Hours of Operation

Sunday is a regular workday in Israel. All government offices and most private offices and travel agencies are closed on Friday and Saturday as well as for all Jewish religious holidays. Businesses are generally open by 8:30 am in Israel.

Although hours can differ among banks, almost all open by 8:30 Sunday to Thursday. Most close at 12:30 and then reopen on Monday and Thursday from 4 to 7 pm. Banks are closed on Jewish religious holidays and on Friday and Saturday except in Muslim areas, where they're closed Friday only. In Christian areas they're open Saturday morning and closed Sunday.

Museums don't have a fixed closing day, so although they're usually open 10 to 6, and often on Saturday mornings, confirm the schedule before you go.

Most local pharmacies close at 7 pm. Large chain stores, such as Super-Pharm and NewPharm, are usually open until 10 pm. In most cities a few drugstores are open all night, on a rotating basis. Daily listings can be found in English-language newspapers.

Shops generally open at 9 or 9:30; neighborhood grocery stores usually open around 7. A few shops still close for a two- or three-hour siesta between 1 and 4. Most stores do not close before 7 pm; supermarkets are often open later, and in large cities, there are all-night supermarkets. Arab-owned stores usually open at 8 and close in late afternoon. Mall hours are 9:30 to 9:30 Sunday to Thursday. Friday, the malls that close for Shabbat shut down about two hours before sundown and reopen two hours after sunset on Saturday evening. Outside Jerusalem, some malls keep regular hours on Saturday, while others stay closed.