Akko Digital Nomad Guide - Tips & Local Information
ESSENTIALS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏙️ City |
Akko (Acre), Northern District, Israel |
| 👥 Population |
49,500 |
| 💻 Internet Speed |
Average 100 Mbps (Fiber available via Bezeq/Partner) |
| 💸 Currency & Banking |
Israeli New Shekel (ILS); 1 USD ≈ 3.65 ILS, 1 EUR ≈ 3.95 ILS |
| 🚰 Tap Water |
Drinkable, though many prefer filtered water due to mineral taste |
| 🔌 Power |
230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/H/M sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card |
Partner, Cellcom, Hot Mobile; approx. 50 ILS ($14) for 100GB |
| 💳 Banking for Expats |
Bank Leumi, Bank Hapoalim; Revolut/Wise widely accepted |
| 🛌 Accommodation |
Boutique guesthouses in Old City, modern apartments in New Akko |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly |
Yes, credit cards and Apple/Google Pay accepted everywhere (except some market stalls) |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals |
Airbnb, Booking.com; average $80-$150/night for central spots |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation |
Akko Gate Hostel (approx. 120 ILS/night for dorms) |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists |
Old City (Acre) for history and atmosphere |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads |
Northern Akko (near the beach) for quieter, modern infrastructure |
WORKING AND NETWORKING
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space |
The Hub Akko (WeWork-style localized space in the New City) |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work |
Kukushka (Lower port area) – good Wi-Fi and Mediterranean views |
| 💼 Networking Events |
Western Galilee Now (Local entrepreneurial collective events) |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats |
Expats in Northern Israel Facebook Group; regular meetups in nearby Haifa |
TRANSPORTATION
| Topic |
Details |
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App |
Gett (Global) or Yango |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental |
Local rentals near the Promenade; approx. 60 ILS per day |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby |
Argaman Beach (south of Old City) |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline |
Arkia (Internal flights to Eilat from Haifa/Tel Aviv) |
| ✈️ Top International Airline |
EL AL (Operating via Ben Gurion Airport, 1.5 hours away) |
| 🛣️ Highway Access |
Highway 4 (North-South coastal) and Highway 85 (East to Galilee) |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub |
Akko Railway Station (direct lines to Tel Aviv and Haifa) |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes |
Rav-Kav smart card (valid for trains and buses) |
| ✈️ Regional Travel |
Israel Railways; Akko to Tel Aviv takes approx. 90 mins (42 ILS) |
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏥 Best Hospital |
Galilee Medical Center (Nahariya, 10 mins away) |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers |
Studio 'Naim' (Nearby Haifa branch popular with locals) |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers |
Holmes Place (Acre Mall branch); approx. 250 ILS/month |
| 🧺 Laundry Services |
Laundry 'Zohar' (Salah ad-Din St); approx. 15 ILS per kg |
FOOD AND DRINK
| Topic |
Details |
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App |
Wolt or 10bis |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try |
Hummus at 'Hummus Said' in the Old City market |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options |
Roots (Inside the Citadel) – high-end Levantine cuisine |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots |
Knafeh at 'Sweet Akko' (Market area) |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots |
The Old Market (Shouk) for fresh produce and spices |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store |
KSP (electronics), Terminal X (fashion), Amazon.ae (shipping to Israel) |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery |
Shufersal Online |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area |
The Old City Port area (after sunset) |
| 🍻 Local Brewery |
Malka Brewery (located in nearby Yehiam, widely served in Akko) |
| 🍷 Wine Bars |
The Efendi Hotel Wine Bar (Cellar inside a 12th-century structure) |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls |
Falafel sticks in the Old City Market; approx. 20 ILS per pita |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine |
Uri Buri (World-famous seafood/fusion) |
CULTURE AND ATTRACTIONS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks |
Knights' Halls (Crusader Fortress) |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues |
Okashi Art Museum |
| 🏰 Historical Sites |
Templars' Tunnel (12th-century underground passage) |
| 🕍 Religious Sites |
Al-Jazzar Mosque and Bahá'í Gardens (Mansion of Bahjí) |
| 🎉 Annual Events |
Acco Festival of Alternative Israeli Theatre (October) |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts |
The Fisherman's Port |
| 🎭 Theater Venues |
Acco Theatre Center (located in the Old City walls) |
| 🛍️ Local Markets |
Akko Shouk (The main bazaar) |
| 🎼 Music Scene |
Live sessions at 'El-Marsa' restaurant patio |
| 🎨 Street Art |
Murals near the Turkish Bazaar |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes |
Beit Elfarasha (The Butterfly House) cooking workshops |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries |
Art 192 (A women's art collective gallery) |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings |
Khan al-Umdan (Inn of the Pillars) |
| 🏴 Local Heritage |
UNESCO World Heritage Old City status |
NATURE AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
| Topic |
Details |
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes |
Rosh HaNikra Grottoes (15 mins north) |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby |
Achziv National Park (Prussian blue lagoons) |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths |
The Akko Promenade (Tayelet) stretching to Haifa |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints |
The Sea Walls (Western side of the Old City) |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations |
Na'aman Stream Nature Reserve |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots |
Designated zones at Achziv Beach |
OTHER SERVICES AND AMENITIES
| Topic |
Details |
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service |
Israel Post (Doar Israel); DHL Express (Haifa office) |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services |
iStore (Acre Mall for Apple products) |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots |
Local community centers (Matnas Akko) |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes |
Ulpan Akko (for Hebrew learning) |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots |
Municipal Library (Lohamei HaGeta'ot St) |
| 🏘️ Community Centers |
Siraj (promoting Arab-Jewish cooperation through tech/arts) |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges |
PC Gaming centers in nearby Haifa (20 mins by train) |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls |
None (Gambling is illegal in Israel, except sports betting/lottery) |
BUSINESS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. 20,000 ILS per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 800,000 ILS) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. 15,000 ILS per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 600,000 ILS) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. 18,500 ILS per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 1,110,000 ILS) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. 14,000 ILS per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 840,000 ILS) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. 17,000 ILS per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 1,360,000 ILS) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. 13,000 ILS per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 1,040,000 ILS) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax |
23% (Standard rate) |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax |
25% - 30% |
| 🏦 Tax System |
Personal income tax based on residency (worldwide income) |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket |
50% (Surtax included) |
| 🧾 VAT |
17% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules |
Yes, applies to passive income in low-tax jurisdictions |
| 🏠 Property Tax |
Arnona (bi-monthly bill based on size/location) |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax |
Purchase Tax (ranges from 0% to 10% depending on price and residency) |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads |
10-year tax holiday on foreign-sourced income for new immigrants (Olim) |
🧭 CONTINUE EXPLORING AKKO