Modi'in is a modern Israeli city located approximately halfway between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. It is a key commuter hub with excellent transportation links, including a major train station. The city was founded in the mid-1990s, and is known for its high quality of life with clean streets, well-maintained parks, and modern residential neighborhoods. It has a strong environmental orientation, with bike paths, recycling programs, and conservation of the green hills around the city. The city has cultural and recreational facilities, including a performing arts center, sports complexes, libraries, and shopping centers. It has a relatively young population of approximately 108,700 residents. Its blend of modern urban planning, family-friendly amenities, and proximity to major cities makes it one of the desirable places to live in Israel.
The must-have guide for exploring in and around Jerusalem
"In and Around Jerusalem for Everyone - The Best Walks, Hikes and Outdoor Pools"
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THE HASMONEAN HERITAGE MUSEUM
The Hasmonean Heritage Museum is in the center of the city and it presents the ancient history of Modi’in a way that is of interest to both youth and adults. There is instinctive and hands-on programming. A project room has four fun activities. A 15-minute movie presents a time journey from Modi’in to Jerusalem at the time of the Hasmoneans. There is an activity where the historic periods of pottery and coins discovered in sand can be identified by means of a scanner. Also, an ancient burial cave that lights up. On a large map of the areas of Modi’in are indicated where archeological discoveries have been made. All explanations are in Hebrew and English. The museum is geared towards archeology but in a kids’ friendly way.
This museum would like to say that modern-day Modi’in is a rebirth of the ancient village of Modi’in where the Maccabee brothers were born and buried. However, it cannot say this because no one knows for sure where the ancient Modi’in was located. The site of the Second Temple synagogue of Um el-Umdan in modern-day Modi’in has been considered a possibility, although this is unlikely. A more plausible possibility is the village of El-Midiah. This is an Arab village some kilometers away from modern-day Modi’in and just beyond the security fence in the territory of the Palestinian Authority. However, this village has moved somewhat and ruins, which could include the Hasmonean sepulchers, are in Israeli territory and can be viewed, although there is not that much to see now.
Directions: Enter into Waze “Hasmonean Heritage Museum’ and click on “מוזיאון מורשת החשמונאים.“ The address is Dam HaMaccabim 24.
Admission: Opening hours are: Sunday closed, Monday 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday 10.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m., Saturday 10.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. Admission is 60 NIS for adults, for Modi’in residents 40 NIS, seniors 30 NIS, children 0-5 years free, 5-13 years 25 NIS, family package (4 members) 99 NIS.
Directions: Enter into Waze “Hasmonean Heritage Museum’ and click on “מוזיאון מורשת החשמונאים.“ The address is Dam HaMaccabim 24. Their phone number is 08-973 7344. This is their website.
Public transport: Enter “Hasmonean Heritage Museum” into Moovit.
Details about the Chalcolithic period
A burial complex from the Second Temple period
ANAVA PARK
This park is part of Nahal Anava and is adjacent to the city commercial center. It has a large artificial lake for boating (but no swimming), a canteen by the lake, a play and ball sports area, an adventure playground with 19 sprays that spray at regular times and two zip lines. The water spray is on the hour every hour for 30 minutes during the following times: Sunday to Thursday 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Friday 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.to 6 p.m. There are plenty of shaded picnic tables in the park. There are trails within the park. You will see large dinosaurs around the park. There are bicycle trails above Nahal Anava on Tayelet Anava. The trails are lit up at night. Regular family entertainment takes place throughout the summer vacation.
Directions and parking: Entering “Anava Park” or “Anava Park Lake” into Waze will take you to the southern parking lot. The park has three adjacent parking lots, two are with payment at a rate of 5₪ per hour: Park Anava southern parking lot (חניון האגם) - Sderot HaChashmona'im. Payment is required Sunday to Thursday 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. First 2 hours free for city residents with a parking permit displayed. Park Anava northern parking lot (חניון הפארק) - Emek Zevulun 3 (parking lot at the end of Emek Zevulun, adjacent to the cafes). Payment is required Sunday to Thursday 7 a.m. to 9 p.m, Friday and holiday eves 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Night parking is forbidden between 1 a.m to 5 a.m. Train parking lot (free of charge) - Emek Zevulun corner of Kikar HaTarchbura (opposite Caffit). Free from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. There is no parking between 1 a.m.to 5 a.m.
Admission: There is no admission charge. There is an access elevator from Sderot HaChashmonaim, located on the bridge of Kikar HaTachbura, opposite the train parking station at the end of Emek Zevulun. The elevator leads to the main path, from which it is easy to get to the different parts of the park. The elevator can be reached from the train station and the mall. For closer parking there is the train parking lot on Emek Zevulun, in the 'Caffit' parking lot, or in the parking lot next to the mall between Emek Dotan and Kikar HaTachbura. This is their website, which includes summer activities.
Public transport: Enter “Anava Park” into Moovit.
WATER AND SPORTS PARK MODI'IN-MACCABIM-REUT
This is a nice compact water park, intended primarily for Modi’in residents. Non-Modi’in residents will pay twice the admission price, which may well put it out of the price range for most visitors to the city.
The outdoor park is mainly intended for children up to age 12, and includes two pools, 5 large water slides, and a surfing facility at an additional charge, surrounding by lawns and shaded seating areas. A cafeteria, bathrooms and changing rooms are also located in this area. The infinity pool is a semi-Olympic open pool located at a high point and overlooking the rest of the park. The pool has partial shading and is intended for all ages. Its depth ranges from 80 cm to 1.60 m. The childrens' swimming pool is the park's main pool. Approximately 30 meters in length and with a depth of between 30 cm and 1.15 m. At the deep end is a water stream pool and along the pool are water sprays and seating areas with jacuzzi-style water jets. Part of the pool is shaded. A toddler pool is a round, fenced pool with a diameter of around 10 m, with only shallow water. There is an indoor semi-Olympic pool with lanes for swimming only which is open all year round and a gym. Both have separate payments.
Directions: Enter “Sports Park” into Waze and click on “Sports Park Modi’in-Maccabim-Reut” The address is Emek HaEla 255, Modi’in.
Admission: A one-time entry to the outdoor park for Modi’in residents age 2 years above is 50 NIS. There are also different subscriptions. For non-Modi’in residents a one-time entry is 100 NIS. Hours for the outdoor pool are: Sunday: 14:00-18:00 (July-August until 19:00), Mon-Thu: 09:00-18:00 (July-August until 19:00), Tuesdays in August separate swimming 14:00-18:00: Fri and Sat: 08:00-18:00. Their phone number is 08 915 1121. This is their website.
Public transport: Enter into Moovit “Water Park Modi’in.”
NEARBY PLACES OF INTEREST
Links to the best family activities, hikes and historic sites in the GOLAN, EASTERN GALILEE, UPPER GALILEE, LOWER GALILEE, JORDAN VALLEY & LAKE KINNERET, the SHEFELAH, TEL AVIV-YAFFO and surroundings, NORTH of TEL AVIV, and SOUTH of TEL AVIV.