Bethlehem & Jericho Tour: Nativity Church & Dead Sea

Walk into the Church of the Nativity and stand where Jesus was born

A full-day guided tour from Tel Aviv through Bethlehem and Jericho in small groups, led by a bilingual guide and English-speaking driver. You'll enter the Church of the Nativity, see the Banksy separation wall art, explore Manger Square, visit the ancient sycamore tree in Jericho, and reach the Dead Sea viewpoint. Air-conditioned transport and Wi-Fi are included. Some sites charge optional admission on the day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day tour of Bethlehem and Jericho

• Wait at Textile And Fashion Center
• Pick up from Jerusalem David Citadel Hotel
• Head to Bethlehem to meet local guide
• See graffiti artwork on separation wall
• Visit Manger Square in Bethlehem
• Enter Church of the Nativity
• Visit Shepherd's Sanctuary inside church
• Visit local olive wood souvenir factory
• Go to Dead Sea level point for photos
• Arrive at Jericho old city center
• See Ancient Wall of Jericho and Elijah Spring
• Take cable car to Mount of Temptation
• Lunch and visit Dead Sea products center
• Pass by Sycamore Tree for photo
• Return to pickup points
• Arrive at Jerusalem drop off point
• Arrive at Tel Aviv drop off point

The experience

The tour starts with pickup from Tel Aviv or Jerusalem between 6:30 and 8:00 am, then crosses into the West Bank to meet a local guide. From there you move through Bethlehem's checkpoints to the Banksy wall (the graffiti art that lines the separation barrier), where a 30-minute museum visit is available if you choose it. The guide walks you through the narratives behind the pieces before heading to Manger Square, the commercial and cultural heart of Bethlehem.

Inside the Church of the Nativity, a 4th-century structure built around the birthplace of Jesus, you'll descend to the Shepherd's Sanctuary. After that comes a stop at a local olive wood factory where you can watch craftspeople work and buy souvenirs. This is also where you'll find a coffee break and restrooms, plus traditional food like falafel and shawarma if you want to eat. The route then pushes south toward Jericho, passing through the Dead Sea viewpoint at the lowest point on earth: a 10-minute photo stop where you can see the desert and, if you want, pose with camels.

In Jericho's old city, you'll see the ancient wall and the prophet Elijah Spring. A cable car ride up Mount of Temptation is optional and paid on-site. If you take it, a 15-minute walk leads to a Greek Orthodox cave where Jesus spent forty days. The tour includes a lunch stop (food and drinks are not included in the package) where you can visit a Dead Sea products shop, then passes the famous sycamore tree linked to the story of Zacchaeus before returning you to Tel Aviv or Jerusalem around 6 to 8 pm. All times shift with traffic and weather.

What’s included

• Guided tour in English.
• air-conditioned vehicle with Wi-Fi.
• entry to the Church of the Nativity.
• visits to Manger Square, the Banksy wall, the ancient wall of Jericho, Mount of Temptation viewpoint and the sycamore tree.
• Dead Sea viewpoint stop.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:30

Book up to8h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 19

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by JeruTours

Is this one for you?The tour runs 10 to 12 hours with a 6:30 am start and includes a 15-minute uphill walk to the Mount of Temptation cave, so come ready for a full day and sturdy shoes. Small-group format keeps the pace manageable and the guide attentive to questions, which matters when you're moving through multiple checkpoints and sacred sites in one day.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What is inside the Church of the Nativity that I'll actually see?

The Church of the Nativity is a 4th-century structure built around the birthplace of Jesus. You'll descend into the Shepherd's Sanctuary, the site where Christian tradition places his birth.

Do I need to bring anything to cross into the West Bank?

Yes. You must bring your passport, visa and ID to pass through the border checkpoint between Jerusalem and the West Bank. Dress modestly for the religious sites, and bring a hat, sunglasses, sports shoes and sunblock.

What is the Banksy wall and can I visit the museum there?

The Banksy wall is graffiti art on the separation barrier in Bethlehem. A museum dedicated to the work is optional and costs extra, paid on the day. The visit takes about 30 minutes if you choose it.

Is lunch included, and what happens at the Dead Sea stop?

Lunch is not included, but the tour stops for 30 minutes at a rest point in Jericho where you can buy food and drinks and visit a Dead Sea products shop. The Dead Sea viewpoint earlier in the day is a 10-minute photo stop at the lowest point on earth.

What optional activities cost extra on the day?

Two sites charge admission paid directly on-site: the Banksy Museum (about 30 minutes) and the cable car up Mount of Temptation, which includes a 15-minute walk to a Greek Orthodox cave. Both are optional.