A photograph of Israel

Country guide

Museums in Israel — page 2

Israel occupies the Southern Levant, bordered by Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Egypt, with the Mediterranean along its western coast, the Red Sea at its southern t...

Photograph · Dani Lavi 0007 · CC BY-SA 4.0

3,923 Places
2Cities

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

Israel occupies the Southern Levant, bordered by Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Egypt, with the Mediterranean along its western coast, the Red Sea at its southern tip and Earth's lowest point, near the Dead Sea, to the east. Two cities carry most of what a visitor comes for and they are nothing alike. Jerusalem is the government seat and proclaimed capital, holding the sites the three Abrahamic religions hold in common; Tel Aviv is the largest urban area and the economic centre, a twentieth-century city on a beach. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict persists, and it governs where a visitor can go and when as firmly as any opening time does.

Checked 2026-08-25

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

Practical information

Language spoken
Hebrew; Arabic has special status
National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code
+972
International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency
Israeli new shekel (ILS)
Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number
100 police · 101 ambulance · 102 fire
Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type
Type C and H · 230 V
Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water
Not recorded
No verified nationwide visitor statement was recorded for this content pack

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

  1. Israel Museum Israel Museum
    07 1 hr 30 min

    Israel Museum

    מוזיאון ישראל

    The Israel Museum is Jerusalem’s encyclopaedic museum, opened in 1965 on a large campus in Givat Ram. Its collections connect archaeology, Jewish cultural history, European and international art, Israeli art, design and photography.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Jerusalem
  2. Rockefeller Museum Rockefeller Museum
    08 1 hr 30 min

    Rockefeller Museum

    מוזיאון רוקפלר

    The Rockefeller Archaeological Museum is an archaeological museum in Jerusalem. It houses a significant collection of artifacts recovered from excavations conducted in the region during the British Mandate period and earlier.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Jerusalem
  3. Yad Vashem Yad Vashem
    09 1 hr 30 min

    Yad Vashem

    יד ושם

    Yad Vashem is Israel’s national Holocaust memorial and a major place of remembrance on the western slope of Mount Herzl in Jerusalem. Established by the Knesset in 1953, the institution combines commemoration, historical interpretation, documentation, research and education.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Jerusalem
  4. Museum of the Jewish People at Beit Hatfutsot Museum of the Jewish People at Beit Hatfutsot
    10 1 hr 30 min

    Museum of the Jewish People at Beit Hatfutsot

    אנו - מוזיאון העם היהודי

    ANU – Museum of the Jewish People is a museum in Tel Aviv-Yafo dedicated to the narrative and culture of Jewish communities worldwide. Formerly known as Beit HaTfutsot, it underwent significant rebranding and renovation.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Tel Aviv
  5. Eretz Israel Museum Eretz Israel Museum
    11 1 hr 30 min

    Eretz Israel Museum

    מוזיאון ארץ ישראל

    Eretz Israel Museum is a multidisciplinary museum complex in Tel Aviv-Yafo devoted to the history and culture of the Land of Israel.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Tel Aviv
  6. Ticho House Ticho House
    12 1 hr 30 min

    Ticho House

    בית טיכו

    Ticho House is a historic residence and cultural venue in central Jerusalem, close to Zion Square. The house was the home of artist Anna Ticho and ophthalmologist Dr.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Jerusalem
  7. Tel Aviv Museum of Art Tel Aviv Museum of Art
    13 1 hr 30 min

    Tel Aviv Museum of Art

    מוזיאון תל אביב לאומנות

    The Tel Aviv Museum of Art is a major visual-arts institution in Tel Aviv-Yafo, known for collections and exhibitions covering modern and contemporary art alongside works from other periods.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Tel Aviv
  8. Ben-Gurion House in Tel Aviv Ben-Gurion House in Tel Aviv
    14 1 hr 30 min

    Ben-Gurion House in Tel Aviv

    בית בן גוריון

    Ben-Gurion House in Tel Aviv is the preserved home of David Ben-Gurion, Israel’s first Prime Minister. The residence presents a quieter, personal side of a major political figure, contrasting with the public scale of state history.

    • High
    • Museum
    • Tel Aviv
  9. The Herodian Quarter The Herodian Quarter
    15 1 hr 30 min

    The Herodian Quarter

    הרובע ההרודיאני

    The Herodian Quarter is an archaeological site in Jerusalem's Old City revealing remains of wealthy residential structures from the late Second Temple period. Excavations uncovered substantial dwellings with mosaic floors, ritual baths, and domestic furnishings suggesting affluent inhabitants.

    • High
    • Museum
    • Jerusalem
  10. Bialik House Bialik House
    16 1 hr 30 min

    Bialik House

    בית ביאליק

    Bialik House is the former Tel Aviv residence of Chaim Nachman Bialik, Israel’s national poet. The house now functions as a museum dedicated to his life, writing and cultural world.

    • High
    • Museum
    • Tel Aviv
  11. Hansen House Hansen House
    17 1 hr 30 min

    Hansen House

    בית הנסן

    Hansen House is a historic stone compound in Jerusalem that began as a leprosy hospital in the late nineteenth century during the Ottoman period.

