Israel Museum, Jerusalem
Ruppin Blvd. 11, Jerusalem, Israel, 9171002
One of the nation’s top museums, the Israel Museum Jerusalem hosts thousands of exhibits spanning 5,000 years of history. Highlights include archaeological treasures, the Dead Sea Scrolls, four reconstructed synagogues, a huge scale model of Temple-era Jerusalem, and artworks by Claude Monet, Egon Schiele, Pablo Picasso, and more.
The basics
It takes at least half a day to explore the large Israel Museum, which encompasses an art collection, 6-acre (2.5-hectare) sculpture garden, the world’s finest collection of Biblical archaeology, and the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit. Many travelers allocate a full day—or book a private guide or a tour to see the highlights. Tickets include an audio guide in many languages, with a choice of self-guided tour routes. There are several eateries on-site.
Things to know before you go
- Photography is not allowed in the Shrine of the Book, which houses the Dead Sea Scrolls.
- The Israel Museum has unusual operating hours. Check the calendar before planning your visit.
- The museum is stroller-friendly and kids under 5 go free.
- The Israel Museum is wheelchair accessible, with the exception of the Art Garden. It offers mobility aids, accessible bathrooms and parking, tools for people with impaired hearing, discounts for travelers with disabilities, and free admission for personal assistants and anyone registered blind. Elevators do not operate on the Jewish sabbath (Saturday).
How to get there
The Israel Museum sits in Givat Ram, central Jerusalem, close to the Israeli Parliament and opposite the Bible Lands Museum. The 14 and 66 buses run to the museum from Jerusalem’s Central Station stop; or catch bus 100 from Shapirim Junction Parking in Tel Aviv.
When to get there
The museum is open for a full day on Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and it closes at lunchtime on Friday. It is open from mid-afternoon until evening on Tuesday. Visit on Sunday, Monday, or Wednesday for a quieter experience.
Jerusalem’s top museums
The Israel Museum is not Jerusalem’s only world-class museum. Yad Vashem (World Holocaust Remembrance Center) commemorates the Shoah in a sculpturally beautiful structure that’s won a number of awards. The L.A. Mayer Museum for Islamic Art houses treasures from Muslim civilizations throughout the ages. And the Bible Lands Museum is a perfect introduction to biblical archaeology.
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