Israel Museum
Quick answer
Israel Museum in Jerusalem, Israel — the Israel Museum in Jerusalem opened in 1965 and is Israel's national museum, the largest cultural institution in the country. Open Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Tuesday: 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM; Friday: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM; Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Admission: ILS 54 standard adult admission (approx. €14). Allow 3–4 hours.
Visitor information last reviewed 30 June 2026. Check the official museum site for current details.
Israel Museum at a glance: hours, tickets and time needed
| Opening hours | Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Tuesday: 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM; Friday: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM; Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Admission | ILS 54 standard adult admission (approx. €14) |
| Booking | Tickets usually available on the day |
| Time needed | 3–4 hours |
| Best time to visit | Tuesday evenings (open until 9 PM) for fewer crowds. |
| Getting there | Bus: City bus routes 7, 9, 14, 35, 66 to Israel Museum stop on Ruppin Boulevard |
| Address | Derech Ruppin 11, Jerusalem 9107101, Israel |
| Official website | imj.org.il |
Checked 2026-06-30 against the official website. Prices and hours change — confirm before you travel.
What is Israel Museum known for?
The Israel Museum in Jerusalem opened in 1965 on Givat Ram and is Israel's national museum — the largest cultural institution in the country. The sprawling campus holds encyclopedic collections of archaeology, fine arts, Jewish art and life, and the world-famous Shrine of the Book.
The Shrine of the Book — a distinctive white dome designed by Armand Bartos and Frederick Kiesler — houses the Dead Sea Scrolls, the oldest surviving biblical manuscripts, discovered in caves near Qumran between 1947 and 1956. The Great Isaiah Scroll, displayed in its entirety, is the centrepiece.
The outdoor Billy Rose Art Garden, designed by Isamu Noguchi, displays monumental modern sculpture against the Jerusalem hillside, while the Archaeology Wing traces 10,000 years of human history in the Holy Land.
Best for: History Enthusiasts · Art Lovers
How long do you need at Israel Museum?
Allow 3–4 hours. A focused route through 4 must-see highlights at Israel Museum without museum fatigue. Follow the stops in order:
- 1
Great Isaiah Scroll
📍 Shrine of the Book
The oldest complete manuscript of any book of the Bible — all 66 chapters of Isaiah on display in a climate-controlled cylindrical case that rotates to show different sections.
- 2
Model of Jerusalem in the Second Temple Period
📍 Outdoor, near Shrine of the Book
A 1:50 scale model of Jerusalem at the time of Herod the Great and the Second Temple — essential context for understanding the Old City visible in the distance.
- 3
Chagall Stained-Glass Windows
📍 Abell Synagogue, Art Wing
Twelve luminous stained-glass windows depicting the twelve tribes of Israel — among Chagall's final and most spiritual works, commissioned for the museum.
- 4
Venus of Berekhat Ram
📍 Archaeology Wing
A basalt pebble shaped to resemble a female figure — one of the oldest known representational objects in the world, found in the Golan Heights.
What are the must-see works at Israel Museum?
4 highlights that define the collection: Great Isaiah Scroll, Model of Jerusalem in the Second Temple Period, Chagall Stained-Glass Windows and more.
Great Isaiah Scroll
Qumran scribes · c. 125 BCE
📍 Shrine of the Book
The oldest complete manuscript of any book of the Bible — all 66 chapters of Isaiah on display in a climate-controlled cylindrical case that rotates to show different sections.
Model of Jerusalem in the Second Temple Period
Avi-Yonah · 1966
📍 Outdoor, near Shrine of the Book
A 1:50 scale model of Jerusalem at the time of Herod the Great and the Second Temple — essential context for understanding the Old City visible in the distance.
Chagall Stained-Glass Windows
Marc Chagall · 1962
📍 Abell Synagogue, Art Wing
Twelve luminous stained-glass windows depicting the twelve tribes of Israel — among Chagall's final and most spiritual works, commissioned for the museum.
