12 Fortified Port Cities Where History Meets the Ocean Waves

7. Acre (Akko), Israel: Crusader Port of Subterranean Secrets

Acre's history stretches back millennia, but its most dramatic fortifications date to the Crusader period when it was the main port of the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem. Beneath the bustling Ottoman-era old city lie remarkable Crusader halls, tunnels (like the ingenious Templars' Tunnel leading to the port), and fortifications. Protected by formidable sea walls and land ramparts, Acre was a coveted prize, its layers of history reflecting centuries of conquest and coexistence where diverse cultures met the Mediterranean waves.