Bethlehem & Mount of Temptation tour: Four churches in one day

Four churches, a monastery carved into a cliff, and a desert mountain overlooking the Jordan Valley

A full-day guided tour from Jerusalem to Bethlehem and Mount of Temptation, visiting the Church of the Nativity (built in the 4th century over the grotto of Jesus's birth), Saint Catherine's Church, the Milk Grotto, and the Chapel of the Shepherd's Field in Beit Sahour, ending at Saint George Monastery on Mount of Temptation with views across the Jordan Valley and Dead Sea. An English-speaking guide leads the tour. Air-conditioned transport is included. A vehicle change is required during the day, and you'll need your passport for checkpoint crossings.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Church of the Nativity40m
2. Bethlehem10m
3. Milk Grotto10m
4. Jericho15m

Bethlehem and Mount of Temptation Tour

• Visit Church of the Nativity
• Tour Saint Catherine’s Church
• See the Milk Grotto Church
• Visit Chapel of The Shepherd's Field
• Explore Mount of Temptation
• Visit Saint George Monastery
• View panoramic Jordan Valley

The experience

The Church of the Nativity anchors the morning. Built by the Roman Emperor Constantine in the 4th century over the grotto where Mary gave birth to Jesus, it remains one of the oldest working churches in existence. A guided tour takes you through the church itself, then to Saint Catherine's Church, a Franciscan monastery said to mark the site of Christ's appearance to Saint Catherine of Alexandria. The Milk Grotto follows: a cave where the Holy Family sheltered during the Massacre of the Innocents, named for the legend that a drop of milk from the Virgin Mary fell on the stone floor and turned it white.

From Bethlehem, the route moves to Beit Sahour, one of the highest cities in Christian population, where the Chapel of the Shepherd's Field marks the place the angels announced Christ's birth to the shepherds. The day then shifts toward the desert: Mount of Temptation rises about 3 kilometers northwest of Jericho, roughly 360 meters above sea level, and overlooks the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea, and the mountains of Moab and Gilead. Saint George Monastery clings to the mountainside. The panoramic views from the summit span the landscape where, according to the gospels, Jesus spent 40 days and 40 nights in spiritual contemplation after his baptism.

The tour runs 8 to 11 hours depending on traffic and checkpoint crossings. You'll travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking guide, though a vehicle change happens during the day. Bring your passport. It's sometimes required at checkpoints. The cable car up Mount of Temptation costs extra if you choose to take it. Otherwise the walk is part of the day.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle throughout the tour.
• English-speaking guide for the Bethlehem portion.
• entry to the Church of the Nativity, Saint Catherine's Church, the Milk Grotto, and the Chapel of the Shepherd's Field.
• tour taxes.

Options for this experience

2 options

Transfer from JerusalemGuide in English · 08:15Pickup from Jerusalem: Collection at 7:45 from the J David Citadel Hotel, King David 7, Jerusalem, 9410119, Israel (in front of the hotel). Starting point: David Citadel Hotel, King David St 7, Jerusalem, 9410119, Israel

Pickup in Tel Aviv and drop-offGuide in English · 06:30Pickup from Tel Aviv: Collection takes place at 6:30 AM from the Grand Beach Hotel, 250 HaYarkon St, Tel Aviv–Yafo (in front of the hotel). Starting point: Grand Beach Hotel, HaYarkon St 250, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 06:30 and 08:15

Book up to2d before

GroupUp to 55

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.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 3.23

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Judah Tours

Is this one for you?Pick Jerusalem pickup if you're staying in the city center. Choose Tel Aviv if you're based on the coast and want to combine this with other sites before heading south.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Church of the Nativity and why is it important?

The Church of the Nativity is built over the grotto where Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Constructed by the Roman Emperor Constantine in the 4th century, it is one of the oldest working churches in the world and the centerpiece of the tour's morning in Bethlehem.

Can I visit the Milk Grotto, and what is its significance?

Yes, the Milk Grotto is included in the tour. It is the cave where the Holy Family took refuge during the Massacre of the Innocents before fleeing to Egypt. The name comes from the tradition that a drop of milk from the Virgin Mary fell on the cave floor and changed its color to white.

What will I see from Mount of Temptation?

From the summit of Mount of Temptation, about 360 meters above sea level, you see a panoramic view of the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea, and the mountains of Moab and Gilead. The mountain is where Jesus is believed to have spent 40 days in spiritual contemplation after his baptism.

Do I need to bring anything specific for this tour?

Bring your passport, as it is sometimes required when passing through checkpoints between Jerusalem and Bethlehem. The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle and an English-speaking guide, so you do not need to arrange your own transport.

What happens at the Chapel of the Shepherd's Field in Beit Sahour?

The Chapel of the Shepherd's Field marks the place where the angels first announced the birth of Christ to the shepherds. Beit Sahour is one of the highest cities in Christian population and is included as a stop on the route from Bethlehem toward Mount of Temptation.