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Bethlehem Activities

Our most recommended Bethlehem Activities

From Tel Aviv: Jerusalem and Bethlehem Guided Day Trip

1. From Tel Aviv: Jerusalem and Bethlehem Guided Day Trip

On this full-day tour of the Holy Land, enjoy pick-up from your hotel in Tel Aviv in a comfortable air-conditioned coach and travel along highway no' 1 to Jerusalem. You’ll be accompanied throughout the day by a knowledgeable, professional guide. You’ll enjoy a panoramic overview from Mount Scopus, overlooking the new city of Jerusalem and the Temple Mount Esplanade of the old city. As you travel along the Kidron Valley, you’ll be able to take in views the Garden of Gethsemane as well as the walls of the city. On reaching the Armenian Quarter you'll enter the Western or Wailing Wall square via the local bazaar. See the Christian Quarter and the Stations of the Cross, also known as the Via Dolorosa. Visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, which is considered to be the site of the crucifixion of Jesus. You'll also walk along the 1700-year-old Byzantine Cardo, the main street, and see the renovated Jewish Quarter. Transfer to Bethlehem (Palestinian guide and vehicle). Bethlehem, meaning “City of Bread”, was the birthplace of Jesus according to Christian tradition. Your drive to Bethlehem takes you by way of Nativity Circle. Visit the Church of Nativity, and also the cave where Jesus was born. You’ll see Manger Square, where Jesus was placed after his birth. Before completing the tour, visit St' Catharine - a Roman Catholic Church. You’ll enjoy an overview of the Shepherd's Fields on the return drive to Tel Aviv.

From Jerusalem: Tour to Bethlehem, Jericho, and Jordan River

2. From Jerusalem: Tour to Bethlehem, Jericho, and Jordan River

After being picked up from Jerusalem, travel to Bethlehem where you will meet your guide before heading into the old city of Bethlehem. Enjoy a guided visit to the Church of the Nativity.  Continue your tour with a visit to the Milk Grotto Church before riding to the city of the shepherds, Bayt Sahur where you will visit the Chapel of the Shepherds Field before getting to visit an olive wood factory where you will see artisans crafting wooden sculptures.  Then journey through the wonderful Judean Desert to the lowest point on earth. Have chances to stop and take pictures at the sea level point in the desert overlooking the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world, Jericho.  Stop and have lunch then pass the Mount of Temptation and drive into Jericho where you will see some of the famed sights in the city including Zaccheus's Tree which is mentioned in the bible.

From Jerusalem: Full-Day Bethlehem and Dead Sea Day Tour

3. From Jerusalem: Full-Day Bethlehem and Dead Sea Day Tour

Discover the famous old city of Bethlemen and the Dead Sea on a guided day trip from Jerusalem. Swim in the Dead Sea, visit an olive wood factory and see the famous Church of the Nativity. Following pickup in Jerusalem, ride to Bethlehem to meet your guide before heading to the Old City of Bethlehem. Begin with a guided visit to the Church of the Nativity. Next, if availability allows, visit the Nativity Star and the Cave of St. Jerome. From there, head to the Milk Grotto Church, where it is believed that the Holy Family found refuge from the Massacre of the Innocents before they could flee into Egypt. Next, drive to the City of the Shepherd's, Bayt Sahur. In Bayt Sahurt, enjoy a guided visit to the Chapel of The Shepherd's Field, the church where the angels first appeared to the shepherds to announce the birth of Jesus Christ. Continue your trip with a visit to an olive wood factory and watch the artisans crafting wooden sculptures. Continue through the Judean Desert to reach the lowest point on Earth. Hop out and take pictures at sea-level in the desert . Continue to the Dead Sea to enjoy the rest of the day, either floating in the rich water or relaxing at the beach.

From Jerusalem: Half-Day Bethlehem Guided Tour

4. From Jerusalem: Half-Day Bethlehem Guided Tour

After meeting at the David Citadel Hotel, you will begin your 4 to 5-hour tour, depending on the season. You will explore some of the religious highlights of Bethlehem, including the Church of the Nativity, St. Catherine, and the Shepherds' Fields. You will begin with the chance to visit the 1,500-year-old Church of Nativity where Jesus was born. From there you will enjoy beautiful views of the Old City of Bethlehem complete with the Manger Square. You will then take a ride through the city of Bethlehem and Beit Sahour passing by the main sites. A special visit to the Milk Grotto is also available, as well as a tour to the Shepherd’s Field where the Angels first announced the birth of Jesus Christ.

