Acre Port
Acre Port has been in use since 500 BC. It is an ancient port with a rich history of war, commerce and conquest. During the Umayyad Dynasty, Acre Port was built to facilitate shipments to Cyprus and then was reconstructed for use by the Egyptian rulers. During the Crusader rule, Acre Port was used to connect shipping routes between the middle east and the Western hemisphere and required construction of merchant inns (Khans), restaurants, storerooms and other facilities now visible in the Old City of Acre, to accommodate the sailors passing through. In the 18th Century, with the Ottoman takeover, Acre Port fell into disrepair. International commercial trade stopped and the port was used solely by local fisherman. The early 19th Century brought about renovation and the port once again served Egyptian needs. Acre Port remained in use until 1840 when naval efforts on the part of Britain and Austria caused damage to the fortifying wall around the Port.
Today, Acre Port is used primarily for local fishing. The city is known for its fresh fish and incredible local restaurants built around that trade. A visit to Acre Port is part of most tours through the Old City of Acre. Reservations and bookings for both tours and local restaurants can be made at the Reservation Center in the Enchanted Garden. The center is open Saturday through Thursday from 8:30am until 7pm. On Fridays and during the winter months the office closes at 5pm.