Old City of Acre

The Old City of Acre (Akko) is a fortified port city on Israel’s Mediterranean coast in the Northern District and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed in 2001. It contains a dense ensemble of Crusader, Mamluk and Ottoman-era structures clustered within a medieval city plan.

The old town contains a range of notable sights including a large Crusader citadel with vaulted halls, an Ottoman-era mosque and caravanserai, and a historic harbour and market that fronts the sea. Many of the main monuments sit within or immediately adjacent to intact sections of the city walls and are compact enough to visit on foot.

Acre’s medieval core was expanded and fortified during the Crusader period in the 12th century and later reworked under Ottoman rule; the site changed hands several times and its functions shifted from military and administrative to commercial and religious across the centuries. Archaeological excavations have revealed multi-layered remains that illustrate continuous urban occupation.

The old city sits on the Mediterranean coast roughly 25 kilometers north of Haifa and is immediately adjacent to the modern city of Akko. The setting is coastal with the fortress and harbour on the western edge of the old town.

• UNESCO designation: Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001 for its well-preserved Crusader and Ottoman structures and the continuity of urban occupation.
• Viewing tip: Best views and photo opportunities are from the harbor and the western sections of the city walls, especially late afternoon when light falls across the citadel and quay.

What to See #

• Crusader Citadel (Hospitaller Fortress): Large Crusader-era fortress complex with extensive vaulted underground halls and exhibition spaces that interpret the city's medieval period.
• Al-Jazzar Mosque: Ottoman-era mosque built during late 18th-century Ottoman rule, known for its large courtyard and domed prayer hall adjacent to the old city core.
• Khan al-Umdan: A coastal caravanserai and warehouse complex on the old waterfront that faces the harbor and serves as a major entry point to the city walls and market area.
• Old Port and Market: Historic harbourfront and adjacent covered market area where fishmongers and small shops operate; the quay provides views of the city walls and fortress.
• Ottoman city walls and gates: The sea-facing defensive walls and city gates from the Ottoman period that encircle parts of the old town and provide elevated viewpoints over the harbour.