Knesset (Parliament)
Knesset (Parliament)
4.5
About
Free guided tours of Israel’s Parliament include an explanation of the structure of the Israeli government and a look at the famous tapestries of Marc Chagall, which illustrate important moments in Jewish history.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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4.5
341 reviews
Excellent
201
Very good
93
Average
31
Poor
11
Terrible
5
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,657 contributions
Oct 2022
Israel has a unicameral Parliament. Think of the United States without a Senate, or States. The Knesset has 120 members; this is the Legislative branch. There is also a Cabinet; this is the Executive branch. The Courts form the Judicial branch. The President is largely ceremonial. The Local and Regional governments handle lower-level issues. The Knesset is elected by nation-wide elections. The Knesset first met in 1949; it had no permanent home until 1966. The Knesset was constructed following a philanthropic donation by James "Jimmy" de Rothschild. The Knesset is a fine building, but please check that it is open when you want to attend.
Written 15 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Virginia M
Wellington, New Zealand237 contributions
Feb 2015 • Couples
We did the English speaking tour at midday - arrived about half an hr before hand and asked to wait till about 15 mins before midday before entering. You must take your passport and as usual, be prepared to have a thorough, but quick security check. On entry to the Knesset we were given headphones and our guide gathered us up - only about 18 - the tour was excellent; informative, witty - questions were encouraged and the ease of movement between areas to be commended. Photos can be taken. Our tour lasted an hr and a half and it really is a must - if only for the art - a magnificent Marc Chagall woven tapestry depicting past, present and future as well as other pieces - don't miss the bronze menorah statue just opposite the entry point - very moving.
Written 15 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
barTalpiot
Jerusalem, Israel262 contributions
Mar 2014 • Solo
Nice tour - Its a must if you're in Jerusalem for a few days. Make sure to check day that it is open and to bring your passport.
Written 12 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mintcake58
Liverpool, UK1,648 contributions
Feb 2014
Middle Eastern politics is complex and highly charged, but the Knesset (literally "Meeting Place") is a fascinating place, both architecturally and as the focus of Israel's modern aspiration.
Written 8 January 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I107QWpaulg
Golden, CO66 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
This is basically a theme restaurant with a choice of fish or pizzia. We had one fish (deep fried head tail bones, just gutted. We also had one pizzia. Flattened bread with catsup and a sprinkle of cheese. Really awful food and not cheap!
Written 25 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jerome C
London, UK24 contributions
May 2018 • Family
English tours take place several times each day on Sundays and Thursdays.
The tours are very informative and last for about one and a quarter hours.
The guide was very knowledgeable about the building and the politics.
The tours are very informative and last for about one and a quarter hours.
The guide was very knowledgeable about the building and the politics.
Written 31 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Krzysztof F
Krakow, Poland217 contributions
Jul 2012 • Solo
When I had visited Jerusalem, I had read that you can visit the Parliament. I get there walking from bus station, enter the security check, you need to have a passport with you!!!, and walk inside the Parliament. You can seat and visitors galley and listen to the parliament speakers, then if you are lucky and security will allow you go to see fantastic Chagall tapestries and mosaic.
Written 17 June 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mel904
Adelaide, Australia106 contributions
Jul 2011 • Solo
The Knesset is open for tours Thursdays and Sundays - English tours are at 8.30am, 12pm and 2pm - see their website for times for other language tours. You just need to arrive shortly before and go in the main entrance (where it says Invitees Only). They say you will need to bring your passport, although they didn't check ours.
You cannot bring large bags in, and with no explanation, everything we had was stored in lockers. We later found out from our guide that cameras are allowed but this is a new development and it seems many of the security guards at the entrance either don't know or just don't tell you this, so make sure you ask. I was able to get my camera at the end of the tour and return to take a couple of photos, but of course could not go back into the various chambers etc.
The previous reviewer said a taxi is the only way to get there, but I caught the bus. It's on Route 9 from the Central Bus Station, which also goes to the Israel Museum, Bible Lands Museum and Supreme Court (all of which are within a couple of minutes walk of each other). From Jaffa Gate, you can get to Central Bus Station on either Route 20 or 60. Tickets are 6.40NIS and if you ask for a transfer and take the receipt, you can change buses as many times as you like within 90 minutes for the one price.
The tour itself is very informative, and you are allowed into the main chamber which has seen some fairly historic activity in its time. There is also some great artworks on display, as well as the 1948 Declaration of Independence.
