Zichron Yaakov is one of the earliest settlements in Israel that lies above Mount Carmel. It is featured by the most fantastic panoramas of the Mediterranean Sea in the Coastal Plain region. Zichron Yaakov was founded by one hundred Romanian Jewish pioneers in 1882 being Israel the Jewish Biblical homeland. Nowadays, this town has become a notable tourist centre also because of the famous Carmel Winery, which is one of the best vineyards in Israel. The main street of Zichron Yaakov is an entertainment centre with its many cafeterias and historic buildings.
Many tourist tours are organised to show the Wine Country and Caesarea areas. In particular, in the Winery, visitors learn about the wine production process and the Israeli wine industry.
In 1883, the French winemaker and philanthropist, Baron Edmond James de Rothschild, visited Israel and Zichron Yaakov, discovering that the slopes of Mount Carmel were excellent wine-growing terrains, and he named the town “Zichron (Memorial) Yaakov” in memory of his father, Jacob. Hence, one of the best wineries in Israel has been founded. Although the small town of Zichron Yaakov is a quiet place, it hosts one of the most breathtaking landscapes of the Israel Mediterranean Coast.
The city’s main street is Midrahov, and it is a pedestrian area with many cafeterias, art galleries and art shops. The houses lying in Midrahov street are historical with markers about their history. The most peculiar museum of the town is the First Aliyah Museum, which is dedicated to the history of the first pioneers coming from Europe and establishing this city a hundred years ago. The Carmel Winery is open to the public. It is one of the most attractive places in Israel where visitors can learn about wine production and taste different typologies of wines. Close to Zichron Yaakov, there are other notable Israeli wineries such as the ones in Tishbi and Binyamina.
Indeed, the wine industry of Israel is one of the leading in the world, and tourists can enjoy wine tours all around the country. Another noteworthy facility is the Pavo Microbrewery, one of the most important microbreweries in Israel. This facility was founded in 2010, and it is a fantastic place on the edge of Mount Carmel. Pavo welcomes visitors to enjoy a brewery tour, allowing them to taste the several kinds of beers found in restaurants, bars, and beer gardens.
The Pavo Brewery is situated in a fantastic historical building that dates back more than 100 years. It is a notable location for tourists and Israelis as a relaxing destination. The visitors enjoy a tour where they can see the entire beer production process and the various employed machinery, besides offering a tasting of the several Pavo’s blends. On top of the Pavo Brewery, there is a bar and a restaurant with a wide choice of food and beers, and a breathtaking panorama that includes the Mediterranean Sea and Coastal Plain in the western area, and Haifa, the Alona Valley, and the Wadi Ara region until the Galilee in the eastern side. Indeed, the beauty of Pavo is unique. In the summertime, visitors can enjoy the fantastic German-style beer garden, the best place to enjoy the beautiful landscape sipping a delicious beer and tasting barbecue food. Besides the brewery, the city of Zichron Yaakov is characterised by many beautiful places. You can visit Ramat HaNadiv, the memorial gardens, to honour and remember Baron Edmond de Rothschild outside the lovely town of Zichron Yaakov.
The gardens of Ramat HaNadiv extend a large part of the Mount Carmel hillside, and they are some of the most beautiful greens in Israel, with a fantastic inner space and incredible views. In the visitor centre, a historical building, there is an explanation of the story of Ramat HaNadiv and a cafeteria. Hence, Zichron Yaakov is a fantastic tourist centre in Israel with the beautiful Rothschild Memorial Gardens in Ramat HaNadiv in the middle of a nature reserve. Moreover, the Wine Route, i.e. Derech HaYayin, had been extended down towards the Carmel winery. Zichron Yaakov is such an enchanting place that cannot be missed on your vacation in Israel.