The Insider's Jerusalem
Museum Guide

The Jerusalem Museum, you ask? Which one?

Jerusalem boasts over 60 museums at last count and some of them are world leaders in their field.

Here, we provide a directory of the ones we think are the most worth visiting.

The crowning jewel of Jerusalem museums is without a doubt the Israel Museum . This one is not to be missed. It's a must-do, so put it on your itinerary and don't leave Jerusalem without stopping here first at least once, if not twice!

Next, in alphabetical order:

• The Bible Lands Museum
  
  

  

  
  The only museum in the world dedicated to the history of the biblical period in the many lands mentioned in the Bible.
  
  
  
• The Bloomfield Science museum
  
  

  

  
  
  One of our favorite kids activities! Full of interactive activities for children and adults of all ages.
  
  
  
• The Burnt House
  
  Revisit the sack of Jerusalem in 70 CE through the archaeological remains of this priestly home.
  
  
  
• The David's Citadel Museum of the History of Jerusalem
  
  
  
  
• Hechal Hagevurah Museum

  This sobering museum focuses on the history of the Jewish Underground which was active from 1920 to 1948. You can see the gallows and the cells where the British kept Jewish prisoners.

  Russian Compound

  Hours: Sun to Thur (9:00-16:00, 15:00 in the winter); Fri 10:00-13:00

  Admission fee
  
  

• Herzl Museum
  
  
  

  

  
  Learn about Theodore Herzl, a founding figure of the Zionist movement, at the museum and visit Herzl's tomb, along with the graves of Yitzhak Rabin, Golda Meir and others, on Mount Herzl.
  
  
  
• L.A. Mayer Memorial Institute for Islamic Art

  There are surprises at this museum - not only does it house a superb collection of Islamic art from the 7th century to the present, including some lovely Persian tiles, beautiful carpets, and an interesting exhibit about Arabic calligraphy, you will also find a famous collection of antique Parisian watches dating from 1769 to 1823.

  2 Hapalmach St.
  
  Hours:

  Sun, Mon, Wed, Thurs 10:00-15:00
  Tues 10:00-18:00
  Fri, Sat 10:00-14:00
  
  Admission:

  adults 20 nis
  students 13 nis
  children/seniors 10 nis
  
  
  

• Yad Vashem - The Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Authority
  
  

  

  
  
  Established in 1953, Yad Vashem may be the most famous Jerusalem museum. Its mission is to document the Holocaust and memorialize the six million Jews who perished in its flames. Located above the Jerusalem forest, this is a vast complex comprising two museums (the Holocaust History Museum and the Yad Vashem Art Museum), a research institute, library archives, exhibits, monuments and sculpture gardens.

  Hours:

  Sunday to Wednesday 9:00 a.m. to 17:00 p.m.

  On Thursday the Holocaust History Museum is open from 9:00 a.m. to 20:00 p.m, the rest of the campus closes at 17:00.

  Fri 9:00 to 14:00

  Note that on all days entrance is permitted only until one hour before closing time.

  Admission: Free