Jerusalem: Half-Day Biblical Bethlehem Tour

Make the most of a trip from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem with a half-day stop at Bethlehem's Christian sites. A guided tour of Bethlehem churches, Manger Square, and the Shepherds’ Field is a fascinating glimpse of Jesus’ Biblical birthplace.
After being collected from your accommodation, you will leave Jerusalem and travel south to nearby Bethlehem, the City of David. This was the home town of King David's father, and the place where Christ was born to Mary and Joseph. You will cross Manger Square surrounded by the Mosque of Omar, the Palestinian Peace Center, and perhaps the oldest functioning church in the world, the Church of the Nativity. The Byzantine church was originally constructed in the 4th century and later expanded during the 6th century. You can still see part of the original mosaic floor through an opening in the present basilica floor.

You will enter the Basilica of the Nativity through a low doorway, the "Door of Humility". On the walls there are faint golden mosaics, and 30 of the 44 pink limestone columns in the nave of the church are adorned with decorations from the Crusader Period. Beneath the church is the Grotto of the Nativity, where it is believed that Jesus was born. A silver star in the grotto is engraved with the Latin phrase "Here Jesus Christ was born to the Virgin Mary". Also in the church are the Chapel of the Manger and the Alter of the Adoration of the Magi (the three wise men).

You will exit the basilica passing the Armenian Chapel of the Kings and continue on to the adjacent Church of Saint Catherine. From the Church of St. Catherine you will descend to the grottoes which are connected to those beneath the Church of the Nativity. These ancient caves hold several tombs and chapels, including the Chapel of the Innocent (dedicated to the babies killed under Herod (Matt. 2:16)); the Chapel of Joseph, and the Tomb of Jerome. There is also the grotto where Jerome worked for many years translating the Hebrew Bible to Latin. Your final stop is to see Shepherds Field. Here the Bible states that an angel appeared to shepherds tending their sheep by night, and the angel told them that a savior had been born in nearby Bethlehem. Today, a tent-shaped chapel stands here, which was designed by renowned architect Antonio Berluzzi and is decorated with scenes from the life of Christ.

To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.

This excursion you can cancel with no cost up to 48 hours before the start of the trip. If you cancel it after 48 hours or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity. Being late on pick-up or departure will be considered as not showing up.