Welcome to Bethlehem

Bethlehem may no longer be the 'little town' of Christmas carols, but you don't have to go far in what is now a pulsing city to see the stories of Mary and Joseph, stars, mangers and a saviour hardwired into every paving stone, street and church.

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Like Jerusalem, every Christian denomination – Lutheran, Syriac, Catholic, Orthodox – is present here and the city positively hums with activity, its winding streets congested with traffic and its main square filled with snap-happy pilgrims scrambling to keep up with their guides.

But there is plenty to see and do for even for the nonreligious. There’s a lively Old City and bazaar and numerous sites around town, including the epic Mar Saba Monastery. Many tourists also come for the street art – particularly several stencils by British street artist Banksy – that have turned the Israeli Separation Wall that now divides Bethlehem from Jerusalem into a vast canvas.

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Top experiences in Bethlehem

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Bethlehem activities

$70 Cultural & Theme Tours

Little Town of Bethlehem Half Day Trip from Jerusalem

Your day tour begins with an air-conditioned drive south-east from Jerusalem to the holy city of Bethlehem. Focusing on the Nativity, your visit begins at the Church of the Nativity - widely cited as the birthplace of Christ, and one of the oldest surviving Christian churches in the world.The hub of religious activity in Bethlehem is Manger Square which is flanked by the Church of the Nativity and also the Mosque of Oman - a site of importance for the many Muslims who live in the city. At the Manger Square you can walk on the ground where Jesus was laid down after his birth.Visit the Greek and Catholic churches, before moving onto the Shepherd Fields where the 'shepherds watched their flocks by night'. Returning by air-conditioned coach to Jerusalem, you'll take home special memories of your visit to this must-see Holy Land city.
$99 Shore Excursions

Ashdod to Jerusalem and Bethlehem Full-Day Shore Excursion

While your cruise ship is docked at Ashdod Port, meet your guide at the port side, and travel to Jerusalem by air-conditioned minivan for your full-day tour. On route, admire the scenic Judean Mountains and listen to commentary about Jerusalem and Bethlehem, the two holy cities revered by Christians as the places where Jesus lived and died some 2,000 years ago.Your first stop is at the Mount of Olives, a ridge just east of Jerusalem. Soak up views of Old Jerusalem from the summit and listen as your guide recounts some of the biblical tales linked to the area.Pass the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus reputedly spent his last night of freedom, and head to Mount Zion, site of the Last Supper. Visit the room where the Last Supper is said to have taken place, and then continue into Old Jerusalem through Jaffa Gate.Admire the timeworn narrow streets as your guide leads you through both the Christian and Jewish quarters. Visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, said to stand on the site of Jesus’ crucifixion, and walk part of the Via Dolorosa, an important pilgrimage route.Take in the scenes at the Western Wall (aka the Wailing Wall) as you learn of its significance to the crowds of Jewish pilgrims, and then stroll through an Arab souk, whose stone streets brim with trinket and spice stalls.Having explored Jerusalem, return to your minivan and head for nearby Bethlehem. On arrival, stretch your legs on an amble around Manger Square and visit the Church of the Nativity and the grotto, where a star marks the spot of Jesus’ supposed birthplace.Lastly, enjoy free time to browse for souvenirs at Bethlehem’s Palestinian shops and markets, before your tour ends back at Ashdod port.Please note: Visits to sites stated on the above itinerary are dependent on accessibility, religious festivals, queues and time constraints on the day of your tour. The order of sites visited, as described above, may also be subject to change on the day.Worry-free Shore Excursion:We will ensure your timely return to the Ashdod Port for this activity. In the rare event your ship has departed, we will arrange for transportation to the next port-of call. If your ship is delayed and you are unable to attend this activity, your money will be refunded. See our terms and conditions for full details.
$326 Cultural & Theme Tours

2-Day Israel from Tel Aviv: Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Dead Sea

Highlights of your 2-Day Best of Israel tour from Tel Aviv include full-day guided tours to the Old City of Jerusalem and Bethlehem, where you will see attractions such as the Garden of Gethsemane, the Dome of the Rock (for external views), Western Wall (Wailing Wall), the Via Dolorosa (Stations of the Cross), Manger Square and the Milk Grotto. Visit Masada by cable-car, and see the ruins of King Herod's mansion, followed by a passing visit of the Dead Sea Scrolls at the Qumran caves.  The tour concludes at the Dead Sea, where you will have time to relax on the mineral beach and float in the salt-rich sea before heading back to Tel Aviv.
$125 Day Trips & Excursions