    • High
    • Museum
    • Jerusalem
  12. Lehi Museum Lehi Museum
    18 1 hr 30 min

    Lehi Museum

    מוזיאון לח"י

    The Lehi Museum in Tel Aviv-Yafo presents the history of Lehi, also called the Stern Group, a Zionist underground movement active during the British Mandate of Palestine.

    • High
    • Museum
    • Tel Aviv
  13. Nahum Gutman Museum of Art Nahum Gutman Museum of Art
    19 1 hr 30 min

    Nahum Gutman Museum of Art

    מוזיאון נחום גוטמן

    The Nahum Gutman Museum of Art is a museum dedicated to the work of Israeli artist Nahum Gutman, located in Tel Aviv-Yafo. It occupies a historic building in the Neve Tzedek neighborhood, one of the city's oldest districts.

    • High
    • Museum
    • Tel Aviv
  14. Rubin Museum Rubin Museum
    20 1 hr 30 min

    Rubin Museum

    בית ראובן רובין

    The Rubin Museum, also known as Beit Reuven, occupies Reuven Rubin’s former residence and studio in Tel Aviv-Yafo.

    • High
    • Museum
    • Tel Aviv
  15. Steinhardt Museum of Natural History Steinhardt Museum of Natural History
    21 1 hr 30 min

    Steinhardt Museum of Natural History

    מוזיאון הטבע ע"ש שטיינהרדט

    Steinhardt Museum of Natural History is a Tel Aviv-Yafo museum devoted to natural-history collections and public learning. It provides a way to explore biodiversity, ecology, specimens, and the natural world within a city known for art, beaches, and urban life.

    • High
    • Museum
    • Tel Aviv
  16. Independence Hall Independence Hall
    22 1 hr 30 min

    Independence Hall

    היכל העצמאות

    Independence Hall, also known as Beit Ha’atzmaut, is the Tel Aviv building where David Ben-Gurion proclaimed the establishment of the State of Israel on 14 May 1948.

    • High
    • Museum
    • Tel Aviv
  17. Joseph Bau House Joseph Bau House
    23 1 hr 30 min

    Joseph Bau House

    מוזיאון בית יוסף באו

    Joseph Bau House is a museum in Tel Aviv-Yafo devoted to Joseph Bau, a Holocaust survivor, artist, animator and graphic designer. The museum connects Bau’s personal history with his creative work, making the visit both biographical and artistic.

    • High
    • Museum
    • Tel Aviv
  18. Ilana Goor Museum Ilana Goor Museum
    24 1 hr 30 min

    Ilana Goor Museum

    מוזיאון אילנה גור

    Ilana Goor Museum is a private museum in Jaffa’s historic quarter, housed in an eighteenth-century building that once served as a pilgrims’ inn. The museum combines the atmosphere of a former home with a collection shaped by artist Ilana Goor.

    • High
    • Museum
    • Tel Aviv
  19. Bloomfield Science Museum Bloomfield Science Museum
    25 1 hr 30 min

    Bloomfield Science Museum

    מוזיאון המדע ע"ש ברנרד בלומפילד

    Bloomfield Science Museum is an interactive science museum in Jerusalem’s Givat Ram area. It turns scientific ideas into hands-on experiences and welcomes visitors of different ages, with a particularly strong appeal for children and families.

    • High
    • Museum
    • Jerusalem
  20. Beit Ha'Ir Beit Ha'Ir
    26 1 hr 30 min

    Beit Ha'Ir

    בית העיר תל אביב-יפו

    Beit Ha'Ir, בית העיר תל אביב-יפו, is Tel Aviv-Yafo's municipal museum, known in English as the “House of the City.” Its role is to present the history and urban development of Tel Aviv-Yafo, making it a strong choice for travelers…

    • High
    • Museum
    • Tel Aviv

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·

Common questions

How long should a first trip to Israel be?

Seven to ten days can divide time between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv with one carefully chosen extension to Haifa, the Galilee, Dead Sea or Negev. Religious calendars and changing security conditions can alter access, so keep the route flexible rather than booking every transfer tightly.

What entry documents are needed for Israel?

Use Israel’s Population and Immigration Authority for the current entry rule, including whether electronic travel authorisation is required. Eligibility depends on nationality and travel circumstances; recheck immediately before departure because border procedures may change faster than ordinary guide content.

What is the best way to travel around Israel?

Ben Gurion Airport links into the intercity rail and bus networks, and major cities have their own local transit products. Many public services reduce substantially from Friday evening to Saturday evening, so build a separate plan for that period and confirm current operations.

When is a practical time to visit Israel?

Spring and autumn can balance coastal heat with walking in Jerusalem, but holidays may sharply affect hours, transport and demand. Desert excursions need separate heat planning, and any official security restriction takes priority over the seasonal itinerary.

What money and payment basics apply in Israel?

The Israeli new shekel is the working currency. Cards are widely accepted in cities, while markets and small operators may make cash useful; inspect the ILS amount and any service convention before payment instead of applying habits from another destination.

What practical safety details should I save for Israel?

Emergency services use 100 for police, 101 for ambulance and 102 for fire; electricity is Type C and H at 230 V. Tap-water guidance is Not recorded in this dataset, and current civil-defence instructions should be checked through official channels.