9 Best Museums of Tel Aviv

1. Tel Aviv Museum of Art

Tel Aviv Museum of Art is a municipal museum, one of Israel’s leading artistic and cultural institutions. The museum comprises various departments: The Department of Israeli Art, which holds a comprehensive collection of local art from the beginning of the 20th century to the present; the Department of Modern and Contemporary Art, which encompasses international works from the mid-19th century to the present; the Department of Prints and Drawings; the Department of Photography; the Department of Architecture and Design; and the Old Masters Department, with art from the 16th to the 19th century.

In addition to its extensive program of permanent and changing exhibitions, the museum offers a vibrant selection of programs and activities for adults, youth and children: concerts, classes, lectures, guided tours, workshops, and more.

Tip: Don’t miss the new wing recently added. Some has described it as a beautiful waste of space. Some as a futuristic vehicle. either way it holds promising contemporary pieces worth your while.

http://www.tamuseum.org.il/

2. The Helena Rubinstein Pavilion for Contemporary Art

Walking distance from the Tel aviv museum of art is the Helena Rubinstein Pavilion for Contemporary Art. On a regular basis  it showcases changing exhibitions, reflecting diverse fields and practices in contemporary Israeli and International art. The upper level is dedicated to two permanent exhibits of decorative art from the Danek and Jadzia Gertner Collection: Meissen porcelain, and glassware by Émile Gallé.

Tip: the pavilion borders with habima national theater piazza and the magical garden in between. Another two surprises that makes this place so special is the existence of the only art-dedicated bookstore is tel aviv and the great love-it coffee place next to it. The combination of art-coffee-garden piazza.

http://www.tamuseum.org.il/helena-rubinstein-pavilion

6 Tarsat Blvd, 64283 Tel Aviv, Israel
+972 (0)3 5287196
Admission is NIS 10

3. The Genia Schreiber University Art Gallery

The gallery was founded in 1976, within the framework of the Faculty of the Arts by Prof. The building, which is an architectural pearl, was designed by the architects Dan Eitan and Bracha and Dr. Michael Chyutin. The building has two floors, with most of its area is devoted to exhibition areas, and the rest to offices, storerooms, a laboratory, classroom and library. The gallery was designed as a architectural element that blends with the surrounding landscape and a continuation of the buildings of the Faculty of the Arts near by, making use of the special topographical conditions of the slope of the land. The planning of the gallery includes the sculptural garden as an organic part of its structure. The walls of the gallery facing the garden are transparent, creating the feeling that the enclosed gallery and the open garden are one continuous plane.

Tip: after a long and publish discussion, due to it’s poorly economical situation the gallery was rented the real-estate billionaire and art dealer yigal Ahuvi. Some say for the best, some disagree, but all agree that the Ahuvi collection presented in 90% of the gallery for the next 4 years is maybe the top of contemporary israeli art.

http://en-arts.tau.ac.il/gallery

The gallery is open to the public, free of charge, Sundays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., and Friday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m..

4. Eretz Israel Museum

The Eretz Israel Museum, Tel Aviv, is a multidisciplinary museum that focuses on the history and culture of Israel through comprehensive permanent and temporary exhibits in the diverse fields of archeology, ethnography, post and philately, folklore, Judaica, traditional crafts, and popular art, cultural history, and local identity.

The museum, which is one of the third largest in Israel, is spread over an area of some 20 acres, and comprises about 15 buildings and various installations. Hundreds of thousands of items are housed in the diverse museum collections, among them numerous and rare treasures. In the center of the museum, adjacent to the buildings and exhibit spaces, stands Tell Qasile – an ancient archeological mound dating from the 12th century BCE. Additional ancient relics, such as mosaics, oil presses, an ancient wine press, flour mills, etc. can be found in the gardens surrounding the site.

In addition to the ten permanent exhibitions and ancient sites, the museum displays about 20 temporary exhibits every year, and also conducts symposiums, lectures and meetings with curators and scholars in various fields. The museum site also houses an innovative planetarium, halls of various sizes, lecture rooms and workshops, a cafeteria, and a gift shop.

http://www.eretzmuseum.org.il/e/90/

2 Haim Levanon St., Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv 69975

Opening Hours:
Sunday-Wednesday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Thursday: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Friday and Saturday:  10 a.m-2 p.m.

5. Design Museum Holon 

Design Museum Holon opened in March 2010 and had quickly established itself as one of the world’s leading museums of design and contemporary culture. Housed in an iconic building by the internationally acclaimed architect, Ron Arad, Design Museum Holon is a vital and dynamic resource for designers, students, creative industries and the general public. Each year the Museum presents an exciting and varied program of exhibitions and events each dedicated to helping visitors gain a deeper understanding of design and the role it plays in our lives.

Tip: if you already there, consider a visit to the very unique illustration museum located in hulon as well. It is small but passionate about a popular genre in that is slowly gaining recognition as fine art

http://www.dmh.org.il/default.aspx

Opening hours:
Sunday – Closed
Monday, Wednesday – 10am – 4pm
Tuesday, Thursday – 10am – 6pm
Friday – 10am – 2pm
Saturday – 10am – 6pm

6. Beit Hatfutsot: The Diaspora Museum

Beit Hatfutsot is The Diaspora Museum, a fascinating museum located within the campus of the Tel Aviv University in Ramat Aviv in north Tel Aviv. The museum chronicles Jewish life across the diaspora over thousands of years using interesting and creative displays. Currently undergoing a massive refurbishment program, the museum is worth a visit if you are interested in Jewish history and somewhere you could easily end up spending a day or even more!

http://www.bh.org.il/default.aspx

Beit Hatfutsot is located on the campus of Tel Aviv University, Klausner Street, in Ramat Aviv.
Entrance through Matatia Gate 2
Tel: 972 3 7457808
Fax: 972 3 7457811

Opening Hours: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Wednesday, Thursday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

7. Museum of Nachum Gutman

the ultimate Tel Aviv artist, is located in a 120 years old building in the first Jewish street in Neve Zedek outside of Jaffa. Gutman described the Israeli soul while it was being formed with optimism, humor and the love of humanity.

http://www.gutmanmuseum.co.il/

Opening hours
Sun, Mon, Wed, Thu: 10:00 – 16:00 ; Tue: 10:00 – 19:00 ; Fri: 10:00 – 14:00 ; Sat: 10:00 – 15:00

Rokach st. 21 , Neve-Tzedek, Tel Aviv
Phone: 03-5161970 

8. Azrieli Observatory

The Azrieli Observatory, on the top floor of the Azrieli Circular Tower, Tel Aviv’s tallest building, is the highest observatory in the Middle East. From here fantastic views across Tel Aviv and the coastline almost 50km to the north and south can be seen. There is also lounge bar at the observatory (for which you dont have to pay the entry fee.)

9. Editor’s choice: Gallery Alfred

Gallery alfred is our editor’s choice. Located in the seam line between the first neighborhood of tel aviv (neve tzedek) and the somewhat grey side of Jaffa, Alfred is one of a kind. The gallery is run by a co-operative model. 12 artists are the owners and managers of the place. Guest artists who are invited to show and sell their work are given the full revenue (unlike traditional galleries). Alfred also host short and long residencies of multi-disciplinary artists, hold conferences, lectures and courses.

http://alfredgallery.com/

Now you have seen the Best Museums of Tel Aviv. Go do it!