Rehovot Tourism Guide: Unveiling the Best of Israel City

Rehovot (Israel), whose name translates as “wide expanse”, has a unique atmosphere in which modern high-rise buildings are combined with picturesque green corners, and the latest achievements of science and technology go side by side with important historical sites. Let’s take a closer look at this place?

General information

If you look for Rehovot on the map of Israel, you can easily see that it is located in the center of the country on the Coastal Plain, which is separated from the Mediterranean Sea by no more than 10 km.

The history of this city began in the late 19th century, when immigrants from the Russian Empire and Poland decided to build a moshav on the site of a former Bedouin settlement. At that time, the population of the village numbered only 300 inhabitants, whose main occupation was agriculture. The main priority was given to the cultivation of citrus fruits, almonds and grapes, which laid the foundations of local winemaking.

Perhaps Rehovot would have remained an unknown point on the map of Israel, if not for the immigrants who came here after the First World War. It was with their light hand that the city began to develop. Shops, schools, cultural and entertainment establishments, various enterprises and educational institutions (including the famous Research Institute) were opened there. Gradually, Rehovot “captured” the neighboring neighboring settlements-Oshyot, Shaaraim, Marmorek, Kfar Gwirol, Zarnuku, etc. So a small moshav turned into an important cultural and business center, where about 100 thousand people lived and worked.

The main places of Rehovot that remind you of that distant time are Jacob Street, named after a prominent Israeli politician, the square with the first city bell, which served as a clock, and the wooden post office building, in front of which local residents gathered to discuss the latest news.

Today, Rehovot is an essential part of the scientific research world. It has a Jewish Institute, a School for the Study of Food Consumption, and other well-known institutions in Israel. And here, as many years ago, citrus trees are actively grown, from the fruits of which juices, jams, concentrates and other popular products are made.

What should I see?

Of course, the city of Rehovot in Israel can not boast as many attractions as, for example, Tel Aviv, Haifa or Nazareth, but there are many iconic places here. Here are just a few of them.

Ayalon Institute Museum

The Ayalon Institute Museum, located in the heart of the city, was built during the war of the Jewish people with the British invaders (30s of the 20th century). At that difficult time for local residents, a group of activists decided to open a secret factory where it would be possible to make live shells and guns. And to hide this fact, it was passed off as a kibbutz, a room intended for agricultural purposes. Outside is a simple shed, but go down 7.5 m and it will be a factory the size of a tennis court. You won’t believe it, but at the peak of its development, Ayalon produced up to 40 thousand rounds of ammunition a day, which were delivered to all corners of the country.

Despite the demand, the plant lasted only 3 years, and then simply closed and remained unattended for many years. The situation changed only in 1987, when the authorities decided not only to restore the building of the former factory, but also to turn it into a historical museum.

Currently, you can watch an audio-visual show that tells about important events for Israel, sit in the dining room, walk through narrow underground corridors, visit the delegation house and the conference hall designed for 400 guests. At the end of a rich excursion program, tired tourists are offered to relax in a eucalyptus grove dotted with shopping stalls and picnic tables. But the most popular quest is the quest that involves finding a secret underground entrance, and examining the still-functioning equipment for the production of combat supplies.

Important! Tickets must be booked in advance. Excursions outside of business hours can be arranged at an additional cost. The tours are available in 2 languages – Hebrew and English.

Address: Rehov David Pikes 1 / Kibbutz Hill, Science Park, Rehovot 76320, Israel

Opening hours:

• Sun. – Thu – – from 8.30 to 16.00;
• Fri – – from 8.30 to 14.00;
• Sat – – from 9.00 to 16.00.

House-Museum of the first President of Israel (Weizmann House)

Another important attraction in Rehovot is the Weizmann House. The private house that served as the official residence of Heim Weizman, Israel’s first president and a prominent scholar who founded two academic institutes, is nestled in a grove of citrus trees.

The three-story building, built by Erich Mendelssohn in 1937, looks very beautiful, besides it has preserved a lot of personal belongings, unique works of art and rare furniture. In addition, the museum owns a Lincoln car, donated to Weizmann by Henry Ford, tens of thousands of archival documents relating to various scientists, famous personalities and statesmen, and a memorial square with a sculpture installed in memory of the victims of the Holocaust.

