Akko Port (Akko) Travel Guide - Free

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Akko Port
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Akko Port in Akko, Israel combines Crusader walls, Ottoman harbour history, sea views, markets, galleries and atmospheric old-city dining for curious visitors.

A Historic Harbour at the Water’s Edge

Akko Port occupies the western edge of Akko’s Old City, where a small working harbour meets massive stone walls and the open Mediterranean. The port is not a sharply defined administrative district but a compact waterfront area centred on the marina, sea walls, fishermen’s quays and the lanes immediately inland. It offers one of the clearest ways to understand Akko: as a city shaped by shipping, pilgrimage, military power and trade.
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Layers of Acre

The waterfront sits beside remains associated with Crusader Acre, including the Templar Tunnel and the fortified shoreline, while Ottoman buildings such as Khan al-Umdan and the sea-facing walls give the area much of its present character. Near the harbour, paths lead towards the Old City’s covered market, Al-Jazzar Mosque and the Hospitaller Fortress, where vaulted halls reveal the scale of medieval Acre. The port itself is more intimate than the monumental ruins: boats bob beside weathered stone, gulls circle above the breakwater and the light changes quickly across the bay.

Street Life and Sea Views

Daytime visitors move between archaeological sites, the market and harbour cafés, while local fishermen continue to give the waterfront a practical, lived-in quality. Seafood restaurants and small eateries cluster around the Old City rather than forming a formal dining quarter, and evening activity is generally relaxed rather than club-oriented. Walking the seawall at sunset, looking back towards the Ottoman skyline and Crusader fortifications, is one of the area’s defining experiences. Uneven paving, steps and narrow lanes make sturdy footwear useful, especially when exploring beyond the port promenade.

Best attractions in Akko Port

Akko Port’s main attraction is the close succession of sea, fortification and historic urban fabric. The harbour and breakwater offer broad views across the bay and towards the Old City walls, while the waterfront leads naturally to Khan al-Umdan, the Ottoman caravanserai whose arcaded courtyard once served merchants arriving by land and sea. Inland, the Templar Tunnel preserves a Crusader passage between the former Templar quarter and the port, and the Hospitaller Fortress reveals the scale of the medieval city beneath later streets. The covered market, Al-Jazzar Mosque and the sea-facing ramparts add further layers within walking distance. Visitors can also linger around the fishermen’s quays, where working boats and weathered stone provide a more everyday counterpoint to the formal archaeological sites.

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Best landmarks in Akko Port

The port is defined by the physical meeting of Akko’s Crusader and Ottoman landmarks. The Templar Tunnel is a particularly evocative survival, linking the medieval military quarter with the shoreline below the Old City. Khan al-Umdan, recognisable by its stone arcades and prominent clock tower, represents the Ottoman city’s role as a commercial meeting point, while the sea walls embody the defensive importance of the harbour across successive periods. Nearby Al-Jazzar Mosque contributes a major Ottoman religious presence to the skyline, and the Hospitaller Fortress preserves vaulted spaces associated with the Crusader city beneath the modern streets. Together these structures make the waterfront legible as a port shaped by trade, pilgrimage, military orders and Ottoman administration rather than simply a scenic marina.

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Explore Akko Port on the map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots in Akko Port, mapped for you.

Best restaurants in Akko Port

Dining around Akko Port is closely tied to the Old City’s market and waterfront rather than organised as a single restaurant strip. Seafood is a natural feature of the harbour setting, while Arab, Levantine and regional cuisines appear in restaurants, cafés and small eateries around the market lanes. Traditional plates, grilled fish, salads, hummus and sweet pastries are commonly associated with the wider culinary character of Acre, though menus and businesses change. Uri Buri is one of the city’s best-known seafood restaurants and is located in the Old City near the port, while smaller establishments provide simpler meals and coffee with views of the stone lanes. The most atmospheric choices are often found in historic buildings or beside the sea, but visitors should distinguish locally established restaurants from temporary stalls and confirm opening arrangements independently.

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Best bars in Akko Port

Akko Port has a modest, relaxed evening scene rather than a concentrated nightlife district. After the main archaeological sites close, the harbour and seawall become places for strolling, conversation and sea views, while restaurants and cafés around the Old City provide most of the evening activity. Some older buildings and waterfront premises operate as informal bars or dining venues, but the area is not known for a large club circuit or late-night entertainment. Night-time visits are best understood as an extension of the port’s food and public-space culture: a meal in the historic core, a quiet walk beside the breakwater and views of the illuminated walls. Visitors seeking larger clubs or a broader choice of late venues will generally need to travel elsewhere in northern Israel.