Venus of Berekhat Ram
Prehistoric · c. 230,000 BCE
📍 Archaeology Wing
A basalt pebble shaped to resemble a female figure — one of the oldest known representational objects in the world, found in the Golan Heights.
Collections and highlights
- • Shrine of the Book — Dead Sea Scrolls
- • Second Temple Jerusalem model
- • Chagall stained-glass windows
- • Archaeology Wing — 10,000 years of Holy Land history
- • Billy Rose Art Garden sculpture
Tips for visiting Israel Museum
- 1.
Best time to visit
Tuesday evenings (open until 9 PM) for fewer crowds. Saturday is busiest with Israeli families. Friday closes early at 2 PM.
- 2.
Tickets & booking
ILS 54 for adults. Buy online or at the entrance. The campus is vast — pick up a map and prioritise the Shrine of the Book if time is limited.
- 3.
Accessibility
The campus is large and hilly. Shuttle service available. Most buildings are accessible.
- 4.
Photography rules
Photography prohibited in the Shrine of the Book. Permitted in most other galleries without flash.
How do you get to Israel Museum?
- bus City bus routes 7, 9, 14, 35, 66 to Israel Museum stop on Ruppin Boulevard
- taxi Taxi or Gett from Jerusalem Old City — 10 minutes
- walk 25-minute walk from the Knesset and Wohl Rose Garden along Ruppin Boulevard
- car Parking available on campus — enter from Ruppin Boulevard
Address: Derech Ruppin 11, Jerusalem 9107101, Israel
Israel Museum: frequently asked questions
What are the Dead Sea Scrolls?
The Dead Sea Scrolls are a collection of Jewish texts discovered between 1947 and 1956 in caves near the Dead Sea. Dating from the 3rd century BCE to the 1st century CE, they include the oldest surviving manuscripts of every book of the Hebrew Bible (except Esther), and are among the most important archaeological finds in history.
How much time does the Israel Museum take?
The campus is very large — a thorough visit takes a full day. If time is limited, prioritise the Shrine of the Book and the Archaeology Wing (2–3 hours). The art wing and Billy Rose Art Garden can be added for a full-day visit.
How long should I spend at Israel Museum?
Plan 3–4 hours for the highlights of Israel Museum. Our 4-stop route — Great Isaiah Scroll, Model of Jerusalem in the Second Temple Period, Chagall Stained-Glass Windows and more — is designed to fit that time. Add extra time for temporary exhibitions, the shop and the café.
What is Israel Museum best known for?
The Israel Museum in Jerusalem opened in 1965 and is Israel's national museum, the largest cultural institution in the country. The sprawling campus on Givat Ram holds encyclopedic collections of archaeology, the fine arts, Jewish art and life, and the world-famous Shrine of the Book. Key highlights include Shrine of the Book — Dead Sea Scrolls, Second Temple Jerusalem model, Chagall stained-glass windows.
How do I get tickets for Israel Museum?
Admission: ILS 54 standard adult admission (approx. €14). Tickets are usually available on the day, but booking online saves queue time in peak season. Official site: https://www.imj.org.il/en
How much time do I need for the Dead Sea Scrolls?
The Shrine of the Book takes 30–45 minutes including the Aleppo Codex display and the permanent scroll exhibition. It is the most popular section — go here first if arriving late in the day.
Is the Israel Museum near the Old City?
It is in the Givat Ram district, about 10 minutes by taxi from the Old City. It is not walkable from the Western Wall or Jaffa Gate, but is near the Knesset and Hebrew University campus.
What is the Billy Rose Art Garden?
An outdoor sculpture garden designed by Isamu Noguchi on the museum's western slope. It displays works by Moore, Picasso, Lipchitz, and other modern masters against panoramic views of Jerusalem. Included with admission.
What are Israel Museum's opening hours?
Israel Museum is open Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Tuesday: 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM; Friday: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM; Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Hours can change for holidays and events, so check the official website before you go.
Is Israel Museum free to visit?
No — standard admission is ILS 54 standard adult admission (approx. €14).
