Vacation Packages to Acre

What Is Acre?

Acre is a city located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, north of Israel. Administratively it belongs to the Northern District.

It is one of the oldest cities in the world, where you can see fortresses dating from the time of the Crusades and the Knights Templar. It is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

The city of Acre was shaped by different cultures since Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Arab and Christian civilizations have passed through it.

Acre: the Oldest City in the World

Acre is a city loaded with a lot of history. It was founded in 1500 BC and was an important port and commercial center within the ancient world. In the year 332 BC, it became part of the empire of Alexander the Great.

The most interesting period in its history is during the Crusades. Baldwin I of Jerusalem conquered it in 1104, then it was reconquered by a sultan of Egypt and Syria and in 1191 it returned to Christian hands and was renamed Saint John of Acre. With the end of the crusades, it was the last Christian possession in the Holy Land.

In 1918 it was the British who took power in Acre, but in 1948 during the Israeli war of independence, the city was incorporated into the Israeli state.

Currently, it stands out for being a tourist city and steel industrial activity. It is one of the mixed cities of Israel since Jews and Arabs coexist peacefully.

How Is the Culture in Acre?

Holy Places in the City

Acre has many holy places for Bahaism, a monotheistic religion that follows the words of Bahá'u'lláh who is considered a messenger of God and who was a prisoner in the fortress of Acre.

The sanctuary of Bahá'u'lláh is the most sacred place for the faithful followers of Bahaism, it is a point of worship and the goal of the pilgrimage. Here rest the mortal remains of Bahá'u'lláh.

Bahji's Mansion is another sacred place for Bahaism, it is located next to the shrine, and this is where Bahá'u'lláh died.

There are also Christian holy places such as the Church of San Juan, which was built in 1737 and functioned as a parish church for the Roman community.

Ahmed Al Jazzar Mosque is a sacred tourist attraction that cannot be missed on your tour, built with marble and granite on top of ancient Christian and Muslim prayer houses, its prayers are heard from loudspeakers in every corner of the city.

What to Eat in Acre

Acre's star dish is hummus, a chickpea cream with lemon juice and olive oil. The city's restaurants offer a different variety and quality of this food.

Shawarma, which is meat served in pita bread and accompanied with vegetables, and falafel, which is fried chickpea croquettes, are two typical Israeli foods that also stand out in Acre and can be bought at any food stall on the city streets.

You can find fresh seafood and fish dishes since Acre stands out for its good fishing fleet. We recommend the Jraime, a meal consisting of several pieces of fish in a sauce of tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and spices.

A typical drink from the north of Israel that you cannot miss on your gastronomic tour is coffee with cardamom. You can find cafeterias or small stalls in the streets where they sell it and thus enjoy a good cup.

Top 3 Essential Places of Acre

Acre is characterized as being one of the oldest cities and therefore being a historical place. Its history can be known thanks to the cultural monuments found in its corners. We recommend 3 that you cannot miss on your visit.

1. The fortress of the Order of the Hospitallers: it is the main tourist attraction and one of the most important buildings in Acre. It served as a home to care for the pilgrims who traveled in the Holy Land.
2. Templar’s Tunnel: it was a network of underground passages where gold was transported. It is declared a World Heritage Site.
3. The walls of Acre: there are different remains of walls surrounding the old city of Acre and they can be accessed from different points.

The Turkish Bazaar

If you are one of those people who likes shopping and handicrafts, you can find in the old city of Acre a street market called the Turkish bazaar.

You will find aromas, foods, and products with the essence of Turkey. Tourists enjoy the streets where the street market is located as it offers a fantastic experience.

If you want to take a souvenir from the Holy Land with you, this is the perfect place for you.

How to Get Around Acre

Getting around within the city of Acre is not complicated and is also usually safe.

The most common way to get around the city and its tourist spots is by bus; it is a safe means of transportation, and it passes frequently. Most of them cover a large part of the city and its center, making it an economical and good option for your journey.

Taxis are also a safe option but not as cheap. It is good to move around the city at night since at that time the bus schedules are less frequent.

What to See and Do in Acre

Acre is a tourist attraction for many travelers since it is a city loaded with a lot of history and cultural monuments as well as having commercial markets where you can find exotic things.

Being close to places like Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, many tourists choose to combine their trip to Acre with these destinations.

Are you looking to know the oldest buildings in the world? Do you want to be fascinated with the ancient Holy Land? Would you take a walk through the street markets?

If the answer is "yes", at Greca we offer you tour packages to the ancient city of Acre. There are packages for all tastes, and you can shape them according to your needs and times.

What are you waiting for to start the trip you want so much? Find that tour package that best suits you!