Knights' Halls, Old Akko — Attraction in Acre

I haven't been to Akko in ~20 years and it was always an amazing place, but now there are so many more cool things to see, especially if you like history, crusades, the sea, markets... you will love Akko. The tickets to all the main attractions are all inclusive with one relatively reasonably priced ticket. I did them all. I would say the Knights halls at the Citadel, and the Templars Tunnel are absolute must see. The Ethnographic museum in the walls was also pretty cool. It's sort of like an antique shop of old items with history (but of course they are not for sale). The Okashi art museum was not my thing, and is relatively small, but if you like art it's right there in the Knights Hall area. The Turkish Bath Museum (Hammam) was small, not amazing but worth spending 15 minutes there. The Ramchal Synagouge is a bit out of the way but if you go to the Acre Market it is right nearby and anyway Akko Old City is very small, so when I say out of the way, I mean like a 5-10 minute walk from the main attractions. You will learn a bit of the Jewish history, and about some of the Famous Rabbi's who came to Akko many hundreds of years ago from Italy, France and other places. It's a small small Synagogue, and there is also a 2nd area to visit, both have a short movie, not as special as the top sites but still worth your 15 minutes. Btw you should visit the various Markets, unfortunately because of low tourism these days, many shops are closed, this means you can go to a place like Dubrovnik, or Jaffa without the hordes. And Akko has really done an amazing job with some top notch sites, in particular the Knights Halls is done really well, feels like they really invested in making it a special place. Though the signage of which order to go could be improved a little. Make sure to start at the Knights halls (in the Citadel complex) and Finish by walking through the Templars tunnel. You will exit by the sea (near the lighthouse) and you should leave some time to walk along the sea, it's really beautiful. There are also some well known restaurants there (many seafood) like Uri Buri unless you already ate something more Middle Easten like felafel in the market (Shuk). One place I did not visit this time was the prison, it's not included in the regular ticket, but worth seeing. If you come to Akko and just visit the Knights hall, but don't leave time for the other sites and to explore, you are missing out! All in all Akko is a world class city (even if it wasn't a UNESCO site) now officially one of my favorite places in Israel, and if you come now while I wouldn't quite say you have it all to yourself, there are no crowds....

An amazing and enriching experience which we all learnt from. Great way to learn history and it is suited for all ages. An interesting sting story. I've been in many castles, but this one is the most enriching and a one you may actually learn from.

The place is clean and organized. When you buy a ticket, it's a combo ticket for a few additional places, which is a plus. We were given audio guide, included in the price, in almost any language of your choice. The guide was good, and the written material was placed correctly so they both completed each other.

There is a kids oriented narrative, including even some old era games. Yet it is much simpler and shorter. My 9 year old was OK with them. The 11 year old took the adult narration and felt the explanations were in too complicated for him to understand the complex language. The 14 year old was fine with the adult narration. In the end there is a summarization movie which helped everyone to get on the same page with the general narrative.

If you're coming with a baby stroller, you might find it difficult to go around freely, and will need help to carry the stroller on stairs. There are handicap lifts and appliances, but you are advised not to use it yourself, but call some number to get assistance, which doesn't seemee suitable to me, with a baby stroller.

There is a short Templar tunnel beneath the courtyard. I advice you to have a look (we succeeded passing there with a stroller. Don't try it with something wider). You may enter another part of it in some other location in Acre, free with your ticket.

It took us about 4 hours to go over everything with kids and a baby. We could get out for lunch and get back in, but you need to return the audio guides (which you can get back when you return).

If there's onky one thing you can do in Acco, then this...

The Knights' Halls, a highlight of Acre's Old City, are a sprawling underground complex that offers a fantastic escape from the heat and sun, making them an ideal destination on a sweltering summer day. The massive stone halls, with their high vaulted ceilings and thick walls, maintain a cool, constant temperature that provides a welcome respite from the sweaty, humid Israeli climate. It’s a literal breath of fresh air after walking through the narrow, crowded alleyways of the market. Beyond the climate control, the halls are a perfect attraction for families. The sheer scale and a sense of adventure captivate children, who can easily imagine the lives of the Crusaders who once inhabited these spaces. The various rooms—the Great Hall, the Crypt, and the Dining Room—are large enough for kids to roam around freely without feeling confined. The stone arches and columns create a maze-like quality that encourages exploration. While the Knights' Halls don't rely on modern technology or flashy displays, they do a great job of using the space itself to tell a story. Informational signs are well-placed, and the layout guides you through a logical progression of the lives of the knights. The lack of overly stimulating distractions means kids can focus on the historical environment itself, and parents can enjoy a less chaotic, more educational experience. It’s a chance to discuss history and architecture in a tangible setting. The Knights’ Halls are an essential part of the Acre experience, providing a good balance of historical depth, family-friendliness, and practical comfort...