Bethlehem Full Day Tour

The Bethlehem Full Day Tour from Jerusalem or Bethlehem combines the Christian landmarks of Bethlehem with the desert sites of the Judean wilderness, including the Church of the Nativity, Shepherds' Field, King Solomon Pools, Herodian Castle, and Mar Saba Monastery. You travel by air-conditioned vehicle with a professional guide in Bethlehem at a clear, well-paced rhythm.

• Shepherds' Field.
• Milk Grotto Church.
• Church of the Nativity.
• Olive Wood Factory and Community Store.
• Herodian Castle (King Herod's fortress).
• King Solomon Pools and Closed Garden Monastery.
• Mar Saba Monastery in the Jerusalem desert.

The day begins in Bethlehem at Shepherds' Field, where the angel is said to have appeared to the shepherds. From there you visit the Milk Grotto Church and the Church of the Nativity, followed by lunch in Bethlehem and a stop at the olive wood crafts factory and community store, where you can see traditional carving that supports local families. Time at each stop is approximate and depends on conditions and crowd levels.

After the Bethlehem portion, the tour heads into the Judean desert to visit Mar Saba Monastery, Herodian National Park, King Solomon Pools, and the Closed Garden Monastery. The Herodium, King Solomon Pools, and Mar Saba Monastery segment is run with the driver only. Please note that the Grotto of the Nativity is undergoing major restoration, the first in more than 600 years, so access to the Grotto itself may be limited or closed through 2026, while the Church of the Nativity and the rest of the tour remain fully open.