Underground tunnels, religious treasures and a citadel are reminders of Acre’s rich and tumultuous past. Cross the ramparts for the marina and markets.
Lying within preserved walls, Acre Old City serves as an open-air museum revealing diverse dynasties. Find traces of Muslims, Crusaders and Ottomans in this port town’s mosques, khans and baths. Get a sense of the local culture by walking through the labyrinth of crumbling alleys.
Gaze up at the refortified city walls in the city’s northeastern corner. The Burj Al Kommander bastion offers an unobstructed vista of Acre’s vestiges. Walk along the tops of the historic ramparts, built and refortified by disparate rulers. Continue south along the Land Wall Promenade, as you experience the sights and sounds of the historic centre.
Dominating the northwestern part of the quarter is the Citadel of Acre, a fortress that served as a prison for Ottoman and British rulers. View intriguing exhibits and lifelike statues of the citadel’s Underground Prisoners Museum to learn about the Jewish activists imprisoned and executed here.
Beside this is the Hamam al-Basha Turkish Bath, which provides insights into the leisure activities of the Ottomans. Watch video presentations and listen to stories of 18th-century spa customs from the spirits of fictional bath attendants. While in this part of the district, visit the Al-Jazzar Mosque, named for a ruthless and vengeful ruler known as the Butcher.
As you venture south, you’ll encounter traditional markets. Purchase shisha pipes and souvenirs from the Turkish Bazaar, where you’ll also find trendy bars and restaurants. Rummage through the open-air Old Acre Market for fresh fish and sweet desserts.
At the southern end of the district lies Akko Harbour, a historic port that has served as an entry point for countless immigrants and dynasties over the centuries. Admire colourful fishing boats and the sea wall, before entering the Templars’ Tunnel.
Acre Old City comprises a small piece of land in the southwestern corner of the municipality that extends into the Mediterranean Sea. Arrive by rail at the Akko Station and walk southwest for 30 minutes to reach the Citadel of Acre.
