Bethlehem Half Day Private Tour From Jerusalem or Tel Aviv

Experience the birthplace of Jesus Christ on a half-day private tour to Bethlehem from Jerusalem or Tel Aviv. Visit the Church of the Nativity, the Milk Grotto, and the shepherd’s field, and explore the souvenir shops before returning to your starting point.

Duration: 5 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Ashdod - Pick up and drop off Back to Ashdod only if selected Tel Aviv/Ashdod pick up option - for the port we pick you up from the Ashdod sea mall only , take shuttle to the Ashdod sea mall and we will meet you there
  • Tel Aviv - Pick up and drop off Back to Tel Aviv only if selected Tel Aviv pick up option
  • Old City of Jerusalem - See the Old City Walls of Jerusalem from the Bus While Driving to Bethlehem, Immerse yourself in history with a distant view of Jerusalem’s Old City on our private half-day tour to Bethlehem.
  • Church of the Nativity - Delve into history and spirituality with a visit to the Nativity Church on our private half-day tour from Jerusalem or Tel Aviv to Bethlehem. Immerse yourself in the hallowed halls where tradition holds that Jesus was born, and experience the essence of this revered site as part of your Bethlehem adventure.
    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.
  • The Church of St. Catherine - Embark on an Inspirational Bethlehem Half-Day Tour from Jerusalem or Tel Aviv, where the Saint Catherine Church awaits to weave its enchanting tale into your journey. Marvel at the centuries-old architecture and delve into its spiritual resonance, all amidst the captivating backdrop of Bethlehem. As part of our private tour, you’ll experience the Saint Catherine Church’s serene ambiance, adding a meaningful touch to your exploration
  • Shepherd’s Sanctuary - Step into the Biblical Narrative on a Bethlehem Half-Day Tour from Jerusalem or Tel Aviv, where the Shepherds’ Field Church eagerly awaits to transport you back in time. As you visit this sacred site on our private tour, you’ll not only admire the charming architecture but also connect with the age-old tale of the shepherds who received the angelic proclamation. Let the Shepherds’ Field Church be a cherished highlight of your immersive journey into Bethlehem’s treasures.
  • Milk Grotto - Embark on a Transformative Bethlehem Half-Day Tour from Jerusalem or Tel Aviv, where the Milk Grotto Church beckons you to discover its profound serenity and spiritual resonance. Delve into the captivating ambiance of this hidden gem on our private tour, as you marvel at the unique architecture and connect with the stories that have echoed within its walls for generations. Let the Milk Grotto Church become an unforgettable chapter of your immersive journey into Bethlehem’s sacred wonders.
  • Zuluf Souvenir Store & Factory - Immerse yourself in Bethlehem’s Artistry on a Half-Day Tour from Jerusalem or Tel Aviv, where the Zuluf Olive Wood Factory and Store invites you to witness the intricate craftsmanship that brings olive wood to life. On our private tour, you’ll step into the world of local artisans, witnessing the creation of timeless pieces that beautifully blend tradition and innovation. Explore the Zuluf Olive Wood Factory and Store, a cultural treasure trove that adds a unique layer to your Bethlehem adventure.
  • Bethlehem - Embark on a Journey Through Time in the Old City of Bethlehem - Step into the enchanting maze of the Old City of Bethlehem and experience its rich history and vibrant culture. Wander through narrow alleys lined with traditional buildings, discovering charming shops, bustling markets, and local eateries. Visit iconic sites like the Nativity Church, Saint Catherine Church, and the Milk Grotto Church, each steeped in centuries of significance. Our guided tour ensures you’ll uncover hidden gems and stories that bring this ancient city to life, making your exploration of the Old City of Bethlehem an unforgettable adventure.
What's Included
  • Local Tour Guide From Bethlehem
  • Transport by air-conditioned vehicle
  • All taxes, fees and handling charges
  • Private Tour & Guarantee to See the Birth Grotto
  • Hotel pickup and Drop off
What's Not Included
  • Food and drinks
Additional Information

Enjoy a private half-day tour of Bethlehem from Jerusalem or Tel Aviv, and even secure your spot one hour before the tour commences. Non-English speakers, please reach out to us beforehand to check for availability.

