‎10 Free things to ‎do in Akko

Akko has been slowly but surely evolving into a wonderful tourist destination in recent years. Bouquet hotels; B&Bs built in the city alleys after reconstruction and preservation – giving guests an authentic Akko experience; hostels with decent prices for young travelers and families, and more. As for the culinary aspect and night life, they are also rapidly developing and can fill up 2 or more days of fun inside the city walls.

In addition to all the city has to offer, you can add some free-entry sites to your trip, a wonderful opportunity for solo travelers, couples and families to have a great time.

Here are Akko’s top 10 sites with free entrance and great fun:

 1. Akko Port

Akko’s first port was presumably located along the lower section of Na’aman River. The port was first mentioned in Kambizes’ journey to conquer Egypt in 527-525 BC during the course of which Akko boasted hundreds of ships carrying soldiers, horses and supplies. Many of the pilgrims arrived to Israel through the Port of Akko. Akko’s status grew, primarily after its conquest by the Crusaders in 1104, when the port became the main gate to the Land of Israel. You can walk along the Marina and enjoy the local scene.

2. Akko’s ancient folk market in the Old City (Hashuk HaAmami)

The market is open all week from early morning to afternoon, around 5 pm. The roofed Akko Market in the Old City is considered to be the most colorful street in the city. It was built on the remnants of the street that led from the Hospitallers Gate in the north to the Crusader Port area of ​​Venice Square. The upper beginning of the Main Market Street is in Haim Farhi Square, and from there it winds its way into the alleys of the Old City through the fish stands and fish market all the way to Venice Square and the fishing port.

The market offers everything that a good market can offer: fish and meat stores, spices, pastries and sweets, clothes, tapes and discs as well as small and promising restaurants, oriental sweets and good juice stands that serve refreshing drinks of pomegranates, oranges, lemons and, in some, sugar cane juice in season.

3. Ramchal (RAMHAL) Synagogue

The Synagogue is named after Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto known by his acronym, RaMChaL, who lived in Akko from 1743 to 1747. It served Akko’s Jewish community from the 16th century to the 18th century and today it’s the only active synagogue in the Old City. The synagogue’s uniqueness raises controversy as to its past: some claim the synagogue (located at the edge of an ally on Fakhr A-Din street, close to Al-Muallaq Mosque) was originally built where Al- Muallaq Mosque stands today, then in 1758 the Bedouin ruler Zahir al-Umar decided to turn the synagogue into a mosque, had the synagogue removed, and gave the Jews the current location where Ramchal Synagogue is found today. Ramchal Synagogue is missing two key elements characteristic of synagogues: It has no pulpit (Bimah) leading up to the Torah Ark and no Women Section for prayer.

Address: At the edge of an ally on Fakhr A-Din street

Opening hours:

Sunday – Thursday 9:00am-5:00pm

Closed at noon 12:00-1:30pm

+972-4-9956706

4.The Turkish Bazar

The Turkish bazar is a unique 18th century gem built during the Ottoman Empire. It lies within an arched wall at the very heart of the Old City. In recent years the bazar underwent preservation work and also made a name for itself, in Israel and the Middle East, as a culinary attraction. The bazar has a rich and diverse variety of exclusive chef and boutique restaurants. The Turkish bazar is built inside an enclosed market structure carved within the wall, and the restaurants are set in ancient nooks that served the Ottoman market vendors selling their fabrics and the market cobblers, blacksmiths, coppersmiths and more. The bazar offers an ideal pastime experience all year long, especially during cold winter days, perfect for great food and alcoholic drinks in an enclosed space you would not want to leave.

Address: The Turkish Bazar, Old City, Akko

Opening hours:

Daily 10am – Midnight

5. Akko City Walls

After a visit to the eastern part of the Old City, under the street, climb the sloping path, in the same way that the city cannons were pushed to their firing holes in the walls, the inner side of the walls also has guard posts.

When touring the walls, you’ll get a view of the sea and the inner part of the Old City. Continue south, until the Damascus Gate guard posts, overlooking the city’s port, and when there’s good visibility, all the way to the city of Haifa.