Jerusalem to Bethlehem and Jericho Day Trip with Entry Fees

Leave your central Jerusalem hotel in an air-conditioned coach and head east toward Jericho. As you travel through the Judean desert, pass the Inn of the Good Samaritan, the site linked to the Bible’s famous parable.Stop at the sign marking sea level and enjoy views over the Jordan Valley, the place where Jesus is said to have been baptized; and Jericho’s oasis, as you descend to the world’s oldest continuously populated city. Mentioned in the Old and New Testament, Jericho is perhaps best known for the biblical story of its walls crumbling to the trumpet sounds of the Israelite army, and as the place where Jesus is said to have returned after 40 days in the wilderness.Get views of Mt Temptation, the craggy hill that towers over the city, and see the Tel mound and Elisha’s Spring, the natural spring mentioned in the Bible. Also, take a look at the sycamore tree that, according to the Bible, was climbed by Zacchaeus so he could see Jesus more clearly as he entered the city.Either stop for lunch (own expense) in a restaurant in Jericho or later, when you visit Bethlehem, depending on timings. Having explored Jericho, relax on your coach ride to Bethlehem, Jesus’ believed birthplace. On arrival, walk around Manger Square and enter the Church of the Nativity to see the Grotto of the Nativity, where a star marks the spot of Jesus’ birth. Then, visit the Church of St Catherine where Saint Jerome translated the Bible from Hebrew to Latin.Leave Bethlehem and view Shepherds’ Field, where the bible says the angel of the Lord appeared to shepherds to tell them of Jesus’ birth. See the modern, tent-shaped church built on the site, and then return to Jerusalem, where your tour ends with a hotel drop-off.
$135 Day Trips & Excursions

Tel Aviv to Bethlehem and Jericho Full-Day Guided Trip

Leave your central Tel Aviv hotel in an air-conditioned coach and travel through the Judean desert to Jericho. On route, see the Inn of the Good Samaritan, the site associated with the much-loved biblical parable.Pause at the sign that marks sea level and get views over the Jordan Valley, the place where Jesus is believed to have been baptized; and Jericho’s oasis, as you descend to the world’s oldest continuously populated city. Mentioned in the Old and New Testament, Jericho’s walls were, according to the Bible, felled by the trumpet sounds of Joshua’s Israelite army. The ancient city is also thought to be where Jesus returned after his time in the wilderness.Gaze at Mt Temptation, the mountain that towers over the city, and see Tel mound and Elisha’s Spring, the latter mentioned in the Bible. Your guide will also show you the sycamore tree that the Bible recounts as having been climbed by the tax collector Zacchaeus to get a better view of Christ.Either break for lunch (own expense) in Jericho or on your visit to Bethlehem, depending on timings. Having explored Jericho, relax as you drive to Bethlehem, Jesus’ believed birthplace. When you arrive, stroll around Manger Square and enter the Church of the Nativity. Descend into the Grotto of the Nativity, where a star marks Jesus’ birthplace. Continue to the Church of St Catherine where Saint Jerome translated the Bible from Hebrew to Latin.Lastly, view Shepherds’ Field, where a church commemorates the spot where shepherds were reputedly told of Jesus’ birth. Afterward, return to Tel Aviv, where your tour ends with a hotel drop-off.
$89 Cultural & Theme Tours

Little Town of Bethlehem Half Day Trip from Tel Aviv

Your day tour begins with an air-conditioned drive south-east from Tel Aviv to the holy city of Bethlehem. Focusing on the Nativity, your visit begins at the Church of the Nativity - widely cited as the birthplace of Christ, and one of the oldest surviving Christian churches in the world.The hub of religious activity in Bethlehem is Manger Square which is flanked by the Church of the Nativity and also the Mosque of Oman - a site of importance for the many Muslims who live in the city. At the Manger Square you can walk on the ground where Jesus was laid down after his birth. Visit the Greek and Catholic churches, before moving onto the Shepherd Fields where the 'shepherds watched their flocks by night'. Your half-day tour finishes in central Jerusalem, where you can continue sightseeing independently or take directions from your guide to travel back to Tel Aviv.
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