From Ashdod Port: Jerusalem and Bethlehem Day Trip

5. From Ashdod Port: Jerusalem and Bethlehem Day Trip

Your guide will be waiting for you when you disembark from your cruise ship in Ashdod and the tour will begin with a pleasant drive to Jerusalem in a comfortable vehicle with A/C. At Mt. Scopus, the tour stops for a panoramic view across the city rooftops. Then drive towards the Old City passing biblical sites like the Garden of Gethsemane that stands on the Mount of Olives alongside the Church of All Nations. Also, spot the ancient Jewish tombs in Kidron Valley, and the Ophel Promenade as we drive parallel to the Old City walls. We enter the Old City on foot through one of the massive gates in the 16th-century walls and pass the Western Wall excavations as we walk towards the Western Wall. This sacred Jewish site is all that remains from the 2,000-year-old holy Jewish Temple that once stood on Temple Mount. In the Jewish Quarter, we see the Byzantine Cardo lined with columns, then we walk along a section of the Via Dolorosa, as Jesus did bearing his cross. The Via Dolorosa culminates at the Holy Sepulcher Church which was built in the 4th century to encompass Christ’s tomb and the site of the crucifixion at Golgotha (Calvary). The tour stops for a lunch break in the Old City and you have time to meander through one of the traditional markets. Leaving the Old City we can see Mount Zion as we drive towards the town where Christ was born. In Bethlehem, we tour the Nativity Church and see the Holy Grotto where the nativity took place. The tour ends with a drive back to Ashdod port where you can rejoin your cruise ship and continue to your next port of call.

From Jerusalem: Bethlehem, Jericho and Jordan River

6. From Jerusalem: Bethlehem, Jericho and Jordan River

Explore Bethlehem, Jericho, and the Jordan River in one comprehensive day tour that visits each historic location with a guide. Starting in Bethlehem, visit the Church of Nativity, which houses the grotto (the birthplace of Jesus). While in Bethlehem, stop in front of the famous Banksy hotel for a quick photo op. Purchase souvenirs from a local artisan shop before enjoying a short presentation about craftsmanship and arts in the area. During the presentation, relax and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea. Depart from Bethlehem and travel down towards the city of Jericho, located in the Jordan Valley. In Jericho, enjoy breathtaking views overlooking the valley from a cable car as well as a guided tour of the Mount of Temptation. While in the area, you’ll take a quick stop at the Gallery of Temptations, with the chance to sample halva, local dates, and other sweets before heading east towards the Jordan River. Stop at Qasr el Yahud baptismal site overlooking the Jordan River, the site where it is believed Jesus was baptized.  

From Tel Aviv: Jerusalem, Dead Sea & Bethlehem Full-Day Tour

7. From Tel Aviv: Jerusalem, Dead Sea & Bethlehem Full-Day Tour

Explore the holiest cities on earth on a guided tour from Tel Aviv. Travel to three of Israel's highlights, including Bethlehem, Jerusalem's Old City, and the Dead sea. Enjoy plenty of free time to shop and swim. Start your guided tour in the "City of Gold." Visit Jerusalem's Old City, including the Via Dolorosa and the Church of the Sepulchre. Explore local Markets, Byzantine Cardo, and the Western Wall.  Next, embark on a tour of Bethlehem and witness the Church of the Nativity, the city where Jesus Christ was born. Those who are not interested in Bethlehem can instead opt to enjoy free time in Jerusalem. In the afternoon, journey east through the Judean Desert and head to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth. Bathe in the therapeutic waters before your return to Tel Aviv in the late evening.

