Israel Museum
Israel Museum
5
10:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
4:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Saturday
10:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Comprising nearly 50,000 square meters and a six-acre sculpture garden, this complex features an impressive variety of collections from prehistoric archaeology to contemporary art.The children's wing is the most interactive section of this sprawling museum. There are special activities for kids during Jewish holidays and school vacations.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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  • Love2Travel984
    43 contributions
    Work-class museum experience
    Absolutely world-class! The Shrine of the Book, with the Dead Sea Scrolls is visually stunning and very symbolic in its architecture. We spent a lot of time studying the very large model of the Second Temple. The various regular exhibits as well as the special exhibits were interesting, with excellent explanations, but not overwhelming. The little cafe near the entrance is very good with coffee, healthy drinks and healthy food choices. The Modern, the restaurant in the museum is excellent...
    Visited December 2022
    Written 7 December 2022
  • KodoDrummer
    Buenos Aires, Argentina64,824 contributions
    Impressive & educational
    This modern museum houses a large collection of amazing exhibits, many providing a history of the Jews over thousands of years. A few of the exhibits are outdoors. I spent four hours viewing the collection with the assistance of an audio-guide. I could have used a route map, as a few times I unexpectedly returned to a section I had already viewed.
    Visited December 2022
    Travelled solo
    Written 10 December 2022
  • betteskid
    Boston, Massachusetts1,310 contributions
    Wonderful to see the Dead Sea Scrolls
    We had very little time to explore this museum based on our schedule (would love to go back) but we were able to see the Dead Sea Scrolls and that exhibit was amazing. Actually seeing these amazing documents was something I had always wanted to do and I am so glad I was able to. The amazing history of the scrolls really comes to life in the exhibit and the preservation of some of them is amazing.
    Visited November 2022
    Written 16 December 2022
  • Emily M
    United States1,328 contributions
    Amazing museum
    This is an amazing museum featuring history and art. We enjoyed the history of the area as well as Jewish history and the nice collection of art. Can easily spend a day here. Highly recommend.
    Visited October 2022
    Written 30 December 2022
  • Bjørn Eriksen
    Stavanger, Norway1,123 contributions
    Jewish history, Dead Sea Scrolls amd much more.
    Models og Synagouges from around the World, other Israeli historical displays. Art displays and a big model of old Jerusalem at the second temple period. And of cource the Dead Sea Scrolls. Fantastic museum large grounds with plenty to se outside and inside.
    Visited July 2022
    Written 9 January 2023
  • M E
    11 contributions
    Seeing Dead sea scrolls and Second Temple Model up-close
    The most memorable one is The Second Temple model. It is wonderfully made. It’s very detail. There is Shrine of The Book that houses Dead Sea Scrolls. There is beautiful garden around. I enjoyed my visit. Although this museum is a little boring for little kid to be honest.
    Visited January 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 23 February 2023
  • pgreenld
    97 contributions
    A must see with one of their guides
    We have visited this museum previously but this visit was much better with a guide from the museum. We had a tour in English for about 2 hours that really highlighted the important features of the museum beyond what you might understand while touring on your own. Highly recommend asking to schedule with one of their guides. It was included with admission price but must be arranged in advance.
    Visited February 2023
    Written 3 March 2023
  • JoeNathan9249
    Saint Paul, Minnesota6,061 contributions
    Five stars - fabulous array of collections, displays and sculptures
    Fantastic museum with amazing array of displays, sculptures and models. It would take at least 2 days to see everything in the museum's vast collections. Among the highlights were us were * the amazing 1-50 display of ancient Jerusalem * recreations of various synagogues around the world * collection of artwork done by an artist using salt from the Dead Sea The pictures below and examples above are only a tiny part of an incredibly impressive museum. Also has a children's art building with various programs This really is a "not to be missed" highlight in Jerusalem
    Visited March 2023
    Written 4 March 2023
  • J N
    Enschede, The Netherlands12 contributions
    Huge
    You have to find your way. Of course. The building is much larger than I expected from the outside. Apart from the famous scrolls, the other side of the building contains a great permanent collection with some unique highlights of painting end 19th , first half 20th century. Egyptian period, sculpture. So I skipped the exhibitions.
    Visited March 2023
    Written 28 March 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,807 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
The Israel Museum has many treasures, with modern art and architecture among them. The Museum opened in 1965, to house archaeological artifacts. The art from the late 19th century is stunning. One should not miss the Shrine of the Book, which houses the Dead Sea Scrolls. The Scrolls are the oldest surviving canonical scripts of the Jewish and Christian faiths. The Israel Museum has many artefacts collected from the Jewish life in the Diaspora.
Written 14 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

