Capital Building Tours in Israel

Safra Square---City Hall

• The old Municipality building constructed by the British administration in 1930 offers one of the many building tours in Jerusalem. The Municipality building was home to government offices before Jerusalem began operating as the capital of Israel as a nation, and has extensive government history. The building itself and a viewing platform allow tourists to see the city's northern neighborhoods from above, while the square is home to many outdoor festivals. A guided tour is offered Monday through Thursday mornings at 10.

  City Hall
  Safra Square
  Yafo 3
  (011) +972 02-6296000
  www.jerusalem.muni.il/jer_main/defaultnew.asp?lng=2

Supreme Court

• The Supreme Court is one of the modern buildings in Jerusalem where visitors can take building tours to see government in action. Built in 1992, the architecture of the Supreme Court building combines the modern with traditional motifs of Jerusalem. The Supreme Court is located behind the Rose Garden, and open to the public Sunday through Thursday during business hours. Public tours for individuals and groups smaller than 10 take place at 11 a.m. in Hebrew and 12 noon in English, and group tours for more than 10 people are scheduled by appointment only.

  The Supreme Court
  Sha'arei Mishpat
  (011) +972 02-6759612
  elyon1.court.gov.il/eng/siyur/index.html

Knesset

• The Knesset, or Parliament building, is home to the legislative body of Israel, and is open for building tours for the public on Sunday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tours are offered on a regularly scheduled basis by language, with several tours daily for both Hebrew and English speakers and once a day in Arabic, French, Russian and Spanish. Groups of 10 or more must call ahead to arrange a tour. In addition to taking building tours, visitors can observe legislative sessions from the public gallery on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The dress code for the Knesset stipulates that visitors may not wear tank-tops, shorts, jeans or sandals.

  The Knessett
  HaKiryah
  Jerusalem, Israel
  (011) +972 02-6753416
  www.knesset.gov.il/tour/eng/evisit.htm

Bank of Israel

• The Bank of Israel visitor center opened in 2009 in Jerusalem and offers tours Sunday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors must make prior arrangements to reserve a spot. The visitor center educates visitors on the functions and historical development of money in Israel, displays ancient and pre-State coins, and involves visitors with interactive computer stations and films about Israeli currency.

  Bank of Israel
  Government Complex, Bank of Israel Street
  Jerusalem, Israel
  (011) +972 02-6552828
  http://www.bankisrael.gov.il/vcenter/vcenter_open_en.htm

Zion Walking Tours

• Zion Walking Tours is a tourist service based in the tourism office of Jaffa Gate and recommended by the Israel Ministry of Tourism. Zion Walking Tours gives private and group tours for a fee, as well as information for self-guided walking tours of the city's major buildings and audio devices.

  Zion Walking Tours
  Jaffa Gate, Old City
  Jerusalem, Israel
  (011) +972 02-6277588
  http://zionwt.dsites1.co.il/HTMLs/Home.aspx