Tel Aviv's Must-Visit Cultural Institutes: The Museum Lover's Guide

For the archaeology and anthropology buff, the Eretz Israel Museum provides thorough historical insight. The Catholic period, the late Bronze, Roman and Persian Empires amongst other eras of humankind are weaved into a narrative using a series of pavilions. Each pavilion depicts the history of a particular age, displaying tools, utensils and instruments that each period was known for. Founded in 1953, the museum also has a planetarium, which features ancient methods of weaving, jewelry and pottery making, grain grinding, and bread baking. There is also an exciting gift shop for purchasing Israeli designers’ crafts, jewelry and Judaica.

Eretz Israel Museum, Chaim Levanon 2, Tel Aviv, Israel +972-3-641-5244

One of the most art-filled and cultural institutions in Israel, the Tel Aviv Museum of Art showcases the rich heritage of the Israeli and Jewish art world. Founded in 1932, visitors can visually consume precious pieces of artwork created by iconic Israeli artists such as Reuven Rubin, Yigal Tumarkin, Gal Weinstein and Michal Rovner. It also supports dozens of international artists including Vincent Van Gogh, Amadeo Modigliani and Pablo Picasso. In addition, the museum displays design and architecture. The museum is divided into various departments according to period and subject. The Department of Israeli Art presents a wide collection of Israeli art beginning from 20th century to the present, while the Department of Modern and Contemporary Art showcases pieces from the mid-19th century to the present. There are also departments for prints and drawings, photography, architecture and design.

Tel Aviv Museum of Art, Golda Meir Complex, Shaul HaMelech 27, Tel Aviv, Israel +972-3-607-7020

There is no place better than Beit Hatfutsot if you are looking to explore Jewish history and culture. The museum depicts the timeline of Jews from their roots, to their exodus from ancient Israel and the subsequent global Jewish communities around the world. It culminates with the establishment of the State of Israel. Beit Hatfusot tells the ongoing story of the Jewish People around the world through a remarkable combination of images, exhibits, models, music and a unique database Established in 1978, it was declared by the Knesset – the Israeli Parliament – in 2005, as the national center for the Jewish communities, in Israel and around the world.

Beit Hatfutsot, Tel Aviv University Campus, Klausner 15, Tel Aviv, Israel +972-3-745-7808

The Museum of the History of Tel Aviv-Yafo, Beit Ha’ir is the visual representation of the journey of Jaffa and Tel Aviv and how this vibrant city came to be known as Tel Aviv-Yafo. As its name suggests, it tells the tale of how the White City was established 100 years ago in the middle of the desert, and how it blossomed into a hotspot of culture, art and commerce in the Middle East. It was opened in 2009 in an old municipal building in Bialik Square, one of the most iconic public spaces in Tel Aviv, so as to give it an authentic vibe.

Beit Ha’ir, Bialik St 27, Tel Aviv, Israel +972-3-724-0311

The Rubin Museum, situated in the heart of city, is famous for the spectacular paintings of legendary Israeli artist Reuven Rubin. The museum displays his paintings and artwork in a gallery, based on various aspects of Rubin’s life, culture, region and geography in and around Israel. Biblical landscapes, folklore, and Jewish people, including the Yemenites, Hasidic Jews and Arabs are all subjects of his early works. The museum doesn’t only focus on Rubin’s artworks, but it also exhibits many local and international artists from time to time.

Rubin Museum (Reuven House), 14 Bialik St, Tel Aviv, Israel +972-3-525-5961