The city of Acre (Israel) is located in the north of the state, in the Western Galilee. Its age is more than 5,000 years, and the history of its appearance has very deep roots. The inhabitants of Israel, even those who profess different religions, believe that this place was the fields and pastures that God gave to Adam after he expelled him from paradise. And the Israelis believe that the flood “stopped” near these places.
Acre was located in a strategic location on the Mediterranean coast, at the crossroads of international trade routes, and therefore it was often surrounded by major historical events.
In the first half of the twentieth century, Acre began to rapidly develop behind the fortress walls, and the Old City quickly turned into a center of tourism. It should be noted that no knight city on the planet is not preserved as well as old Acre. Literally “stuffed” with attractions, Acre is a historical and architectural reserve of Israel, and since 2001, also a World Heritage city according to UNESCO.
The new city, surrounded by ancient fortress walls, consists of 4 main parts: the area of the British mandate, the northern districts, the eastern quarters and the territory of the southern beach.
Today, Acre is the administrative center of the Western Galilee, covering an area of 10.3 km2. The population of this city is more than 48,000 people, and the composition of the population is rather complicated: 63% are Jews, 28% are Muslim Arabs, 3% are Christian Arabs.
Important! There are a lot of Arabs in Acre, who regard any careless glance as a call and begin to act actively. Therefore, the best way out for girls who came here alone is to become “hearing and seeing nothing”. Girls who are accompanied by a man, as well as a group of tourists, have nothing to worry about in this sense. But the following advice will be relevant: you should not stay late anywhere, and if you had to take a taxi in the evening, you should definitely ask the driver to turn on the meter (here they always try to cheat gullible tourists)!
Top attractions in Acre
This bright, original city is very rich in attractions, and they are located not only on the surface of the earth, but also under it. Akko is a huge, powerful fortress, and at the same time, a small town with narrow cobbled streets, noisy bazaars. So, in order, about the most significant sights of the city of Acre in Israel.
City walls and port
The massive wall that surrounds the Old City on all sides is one of the main attractions of Acre. Defensive fortifications (walls, towers, ditches with water) were built in 3 stages during the years 1750-1840. Currently, they are a kind of border between two parts of Acre: the old and the new. You can climb the eastern wall, admire the seascapes, and take good photos to remember your trip to Israel and Acre.
Directly in the eastern wall is the Treasures of the Fortress Wall Ethnographic Museum, created to preserve the heritage of the Israelis. It is open on Sunday-Thursday from 10: 00 to 17: 00, on Friday and other public holidays – from 10: 00 to 15: 00.
You can see the fortress walls a little differently than from land, during a boat trip. Many boats depart regularly from the marina located at Leopold ha-Sheni St, Acre, Israel.
The picturesque ruins of the ancient port, which, according to scientists, is about 2,300 years old, have been preserved near the current piers. As an important historical site, they are protected by UNESCO.
Built on the remains of an ancient harbor, the popular Leaning Port of Pisa restaurant offers freshly prepared seafood and sumptuous views from its terrace. In the same place, you can climb the southern city wall and go to the Migdalor lighthouse – this is also a local landmark that has been operating since 1864.
Al-Ajazzar Mosque
Al-Jazzara Mosque (built in 1745) is the second largest mosque in Israel in terms of importance and size (Jerusalem’s al – Aqsa Mosque and Qubbat al-Sakhra Mosque are in the first place). It is also known as White, because of the color of the walls that can be seen almost anywhere in the city.
The mosque is located in a courtyard surrounded by walls on three sides. And these are not just defensive structures – they are equipped with 45 small rooms. Now most of these rooms are empty, and previously they were occupied by students studying the Koran. In the courtyard there is another noteworthy attraction – a white marble sundial created in 1201.
The Al-Jazzara Mosque is a place deeply revered by the Muslims of the city of Acre and all of Israel. Inside the structure is kept a casket, and in it – hair from the beard of the Prophet Muhammad. Every year, at the end of Ramadan, this sacred relic is taken out for worship by the faithful.
The White Mosque is located at El Jazzar St, Akko, Israel. Entrance to the territory of a religious landmark is subject to a fee.
Inns
Acre was a fairly rich city with a well-established trading tradition. As a confirmation of this, there are 4 guest courtyards for merchants, which have been preserved on the territory of the Old Town since the XVI-XVIII centuries.
