Bethlehem & Dead Sea Day Tour: Guided Churches & Float Time

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/21

Duration8h–11h

GroupUp to 55

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Three churches in Bethlehem, then float in the Dead Sea's mineral-rich water.

A guided day tour from Jerusalem visiting Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity, Milk Grotto and Shepherd's Field Chapel, then the Dead Sea for a two-hour float. The tour includes a licensed English-speaking guide in Bethlehem, air-conditioned transport and tour taxes; a vehicle change is required at the checkpoint. The Church of the Nativity can draw a 30 to 90 minute wait on regular days, and entry to the grotto inside is not guaranteed on holidays or Sundays.

8h–11h

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Bethlehem and Dead Sea

Pass by Old City of Jerusalem
Visit Nativity Church in Bethlehem
Tour Church of the Nativity
Visit Milk Grotto church
Visit Chapel of The Shepherd's Field
Visit Saint Catherine’s Church
Pass by Aida refugee camp
Pass by Bab idDeir Art Gallery
Pass by Cave of Jerome
Pass by Olive Wood Factory
Pass by Rachel's Tomb
Visit Dead Sea and float in water

The Experience

You leave Jerusalem with a licensed guide and air-conditioned transport, heading to Bethlehem to visit three major churches. The Church of the Nativity is the centerpiece — built by the Roman Emperor Constantine in the 4th century over the grotto where Jesus was born, it remains one of the oldest working churches in existence. A full guided tour takes you through the site. The Milk Grotto, where the Holy Family sought refuge during the Massacre of the Innocents, sits nearby; legend holds that a drop of milk from the Virgin Mary fell on the cave floor and turned it white. The Shepherd's Field Chapel marks where the angels announced Christ's birth to the shepherds.

Between sites you pass the Old City of Jerusalem from outside and visit Beit Sahour, the City of the Shepherds. The itinerary also includes Rachel's Tomb and passes an olive wood factory. A vehicle change happens at the checkpoint — this is a standard part of the route and allows the tour to continue into Palestinian territories. On regular days, expect a queue of 30 to 90 minutes to enter the birth grotto inside the Nativity Church; on holidays and Sundays, access to the grotto is not guaranteed.

The second half of the day takes you to the Dead Sea near Jericho. You spend about two hours at a beach with a pool, floating in water so mineral-rich and salty that buoyancy is effortless. The Dead Sea sits at the world's lowest dry point and has long been known for its therapeutic properties. Bring your passport — it is sometimes required when passing checkpoints. The full tour runs eight to eleven hours from start to finish.

What’s included

Licensed English-speaking guide in Bethlehem.
air-conditioned vehicle with a required vehicle change at the checkpoint.
entry to the Church of the Nativity, Milk Grotto and Shepherd's Field Chapel.
access to the Dead Sea beach and pool for a two-hour float.
tour taxes.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Judah Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're arriving in Jerusalem without a car or staying in the city center — the guide and transport handle the checkpoint crossing and the route logistics, and you avoid arranging the vehicle swap yourself. The eight to eleven hour span works for a full day once you're settled; if you have only an afternoon free, a shorter Bethlehem-only option may suit you better.