revett2016
Santa Rosa, CA529 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
Had a wonderful guide in Ilana that gave a high level overview of the museum from a food perspective. The museum itself was not so wheelchair friendly, no automatic doors, small number of lifts or elevators and long distances between things.
The museum itself was good with great collections. Including the dead sea scrolls and impressive impressionist collection.
Overall a good way to spend time inside, away from the heat.
Written 1 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Davidthecoach
Derby, UK54 contributions
Apr 2023
Unlike many museums that crowd their artefacts into the space, This Museum has the benefit of being recently built with ample space for visitors to appreciate the exhibits.
The collection of course has some absolutely remarkable pieces. We visited with high expectations, and certain periods of history in mind but the way that the items we were looking for were displayed and the range of the displays left us in awe.

If we had wanted to look at more periods of Israeli history than we were, a day would not have been enough.

We ate lunch in the restaurant and enjoyed the light but well prepared lunch very much. No long wait in line, so we could get back to what we were there for after a short reflective break.

All in all a very well curated Museum.
Written 8 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

NYTravelerBD
Westchester County, NY1,441 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
Without exaggeration, the Israel Museum is one of the very best museums I've ever visited anywhere in the world. It has A plus level antiquities as well as beautiful, creative displays, and makes for a must visit in Jerusalem and an extremely memorable experience. The museum is huge, so my suggestion is to pick and choose among the highlights that are most of interest to you. We visited the Shrine of the Book/Dead Sea Scrolls, the incredible outdoor diorama of Jerusalem at the time of the Second Temple, and explored the archaeology wing. All were fabulous. And the restaurant with waiter/waitress service was outstanding - one of the best meals I had in Israel in fact.
Written 12 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Aqusite
California1,579 contributions
Jun 2023
One day is absolutely not enough for the incredible, huge, beautiful Israel Museum. In fact, I cannot wait to visit again. And normally, I don't "love" museums. But this was stunning.

First of all, the location is nonpareil. Second of all, the grounds have grandeur. Third of all, I walked here from downtown Jerusalem, through Sacher and Rehovia Park, which took about an hour and was a beautiful walk, and when I arrived, I was hungry, so I went to the cafe first. It didn't have a huge selection but the feta-goat-cheese-beet tartine was actually one of the most delicious things I had eaten in all of Israel, and I steeled myself for more walking in this lovely cafe.

Then I went to the Shrine of the Book. Honestly, that could have been a full three or four hour day. It was incredibly fascinating to learn about the Essenes and there was quite a lot tucked in underneath, including a film that I missed, sadly.

Then onwards to the giant replica of Jerusalem, which was extraordinary in detail.

I walked around part of a sculpture garden as well.

And then I went to the archaeology section of the museum after that, and I was able to absorb like 20% of it at best, even though I am totally fascinated by ancient cultures of the Middle East (it's one of the things I am more interested in than almost anything). The explanations and displays were remarkable, and I spent perhaps three hours walking around.

I tried to then go to the modern art section but at that point, I had been at the museum for upwards of six hours and was mentally faded. I saw some very interesting art for a few minutes, and then resolved to return but never did, which was a total mistake. There was also a great deal of art outside that I would have liked to see.