Our services include arranging for pick-up and transport to Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus Christ. On arrival, we explore Manger Square in the heart of the city and stop by the Church of the Nativity. The tour also includes a stroll through the Milk Grotto and a visit to the shepherd’s field.

Before bidding Bethlehem farewell, you’ll have time to browse souvenir shops. The half-day exploration concludes with a return journey to Jerusalem, Tel Aviv or Ashdod, provided the latter two were selected as pick-up locations.

*Please remember to carry your passport as it might be requested at the checkpoint or upon entering Bethlehem.

*Please note that the timeline is suggestive and vehicle swaps may be necessary.

  • You will meet your Tour guide in Bethlehem
Location
Ashdod
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(53 Ratings)
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Maria_d
Oct 4, 2023
Exceeded our expectations!!! - This tour exceeded our expectations!!! Ahmad our driver picked us up from the hotel in Tel Aviv, he explained some details along the way, he also dropped us off on the way back to our Tel Aviv hotel. Ahmad was great, he asked us if we were hungry, since we were planning to eat back in Tel Aviv, he made us try a falafel at a local restaurant,the next thing you know we told Ahmad to please find us a table, it was the best falafels and hummus we have tried, all four of us for 60 shekels!! You can't find that price in Tel Aviv! Dia our tour guide was the best! He was great in explaining details and he waited with us in line inside the Church of Nativity. I wish all our guides in our previous tours with another company was like Dia. The souvenir shop was a blessing as we got good prices and they give you a discount plus free items to take with us. What a great tour to end our holiday vacation.
Review provided by Viator
Hilarym509
Sep 5, 2023
Highly recommended Bethlehem trip - Excellent trip to Bethlehem. Our tour guide Johnnie was so friendly, knowledgeable and professional. Lots of time to see everything and ask questions. Air conditioned mini bus with professional driver. Ended up at a lovely gift shop for coffee and pastry and no pressure to buy but lots of beautiful gifts. Learnt a lot about the Palestine situation and how it impacts people, Highly recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Denisetraveler
Sep 4, 2023
Great Half Day Private Tour of Bethlehem from Jerusalem with Johnny - We went on the half day private tour of Bethlehem with Johnny ($250 USD total for my husband and I plus tips). Everything was easy to arrange with Elijah Tours online or through WhatsApp and the pickup and drop off all went smoothly. We requested a 9:30 am pickup at our hotel in Jerusalem. Our very nice driver was right outside waiting for us. He told us to bring our passports but when we got to the border crossing our car was just waved right through. We never even had to pull out passports out. When we got to Bethlehem our guide, Johnny, was there waiting for us. It's super important to have an experienced guide who knows how to get you in and out of each site on a schedule so you don't get stuck waiting an hour when they close the church at noon, or waiting when a procession is coming through. He was able to get us right in to the underground cave beneath the Church of the Nativity where it is believed that Jesus was born. If we had not been on this private tour the line would have been at least 2 hours. The sites we visited were Shepherds Field, Church of the Nativity, St Catherine's, St Jerome's Cave and the Milk Grotto. We also stopped at a Banksy mural on the side of an auto repair shop along the road. Johnny shared an incredible amount of knowledge about every site and he delivered it in a moving and thoughtful way. After the tour we ended at a souvenir shop and bought a few olive wood carved hearts and crosses, etc. There's really no pressure to buy anything if you don't want to since your ride back to your hotel is already there waiting for you. We were back at our hotel by around 1:30. We were so glad we went ahead and took this tour. Elijah made it easy and it was a wonderful experience. Johnny is the best!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
597christinemaea
Sep 1, 2023
Bethlehem Tour - It was a short but great and fruitful tour especially because of our tour guide Johnny! He explained things well and was very patient with our group. The churches included in our tour were very serene and full of meaning. The people we met in the souvenir shop, Zuluf, are really kind and generous! I was happy we went to Bethlehem with Elijah Tours and Travel! Highly recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cruiser01480839431
