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

If you have an unrestrained passion for art and archaeology, and are searching for culture and history, Tel Aviv offers a cross pollination of the cosmopolitan West and the rich tapestry of the Middle East. The White City boasts dozens of the world’s most distinctive museums for anyone with a keenness for culture. Not only do they showcase history, these museums narrate thousands of years worth of stories. Art lovers may get even more excited to discover artifacts ranging all the way from biblical times to the Roman and Persian Empire until the present day, all in one place.

Eretz Israel Museum

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

Tel Aviv Museum of Art

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

Beit Hatfutsot: The Museum of the Jewish People

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

Beit Ha’ir: Museum of the History of Tel Aviv-Yafo

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

Rubin Museum

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

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.