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Best nightclubs in Akko Port

Akko Port has a modest, relaxed evening scene rather than a concentrated nightlife district. After the main archaeological sites close, the harbour and seawall become places for strolling, conversation and sea views, while restaurants and cafés around the Old City provide most of the evening activity. Some older buildings and waterfront premises operate as informal bars or dining venues, but the area is not known for a large club circuit or late-night entertainment. Night-time visits are best understood as an extension of the port’s food and public-space culture: a meal in the historic core, a quiet walk beside the breakwater and views of the illuminated walls. Visitors seeking larger clubs or a broader choice of late venues will generally need to travel elsewhere in northern Israel.

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Best shops in Akko Port

Shopping around Akko Port takes place mainly in the Old City’s covered market and adjoining lanes, where food, spices, sweets, household goods, clothing and small souvenirs are mixed with everyday local commerce. The market is more useful for observing the city’s trading patterns and buying edible gifts than for conventional high-street retail. Vendors may offer olive-oil products, regional sweets, ceramics, religious items and handicrafts, but stock and presentation vary from shop to shop. The narrow streets around the harbour also contain small galleries, cafés and independent businesses in historic premises. Bargaining is not automatically appropriate everywhere, so visitors should read the context, handle goods carefully and ask before photographing stalls. The compact market-and-port setting gives shopping here a more historic, local character than a modern commercial centre.

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Akko Port essentials

Getting There
Akko Port is reached through Akko’s Old City, on the western side of the town. Akko railway station is outside the historic core, east of the Old City, so visitors arriving by train need to continue by local bus, taxi or a longer walk towards the walls. Intercity buses also serve Akko, with local connections linking the station and central parts of the town to the Old City area. Drivers should expect restricted access and limited parking near the historic walls; leaving a vehicle outside the Old City and walking towards the port is usually more practical than attempting to reach the quayside directly.
Getting Around
The port area is best explored on foot, with the harbour, seawall, market lanes and major Old City sites close enough to combine in a walking circuit. Routes can involve uneven stone paving, steps, narrow passages and occasional steep changes around the fortifications, so accessibility varies. The waterfront is relatively open, while the streets inland can be confusing without a map or clear landmark. Taxis and local buses are more useful for reaching the Old City from Akko railway station than for moving between attractions inside the port quarter.
Safety
Normal urban precautions are appropriate around Akko Port: keep valuables secure in crowded market lanes, watch footing on wet or uneven stone and remain alert near roads and working quays. The seawall can be exposed to wind and spray, and visitors should avoid climbing barriers or entering restricted harbour areas. After dark, stay on recognised public routes and arrange onward transport if unfamiliar with the Old City’s quieter lanes. Check current local guidance before travelling, as conditions, access arrangements and security procedures can change.
Emergency Situations
In Israel, call 100 for police, 101 for medical emergencies and 102 for fire and rescue. Give the operator the name Akko, identify the Old City or port area, and describe a nearby landmark such as the seawall, Khan al-Umdan or the marina. International visitors should carry identification and any relevant medical information. For non-urgent medical help, ask accommodation staff or a local authority for the most suitable current clinic or hospital, since facilities and access arrangements may change.
Do's and Don'ts
Treat the port as both a heritage site and a working waterfront: do not climb historic walls, cross barriers or handle fishing equipment, and give boats and harbour workers room to operate. Ask permission before photographing residents, vendors or close-up portraits, particularly in quieter market lanes. Dress respectfully when entering religious buildings, remove shoes where requested and follow signs at archaeological sites. In cafés and restaurants, queue patiently and confirm accepted payment methods; around residential streets, keep voices low at night and avoid blocking narrow doorways.
Local Tips
A useful orientation route begins at the harbour, follows the seawall, then turns inland through the market towards the Templar Tunnel and the Hospitaller Fortress. Khan al-Umdan provides a strong visual reference near the port, while the covered market is better suited to slow browsing than hurried passage. Allow time for site entrances, which are distributed around the Old City rather than concentrated on one waterfront promenade. Morning is generally practical for combining archaeological visits with market exploration, while the harbour is especially atmospheric towards sunset.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
Helloשלום[Shalom]
Goodbyeלהתראות[Lehitraot]
Yesכן[Ken]
Noלא[Lo]
Please/You're welcomeבבקשה[Bevakasha]
Thank youתודה[Toda]
Excuse me/Sorryסליחה[Slicha]
How are you?איך אתה?[Eich Ata?]
Fine. And you?טוב. ואתה?[Tov. Ve'ata?]
Do you speak English?האם אתה מדבר אנגלית?[Ha'em Ata Medaber Anglit?]
I don't understandאני לא מבין[Ani Lo Mevin]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseאני רוצה לראות את התפריט, בבקשה[Ani Rotze Lir'ot Et Ha'tafrid, Bevakasha]
I don't eat meatאני לא אוכל בשר[Ani Lo Ochel Basar]
Cheers!לחיים![L'chaim!]
I would like to pay, pleaseאני רוצה לשלם, בבקשה[Ani Rotze Leshalem, Bevakasha]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!עזרה![Ezrah!]
Go away!לך לך![Lech Lech!]
Call the Police!קרא למשטרה![Kara Lamesh'tara!]
Call a doctor!קרא לרופא![Kara Larofe!]
I'm lostאני אבוד[Ani Avud]
I'm illאני חולה[Ani Choleh]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...אני רוצה לקנות...[Ani Rotze Liknot...]
I'm just lookingאני רק רואה[Ani Rak Ro'eh]
How much is it?כמה זה עולה?[Kama Ze Ole?]
That's too expensiveזה יקר מדי[Ze Yakar M'odi]
Can you lower the price?האם אתה יכול להוריד את המחיר?[Ha'em Ata Yachol Lehorid Et Ha'machir?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?מה השעה?[Ma Ha'sha'a?]
It's one o'clockהשעה חד[Ha'sha'a Chad]
Half past (10)חצי לעשר[Chatzi La'eser]
Morningבוקר[Boker]
Afternoonצהריים[Tzohorayim]
Eveningערב[Erev]
Yesterdayאתמול[Etmol]
Todayהיום[Ha'yom]
Tomorrowמחר[Mahar]
1אחת[Achat]
2שתיים[Shtayim]
3שלוש[Shalosh]
4ארבע[Arba]
5חמש[Chamesh]
6שש[Shesh]
7שבע[Sheva]
8שמונה[Shmoneh]
9תשע[Tisha]
10עשר[Esreh]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?איפה נמצא/ת?[Eifo Nimtza/t?]
What's the address?מה הכתובת?[Ma Ha'ktoovet?]
Can you show me (on the map)?אתה יכול להראות לי (על המפה)?[Ata Yachol Leharaot Li (al Ha'mapa)?]
When's the next (bus)?מתי האוטובוס הבא?[Matai Ha'otobus Ha'ba?]
A ticket (to ....)כרטיס (ל...)[Kartis (l...)]

