Acre, also known as Akko or Akka, is a city in Israel's Northern District on the Mediterranean coast. It is an ancient Crusader city and a UNESCO World Heritage site, and it suits visitors who enjoy walking through layers of history at a steady pace.
What to see
- Medieval architecture: The old city keeps much of its Crusader-era fabric, and the streets and buildings give a clear sense of how the town was once organised.
- Underground tunnels: Passages beneath the old city are part of the visit and offer a different view of the place from street level.
- Ottoman-era buildings: Structures from the later Ottoman period sit alongside the older work, so the city reads as a sequence of periods rather than a single one.
- The Arab market: The bustling market is the place to slow down, look around and see everyday life in the old town.
Planning your visit
Acre works well as a half day or a full day, with plenty of time to wander without a fixed route. Wear comfortable shoes, since the stone streets and tunnels involve a good deal of walking and some uneven ground. Because the old city is compact, it is easy to combine a stroll through the market with time spent among the older monuments and the tunnels.
Visitors interested in the coast and nearby areas of Northern Israel will find Acre a useful stop on a wider trip, and the city rewards those who come with curiosity about how its many periods fit together.