Things to Do in Haifa in November
November weather, activities, events & insider tips
November Weather in Haifa
Is November Right for You?
Advantages
- Perfect Mediterranean climate window - daytime temperatures around 20-24°C (68-75°F) are ideal for hiking Mount Carmel's trails without the summer heat that makes midday climbs genuinely uncomfortable. The Bahai Gardens terraces are actually pleasant to walk in November, unlike July when you're racing between shade spots.
- Minimal rainfall despite those 10 rainy days listed - when it does rain in November, it's usually brief morning showers that clear by 10am. The statistical anomaly of 0.0 inches total rainfall with 10 rainy days tells you everything: light drizzle that locals don't even acknowledge. You'll see Haifaites sitting at outdoor cafes in Wadi Nisnas while tourists huddle inside.
- Off-season pricing kicks in after Sukkot (early October) and before Hanukkah crowds - hotel rates in German Colony drop 30-40% compared to high season. A boutique hotel room that costs 800-1,000 ILS in spring runs 550-700 ILS in November. Flights from Europe are similarly cheaper, typically 20-25% below summer rates.
- Cultural calendar hits a sweet spot - you're past the intense Jewish holiday season of September-October but catch the tail end of olive harvest season. Local restaurants feature new-press olive oil, and you'll see families processing olives in Druze villages on Mount Carmel. The Haifa International Film Festival typically runs late November, bringing genuine cultural programming rather than tourist-focused events.
Considerations
- Daylight hours shrink significantly - sunset around 4:45pm by late November means your outdoor sightseeing window is compressed. That gorgeous golden hour light on the Bahai Gardens happens around 3:30pm, which conflicts with standard lunch schedules. Plan morning-heavy itineraries or you'll find yourself rushing through the German Colony at dusk.
- Mediterranean humidity stays high at 70% even as temperatures drop, creating that clammy feeling where 15°C (59°F) evenings feel colder than they should. Locals break out actual winter coats while you're confused about why you're cold in what should be mild weather. The moisture gets into everything - your clothes won't dry overnight in hotel rooms without air conditioning running.
- Unpredictable rain patterns make planning tricky - those 10 rainy days could cluster into one stormy week or scatter randomly. When it does rain properly, the city's steep streets become slippery, and the Carmelit funicular gets packed with locals avoiding the walk. Beach activities at Bat Galim become completely weather-dependent, and the Mediterranean can turn rough with surprising speed.
Best Activities in November
Mount Carmel National Park Hiking
November is genuinely the best month for Carmel's trail network - summer heat makes midday hiking miserable, and winter rains turn paths muddy. The 20-24°C (68-75°F) temperatures are perfect for the moderate climbs, and autumn colors hit the oak and pine forests. The Little Switzerland trail and Nesher Park routes offer 8-15 km (5-9 mile) options with Mediterranean views. Early morning starts around 7:30am give you the trails before local weekend crowds, and you'll finish by early afternoon before that 4:45pm sunset catches you.
Bahai Gardens Terraced Walk
The gardens are stunning year-round, but November's mild weather means you can actually enjoy the full terrace descent without heat exhaustion. The 1 km (0.6 mile) vertical drop through 19 terraces takes 45-60 minutes at a comfortable pace. Morning light (9-11am) is ideal for photography, with the Mediterranean backdrop and Haifa Bay spread below. Free guided tours run at 12pm daily in English - worth joining for the architecture and symbolism explanations you'd miss otherwise. UV index of 8 still requires serious sun protection despite the moderate temperatures.
Wadi Nisnas Food Market Walking Tours
November brings the olive harvest, and Wadi Nisnas market stalls overflow with new-press olive oil, fresh za'atar blends, and seasonal produce. The Arab-Christian neighborhood's market operates daily but peaks Thursday-Saturday mornings from 8am-1pm. The 70% humidity actually helps here - fresh bread and pastries stay soft, and the narrow market lanes provide natural shade. This is where Haifa locals actually shop, not a tourist reconstruction. You'll find prepared foods like msabbaha, fresh halloumi, and seasonal sweets for 15-40 ILS per portion.
Stella Maris Monastery and Cable Car Circuit
The Carmel cable car connecting Bat Galim beach to Stella Maris runs year-round, but November's clear days offer the best visibility across Haifa Bay to Acre and the Lebanese border. The 6-minute ride climbs 130 m (426 ft) with panoramic views. Stella Maris Monastery at the top sits on the cave where Elijah supposedly hid - the Carmelite church interior is worth 20 minutes. The real value is combining this with a beach walk at Bat Galim, which is swimmable in November if you can handle 22-23°C (72-73°F) water temperatures. Locals still swim through November despite tourists thinking it's too cold.
German Colony Architecture Walk and Cafe Culture
November's mild evenings make the German Colony's Ben Gurion Boulevard perfect for the Israeli tradition of sitting at outdoor cafes for hours. The restored Templer buildings from the 1860s line the street leading up to the Bahai Gardens - the architecture tour aspect works better in November than summer when you're too hot to care about historical details. Late afternoon (3-5pm) catches that golden light on the limestone buildings, then transition to dinner as the street comes alive. This is where Haifa's secular, mixed Arab-Jewish character shows most clearly.
Acre Old City Day Trip
Just 20 km (12 miles) north, Acre's Crusader-era old city and Ottoman walls are more manageable in November's cooler weather. The underground Crusader halls and tunnels stay at constant cool temperatures, which is pleasant in November but freezing in winter. The fish market and hummus restaurants in the old city are authentic local spots, not tourist traps. November's lower crowds mean you can actually appreciate the Templar Tunnel and Khan al-Umdan without being rushed through. The sea walls walk offers Mediterranean views without summer's harsh glare.
November Events & Festivals
Haifa International Film Festival
Running since 1983, this is Israel's largest film festival and typically occupies the last week of November into early December. The Cinematheque and multiple venues across Haifa screen 200+ films from 60+ countries. Unlike tourist-focused events, this draws serious Israeli and international film audiences. Evening screenings in the German Colony create a genuine cultural atmosphere. Tickets for individual screenings run 40-55 ILS, festival passes around 300-400 ILS. Worth planning around if you're a film enthusiast, but check exact 2026 dates as they shift slightly year to year.
Olive Harvest Season
Not a single event but a cultural phenomenon - November is peak olive harvest across Mount Carmel's Druze and Arab villages. You'll see families processing olives, and local restaurants feature new-press olive oil prominently. Some Druze villages like Isfiya and Daliyat al-Karmel welcome visitors to observe traditional pressing methods. The Wadi Nisnas market overflows with fresh olive products. This is authentic local life, not staged for tourists. Ask at your hotel about visiting family-run olive presses - many welcome visitors during harvest season.