Akko Markets

The city of Akko (Acre) has many secrets. It is one of Israel’s most ancient cities, built 4,000 years ago, but up until the Crusades it was just a small fishermen town.

It was thanks to European crusaders, who knew how to utilize its incredible potential and shore location, that Akko grew into a thriving port city of trade.

Through the city, crusaders were able to keep relations with their countries of origin as well as countries they traded with.

Today, Akko still has colorful and rich markets that maintain its old-time port city character.

Below you’ll find information about Akko’s markets and what they have to offer.

•  Akko’s Ancient Folk Market (HaShuk HaAmami)

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 northern Akko 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.

The market is open all week from early morning to afternoon, around 5 pm.

• The Turkish Bazaar

The Turkish bazaar 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 bazaar underwent preservation work and also made a name for itself, in Israel and the Middle East, as a culinary attraction.

The bazaar has a rich and diverse variety of exclusive chef and boutique restaurants. The Turkish bazaar 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, copper-smiths and more. 

The character of Akko’s Turkish Bazaar is that of a smart, mysterious and beautiful woman – rare, provoking interest and inspiration that go beyond outer surface. 

The bazaar 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 Bazaar, Old City, Akko

Opening hours:

Daily 10am-Midnight

• The White Market

The White Market is adjacent to al-Jazzar Mosque. It has a long history, dating from the early 18th century, when the large white structure was built on the ruins of a large market founded years before by Daher el-Omar. At the time, the old market had 110 shops and was surely the commercial center of Akko and northern Israel. 

64 shops were built inside the newer White Market structure and then whitewashed, hence the market’s name. The large windows and arched ceiling built, allow for much bright light to enter the space. The market’s physical characteristics and many residing businesses turned it into a leading commercial center in Akko.  

During the British Mandate the importance of the White Market lessened and it remained standing as a relic of the Ottoman Empire’s glorious history. In recent years, renovations and cleaning have begun by Akko municipality to turn the market into a new shop complex selling snacks and beverages. Until it is done, a number of restaurants are found on-site and you can visit to marvel at the remaining structure and its history.