The Israel Museum, Jerusalem
The Israel Museum, Jerusalem things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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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 fee to visit.
BradBrad
00
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 Zabari (1990).
Ngo Hai AnhNgo Hai Anh
60
My visit to the Israel Museum was a remarkable journey through history, culture, and art. The museum's expansive collection impressed me with its range, covering everything from ancient archaeological finds to modern artworks. The Shrine of the Book, which houses the Dead Sea Scrolls, was an absolute highlight, offering a profound glimpse into the past. What stood out to me was the thoughtfully curated layout of the museum. The thematic arrangement of exhibits made it easy to explore different aspects of Israeli heritage and global artistic achievements. The attention to detail in each display was evident, allowing me to learn and appreciate the significance of each artifact. The outdoor Billy Rose Sculpture Garden was a serene retreat, offering a unique blend of nature and art. I found it to be a perfect place to reflect after my indoor explorations. Additionally, the museum's educational initiatives and engaging workshops showcase their commitment to fostering learning and creativity. The staff's knowledge and passion were evident, as they readily shared insights and answered questions, enhancing my overall experience. The museum's location in Jerusalem, surrounded by the beautiful landscape, added to the charm. Visiting the Israel Museum was not just a visit to a museum; it was an immersive dive into history, culture, and artistry. Whether you're a history enthusiast, an art lover, or simply curious about the world, this museum offers an exceptional and enlightening experience that should not be missed.
MM
20
This was a highlight of our trip. It's a huge museum with lots of various exhibits with various themes and overall, it's very well done. It is very big though, and directions to certain exhibits weren't as clear as we'd hope so we did waste some time looking around for things as it's not labeled well. With that said, there's a lot to see and learn about. The must see is the Shrine of the Book where you can see the Dead Sea Scrolls and Qumran. There are a lot of archaeological artifacts all throughout this massive place and so getting here early in the day is advised so you can see as much as you want without having to rush. When we were there, they had replicas of various old synagogues from different corners of the world and it was very interesting. I could ramble on and on about everything there is to do there, but it's forever changing, so when you know you're going to the area, look up what they have showing and head to those exhibits first. Based on the fact that there's so much to take in and exhibits that change often, this is definitely a place you can come to several times. There's a beautiful gift shop at the exit (of course) and I can't really speak to parking much as we took a taxi there and back, but definitely be sure not to miss out on a visit here when you're in Jerusalem.
Angie BeeAngie Bee
20
This is the modern Israeli culture and art Temple at the West Jerusalem 'Acropolis'. They have a nice collection, interesting and modern architecture (of the entrance buildings and shaded path way) and a very young and creative way of always changing exhibitions and activities that have a holistic approach to all activities and user around a museum. Just today I was there in a kid performance with integrated handicraft workshop (connected to an exhibition), in a clever and creative escape room activity with hints and tasks all over the museum and it the classic and special exhibitions, seeing also the 2nd Temple Jerusalem model, a cool kids movie about the Dead Sea scrolls and more. Few points of critic: The original architectural layout of the Museum campus including its paths for its users are quite presumptuous and arrogant, being bombastic and bureaucratic and missing human scale and respect for the user, his wishes and feelings and comfort and convenience. You feel this design is about some big secular ideas from the modernist area without giving much about the people using it. Also the architectural design of the shrine of the book is a bit symbolic pathetic.
Ulrich Jacov BeckerUlrich Jacov Becker
10
The history and archeology of Israel throughout the ages. If anyone is interested in an interesting recap of the history-go there! I recommend taking a good guide, who can present the information according to the audience. There are voice-recorded-guides available, but I don't know If they would meet all the requirements a family would have, for example. There are so many original findings here, that can really astonish some of the viewers. Christians might like to come for the Pontius Pilat stone engraving, found in Caesarea, where Paul was kept. Or the nailed bone, and more. The ancient remnants of pagan life from the Bronze and Iron age, are interesting, and completely match the stories from the Bible. Many artifacts were found, linking the land of Israel to its various conquerers. The Muslim period is presented with Arabesque detail, the Jewish synagogues of the past, and much much more. The list is too long for a Google recommendation:) Very recommended.
Shani Ben-DavidShani Ben-David
00
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Derech Ruppin 11, Jerusalem, Israel
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+972 2-670-8811
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imj.org.il
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The Israel Museum is an art and archaeological museum in Jerusalem. It was established in 1965 as Israel's largest and foremost cultural institution, and one of the world's leading encyclopaedic museums.
attractions: Bloomfield Science Museum, Wohl Rose Garden, Shrine of the Book, Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem, Museum of Islamic Art, Museum of Islamic Art, Rehavia Park, Model of Jerusalem in 2nd Temple Period, Jerusalem Bird Observatory, The Knesset, restaurants: Modern, Bab al-Yemen, From Gaza to Berlin, Hummus Rechavia
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