Bethlehem & Jerusalem tour from Jerusalem: Church of the Nativity

Walk through the Church of the Nativity's Door of Humility to the grotto below

A small-group tour from Jerusalem to Bethlehem and back through the Old City, visiting the Church of the Nativity, Milk Grotto, and four quarters of Jerusalem's walled center. The guide speaks English or Russian. Pickup from your hotel is included. Groups stay under six travelers.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Church of the Nativity45m · entry included
2. Milk Grotto15m
3. Old City of Jerusalem3h

Jerusalem and Bethlehem sightseeing

• Visit Old City of Jerusalem
• Travel from Jerusalem to Bethlehem
• Explore Manger Square
• Enter Church of the Nativity
• See grotto below Nativity Church
• Visit chapel of the manger and altar
• Visit Milk Grotto near Nativity Church

The experience

The route takes you from Jerusalem to Manger Square in Bethlehem, where the Church of the Nativity stands as the oldest functioning church in the world. Built in the 4th century and extended in the 6th, the basilica requires you to stoop through the low "Door of Humility" to enter: a physical reminder of the site's spiritual weight. Inside, 44 pink limestone columns line the nave, embellished with Crusader-era decorations and golden mosaics. Below the church floor lies the grotto, marked with a Latin engraving: "Here Jesus Christ was born to the Virgin Mary." You'll see the chapel of the manger and the altar of the Adoration of the Magi, where the three Wise Men are commemorated.

The tour also includes the Milk Grotto, a small chapel near Manger Square where tradition holds that drops of milk from Mary nursing Jesus turned the rock white. Pilgrims of many faiths have visited for centuries, and stone powder from the grotto is believed to hold significance for those seeking children. After Bethlehem, the route moves through Jerusalem's Old City (the Christian, Armenian, Jewish and Muslim quarters), with stops at Mount Zion, the Last Supper site, King David's Tomb, the Western Wall, Via Dolorosa, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. A panoramic view of the Temple Mount frames the day's end.

An air-conditioned vehicle and licensed guide (English or Russian) are included, along with all entry fees and taxes. Hotel pickup is arranged at your request. The full outing runs six to eight hours.

What’s included

• All entry fees and taxes.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• licensed guide in English or Russian.
• hotel pickup or pickup at a location you request.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (14 and older) · Child (3 to 13 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 6

Live guideEnglish and Russian

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Chinese and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight 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.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Israstar Tours & Travel

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a guided tour with stops to ask questions at each site. The small group keeps the pace relaxed rather than rushed through the Church of the Nativity and grotto.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Russian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 13 years); Infant (under 3).

What exactly is the Church of the Nativity, and why is it significant?

The Church of the Nativity is the oldest functioning church in the world, built in the 4th century on the site where Jesus Christ was born according to Christian tradition. Below the basilica lies a grotto marked with a Latin inscription confirming the birthplace, and inside are chapels dedicated to the manger and the three Wise Men.

What is the Milk Grotto, and why do pilgrims visit it?

The Milk Grotto is a small chapel near Manger Square where tradition says drops of milk from Mary nursing Jesus turned the rock white. For centuries, pilgrims of many faiths have visited seeking blessings for fertility and children. Some take stone powder from the grotto as a keepsake.

Does the tour include the Old City of Jerusalem, or is it only Bethlehem?

The tour covers both Bethlehem and the Old City of Jerusalem, visiting all four quarters (Christian, Armenian, Jewish and Muslim), Mount Zion, the Western Wall, Via Dolorosa, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, with a panoramic view of the Temple Mount included.

Is hotel pickup included, and what about entry fees?

Yes, pickup from your hotel lobby or another location of your choice is included, along with all entry fees, taxes, and air-conditioned transport in a vehicle sized for groups of up to six travelers.