History of Akko Port

From Coastal Settlement to Ptolemais

The harbour occupies the shoreline of one of the eastern Mediterranean’s longest-inhabited urban sites. The settlement was known as Akko in antiquity and became Ptolemais under Hellenistic rule, developing as a maritime centre linked to the wider Levant. Roman and Byzantine authorities continued to value its port, although the coastline and harbour installations changed repeatedly over time. These early layers are not always visible as standing structures around the present waterfront, but they explain why Akko’s position on a sheltered bay made it strategically and commercially important long before the medieval walls were built.

Crusader Acre and the Medieval Port

After the Crusaders captured Acre in 1104, the city became the principal port of the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem and a major gateway for merchants, soldiers and pilgrims. Its waterfront supported contacts with European trading communities, while fortified quays and walls protected the harbour side. The surviving Templar Tunnel reflects the relationship between the port and the military quarter, providing a subterranean route from the Templars’ compound towards the shore. Acre remained the Crusaders’ last stronghold in the Holy Land until the Mamluk conquest of 1291, after which much of the medieval city was damaged or abandoned.

Ottoman Reconstruction and Harbour Life

Acre revived under Ottoman rule, particularly during the eighteenth century when local leaders including Daher al-Omar and Ahmed al-Jazzar strengthened the city’s political and commercial importance. The port was repaired and the Old City acquired much of the architectural character visible today, including Khan al-Umdan, the sea walls and substantial civic and religious buildings. Merchants, sailors and craftspeople used the harbour and market network, while the city’s position on the coast connected it with regional trade. The waterfront consequently became part of a dense urban system rather than an isolated scenic promenade.

Modern Port and Heritage City

During the British Mandate, the harbour remained part of Akko’s working coastal economy, although modern transport and changing political conditions altered the city’s regional role. After 1948, the Old City continued as a mixed residential, commercial and fishing area while its medieval and Ottoman fabric increasingly attracted heritage attention. Archaeological investigation, conservation and tourism have made the port a focus for visitors, yet boats, markets and everyday local movement still prevent it from becoming solely an open-air museum. Contemporary Akko is therefore experienced through the overlap of living neighbourhood and protected historic landscape.

Akko Port in Photos

Browse through our photo collection highlighting the charm and character of the destination.

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Neighbourhoods near Akko Port

The closest neighbourhoods to Akko Port, if you have time for more than one stop.

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Akko
More of the region

Explore more of Akko

Akko, Israel, combines Crusader halls, Ottoman mosques, sea walls, markets and Mediterranean culture in one historic coastal city to explore.

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