The largest, Khan al-Umdan, was built in 1784. The building has 2 floors, on the upper floor there were living quarters, on the lower floor there were warehouses. A clock tower rises above the inn’s main entrance. The courtyard is very spacious, and there is a well in the center of it.
Khan al-Faranji (Farani), built by merchants from France, is the oldest of all. Tourists are only allowed in the courtyard, and the building is equipped with a church and a Franciscan school.
Han Ah Shuang welcomes its current visitors with new, very comfortable cafes and restaurants. There is also a historical landmark-the Crusader Tower (it is the only one that has survived to our times in its unchanged form).
The inner courtyard of Han ah-Shun (20 m x 40 m) is surrounded by abandoned, ruined buildings.
Al Basha Hammam-Turkish baths
According to the reviews of tourists who have visited the city of Acre in Israel, one of the most beautiful local attractions is the Turkish bath. It was created in 1795, and was used for its intended purpose until 1948, when the War of Independence of Israel began.
The bathhouse consists of a summer changing room, 4 walk-through rooms and a hot room. The passageways were used as a salon for massages and beauty treatments. The sauna and hot water pool were all located in the hot room.
Currently, the bathhouse has been turned into a unique museum complex and is one of the main attractions of the Old Town. Visitors can see the beautifully preserved architectural beauty of the structure (mosaic floors, marble columns, swimming pools, fountains, wall paintings), as well as the recreated environment of a classic Turkish hammam.
But the most interesting thing that the museum offers tourists is a light and sound holographic representation, which allows you to plunge into the lively atmosphere of oriental baths. During the audiovisual performance, projections of past paintings are displayed on the walls and ceilings of the bathhouse, voices and other sounds are heard.
The Al Basha Hammam is located at: The Turkish Bazaar, Akko, Israel.
Entrance is paid. You can visit this attraction at this time:
- In summer: Saturday-Thursday – from 9: 00 to 18: 00, Friday and other public holidays – from 9: 00 to 17: 00.
- In winter: Saturday-Thursday – from 9: 00 to 17: 00, Friday and other days before holidays – from 9: 00 to 16: 00.
Fortress of the Liberators of the Holy Sepulchre
Built in 1750, this historic landmark is located in the north of Old Akko, at Weizman St 1, Akko, Israel.
The fortress, which reaches a height of 40 m, has 4 wings-they surround the courtyard from all sides. In the east wing there is a large ceremonial hall (35 x 40 m). In the south-refectorium, decorated in an elegant Gothic style. The west wing has 2 floors, and a barracks for soldiers was equipped there. The north wing includes 9 long, narrow halls (halls 1-6 are warehouses, 7-8 are a pool for collecting rainwater, and 9 are a corridor to the courtyard).
At the lowest level of the citadel is the refectory (refectory). The refectory is a unique attraction: this is the only building of this type in the world where the heavy Romanesque style is harmoniously combined with the refined Gothic.
There is also an underground tunnel in the citadel, which was built by the Persians. When the Crusaders discovered this tunnel, they simply improved and extended it, thus connecting the northern fortress wall and the seaport.
The Crusader Citadel of Acre welcomes visitors at this time of day:
- In summer: Sunday-Thursday and Saturday – from 8.30 to 18.00, Friday-from 08: 30-17: 00.
- In winter: Sunday-Thursday and Saturday – from 8.30 to 17.00, Friday-from 08: 30-16: 00.
Baha’i Gardens
Just 2 km away from Akko is Baha’i Park, a landmark that can be considered the eighth wonder of the world. The best specialists worked on creating a magnificent landscape, and all the work here was carried out by residents of 90 countries of the world, and only on a voluntary basis. Thanks to well-chosen plants and a complex irrigation system, the garden has a blooming appearance throughout the year.
Pilgrims from all over the world come here who profess a fairly young Baha’i religion (it was founded by Baha’u’llah). In the center of the park is a temple-mausoleum with the tomb of Baha’u’llah – a place of worship for all his followers. The park also houses the former estate of Baha’u’llah, now a house-museum, which displays original manuscripts and books about the Baha’i religion in various languages.
The Baha’i Gardens are located at Bustan HaGalil, Israel. You can get from Acre by bus number 271-Bustan HaGalil stop at the northern entrance.
- The park is open to the public daily from 9: 00 to 16: 00.
- The Tomb of Baha’u’llah and the surrounding terraces are open to the public from Monday to Friday from 09: 00 to 12: 00.
- Admission is free.
- Every day, except Wednesday, there are guided tours of the park.