Bethlehem, Jericho and Jordan River from Tel Aviv

8. Bethlehem, Jericho and Jordan River from Tel Aviv

After your 6:30 AM pick-up from Tel Aviv, head to Bethlehem to explore the city before it becomes bustling with other groups. Discover the birthplace of Jesus and the Church of the Nativity. Descending through the Judean Desert, reach Jericho, the lowest city on Earth, and explore the Mount of Temptation.  Explore the Mount of Temptation, ascending by cable car. The cable car ticket is not included and costs approximatel $16. Stop at the Jordan River, Qasr al Yahud Baptismal Site, where according to tradition, Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist.  Return to Tel Aviv at around 6:30 PM. Note that the order of sites is subject to change.

From Jerusalem: Bethlehem Half-Day Tour

9. From Jerusalem: Bethlehem Half-Day Tour

This half-day excursion takes you to the heart of the biblical story of the Nativity. Drive to Bethlehem to get an overview of the Shepherds' Field and to visit the Church of the Nativity, one of the oldest continuously operating churches in the world. Located on the West Bank, the city is heavily dependent on tourism and thousands come every year to worship or just watch at Manger's Square where Jesus is said to have been born. The city is the birthplace of King David, and means “City of Bread,” as a result of the wheat crop that grew in the region. According to Christian tradition, it is the site of the birth of Jesus. You will visit the Church of Nativity and the cave where Jesus was born. Continue to Manger Square, where Jesus was placed after his birth. Today it is also home to the Mosque of Omar, an important site for the many Muslims who live in the city. Explore the Greek and the Catholic Church. You will get an overview of Shepherd's Fields and visit the church, before your return to Jerusalem. The tour ends at approximately 13:30 at David Citadel Hotel in Jerusalem.

From Jerusalem: West Bank Day Tour

10. From Jerusalem: West Bank Day Tour

Embark on a comprehensive full-day tour of the West Bank of the Jordan river to discover the rich history behind this region. Beginning with the ancient baptism site of Qasr el Yahud on the banks of the Jordan river, you'll be able to visit the marble steps leading into the river, said to be the very place where Jesus was baptized. Move on to the the city of Jericho itself, the oldest city in the world, where you will visit the ruins of ancient Jericho and view the nearby Mount of Temptation in the adjacent hills.  Continue to Ramallah and walk the streets of this modern city and see life in the big city in the West Bank. The tour will head to Manara Square, the thriving commercial district, and visit Yasser Arafat's tomb.  The final stop of the day is the holy sites of Bethlehem, with a visit to the Nativity Church and ending with a visit to the Separation Wall.

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What people are saying about Bethlehem

Our guide was fantastic, with a great sense of humor and lots of insights and history to share. We'd been concerned about safety but were very assured by the tour group about precautions, and we experienced no concerns on the trip. They also navigated us well and efficiently through busy areas. Improvements: The pick up spot said the address of the building only, and not that it was Abraham Hostels, so there were a few of us on the wrong side of the building as that was where our GPS led us. I'd look for the front of the hostel reception for pickup. There was also some confusion at the beginning, as we had about 3 different people come on the bus and count us or split us or drive us without giving full clarity on where we were going, so a quick overview of the plan (drive, transfer, then meet your guide, etc) would be helpful. The food at the lunch place was less than average. Nice that it was included, but I saw much tastier-looking street food near us that I would have preferred.

Super positive experience .. after booking you will receive the tickets, on the day of the tour you will receive the message with the driver's name and vehicle to look for ... once you arrive at the meeting point the drivers have your name marked on their mobile phone and will direct you on their vehicle .. the journey is comfortable. Once you reach the first stage, Bethlehem, you will meet the guide. You are given a sheet with the itinerary of the tour with the times to visit each site .. each stage has its own guide .. therefore a guide for Bethlehem a guide for the banks of the Jordan and one for Jericho all very good very kind and available ..

This day trip is true to its value. Our guide was Iktar. He explained things in detail and answered all the questions too! He made sure to give us nice time in between the sighting, also to have personal time in the church, near wall etc. Its very well organised trip and glad we became part of it. A quick note: If you are staying in Crown Plaza city center, then you might need to add additional 2 hrs (to and fro) and 100-120 Shekels (Taxi to and flow) to pick up point. It would be really for future travellers if they can include City Center hotels in pick up points

The tour was well organised, the guides were great storytellers, engaging and excellent overall! I can’t think of anything I would change

The tour and the visit to the sights were organized competently and entertainingly by the guide.