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In this article, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about visiting the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem in 2025. The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem was one of the highlights of our visit to Israel.
We chose to visit the Church of the Nativity independently and on a budget, and we seriously enjoyed the experience. However, there are some very important things that you need to know about the Church of the Nativity and the journey to Bethlehem before you go, so please read this guide carefully to avoid making serious mistakes.
Visiting the Church of the Nativity involves crossing the border from Israel to Palestine and back again, and this is not necessarily straightforward. In fact, we have done a dedicated and detailed guide on getting to Bethlehem from Jerusalem to walk you through the journey step by step. In this article, we will summarize the journey and tell you the main things you need to know. The focus of this article is on what to expect when you visit the Church of the Nativity, how to prepare for your visit, and other things that you can do in the area.
We hope that this guide helps you plan, prepare, and make the most of your visit to this fascinating and significant historical landmark.
Don’t miss our in-depth step-by-step guide: How to travel from Jerusalem to Bethlehem by bus
Where is the Church of the Nativity located?
The Church of the Nativity is situated in the heart of a small town called Bethlehem, around 10 km to the south of the Jerusalem Old City. The Church of Nativity is a large and impressive church situated at Nativity Square in Bethlehem. Keep reading for more details on how to travel from Jerusalem to the Church of the Nativity.
Is it worth visiting the Church of the Nativity?
In our opinion, it is definitely worth visiting the Church of the Nativity, especially if you’re planning to spend a few days in Jerusalem. It is possible to visit the Church of the Nativity in a single morning or afternoon if you are organized and purposeful, and you can do this independently and on a budget using local transport.
We really loved our visit to the Church of the Nativity; it was amazing to see and experience the birthplace of Christ. The church itself is very beautiful, adorned with beautiful artwork and decorations, and there is a sense of rich and beautiful history. If you visit the Church of the Nativity, it is possible to see the location of the birth of Christ and also the iconic manger in which Jesus was laid.
Also, there are several other things to see in the area, such as the Milk Grotto, Nativity Square, local markets, and the local museum. We will share more about these things later in the article.
Is the church of Nativity the authentic birthplace of Jesus?
The Church of the Nativity, located in Bethlehem, holds a significant place in Christian history as it is believed to be the authentic birthplace of Jesus Christ. This historical and religious landmark has a rich history dating back nearly two millennia.
The history of the Church of the Nativity traces its roots to the fourth century. In AD 326, the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great and his mother, Helena, undertook a pilgrimage to the Holy Land to identify and commemorate Christian sites of significance. According to tradition, during their visit to Bethlehem, Helena was guided to a cave beneath a pagan temple. She recognized this cave as the birthplace of Jesus. Constantine ordered the construction of the first church on this site, marking it as the place of Christ’s birth. This original structure, known as the Church of the Nativity, was completed in AD 333.
The authenticity of the Church of the Nativity as the birthplace of Christ has been upheld for centuries within Christian tradition. The continuous veneration of this site, its historical connection to the early Christian era, and the meticulous records of early pilgrims all contribute to its status as a revered location. The recognition of Bethlehem as the birthplace of Jesus dates back to early Christian writings, such as the Gospel of Matthew, which describes the events surrounding Christ’s birth in Bethlehem.
History of the Church of Nativity
Over the centuries, the church underwent numerous renovations and expansions, often due to damage caused by earthquakes, fires, and conflicts. The current building, with its iconic facade and interior, reflects a combination of architectural styles and influences, including Byzantine, Romanesque, and Gothic elements.
The focal point of the Church of the Nativity is the Grotto of the Nativity, a subterranean chamber that is believed to be the very spot where Jesus was born. Within the grotto, you can see the traditional site of the manger, while an altar stands above the spot of the nativity. Pilgrims from around the world visit this sacred site to pay respect to the birth of Jesus.
Today, the Church of the Nativity remains a symbol of faith and a destination for Christian pilgrims from across the globe who come to experience the spiritual significance of the place where Jesus Christ is believed to have been born. Its history and the enduring tradition of reverence make it a central icon of Christian heritage and an integral part of the religious and cultural fabric of Bethlehem.
