5 Things to See and Do Near the Israeli Parliament Building
December 13th 2018
For many visitors to Jerusalem, especially those with an interest in the modern State, the Israeli Parliament Building (known locally as the Knesset) is one of the most popular tourist attractions outside the city walls. Situated on a hilltop in the western Jerusalem neighborhood of Givat Ram, the Knesset building can be seen from afar from all directions. It’s also open to the public, the interior of which can be viewed via guided tours.
The Israeli Parliament is surrounded by other attractions, popular with both tourists and Israelis alike, and all within just a ten-minute walk from the impressive building.
Once you’ve visited the Knesset you can easily take a very short stroll to some of the following:
Israel Supreme Court
Barely a football kick away from the Knesset building is the Israel Supreme Court. Situated on the other side of the beautiful Wohl Rose Park, the Supreme Court is the highest court in the land and rules on the legality of decisions made by State authorities. The current building was opened in 1992 and was designed to be modern in appearance but combined with traditional elements from Jewish history. There are guided tours for visitors throughout the building as well as opportunities to watch court proceedings as they happen.
The Israel Museum
The Israel Museum is the largest and most renowned museum in all of Israel. It’s located just east of the park adjacent to the southern part of the Israeli Parliament building, no more than 10 minutes’ walk away. The museum is most famous for the dome-shaped complex that permanently houses many of the Dead Sea Scrolls, known as Shrine of the Book. However, there’s also tons more to see in this incredible museum. These include historical and cultural artifacts from throughout the region as well as art, photography, and other fascinating glimpses into Jewish culture throughout the ages.
Bible Lands Museum
Just across the road from the Israel Museum, and directly adjacent to the Knesset, is the Bible Lands Museum. This delightful archaeological museum explores the many peoples mentioned in the Bible. From the ancient Hebrews, Canaanites, Egyptians, and Hittites to the Persians, Philistines, Arameans, Phoenicians, and many more, each have their cultural stories told through the displays of antiquities, artifacts, maps, and educational exhibits. It’s the perfect place for all the family to learn more about the ancient Near East.
Bloomfield Science Museum
Across the road from the government buildings next to the Knesset is the Bloomfield Science Museum. It’s little more than 5 minutes’ walk from the Bible Lands Museum and is part of the Givat Ram campus of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The aim of the museum is to make science and technology assessable to everyone, not least children. There are numerous interactive exhibits and multi-media displays which explore a plethora of scientific topics. It’s a lot of fun. There’s something for everyone, and for every age range.
Rechavia Neighborhood
On the other side of the Israeli Parliament Building from the row of aforementioned museums is the attractive Rechavia Neighborhood. Modeled on the garden cities of Europe, the area features both residential homes (where many influential Israeli figures lived) and upmarket cafes, restaurants, and boutiques. It’s an ideal place to explore Jerusalem’s café culture and people-watch while drinking cappuccinos and eating delicious pastries. Perfect for a lunch break in between exploring the Knesset and museums.
