Acre tells its story on several levels: the remains of the Crusader city lie both above and below today’s street level, offering an exceptional picture of the layout and buildings of the capital of the medieval Kingdom of Jerusalem. At the same time, narrow, winding streets, public buildings and houses shape the walled port city. Acre has been continuously inhabited since Phoenician times. The continuity of settlement since antiquity and the architectural traces of the Crusader period offer two distinct ways to explore the city’s history.

Acre Above and Below Ground

One example of the city’s underground level is the Templars’ Tunnel. It is about 150 metres long and runs beneath Acre’s houses. Together with the remains above and below street level, it makes the layered layout of the historic city clear: its history is evident not only in individual buildings, but also in their relationship to the city’s modern surface.

The Hospitaller Quarter includes a fortress, hospital, church and hospice. These facilities served the many pilgrims who came to the Holy Land. The Enchanted Garden, also called the Festival Garden, has a different connection to the fortress: it serves as a forecourt at the entrance to the Hospitaller Fortress. The garden is home to 150-year-old ficus trees. The quarter’s historic role and the garden’s distinctive feature thus come together, though they do not serve the same function.

Quarters, Gardens and Collections

Several institutions in the Old City explore different chapters of Acre’s history. The “Treasures in the Wall” Museum displays collections and traditional handicrafts from the 19th century. Visitors can reserve actor-led tours, in which the objects are brought to life and visitors become part of the museum experience. As availability may change, check in advance whether reservations are possible.

The Ramchal Visitors Center in the Old City focuses on the life of Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto, known as Ramchal, and on Acre’s Jewish community during Crusader rule in the 12th and 13th centuries. The Turkish Bath dates from the 18th century and was built by Jazzar Pasha. The story of the last bath attendant also offers a glimpse into a chapter of Acre’s history during the Ottoman period. Together, these subjects offer different historical perspectives: on collections and handicrafts, Jewish life during the Crusades, and the Ottoman era.

Routes by Theme and Mode of Travel

The routes differ in both theme and mode of travel. The Classic Route is a paid walking route to the historic sites of Old Acre; a combined ticket is available. The free Jewish Route explores Jewish heritage from Abraham to the present day. The Walls Route is also free and follows the walls of Acre on foot. For those who want to see the city from the water, the paid Maritime Route is a boat trip along the city walls, offering views of the Old City from the sea.

A simple comparison can help you choose: The Classic Route combines walking with historic sites, the Jewish Route has a thematic focus, and the Walls Route follows the city walls. The Maritime Route offers a view from a boat rather than a walk. The options therefore differ in theme, mode of travel and pricing; check the current availability of your preferred route before you travel. These differences can help you decide what to focus on during your stay in Acre.

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For the main travel overview: Israel.