Acre, commonly called Akko or Akka by the locals, is located on the northern shores of Israel. The history of the first settlements date back to the Bronze Age in the city, which is located at a point close to the northern border of the country.
Today, Acre is rather more important as a coastal city close to the border. According to the last census, the population of the city is slightly less than 50.000 people. The majority of the population of Acre is composed of Jewish origin. The other groups in the city are Muslims and Christians.
The area that came under the rule of various nations such as the Romans, Byzantines, Ottomans and the British throughout the history is located on the important routes of Israel today.
The ancient city area, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, is also home to one of the world's oldest ports. You can dine and rest in Arabian-style restaurants, where you can eat delicious fish while strolling around the ancient city and its surroundings.
When you enter the fortress of the medieval warriors, you will possibly feel that you are in ancient times. After the fortress, which can be reached thanks to various restorations until today, you should definitely add the historic bazaar to your list. The bazaar, where the old handicrafts are kept alive, is a kind of mystic atmosphere that will make visitors forget the concept of time. As in the old times, you can even find today the game boards to spend a pleasant time in the bazaar which maintains its traditions thanks to the artisans and craftsmen.
The long tunnel discovered in the 1990s is undoubtedly one of the most important mystical and surprising places of the city. The tunnel, which is believed to have been used to reach the coast in the past, offers its visitors an interesting experience thanks to the illumination today.
If you are lucky enough to see the market set up in the city, never hesitate to take the opportunity to enjoy it. With their dazzling colors, the fascinating desserts are the leading actors here. Hummus, hommade pita bread and surprisingly various fishes, which are all among the indispensable components of the Middle East cuisine, are the first to draw attention on the market stalls.
If you are looking for a much more different experience, you should definitely visit the bath (hammam), which is now used as a museum embellished with various sculpture figures. The traditional bathhouse, formerly used for bathing and cleaning, now attracts those who are more interested in interactive arts. The visitors who are familiar with modern art can also spend some time at the museum in the city, where many works of modern art are exhibited.
If you are going to travel to the city in September or October, you could consider attending the festival held during that time. The festival, called Akko, does not have an exact date but it is determined by the Jewish calendar.