Sep 1, 2023
Great experience - It was a very informative nd enlightening trip from our very friendly and intelligent guide. He has many insights and has shared many things during the trip.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dreamer09483269610
Aug 31, 2023
Fantastic - Magnificently organized trip to Bethlehem accompanied by a super guide, who professionally led us to all of the essential sights!!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
372emmap
Aug 31, 2023
Best guide and trip ever - Hi George just got back from tour . It was beyond amazing . Our guide was the best ever . We were a group of 14 British women and can’t recommend you guys enough … All guides are not made the same and ours was so knowledgable / funny / so helpful . Emma
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Markwj3767fk
Aug 6, 2023
Incredible Half Day in Bethlehem - Our tour was well run with clear communication for both booking and on the day of the tour. We booked to be picked up in Jerusalem at a hotel near the train station (VERT hotel) and used the high speed rail to come from Tel Aviv that morning. The high speed rail is very cost effective and avoids any traffic. Our driver was in communication before the pickup time and ensured we knew where to find him. The driver took us to Bethlehem to meet our guide. The journey was smooth and the driver informative. In Bethlehem, we met our guide Johnny. Johnny had a great personality with good humor. He adjusted things accordingly based on our wishes for time at each location and gladly assisted with photos. Johnny also timed things perfectly to avoid larger bus groups at key times and ensure a smooth flow through the Church of the Nativity. He was full of knowledge and made our half day private tour very pleasant. At the Sheperd's Field, take some time to appreciate both the history of the old byzantine church and the nearby cave while also admiring the architectural choices of the more modern church. Make sure Johnny, or your guide, takes the special "star" photo of you in the cave. As you can expect, the highlight of the tour is the Church of the Nativity. It will be crowded but there is plenty to ponder as you pass through this incredible history. We definitely enjoyed the stop at the olive wood factory at the end of the tour and this is where we did most of our shopping for gifts. The team at the olive wood factory was very cordial and did not pressure in the least. They offered beverages and kind hospitality throughout our shopping experience. After we were finished shopping, our driver was waiting to take us bake to Jerusalem. If you are also doing a Jerusalem tour, I would recommend doing this tour the second day. For Jerusalem, you need a full day and this is fine in half a day. More so, if like us, you stay in Tel Aviv, you can take time to wander Jerusalem more after the morning in Bethlehem. You will have a good understanding of the area after the first day tour. Otherwise, you can have plenty of time to do other things back in Tel Aviv, such as enjoy the sun or the Old Jaffa Port.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jr1962
Jul 7, 2023
Great day touring Bethlehem and the Dead Sea - My wife and I spent a great day doing a private tour to Bethlehem and the Dead Sea (from Jerusalem) through Elija Tours. Booking and organizing the trip was seamless. They were very flexible in tailoring the day to meet our needs and more than happy to eliminate any side trips that did not interest us. Most importantly, the tour guides and drivers were all very professional, prompt, friendly and dedicated to making sure we had a fantastic experience. Dia, (Saint) George, and Rocky all took very good care of the two of us and made sure we felt safe and comfortable the entire trip. All were super friendly, charming, and knowledgeable. It was especially helpful to be able to circumvent the crowds and skip the lines when needed at the historic sites. I cannot think of a better way to tour the West Bank, Bethlehem, and the Dead Sea and cannot recommend Elijah Tours and their team enough.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cascade15
Jun 16, 2023
Fascinating and Safe private Tour of Bethlehem. It was the Best - Did a half day private Bethlehem tour with Elijah Tours. After a slight mix up on which hotel, which Elijah sorted immediately, our driver took us into the West Bank. It felt like quite the adventure but we felt very safe. We meet our guide, Samuel, who was outstanding. We saw so much in such a short time and he explained everything really well. My Catholic friend was in tears of joy to be visiting such holy sights. So glad we went.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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