It takes at least half a day to explore the large Israel Museum, which encompasses an art collection, 6-acre (2.5-hectare) sculpture garden, the world’s finest collection of Biblical archaeology, and the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit. Many travelers allocate a full day—or book a private guide or a tour to see the highlights. Tickets include an audio guide in many languages, with a choice of self-guided tour routes. There are several eateries on-site.
The Israel Museum sits in Givat Ram, central Jerusalem, close to the Israeli Parliament and opposite the Bible Lands Museum. The 14 and 66 buses run to the museum from Jerusalem’s Central Station stop; or catch bus 100 from Shapirim Junction Parking in Tel Aviv.
The museum is open for a full day on Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and it closes at lunchtime on Friday. It is open from mid-afternoon until evening on Tuesday. Visit on Sunday, Monday, or Wednesday for a quieter experience.
The Israel Museum is not Jerusalem’s only world-class museum. Yad Vashem (World Holocaust Remembrance Center) commemorates the Shoah in a sculpturally beautiful structure that’s won a number of awards. The L.A. Mayer Museum for Islamic Art houses treasures from Muslim civilizations throughout the ages. And the Bible Lands Museum is a perfect introduction to biblical archaeology.