Museums & galleries
Israel Museum
Israel Museum
This is Israel's national museum, opened in 1965 on a hilltop site near Givat Ram. Its collections span archaeology, fine art, and Jewish art and life, and it also holds the Dead Sea Scrolls, displayed in a separate building on the grounds. Travellers typically visit for the scrolls, the outdoor art garden, and the scale model of ancient Jerusalem also located on site.
Getting there
The museum sits close to the Knesset and the Hebrew University's Givat Ram campus, on the western side of Jerusalem. From the city centre, it's a short taxi or bus ride, generally well under 30 minutes depending on traffic and your starting point.
Time to allow
Because the site combines several distinct collections and an outdoor sculpture garden, plan for at least half a day if you want to see the main galleries, the Shrine of the Book, and the Jerusalem model without rushing. A quicker visit focused only on the highlights can be done in under two hours.
When to go
Arriving earlier in the day generally means smaller crowds, especially around the Shrine of the Book. Weekends and Jewish holidays tend to draw more local visitors, so plan accordingly if you prefer quieter galleries.
Combine with
The Shrine of the Book (0.2km) is effectively part of the same visit. The Bible Lands Museum (0.3km) and the Monastery of the Holy Cross (0.4km) are both close enough to fold into the same outing. West Jerusalem (1.8km) is a reasonable next stop if you have more time in the day.
Updated September 8, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors
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