Karmiel, or Carmiel, is a city in the Lower Galilee region of northern Israel.

Founded in 1964, it is lacking in historic sites, and generally not of interest to tourists. Some people use it as a starting point for hikes in the surrounding hills.

Karmiel's population is 45,000. It has absorbed many waves of immigration, and about 30% of the residents are immigrants from the former USSR.

The city is located 250 meters above sea level and surrounded by scenic hills.

Get in

By rail

• 1 Karmiel railway station. As this station (opened 2017) is the end of the line coming from the West for the time being, it serves as a convenient starting off point for hikes into the region. (updated Sep 2018)

By bus

There are bus routes to and from Haifa, Tel Aviv, and Jerusalem. They begin or end at the train station, and often have additional stops within Karmiel.

Get around

There is a system of internal bus routes.

See

• Synagogue on Eshkolot St - lined with Jerusalem stone, and its windows are stained glass with colored patterns.
• In Ramat Rabin area, there are unusual looking high rise buildings, recalling La Defense district in the Paris region.
• A fountain at the intersection of KKL and HaIrisim streets
• 1 Ramat Rabin park. Includes ancient ruins 

Do

• 1 Park HaGalil. 
• 2 Park HaMishpacha. Has mini-golf, bowling, a bush maze, large-sized chess, and more. Free for Karmiel residents, 20sh for others. 

Events

• 3 Karmiel Dance Festival. Three days long, every July.  

Buy

• 1 Merkaz Big (Big Center). Outdoor shopping center in the industrial zone. 
• 2 Lev Karmiel shopping center. 
• 3 KKL street. Shops and restaurants 
• 4 Kikar HaIr mall. Located close to the train and bus stations. It has become less popular as additional malls have opened. 

Learn

• 1 ORT Braude College of Engineering. (updated Sep 2018)