No less noteworthy is the small courtyard with a swimming pool, a high tower with carved windows and well-groomed flower beds. And most importantly, from here you can enjoy a beautiful panorama that opens up to the Judean Mountains and the city’s surroundings. Currently, the Weizmann House with all its values and attractions belongs to the State of Israel-this is the will of the owners.

Important! To arrange a visit, please call: +972-8-9343384. You can also check the price of entrance tickets here.

Address: 234 Herzl St, Rehovot, Israel

Opening hours: Sun. – Thu. from 9.00 to 16: 00

Clore Garden of Science

Nauki Park named after him. Klora is the world’s first educational museum spread over 7,000 square meters of open space. The main task of the park is to arouse interest in science and show that it can be quite boring. The founders of the museum quite succeeded – today the Klor Science Park is one of the most visited places in the city of Rehovot.

Here you can see a lot of interesting things. For example, to observe the appearance of air bubbles on the surface of water, to understand how fast sea waves move, to understand the operation of satellite television, to find out what makes a rainbow appear, etc. And most importantly, the introduction to complex natural and physical phenomena takes place with the participation of unique interactive exhibits that can interest not only children, but also adults.

Important! The visit program must be approved at least 48 hours before the scheduled date. It is very simple to do this – just call the phone number: +972-8-9378300.

Address: 234 Herzl Street, Rehovot, Israel

Opening hours:

• Sun. – Thu. — from 9.00 to 20.00;
• Fri. – Sat. – day off.

Ticket price:

• Adult – 40 ILS;
• Children – 35 ILS;
• Students / Seniors/Disabled – 20 ILS;
• Children under 5 years old – free of charge.

Where to stay?

The city of Rehovot in Israel offers a huge selection of housing for every taste and budget. The type of hotel and the estimated cost of accommodation in high season are shown in the table.

The most booked hotels in Rehovot are:

• Leonardo Boutique Rehovot is a comfortable boutique hotel opened in 2011 near the Weizmann Institute. It has 5 floors, includes 116 rooms, a gym, several conference rooms and business lounges, as well as a cafe-bar and a cozy lounge area. Free WI-FI is available on site;
• Casa Vital Boutique Hotel is a luxury hotel built in the heart of a vibrant shopping district. It consists of 10 apartments and studios equipped with a full kitchen, mini-bar and bathroom. In addition, the hotel provides babysitting services, unlimited Internet access and free parking.;
• Estate Spa-Boutique Hotel is a wonderful spa complex that provides several free services at once (Internet, parking, hot tub, spa treatments and sauna). All rooms are equipped with an LCD TV, air conditioning, a small kitchen, a bathroom and a DVD player. A continental breakfast is served daily;
• Zimer in Rehovot is a wonderful non-smoking lodge hotel. There is access to WI-FI, Parking, a playground with a barbecue set. Rooms are double rooms only. Each room here will provide you with a refrigerator, a kettle and a private dining area located on the street.;
• Israel Home is a luxury apartment with an outdoor terrace and free public parking. Located a 20-minute walk from the city center — near the Wesemann Scientific Institute. The rooms are equipped with a safe, a bathroom, a balcony, an LCD TV, a work desk and a fully equipped kitchen. Internet access is free. Babysitting services are also available.

When is the best time to arrive?

Another important feature of Rehovot is its mild climate and good weather. In winter, the air temperature rarely drops below +7°C, in summer the thermometer reaches +30°C. Rain is extremely rare – mostly in early spring. The best months to visit are: September, May, October, April, March and November.

How to get there?

The city of Rehovot is located in close proximity to Ben-Gurion International Airport (15.3 km) and the capital of Israel, Tel Aviv. It is most convenient to get to it by train, so we will consider this option in more detail.

You can buy tickets not only at ticket offices, but also on the official website of the Israeli railway — www.rail.co.il/ru.

As you can see, Rehovot (Israel) is an interesting city that is worth visiting if you have a vemen. Here you can find many unusual places and useful activities. We wish you a pleasant experience and a rich holiday!

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Konstantin

Konstantin is a travel writer passionate about uncovering unique destinations and sharing practical tips for unforgettable adventures. A regular contributor to waypoinwonder.com, he specializes in bringing iconic landmarks and hidden gems to life through authentic storytelling. From exploring Maldives' best resorts to diving into Croatia’s natural wonders, his writing inspires readers to travel deeper and smarter.

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