The Knesset is also open to the public for viewing of sessions (although of course these are in Hebrew). You do not need to be a citizen. They sit Monday-Wednesday and again you simply need to turn up with your passport.
Written 20 July 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KosherAndGlutenFree
New Jersey295 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
The Knesset, Israel’s version of Congress, offers free tours in English for individual walk-ins on Sunday’s and Thursdays at 8:30, 12:00, and 2:00. According to the website, the tour allows a maximum of 50 participants. You do not need reservations - just show up and tell the guard at the entrance you are coming for the tour.
You must bring your passport to enter the building, and you will walk through an x-ray machine. I had a bag with food and water and that was no problem.
Our tour was led by Moshe, originally from Philadelphia, so he spoke perfect American English. The tour lasted an hour, and we learned about the Israeli election process, walked into the main chamber where the Knesset members meet, and saw other interesting artifacts and art work. Bathrooms are available.
This is not a *must do* for first time visitors to Israel (I’d suggest the Israel Museum and Yad Vashem way ahead of this) but if you’ve been to Israel before and are looking for something new for an hour or so, this is a nice addition.
It took about 20 minutes to walk from Ben Yehuda.
You must bring your passport to enter the building, and you will walk through an x-ray machine. I had a bag with food and water and that was no problem.
Our tour was led by Moshe, originally from Philadelphia, so he spoke perfect American English. The tour lasted an hour, and we learned about the Israeli election process, walked into the main chamber where the Knesset members meet, and saw other interesting artifacts and art work. Bathrooms are available.
This is not a *must do* for first time visitors to Israel (I’d suggest the Israel Museum and Yad Vashem way ahead of this) but if you’ve been to Israel before and are looking for something new for an hour or so, this is a nice addition.
It took about 20 minutes to walk from Ben Yehuda.
Written 2 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rina H.
Mevaseret Zion, Israel613 contributions
May 2019
I visited the knesset, while I studied. it was a learning visit. it was amazing. I use a mobility scooter, and they did all efforts to make it accessible for me.
Written 25 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello
I wonder how I can buy ticket for myself to visit the keenest and get knowledge and can I get visit only or I need to be with group?
Thank you
Written 19 November 2020
Is the Knesset open for tours on October 18 and 24, 2019
Is the Knesset open for tours on October 18 and 23 2019?
Written 11 September 2019
The Knesset offers guided tours for the public on Sundays and Thursdays between the hours of 8:30AM-2:00PM.
Written 12 September 2019
Hola !!!.....para reservar una visita puedes escribir a tours@knesset.gov.il indicando tu requerimiento.
Aprovecho de contarte que cuando se trata de personas solas o grupos pequeños, te puedes sumar a las visitas generales sin necesidad de reserva.....y estas son los Domingos y los Jueves.
Espero que te sirva la información....saludos.
Written 30 January 2019
Como debo hacer para la visita en español. A donde reservo
Written 23 December 2018
Hi, I would like to find out if Knesset would be open for visitors on Thursday, December 29?
Written 18 November 2016
Yes it will be open. Take the free tour there and also visit the park with the Menora
Written 29 November 2016
Bonjour
Peut-on visiter la KNESSET tous les jours ?
Sinon à quel moment et combien de temps dure la visite ?
Et peut-on s'y restaurer ?
merci bien de votre réponse
Written 9 November 2016
Je ne vais pas répéter ce qui a été dit par un autre contributeur mais rajouter que le contrôle est très strict, que l'humour n'est pas de rigueur quand il s'agit de sécurité (les Français sont peu habitués à ce genre de situation), qu'il faut arriver à l'heure, avoir son passeport et une tenue adaptée (jambes et bras couverts).
On accède facilement à la Knesset par le bus depuis le centre de Jérusalem et il y a tout près un grand centre commercial avec des restaurants, des bars et un multiplexe.
Bon séjour à Jérusalem !
Philippe
Written 10 November 2016
Is it possible to take photographs during the Guided Tour, I would love to photograph the Chagall works in the Reception area.
Anthony
Written 2 November 2015
Hi!!! .... unfortunately it's not possible to take pictures inside the Knesset, because you must leave your camera and cell phone in the entrance.
Written 1 February 2019
Of course; It is in the map of Jerusalem...in the next:
Hakiriyah, Jerusalem 91950
Israel
Written 15 October 2015
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