Akko Old City Walls and Ramparts
Walk the UNESCO-listed Old City of Akko, circumnavigating the sea walls built by the Ottoman governor Jazzar Pasha that withstood Napoleon's 1799 siege, with extraordinary views over the harbor and Haifa Bay.
- 1
Land Gate
Enter the Old City through the Land Gate, the main entrance through the massive Ottoman-era walls that Jazzar Pasha built in the 18th century, the fortifications strong enough to repel Napoleon's artillery in 1799.
- 2
Sea Wall Rampart Walk
Walk the sea wall ramparts overlooking the Mediterranean where cannons still point seaward from their embrasures, the panoramic view taking in the fishing harbor, the bay, and the Haifa skyline in the distance.
- 3
Tower of Flies
See the Tower of Flies at the harbor entrance, the lighthouse tower on a rocky islet connected to the city that has guarded the port entrance since Byzantine times, its name coming from the Phoenician god Baal-Zebub.
- 4
Harbor Front
Walk the harbor front where fishing boats bob alongside tourist vessels in the working port, the fishermen mending nets beside restaurants serving the morning catch in a waterfront scene unchanged in its essentials for centuries.
- 5
Al-Jazzar Mosque
Visit Al-Jazzar Mosque, the largest mosque in Israel outside Jerusalem, built by Jazzar Pasha in 1781 with columns pillaged from Caesarea, its green dome and slender minaret dominating the old city skyline.
- 6
Walls Sunset Walk
Walk the walls at sunset when the stone glows warm gold against the blue Mediterranean and fishing boats return to the harbor, the view from the ramparts justifying Akko reputation as one of the most beautiful cities in Israel.
Walk this route with audio
Stories play automatically as you reach each stop — no tapping needed.
