Location: Bethlehem
Top Things to do in Bethlehem
9 Things to Do in Bethlehem That You Shouldn't Miss
The obvious reason to travel to Bethlehem is to visit the Church of the Nativity in Manger Square. The city's outskirts contain Shepherds' Fields and the intriguing Mar Saba Monastery.
Restaurants in Bethlehem
1. Blessings Gift Shop and The Olive Wood Factory
Overall Ratings
5 based on 259 reviews
The Olive Wood Factory in Bethlehem ,is a 3rd Generation Christian Family business run Since 1925 . You get To watch friendly local artist making all kinds of products From Olive Wood .Also The Bethlehem Panoramic View 360 degrees of all Bethlehem at the top of The factory ,and huge selections of olive wood products able to Buy from the shop If like .Theres no pressure To buy anything .All welcome To view and take pictures.Its Easy To Find ,only 2 minutes walking from The Church Of The Nativity and next door to Milk Grotto Church.Free Wifi ,Local Map ,coffee,Tea,Help/ Advice ,all Free Without The Need To Buy Anything .Open Anytime By Appointment outside opening hours
Reviewed By Bezoarthegreat - Auckland, New Zealand
Shop owner Bassem and his employee genuinely care about people and want them to have wonderful memories of Bethlehem. At the advice of a friend, we pre-arranged for his employee Saber to pick us up at the wall checkpoint and drive us around. Bassem showed us how they make the olive wood carvings, let our daughter feed his camel and gave us great advice on what to see with our limited time. Saber took us to many interesting sites including the Herodium, St. Sabbas Monastery, and, at our request, his favorite place for the best shawarma. We loved that Bassem put zero pressure on us to buy, gave us great prices on what we did buy and was genuinely warm and hospitable.
2. Mar Saba Monastery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 141 reviews
Founded in the 5th century, this Greek Orthodox monastery is considered the oldest and one of the strictest in the Holy Land.
Reviewed By Nora1291 - Switzerland
Women are not allowed to visit this monastery, so you just can look at it from the outside. We walked around until we reached a small Bedouin village, more of a small shantytown then of a tent village. Sad to look at.
The nature is beautiful and the trip worthwhile.We grabbed a taxi from Bethlehem, we weren't very good at bargaining and payed 150 shekels, including a stop at the Shepherds fields in Beit Sahour.
3. Sanctuary Bethlehem
Overall Ratings
5 based on 89 reviews
Reviewed By cecilia652016 - Kuwait City, Kuwait
A must place to visit in Bethlehem especially while on a pilgrimage. The sanctuary offers peace and prayerful comtemplation and abundant blessings to the faithful. It is very moving to bend and go under the alter to touch the place where Jesus was born which is marked by a star. A very humbling and blessed experience.
4. The Church of St. Catherine
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 166 reviews
Reviewed By Sharon M - Abingdon, Maryland
This is a Catholic church which is next to the Church of the Nativity. It was dedicated to Saint Catherine of Alexandria in the 1300s. There are beautiful stain glass windows. The Stations of the Cross are uniquely colorful. In the courtyard there is a statue of St. Jerome who translated the Bible into the common language during his life. Keep in mind that this church is located in the West Bank in the Palestinian territories. If traveling there, you should have your passport with you, just in case.
5. Milk Grotto
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 308 reviews
Reviewed By mpasnikowski
A very nice little church which is believed to be the place where Mary fed Baby Jesus. It has its charm. There is a shop where you can buy special powder which is supposed to help couples cenceive a baby.
6. Church of the Nativity
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Built over the Grotto of the Nativity by Constantine in 325 A.D., destroyed and rebuilt in the 6th century and renovated in the 11th century by the crusaders, this is the oldest Church in the Holy Land that is still in use.
Reviewed By Alex G - Northbrook, Illinois
Well, most of the readers know why people come there, and the significance of this place. it is very important Church for all Christians, and, probably, interesting for everyone. I won't bore anyone with the history and architectural details here.
7. Carmel of the Holy Child Jesus
Overall Ratings
5 based on 23 reviews
It was St. Mary of Jesus Crucified (Mariam Baouardy) who, led by the Lord, indicated the place of the Order of Carmel monastery on top of the hill of David which is in front of the hill of the Nativity Church. The monastery was inaugurated in 1876 while the Chapel was blessed in 1892. You can visit the Chapel and the museum where all the belongings of St. Mary of Jesus Crucified are.
Reviewed By AmalKHaddad - Jordan
Whenever you ask or think of carmelite nuns at the holy land ... you will find this place founded by Saint Mary of jesus Crucified the place where you can pray peacefully and meditate passionately <3
This place is a little heaven on earth ... You can find peace , joy , spirituality and LOVE .
Visiting The Carmel of the holy child left a large mark of love in my heart and will do the same for you <3
All my love and prayers to this place and to the discalaced carmelites living in it
8. Cave of St. Jerome
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 30 reviews
Reviewed By EvaLady - Hillsboro, Oregon
His tomb stands here but when this location was raided years ago the bones were moved to rome. Fascinating location and the mini chapel has great acoustics. This cave network is the same cave that has the manger but the two religious group closed off each side so they couldn't get through.
9. Palestinian Heritage Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 34 reviews
Reviewed By John L - Shrewsbury, United Kingdom
A wide selection of largely local, hand-made products of various degrees of quality are on show in this emporium that seems to be patronised almost exclusively by coach parties on the 'Jerusalem/Bethlehem' circuit.
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