Beaches in Acre
In Acre, all beaches are covered with sand, with a convenient gentle entrance to the water. Most famous in the city are “Tmarim” and “Argaman”.
“Argaman” is a city beach, but for foreign tourists the entrance to it is paid (NIS 5). On-site facilities include free toilets and outdoor showers, sun beds and umbrellas can be rented.
Tmarim beach is private and belongs to the hotel. Only hotel guests can freely visit it, everyone else has to pay for the opportunity to relax on its territory. The main attraction of this beach is the famous Palm Beach Club.
Housing options in Acre
There are usually no problems finding accommodation in Acre during the holiday period. Both in the historical center and in the new districts there are many hotels, apartments, hostels – there is a choice for every budget. The old town offers small, cozy hotels, and new areas are preferred by those who like to be in the center of the bustle of people. Since Acre is quite compact, it is not long to get to the main attractions of the historical center and from new buildings-a maximum of 15 minutes (if not on foot, then by bus).
Antique lovers may like such accommodation on the streets of the Old Town:
- Akko Gate Hostel is only 150 m from the sea, a 10-minute walk to the railway station and port. The room costs NIS 307.
- The Arabesque Arts & Residency Center in Old Acre is located in the heart of Old postures. Room rates start from NIS 645.
- Located in the fortress wall of Acre, Akkotel-Boutique hotel features a rooftop terrace with stunning views. The waterfront is only 50 m away, and the marina is a 5-minute walk away. Prices start from NIS 600.
- The luxury The Efendi Hotel is 100 metres from the seafront. All rooms-suites start from NIS 1,455.
The new part of Acre is popular:
- Dream by the sea Apartment is located 1.6 km from the Old Town. You can stay there for NIS 500.
- Just 500 metres from the historic city centre, Sea Haven offers two separate bedrooms. A bedroom costs NIS 780.
- Zarqa Luxury Suites is just 700 metres from the Old Town. Prices start from NIS 770.
Weather conditions: when is the best time to arrive
Of course, the location in the north of Israel had a certain impact on the weather conditions inherent in the city.
In summer, the air temperature in Acre is about +30 degrees Celsius, often the thermometer mark reaches +35 degrees Celsius and even +40 degrees Celsius. The water temperature in the sea in summer is kept at +28 degrees. The heat lasts for a long time in autumn, only in late October-early November it gradually begins to get colder.
In winter, the temperature is usually +12 degrees Celsius . But because of the constant rain and cold winds, this temperature does not bring comfort. In March, the air begins to warm up to +19 degrees Celsius, and in Akko, as in all of Israel, spring comes.
The peak tourist season is summer, perfect for a lazy break on the golden sands by the turquoise sea. Spring and autumn, when you need to constantly hide from the scorching sun, are the most comfortable time to explore local attractions.
How to get to Acre
You can’t get to the small city of Acre directly from the CIS countries. The most optimal and convenient option is to fly to Ben Gurion Airport, and from there go to Acre.
How to get there from Ben Gurion
On the lower floor (S) of Terminal 3 of the airport there is a railway station. From there to the Akko Center (Mercaz) station, trains run around the clock with a frequency of 25-55 minutes. The trip takes about 2 hours. The ticket costs NIS 44 and can be purchased at the ticket office or ticket machine at the railway station.
Just keep in mind that in Israel there is a Shabbat – on Friday, the last train from the airport departs in the morning, and the next flight is only early in the morning on Sunday. You can always view the exact schedule on the Israel Railways website: www.rail.co.il/.
How to get there from Tel Aviv
Trains from Tel Aviv run from several stations: “ha-Haganah”, “ha-Shalom”, “Merkaz – Central”, “University”. They follow each other along the path of the train, the time difference is about 5 minutes. Trains depart with the same frequency as from the airport, but the road to Acre will be shorter – an hour and a half. The cost of a ticket from Tel Aviv is NIS 35.5, regardless of the departure station. Tickets are sold at the railway station at the ticket office and in a special ticket machine.
The bus service from Tel Aviv to Acre is only available with transfers. The journey starts at the Central Ha-Haganah bus Station – bus No. 845 departs every 30-50 minutes. Transfer at the Amiad Crossroads bus stop, to buses No. 500 or No. 503 (they run in 15-30 minutes). Just 1 hour on the road – and the final stop “Central Bus Station” in Acre (Israel). This entire transfer trip will cost NIS 70.
