Israel: Haifa

Score: 61

Blanketing the slopes of Mount Carmel, northern Israel's busiest port and largest city wows with its spectacular Mediterranean Sea views and wealth of interesting archeological sites. Panelists criticized its poor tourism infrastructure and unfriendliness to non-Israeli visitors.

Here is a representative sampling of additional anonymous comments from the panelists. They are not necessarily the views of the National Geographic Society:

"Haifa is a beautiful town. It does not feel like a tourist destination, even in the archaeological sites or main attractions. On these sites tourists are well informed of proper conduct, though educational signage could be improved. Very much a city for local Israelis."

"The city is a port, so natural environment is limited. However the overall visit is pleasant. Improved information and tourism infrastructure would help the visitor experience."

"Pretty with a lot of history but needs to be more friendly."

"The past—Byzantine, Ottoman Turk, and Egyptian rule of the city—is not integrated as a tourism attraction."

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