From Port to Palace: A Journey Through Akko’s Hidden History

The Israel Daily News had the opportunity to join a delegation of international tour operators, journalists, and social media professionals for a guided tour of Akko (also known as Acre), hosted by JNF-USA. The visit was part of the opening festivities for the IMTM — International Mediterranean Tourism Market — one of Israel’s premier expos for showcasing regional travel and innovation. 

Located in the Western Galilee, Akko is a city that quietly carries thousands of years of layered history. During the Roman takeover of ancient Judea, Akko was considered the second most important city after Jerusalem. Its strategic coastal location made it a vital hub for importing goods — with merchandise flowing in through its port. Today, that same port exists, but it now caters mostly to small boats. The commercial ships of our time are simply too large for it to accommodate.

The tour also brought us to one of the city’s more haunting historical sites — a stone fortress that has served many purposes over the centuries. In the late 1940s and 1950s, it was used as a mental health institution for Holocaust survivors struggling with post-war trauma. But before that, the very same structure had been a prison — and even earlier, a harem for a powerful Mamluk king.

We visited the brand new JNF USA / Western Galilee visitor center where we met a diverse group of city experts, got to taste local liquors and wines and also checked out boxes they package for soldiers filled with local artisan goods and treats.

Akko has absorbed waves of civilization, conflict, healing, and reinvention. It’s not only a UNESCO World Heritage Site or a destination for tourists — it’s a living city that holds deep scars and beauty.

As Israel continues to draw in visitors from around the globe, Akko remains one of its most storied and resilient cities — proof that history lives in walls, waves, and whispers.

Since October 7th, the city which relies heavily on tourism, has suffered economically. The event was organized to be a delegation of 70, however 30 were unable to make it as flights began to cancel in the wake of a Houthi missile touching down in the area of Ben Gurion airport just days prior. Nevertheless, those who made it in from around the world (India, Philippines, the USA & Korea) were glad to participate.