Jerusalem and Dead Sea tour: Small groups, private beach

Float in the Dead Sea after walking where Jesus prayed

A full-day guided tour from Jerusalem explores the Old City's sacred Christian sites (Mount of Olives, Via Dolorosa, Church of the Holy Sepulchre), then descends to the Dead Sea for swimming and mud treatment at a private beach. Small groups travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with a professional English-speaking guide, and the itinerary includes a camel photo stop overlooking the Judean Desert at sea level.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Mount of Olives20m
2. Old City of Jerusalem1h · entry included
3. Church of the Holy Sepulchre2h · entry included

Jerusalem and Dead Sea full-day tour

• Pick up from Jerusalem hotel
• Panoramic view over Old City
• Visit Chapel of Ascension and Pater Noster Church
• Walk Garden of Gethsemane and Church of All Nations
• Enter Old City via Lions' Gate
• Follow Via Dolorosa path
• Visit Church of the Holy Sepulchre
• Reflect at Western Wall
• Travel to Dead Sea, camel selfie stop
• Relax at Dead Sea private beach
• Return to Jerusalem drop off point

The experience

Pickup starts at 7:45 am from David Citadel Hotel in Jerusalem. The tour opens at Mount of Olives with a panoramic view across the Old City, then moves through the Chapel of Ascension and Pater Noster Church before descending into the Garden of Gethsemane, where you walk among the ancient olive trees and enter the Church of All Nations. From there you pass through Lions' Gate into the Old City itself, following the Via Dolorosa, the narrow alleys where Jesus walked, and arrive at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, one of Christianity's most sacred places. A moment at the Western Wall follows before the group departs Jerusalem.

The route then crosses the Judean Desert toward the Dead Sea. At the sea level point, there's a stop for a camel photo with the desert backdrop behind you. Once at the private beach, you have time to float in the Dead Sea's mineral-rich water (the buoyancy does the work), and apply the healing mud the sea is known for. The beach has a restaurant, bar, swimming pool, and shops selling Dead Sea products and swimwear. Showers are available. Return to Jerusalem happens in the late afternoon, with drop-off at your starting point.

The tour runs 8 to 10 hours depending on traffic and conditions. Groups stay small so the pace feels personal rather than rushed. Your guide speaks English and provides context at each stop. Bring your passport, visa and ID to cross the border into the West Bank. Wear modest clothing at the religious sites, and pack a swimsuit, sunscreen and towel for the Dead Sea portion.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle throughout.
• professional guide speaking English.
• entry to the private Dead Sea beach.
• WIFI on board.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:45

Book up to8h before

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

GroupUp to 19

Live guideEnglish, Arabic and Hebrew

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 10 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by JeruTours

Is this one for you?Eight to ten hours means you leave early and return in the late afternoon, leaving your evening free. The small-group format keeps the experience personal rather than feeling like a bus tour, and the private beach access (included, not an add-on) is what sets this apart from tours that drop you at a public shore.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Arabic and Hebrew.

Can children come?

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

What is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and why is it on this tour?

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is believed by Christians to stand on the site of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, making it one of Christianity's holiest places. The tour includes time inside so you can experience its spiritual significance firsthand.

Can I actually float in the Dead Sea, or is that just marketing?

Yes, the Dead Sea's mineral content is so high that you float naturally without effort. The tour includes free entry to a private beach where swimming and floating are the main activity, and you have time to apply the mineral mud the sea is famous for.

Do I need to bring food and water, or is lunch included?

Food and drink are not included in the tour price. The private beach has a restaurant and bar, so you can buy meals and drinks there, or bring your own.

What happens at the sea level point stop in the Judean Desert?

At the sea level marker, the tour pauses so you can take a photo with a camel against the desert landscape and the view behind you. It's a brief stop to capture the moment before continuing to the Dead Sea beach.

Is this tour suitable if I'm not very fit or have mobility concerns?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. Mount of Olives and the Old City involve walking on uneven ground and some hills, but the pace is guided and you set your own speed at each site. The Dead Sea beach portion is relaxed floating and mud application.