The Israel Museum, Jerusalem — Attraction in Jerusalem

The Israel Museum is an excellent attraction and a must-see place to visit for museum-goers planning their trips to Jerusalem. Entry price is NIS 54 per adult and NIS 27 per child and includes audio guide. Opening hours change from day to day so best to check online when planning your schedule.

The museum was built in 1965 and renovated in 2010. It contains a large collection of important fine art and archaeological finds, which can easily provide several hours of quality sightseeing. Best to plan at least a 1/2 day to see the major highlights of the Israel Museum and longer if you want a more comprehensive visit.

During our recent trip to Jerusalem, we ended spending a full day at the Israel Museum. Arriving in the morning, we were able to participate in the free English tour through the famous Archaeological Wing. The volunteer tour guide did a wonderful job explaining many of the important display and artefacts which date from as far back as 1.5 million years to more recent times. This section alone was worth the museum entry fee and provided a couple hours of remarkable viewing.

We also very much enjoyed the worldly Shrine of the Book which houses the Dead Sea Scrolls from Qumran as well as he Aleppo Codex. These are unbelievable treasures to see at the museum. Similarly the giant, 50:1 scale model of the Holy Land during the Second Temple is very impressive. Allow 60-90 minutes to visit these two attractions thoroughly.

Note: If your time is limited, I would prioritise the Archaeological Wing, Shrine of the Book and the Model of ancient Jerusalem first. These are highlights of the museum that really shouldn't be missed even during the shortest of visits.

There is a fine art wing that we enjoyed as well. Here you will find an impressive range of 19th and early 20th century artworks from western Europe as well as a large collection of works by Israeli artists.

We also enjoyed the temporary exhibition 'No Place Like Home', showcasing an interesting array of contemporary art related to household life. Other highlights included seeing the Rothchild Room and reconstructed synagogue from Suriname.

Note: There is a cafe near the Archaeological Wing. This is a good place for rest break (and snack) if you are planning a longer visit to the museum. There is a large gift shop near the entrance to the museum as well as a smaller shop near the exit.

Overall, we greatly enjoyed our time at the Israel Museum. The museum campus is laid out nicely, making it easy to navigate your way around and find the museum highlights. We appreciated having the full day to visit the museum leisurely and thoroughly. This is nothing short of being a world-class museum that is worth the time and entry...

We recently visited the Israel Museum, and I would like to express my deepest admiration for this exceptional cultural institution. My visit was an unforgettable experience, both artistically and historically.

The Israel Museum is an invaluable treasure, housing an impressive collection of artworks and historical artifacts that testify to the richness of Israeli culture and its complex history. I was amazed by the diversity of the exhibitions, ranging from fascinating archaeological discoveries to masterpieces of modern and contemporary art as painting or ordinary objects full of salt from the dead sea. .

One of the most striking exhibitions for me was the one dedicated to archeology. The scenography was fantastic to catch the story behind each objects. Besides I loved observing the Dead Sea Scrolls. Being able to observe these ancient and precious documents up close was a unique and moving experience. The provided information through the audioguide was very informative and helped me better understand the historical significance of these scrolls.

Furthermore, I was impressed by the attention given to the presentation of the exhibitions. The exhibition spaces are well designed, showcasing the artworks in an aesthetic and light manner. The information panels and multimedia displays provide clear and in-depth explanations, allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves in the history and meaning of the displayed works.

The staff at the Israel Museum also deserve commendation for their professionalism and warm welcome. The museum staff is available to answer questions and provide additional information, greatly enhancing the visitor experience.

I highly recommend the Israel Museum to all art, history, and culture enthusiasts. It is a place that offers an enriching and memorable experience, where one can explore and discover the unique treasures of Israeli culture. Whether you are a casual visitor or an art enthusiast, you will not be disappointed by this remarkable...

The Israel Museum (Hebrew: מוזיאון ישראל‎, Muze'on Yisrael) was established in 1965 as Israel's foremost cultural institution and one of the world’s leading encyclopaedic museums. It is situated on a hill in the Givat Ram neighbourhood of Jerusalem, adjacent to the Bible Lands Museum, the Knesset, the Israeli Supreme Court, and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Its holdings include the world’s most comprehensive collections of the archaeology of the Holy Land, and Jewish Art and Life, as well as significant and extensive holdings in the Fine Arts, the latter encompassing eleven separate departments: Israeli Art; European Art; Modern Art; Contemporary Art; Prints and Drawings; Photography; Design and Architecture; Asian Art; African Art; Oceanic Art; and Arts of the Americas. Among the unique objects on display are the Venus of Berekhat Ram; the interior of a 1736 Zedek ve Shalom synagogue from Suriname; necklaces worn by Jewish brides in Yemen; a mosaic Islamic prayer niche from 17th-century Persia; and a nail attesting to the practice of crucifixion in Jesus’ time. An urn-shaped building on the grounds of the museum, the Shrine of the Book, houses the Dead Sea Scrolls and artifacts discovered at Masada. It is one of the largest museums in the region. As of 2012, attendance is about 827,000 per year. The museum covers nearly 50,000 sq. meters and attracts 800,000 visitors a year, including 100,000 children who visit and attend classes in its Youth Wing. Among the prizes awarded by the museum is the Jesselson Prize for Contemporary Judaica Design, which recognizes outstanding design of Jewish ritual objects. Winners include Moshe...