Yad Vashem
Quick answer
Yad Vashem was established by the Israeli parliament (Knesset) in 1953 as the official memorial to the Jewish victims of the Holocaust. Open Sunday–Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Thursday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Friday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM; closed Saturdays. Admission: free admission; advance online registration required during peak periods. Allow 3–4 hours and book a timed ticket ahead.
Visitor information last reviewed 30 June 2026. Check the official museum site for current details.
Yad Vashem at a glance: hours, tickets and time needed
| Opening hours | Sunday–Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Thursday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Friday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Closed | Saturdays and Jewish holidays |
| Admission | Free admission; advance online registration required during peak periods |
| Booking | Book a timed ticket in advance — peak slots sell out |
| Time needed | 3–4 hours |
| Best time to visit | Weekday mornings at 9 AM opening. |
| Getting there | Bus: Bus 26, 13, 18 to Yad Vashem from central Jerusalem |
| Address | Har Hazikaron, Jerusalem 9103401, Israel |
| Official website | yadvashem.org |
Checked 2026-06-30 against the official website. Prices and hours change — confirm before you travel.
What is Yad Vashem known for?
Yad Vashem was established by the Israeli Knesset in 1953 as the official memorial to the Jewish victims of the Holocaust. Its name — 'a memorial and a name' — comes from the Book of Isaiah.
The campus on the western slope of Mount Herzl in Jerusalem covers nearly 18 hectares and includes the Holocaust History Museum, the Children's Memorial, the Garden of the Righteous Among the Nations, and the Valley of the Communities.
The Holocaust History Museum — a triangular concrete prism that cuts through the mountain — takes visitors through chronological galleries from the rise of Nazism to the aftermath of the Shoah.
Free admission with advance online registration during peak periods. The memorial is profoundly affecting and requires emotional preparation.
Best for: History Enthusiasts · First-timers
How long do you need at Yad Vashem?
Allow 3–4 hours. A focused route through 4 must-see highlights at Yad Vashem without museum fatigue. Follow the stops in order:
- 1
Hall of Names
📍 Holocaust History Museum, upper level
A conical ceiling covered with photographs of Holocaust victims, surrounding a central pool of water — an ongoing effort to record the name of every victim.
- 2
Children's Memorial
📍 Separate underground building
A dark underground space lit by reflected candles — five candles multiplied infinitely by mirrors.
- 3
Warsaw Ghetto Uprising Relief
📍 Outdoor memorial sculpture
Rapoport's bronze monument to the ghetto fighters — one of the earliest and most powerful Holocaust memorial sculptures, originally erected in Warsaw and echoed here.
- 4
Valley of the Communities
📍 Outdoor, 2.5-acre site
A monumental maze of stone walls inscribed with the names of 5,000 destroyed Jewish communities — walking through it conveys the scale of cultural annihilation.
What are the must-see works at Yad Vashem?
4 highlights that define the collection: Hall of Names, Children's Memorial, Warsaw Ghetto Uprising Relief and more.
Hall of Names
Memorial design · 2005
📍 Holocaust History Museum, upper level
A conical ceiling covered with photographs of Holocaust victims, surrounding a central pool of water — an ongoing effort to record the name of every victim. Over 4.8 million names recorded.
Children's Memorial
Moshe Safdie · 1987
📍 Separate underground building
A dark underground space lit by reflected candles — five candles multiplied infinitely by mirrors. Names of murdered children are read aloud in Hebrew and English.
Warsaw Ghetto Uprising Relief
Nathan Rapoport · 1948
📍 Outdoor memorial sculpture
Rapoport's bronze monument to the ghetto fighters — one of the earliest and most powerful Holocaust memorial sculptures, originally erected in Warsaw and echoed here.
Valley of the Communities
Landscape memorial · 1992
📍 Outdoor, 2.5-acre site
A monumental maze of stone walls inscribed with the names of 5,000 destroyed Jewish communities — walking through it conveys the scale of cultural annihilation.
