How do I get to Acre?

The closest airport to Acre is the Haifa Airport located around 20 miles south of the city.

How do I get from the airport to my hotel?

There are buses to Akko that cost around 13.76NIS or a taxi will cost 160NIS as well as rental cars. Acre is on the main Israeli train track with over 40 trains to the city daily running every 20 minutes during peak hours. A train from Haifa to Acre will cost around 13.50NIS.

Egged is the national bus company with several bus lines including 271, 272, and 251NIS costing around 11.70NIS.

Shared taxis are available from Haifa to Akko and can be as cheap as a bus ride, look for the sign saying “Akko Naharia” or “Akko Karmiel” in Hebrew shown in the front of the taxis.

How do I get around by boat in Acre?

There are boat rides available at the Acre Marina located around the old city walls where visitors can take a scenic boat ride on the waters and get a new perspective of the city.

How do I get around by train?

There are frequent daily train services to Acre/Akko from some of the major cities in Israel including Tel Aviv and Haifa costing around 40NIS.

How do I get from the train and bus station to my hotel?

The main train and bus stations in Akko are located in the New City of Akko where taxis are available to reach your destination costing around 15NIS to 25NIS. The train station is adjacent to the bus station to Old Akko and it’s around a mile (10-20 minute) walk to this area.

How do I get around by public transportation?

The main forms of public transportation in Acre are buses, the local bus network providing inter-city routes within Acre is run by Nateev Express and a single ticket costs around ?5. Egged bus service also operates in the city offering intra-city and inter-city bus routes that travel all over Israel.

Should I rent a car in Acre?

The city is easily accessible by road with Highway 4 entering the city from the south and Nahariya in the north with good road conditions. It is easy to rent a car at the airport and drive to Acre, the Old City is not accessible by car, the center of the city is pedestrianized. From Haifa Airport just follow the signs for Akko, then to the Old City and there is paid parking offered on Weizmann Street.

How do I call/hail a taxi?

Taxis are readily available in the city and can be hailed from the street with an initial charge of ?12 and then the fare is ?6 per mile.

Is Acre a walking city?

The Old City is pedestrian-friendly and easily accessible on foot with beautiful sights, shops, cafes, and restaurants to discover. The well-preserved walls that surround the Old City are quite remarkable and one of the city’s defining features. Walking along the ramparts and soaking up the stunning views over Akko and the sparkling Mediterranean coastline is a wonderful experience.

Is Acre a dangerous city, is there anything I should be aware of?

Acre is a very safe destination for tourists with crimes against visitors being very rare. There are few other cities anywhere in the world that feel safer, there is plenty of police presence around town, especially in frequently visited tourist sights and attractions. Be aware of pickpockets in crowded areas especially on board public transport, don’t exchange money in the Change Bureaus, always use Banks. Keep your valuables close, be aware of your surroundings, and don’t wander around alone at night. If you rent a car be sure to take extra precautions and lock your vehicle and remove any valuables.

What are some popular areas for shopping?

There are vast shopping opportunities available in Acre especially at the main market located in the Old City filled with a colorful array of stalls selling spices, fresh produce, fresh-caught fish, and delicious fresh pastries. Strolling through the market shoppers can indulge in the strong smell of Arab spices and the lingering smells of hookah, amble through teh charming alleyways and discover the authentic surroundings. The bazaar specializes in small shops selling souvenirs and tourist artifacts as well as crafts and art.

Salah ad Din Street is another good place to shop specializing in local goods such as olive oil, ceramics, and jewelry.

Where can I go to the beach in Acre?

Acre is nestled on the sparkling Mediterranean coast offering visitors some great beaches to explore and relax with warm weather and plenty of sunshine. Argaman Beach also known as Akko Beach is the northern beach in the city close to the Old City, a beautiful stretch of sand with crystal blue waters. Facilities at the beach include shade sheds, toilets, showers, and a kiosk as well as lifeguard services with great views of Acre.

The southern beach is located near the Rimonim Palm Beach hotel where you have to pay for parking and lacking facilities, but offering a peaceful stretch of sand to sunbathe, swim and relax. There are sand dunes at this beach and views of Carmel mountain and Haifa as the backdrop.

What is the language spoken in Acre?

The official language spoken in Acre is Arabic. Many people speak English especially in the service industry at hotels and restaurants, and many locals speak Italian. We recommend you get a good English-Arabic guidebook and learn the common phrases such as hello, goodbye, please, thank you, and numbers 1-10.

What is the best time to visit Acre??

Acre features a wonderful warm Mediterranean climate with hot dry summers, there is no bad time of year to visit Acre. The winters here might feature some rain, but the temperatures are still pretty favorable and mild. The months of July and August will be the hottest time of year with temperatures soaring into the high 80’s or above, this is also a busy time of year for tourists and locals on vacation. April, May, September, and November are great times to visit Acre when temperatures are pleasant and not too hot making it possible to visit the attractions in the area as well as enjoy the beaches. August is the busiest month of the year and probably the hottest month with prices of hotels soaring and flights being the most expensive during this time. It is recommended to book well in advance if wanting to visit during this time. Temperatures during the wintertime including January through march are still warm and well into the 80’s, then climbing into the ’90s between April and June. October and November the average temperatures are around 76 degrees Fahrenheit a beautiful time of year to enjoy the outdoors.

What is the currency? Can I pay/tip in US dollars?

The currency of Israel is the Israeli Shekel (NIS or ILS). You will need to exchange your currency for the Israeli Shekel, which can be done upon arrival at the airport currency exchange desks or banks and specialized stores called Foreign Exchange Bureaus.

What is the food like?

Acre or Akko is famous for its seafood being right on the spectacular Mediterranean coast with access to the fish and seafood in the sea. Some of the best can be found at Abu Christo and Doniana Restaurants located in the harbor, port area with spectacular views over the water. Upscale dining options in the city include Uri Buri serving up some delicious local delicacies and one of the finest fish restaurants in the city located on the lagoon walkway on Ha’Hagana Street, El Marsa at the marina, and Salah ah-Din Street is filled with many bakeries baking yummy treats including baklava and knafeh found in the Old Bazaar. Gallery Simaan restaurant is located on Ben Ami Street and the Mercato is an intimate and highly rated dining spot that serves up delicious Italian dishes. There are some fantastic options including high-end dining, local authentic restaurants, street food, market stalls, cafes, coffee shops, and bakeries. Arabic food is very flavorful and there is a mixture of Middle Eastern cuisine, International, and more.

What is the nightlife like?

There are some great options for nightlife in the city including restaurants, bars, cafes, and clubs in Acre. The city has a special character and is known as the “enchanted city” with a wide range of entertainment options with lively, vibrant nightlife options. El Marsa restaurant is located at the marina, the Marsa Bar is tucked into the back room with beers on tap and an extensive cocktail menu with some nice views. Abu Christo is the place to be for sunset at the marina, sit back sip on a beverage and watch the sun go down on the beautiful waterfront. There are some spectacular sunset cruises offered around the waters at night with some breathtaking views. There are other nightlife entertainment options in the city including the Acre Theater Center in the Old City housed in an ancient fortress building, a unique theater that offers original plays. Special ethnic tours are offered of the city at night and night fishing is another option for a quieter night.

What should I do if I need medical assistance or need to go to the hospital?

In case of an emergency dial 100 for police, 101 for an ambulance, 102 for fire.