Along with Yad Vashem, the Israel Museum is one of the two most extraordinary museums in the world that I have visited, exceeding the Louvre, the Metropolitan, and the National Gallery of Art in DC (other museums I hold in high regard, even if I had a very awful time at the Louvre). It's atmospheric and just so well curated. And I recommend walking there at least through Rehovia park and passing by the Monastery of the Cross because the contrast of the ancient, plus incredibly beautiful olive groves, and then the hilltop and views, it comes together to create a really extraordinary experience where the sum is more than its constituent parts.
Written 1 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Rich-Stamford
Stamford, CT264 contributions
May 2023
Very good exhibits on a variety of topics. The Dead Sea Scrolls area and synagogues from several countries are especially interesting.
Written 6 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Li J
Dasmarinas City, Philippines60 contributions
May 2023 • Family
The highlight for me was seeing the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Aleppo Codex. The Bible's authenticity became more evident for me. The different galleries were also worth the visit as they showed Israel throughout the centuries till present day. The only drawback would be walking under the sun to get to the scale model of the city of David and the Dead Sea Scrolls. Bring a hat, light long sleeves shirt, or wear lots of sunscreen.
Written 27 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Michele
Zurich, Switzerland37 contributions
May 2023 • Friends
Very interesting. We went directly to the Old Scriptures and the model of Jerusalem and then headed to the Archeology section and the one of Jewish life. All the four were interesting and it took us 3h (altough we went pretty fast as the museum was closing). We would have liked to see more if time would have allowed. Nevertheless great experience. Highly recommend!
Written 26 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Noraatc
Sudbury, MA34,848 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
Luckily, the Israel Museum is opened on Saturdays, and it takes a lot of time to visit, so this is one of the best thing to do on Shabbat in Jerusalem, when most of the sights are closed.

We started with the Dead Sea Scrolls located in the Shrine of the Book designed by the two prominent French architects, Frederick Kiesler and Armand Bartos. The parchment scrolls on the side displays date back to the 3rd century BCE to 1st century CE, but were discovered only recently, between 1946 and 1955, at the Qumran Caves. The Isaiah scroll in the center is the masterfully done copy.

Then we looked at the huge model of the Second Temple (stunning!) and moved on to the art galleries and exhibition rooms. Their current exhibitions are very versatile, some of them are perfect for kids.

The first exhibition, “Dressed for Eternity”, has rather macabre subject: the clothing of the dead. The shrouds for men, women and children are simple and unadorned because, according to the Jewish tradition, the dead must be buried within 24 hours after their death, so there is no time to create lavishly decorated shrouds.

Another very interesting exhibition is “Sigalit Landau: the Burning Sea”. All her whimsical creations are made of salt from the Dead Sea. A lot of ingenuity, but her art didn’t impress me too much.

What really impressed me was the museum’s collection of ritual objects: filigreed silver Torah Arks, menorahs, candlesticks, Torah illuminated manuscripts, etc. Such an amazing craftsmanship

And the four synagogues! The ruined Aleppo Synagogue was presented by the virtual reality show, but the other three were recreated using the original objects from the Horb Synagogue in Germany, opulent synagogue in India, the Vittorio Veneto synagogue in Italy.

Now about the art gallery… Well, what can I say? Four Van Gogh’s landscapes, three Claude Manet’s paintings, including on of his “Lilies”, superb Gauguin, Sezanne, Pisssaro, Picasso, Marc Chagall, Dali…what a treat for an art lover like me. I could have spent more time in the gallery…

It was a thunderstorm outside, so we went to the museum cafe for a quick bite. Our snack was definitely not light: we wanted to try Israeli cakes and in no time two big slices of fruit tarts landed on our plates: one was orange pistachio and another one strawberry and raspberry,. They were divine… I have no idea how it is possible to bake such a gem. And they looked so beautiful…

We had spent almost four hours in this gem of a museum and it wasn’t nearly enough.
Written 16 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

SilverOrlov
Tel Aviv, Israel1,819 contributions
Mar 2023
Large and very interesting museum. I would suggest scheduling at least 3 hours for your visit if you want to watch it properly rather than running from room to room.
There are a lot of different themes from the life of Jews, culture, religious and household paraphernalia from different parts of the world. This museum is well suited for viewing in combination with the ANU Museum in Tel Aviv.
There is free parking for museum visitors. I don’t remember just for how many hours, but for the few hours I advised earlier, it’s definitely enough.
Written 15 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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