Location: Bethlehem
Top Things to do in Bethlehem
What to do and see in Bethlehem, West Bank: The Best Sacred & Religious Sites
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. Carmel of the Holy Child Jesus
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 26 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.
2. Church of the Nativity
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,332 reviews
Built over the Grotto of the Nativity by Constantine in 325 A.D.To view top of the Nativity church we recommend you visit the Blessings gift shop and The olive wood factory just 2 minutes walk next door to milk grotto church.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.$20 fee to skip The Line With Guide for whole group.
Reviewed By BillPNo1 - Friendswood, United States
The Church of The Nativity is located in Bethlehem and is unfortunately located behind the walls of the Palestine area. In my mind, The Church of the Nativity with it's below-ground grotto/cave marking the birthplace of the Infant Jesus Christ, is second only to the Church of The Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem as the most sacred spot of Christianity in the Holy Land. Almost always crowded with reverent pilgrims, there are long lines, and often conflicts with scheduled religious services either Christian or Orthodox. Still, it is a "Must-See place for any trip to the Holy Land
3. Mar Saba Monastery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 181 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 phenning2347 - Dnipro, Ukraine
This is a must-see, even if you cannot get inside. The surrounding Judean Hills and the Kidron Valley are an amazingly beautiful place to hike, with breathtaking views. The monastery is set amid amazing scenery, with paths and steps going down into a wadi. Unfortunately the Israeli settlers use the Palestinian desert for their waste-disposal which has left the wadi badly polluted with rubbish and the water contaminated. It is shameful really - and heartbreaking.
4. The Church of St. Catherine
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 269 reviews
Reviewed By highimpactuk - Welwyn Garden City, United Kingdom
This small and beautiful church is next to the church of nativity. This 19th-century church shares a wall with the Nativity church and remains a working church today. It has a lovely courtyard and is usually less crowded than the church of nativity.
5. Cave of St. Jerome
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 65 reviews
Reviewed By KimGTravels - Pacific Grove, United States
My adult son and I accessed this cave from the Nativity Grotto under the Church of the Nativity, while joining in an intimate processional mass in December of 2019. The Cave of Jerome is actually located beneath the Church of St. Catherine, and can also be accessed from there. St. Jerome, a Dalmation priest (345-420 A.D.), translated much of the Old Testament from Hebrew and Greek to the Latin "Vulgate". In the cave you will notice carving into the stone: "Hieronymus", which is Latin for Jerome. The cave is not to be missed while touring the Church of the Nativity, Nativity Grotto and the adjoining Church of St. Catherine.