 

6. Tel Akko

Tel Akko, also known as Napoleon’s Hill, is located at the entrance to the city and welcomes those entering Akko from the eastern side. It is known as the historic site to which Napoleon Bonaparte had reached and then failed to breach into Akko. From Tel Akko you can get a view of the Old City, the sea and the city walls. Archeological and historical findings teach that Tel Akko was where the city of Akko first stood in ancient times and up to the beginning of the Hellenistic period, the city’s center eventually shifted west to where the Old City of Akko is located today. Some of the findings revealed at Tel Akko teach us that it had, among other things, a Purple-Dye industry producing the color from two types of snails inhabiting the Na’aman River area. Also prevalent was metal production.

Address: Akko’s eastern city entrance

Open to the public at all times

7. The Botanical Garden

This past year a new botanical garden has opened in Akko, combining both education and recreation for the whole family. The garden stretches over 42 dunams (~10 acres) and is divided into 4 different sections, each with a main theme: water and marsh plants, plants for agriculture or plants from myths and tales. The garden also has a plant maze. You can learn about, and see, plants from exotic places around the world like the Atlas Mountains, ancient species of plants from the Canary Islands, plants from the Mediterranean Basin and more. The garden has facilities for the whole family: playgrounds, cycling paths and walkways, observation points, sitting areas and a water fountain and in between are accessible pathways for the disabled.

Address: Northern Akko, HaKerem Gimel neighborhood

Opening hours:

Sunday – Thursday 3:00pm-9:00pm

Friday 12:00-6:00pm

Saturday and holidays 9:00am-8:00pm

For more information dial *4911

On rainy days the garden is closed.

 8. The Tunisian Synagogue in Akko

Akko’s Tunisian Synagogue is the most prominent of the 100 synagogues spread around the city and it is also one-of-a-kind. Diverse and creative mosaics adorn the synagogue’s every wall creating a colorful sight. The synagogue windows are made out of 140 stained glass (or Maskit in Hebrew) panels – a craftsman’s handiwork. The mosaics and stained glass beautifully decorating the synagogue contain images depicting the history of the Jewish people, from Hebrew Bible stories to The Holocaust and other main events imbedded in the collective DNA of the People of Israel. One of the synagogue’s most unique sights rests at its very entrance: the people gathering to pray are welcomed by a rich and meticulous mosaic spreading at their feet, remarkably inviting them to step onto a work of art which hints at the greatness to be achieved by the prayers to follow.

The synagogue is built as a hall of prayer with a form of art that was made from millions of small stone pieces collected from all over Israel: Eilat Mountains, Timna Valley mines, the Golan and Galilee, Plains and Arabah region. All stone pieces inlayed in the synagogue are in their natural tones.

Address: 13 Kaplan St. Akko

Opening hours: According to standard prayer times.

For groups and guided tours advance booking is required –
Please call: +972-4-9818451

9. The Baha’i Gardens in Akko

The Bahji Gardens north of Akko (Acre) create a wide circle surrounding both the historic mansion where Baha’u’llah, Prophet-Founder of the Baha’i faith, resided during the final years of his life and the shrine where his remains were laid to rest.

Opening Hours:

The outer gardens are open all week from 9:00am to 4:00pm.

The inner gardens and Baha’u’llah’s shrine are open Friday to Monday from 9:00am to 12:00pm (free of charge/no advance booking)

+972-4-8313131

10. Gallery Art 192

Art192 – Gallery

A vibrant and lively group of 10 women artists, each different with her own unique say.  Together, they settled in an impressive conserved building from Ottoman empire times, cleaned, renovated and placed rich and diverse exhibitions inside it. The gallery center has a changing exhibition of a different guest artist every month.
The gallery is everchanging and no visit is like the other.
The gallery offers creative workshops in various subjects for groups and individuals. Advance booking required.

Opening hours

Sunday 10am-5pm

Tue-Wed-Thurs 10am-5pm

Friday 9am-3pm

Saturday 10am-5pm

+972-4-8283955