Visiting Israel: Acre

The town of Acre (also known as Akko or Acco) is located approximately 14 miles north of Haifa along the Mediterranean Sea coast at the northern tip of Israel. It is a picturesque and romantic town that has a long, biblical history dating back more than 3,500 years.

It was once given to King Hiram as a gift by King Solomon in exchange for helping him build his temple. Between the 12th and 13th centuries the Crusaders took control of the town and built an entire underground city that is still accessible today. During the 18th century a resurgence of building occurred in the area which produced the stone walls that surround the old city, a Turkish bathhouse, and an old aqueduct, all of which are still intact.

Acre is divided into two areas, the modern city that is home to many industrial plants, and the old city which is still protected by the old walls, the Bay of Acre, and the Mediterranean Sea. Touring the medieval streets of Old Akko, you will be amazed to find how original and untouched the city appears. There are few tourist shops and it has a very lived-in feel to it, as if you have transported back in time several hundred years.

While inside the city walls of Acre you will definitely want to take a tour of the Municipal Museum/Turkish Bath, the Mosque of Ahmed Jezzar Pasha, the Museum of Heroism, and the Subterranean Crusader City. As you meander through the old city you will also be able to enjoy the bazaar and markets where you will find many beautiful shops and cafes selling local delicacies, such as Arabic coffees, spices, and pastries.