Things to Do Nearby

Bahai Gardens
The striking terraced gardens cascading down Mount Carmel, about 10 minutes away and arguably Haifa's most famous attraction

Carmel Beach
A pleasant Mediterranean beach accessible via cable car from near the monastery, good for a post-visit swim

Louis Promenade
A scenic walkway offering panoramic views of the city and bay, popular for evening strolls

Wadi Nisnas
Haifa's lively Arab quarter known for its markets, street art, and authentic Middle Eastern food

German Colony
A charming historic neighborhood with Templar-era architecture, cafes, and the Ben Gurion Boulevard pedestrian area

Tips & Advice

Dress modestly as this is an active monastery - covered shoulders and long pants are appreciated

The lighting inside the church can be quite dim, so if you want photos, morning visits tend to work better

Consider combining your visit with the cable car down to the beach - the monastery is walking distance from the upper station

If you're interested in the interfaith aspect, try to visit when pilgrims from different backgrounds are present - it adds to the experience