Israel : Safety by City
Israel - safety as a country Acre is the city in Israel that best represents the history of the country.
It is a great place to visit and spend a day, due to the fact that the city has a fortified town dating from the Ottoman 18th and 19th centuries frequently visited by a number of people.
Acre is a place whose well-preserved walls surrounding the Old City are one of its defining features.
Besides the amazing history the city can boast, tourists are attracted by a large number of incredibly popular Arabic style restaurants.
Warnings & Dangers in Acre
OVERALL RISK: HIGH
Being that there is a risk of increased tension and that there have been a number of violent incidents on public transport, our suggestion is to stay aware of the possible dangers in Acre.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
The most common form of public transportation in Acre is the bus and very rarely the taxi is taken. In the majority of cases, all means of transportation were safe.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
Most visits to Acre finish with the theft of passports, credit cards, and valuables from public places. So we suggest that you keep your personal belongings in a safe place.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
There is a possibility of extreme weather conditions during which a great amount of rain may fall. In that case, roads can flood.
MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
Crime is generally not a problem here but you should take precautions to protect yourself and your belongings as you can never be sure whether you can be mugged or not.
TERRORISM RISK: HIGH
Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Israel and in Acre as well. There is a constant threat, so it is better to get familiar with the current situation prior to set on a journey there.
SCAMS RISK: HIGH
You can expect to be overcharged for food and drinks in restaurants. So, you should never order food or beverage without asking the price.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
In the majority of cases, female travelers will generally feel as safe and comfortable in Acre. There are some places where foreign women may attract unwanted attention, so be aware of that.
So... How Safe Is Acre Really?
Acre is not on the main tourist trail, but there are plenty of awesome things to check out and more and more tourists decide to visit the city.
Being that the old city of Akko is a fun one to explore, many travelers decide to walk through its ruins, without worrying about their safety.
However, there are many people who believe that Israel is not a safe destination.
Since Israel does not boast a history of dealing with terror, there is more security in public places.
Even though the political situation there is complicated, you can travel safely.
Just as in any other city, no one can guarantee that nothing will happen.
So as to minimize unnecessary risks, you need to stay away from violent demonstrations if you run into them.
Furthermore, our suggestion is not to snap photos in people’s faces and not to raise a lot of noise as you walk through the city.
If you do not attract attention, you will feel much safer.
How Does Acre Compare?
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Acre | 46 |
| Tel Aviv | 64 |
| Jerusalem | 61 |
| Haifa | 67 |
| Eilat | 47 |
| Nazareth | 58 |
| Dead Sea | 65 |
| Sao Paulo (Brazil) | 45 |
| Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | 43 |
| Sofia (Bulgaria) | 73 |
| Siem Reap (Cambodia) | 63 |
| Phnom Penh (Cambodia) | 61 |
| Niagara Falls (Canada) | 87 |
Useful Information
Visas
Before coming to Israel, you should have in mind that visitors to Israel must obtain a visa from one of the Israeli diplomatic missions. The only people who are exceptions are those who come from any of the visa-exempt countries. The visitors must hold a passport that is valid for 6 months after the date of departure from Israel.
Currency
Israel currency is called the ‘shekel’ and shekels are abbreviated as either ILS or NIS. When it comes to Acre, the old city offers several licensed exchange bureau, while banks with ATMs can be found in the new city.
Weather
Visiting this city is possible throughout the year, without worrying about the weather. The climate here is tropical and the summers are much rainier than the winters. The average annual temperature is 24.8 °C with the average rainfall is 930 mm per year.
Airports
The two largest airports near Acre are Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv and Ovda International Airport in Eilat. There are some smaller airports in Haifa and Rosh Pina, as well.
Travel Insurance
You are highly suggested to get insurance prior to start your journey to Israel. It should not just cover medical problems, but also lost luggage, missed flights and many other unexpected occurrences.
Acre Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 18 | 19 | 21 | 24 | 26 | 29 | 31 | 32 | 30 | 28 | 24 | 19 |
| Low °C | 11 | 12 | 14 | 17 | 20 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 21 | 17 | 12 |
| High °F | 64 | 66 | 70 | 75 | 79 | 84 | 88 | 90 | 86 | 82 | 75 | 66 |
| Low °F | 52 | 54 | 57 | 63 | 68 | 75 | 79 | 79 | 75 | 70 | 63 | 54 |
Israel - Safety by City
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Acre | 46 |
| Dead Sea | 65 |
| Eilat | 47 |
| Golan Heights | 55 |
| Haifa | 67 |
| Jerusalem | 61 |
| Nazareth | 58 |
| Tel Aviv | 64 |
As someone who’s lived in Acre for over 2 decades, this review is very extreme. Acre does not carry so many dangers. I can’t remember ever hearing of a terrorist attack, most visits to Acre certainly DO NOT finish with the theft of passports, and tourists are NOT overcharged. Unlike other places, such as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, where all of these risks are WAY more likely. The food can be expensive, but so is everything else in Israel, so welcome. Acre is safely enjoyed by many tourists over the course of the entire year, both on a national and international level. I would highly recommend it and I would advise using basic common sense, as one would do anywhere on the planet.