Collections and highlights
- • Holocaust History Museum — chronological narrative
- • Hall of Names — 4.8 million victims recorded
- • Children's Memorial
- • Garden of the Righteous Among the Nations
- • Valley of the Communities
- • Art Museum and archives
Tips for visiting Yad Vashem
- 1.
Best time to visit
Weekday mornings at 9 AM opening. Avoid Israeli holidays and Friday afternoons.
- 2.
Crowds & busy periods
Busy during school groups hours (mornings). The Children's Memorial limits entry to small groups.
- 3.
Tickets & booking
Free admission; advance online registration required during peak periods at yadvashem.org.
- 4.
Food & cafés nearby
Cafeteria on campus; restaurants in the Ein Kerem neighbourhood nearby.
- 5.
Accessibility
Holocaust History Museum is fully accessible. Children's Memorial has limited lighting by design.
How do you get to Yad Vashem?
- bus Bus 26, 13, 18 to Yad Vashem from central Jerusalem
- taxi 15 minutes from Jerusalem city centre by taxi or ride-hailing
- car Parking on Mount Herzl; access via Herzl Boulevard from West Jerusalem
Address: Har Hazikaron, Jerusalem 9103401, Israel
Yad Vashem: frequently asked questions
Is Yad Vashem appropriate for children?
Yad Vashem recommends the main Holocaust History Museum for visitors aged 10 and above. The Children's Memorial — a dark underground space lit only by reflected candles, with names of child victims being read aloud — is moving and powerful for visitors of all ages, though very young children may find it distressing.
How long does a visit to Yad Vashem take?
A focused visit to the Holocaust History Museum takes approximately 2.5–3 hours. Including the outdoor memorials, the Children's Memorial, and the Garden of the Righteous, allow 4–5 hours for a full visit.
Is advance booking required?
Registration is recommended and required during peak periods such as Holocaust Remembrance Day (Yom HaShoah) and major school visits. Check the official website for current booking requirements.
How long should I spend at Yad Vashem?
Plan 3–4 hours for the highlights of Yad Vashem. Our 4-stop route — Hall of Names, Children's Memorial, Warsaw Ghetto Uprising Relief and more — is designed to fit that time. Add extra time for temporary exhibitions, the shop and the café.
What is Yad Vashem best known for?
Yad Vashem was established by the Israeli parliament (Knesset) in 1953 as the official memorial to the Jewish victims of the Holocaust. Its name — 'a memorial and a name' — comes from the Book of Isaiah. The campus on the western slope of Mount Herzl in Jerusalem covers nearly 18 hectares and includes the Holocaust History Museum, the Children's Memorial, the Garden of the Righteous Among the Nations, and the Valley of the Communities. Key highlights include Holocaust History Museum — Moshe Safdie's 180-metre triangular prism through the mountain, Hall of Names — repository of 4.8 million Pages of Testimony for Holocaust victims, Children's Memorial — five lit candles reflected to represent 1.5 million child victims.
How do I get tickets for Yad Vashem?
Free admission; advance online registration required during peak periods. Book a free timed ticket on the official website to guarantee entry at busy times. Official site: https://www.yadvashem.org/
Do I need to register in advance?
Yes during peak periods — register online at yadvashem.org. Walk-in entry may be available in quieter months but booking is strongly recommended.
How long should I allow?
Allow 3–4 hours for the History Museum, Children's Memorial, and outdoor memorials. The campus is large and the content requires time.
Is Yad Vashem open on Saturdays?
No — Yad Vashem is closed every Saturday (closing days: Saturdays and Jewish holidays). It is open Sunday–Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Thursday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Friday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM. Plan a different museum for that day, and check the official website for holiday changes.
What are Yad Vashem's opening hours?
Yad Vashem is open Sunday–Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Thursday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Friday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM, and closed Saturdays and Jewish holidays. Hours can change for holidays and events, so check the official website before you go.
Is Yad Vashem free to visit?
Yes — free admission; advance online registration required during peak periods.
