The Israel Museum sits in Givat Ram, a leafy campus on the western side of Jerusalem, and serves as the country's national museum. It is a place to plan a half-day or more, since its collections range widely across archaeology and fine art.
What you will see
The archaeology collections trace the long human history of the region, drawing on finds from across the land. The fine arts galleries hold paintings, sculpture, and decorative works from many periods and cultures, so visitors with different interests will find something to hold their attention.
Among the museum's best-known spaces is the Shrine of the Book, which houses the Dead Sea Scrolls. Its white, dome-shaped building is a distinctive landmark in itself, and many visitors plan their time around seeing the scrolls.
Planning your visit
- Location: 11 Ruppin Blvd, Givat Ram, Jerusalem, in the Jerusalem District.
- Contact: +972-2-670-8811, if you want to check details before you go.
- Also known as: the Israel National Museum.
Because the museum occupies a sizeable campus, it works well as a focused visit on its own. Wear comfortable shoes, allow time to move between the archaeology and art sections, and leave room for the Shrine of the Book, which many people find the most memorable part of the trip.
The wider city
Givat Ram is a short distance from the rest of Jerusalem, so the museum fits easily into a day that also takes in the city's other historic and cultural sites. Pairing it with time in the surrounding neighborhoods gives a fuller picture of the city beyond its museums.