How much does it cost to visit the Church of the Nativity?
It is free of charge to visit the Church of the Nativity. There is no entrance fee to the church, and you do not need to pay to see the actual birthplace of Christ. However, it is important to recognize that the Church of the Nativity gets very busy, especially during the high season months from September to December. Anytime of year, you will need to queue to see the birthplace of Christ and expect it to be fairly crowded and intense.
It is important to keep your expectations in check. This is not a tranquil, peaceful experience, but it is certainly very significant. If you are visiting the Church of the Nativity with kids, you may want to consider getting a private dedicated tour with one of the tour guides nearby. They can actually take you to visit the birth of Christ without needing to queue. This may well be a very good idea if you’re traveling with young kids who are unable to wait in a long, crowded queue.
Can you take tours of the Church of the Nativity?
Yes, you can take tours to visit the Church of Nativity. There are different ways to book your tours, and tour prices vary depending on how and where you book.
1 Book online in advance (cheaper and convenient)
You can book Bethlehem tours online in advance, and tours are likely to cost around £50 – £100 ($60 to $120) if you shop around online. We’re very impressed by the price and itinerary for the fantastic Bethlehem Tour on Klook
2 Book a tour through your hotel or guest house
If you wish to book a tour through your hotel in Jerusalem, expect to pay around £80 – £130 ($100 to $150) per person for a tour that includes transport and also visits other locations such as Shepherd’s Field.
3 Get there independently and find a local guide at the church
Alternatively, you can travel to the Church of the Nativity independently using public transport, which costs around 5.5NIS per person each way (roughly £1 or $1.20). When you get to the Church of the Nativity, there are plenty of tour guides waiting around who will be happy to show you the church and allow you to see the significant birthplace of Christ without needing to wait in the queue. They can also lend scarves if you need to cover your knees or shoulders.
The tour guides will be willing to take a family or small group for around 100NIS – 150NIS (£20 – £30 or $25 – $36). In our opinion, this is a very good use of money if you’re traveling with young children. The queue is very slow and intense, and by the time you actually make it to the birthplace of Christ, your children may feel very fed up and disengage with the experience. So if you are hoping for them to connect with the experience, then we do recommend speaking to a local tour guide and bartering for a good price.
If you are looking for a local guide we recommend Issa. He is friendly, knowledgeable and flexible on price. The best way to contact Issa is by Whatsapp: +972 52 373 0465
How do you prepare for a visit to the Church of Nativity?
1 Bring your passport
This section is very important, perhaps the most important section of the article, so please don’t skip past this information. Preparing for a visit to the Church of the Nativity is very important. Firstly, it is essential that you and everyone in your group has a passport and any other important travel documents such as visas. When you travel from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, you cross a border from Israel into Palestine. There are no border checks on this journey; however, when you return from Bethlehem back to Jerusalem, you’re passing from Palestine back into Israel, and there is a security checkpoint. At the security checkpoint, they will want to see your passport, so it is essential that you travel with passports on this journey.
2 Dress modestly
The Church of the Nativity is also a very traditional religious site, and it is important that you dress modestly. This applies to both men and women. Men are required to wear long trousers; shorts are not allowed in the church. Furthermore, men need to wear a shirt or t-shirt that covers their shoulders. The same applies to women. If you are traveling in a vest or a sleeveless shirt, then we recommend also bringing a scarf to cover up when you’re in the church. Tour guides in the area will be willing to lend you a scarf, and you will need to barter for the price. Alternatively, you can buy scarves in the area. Expect this to be expensive because this is a popular tourist area.
3 Bring some food and drinks
It is possible to buy food and drinks in the area. There are several restaurants and cafes around, and some of the restaurants are expensive because this is a popular tourist spot. However, you can also find some cheap local food in the area. There are several bakeries in the Church of the Nativity and also some small convenience stores where you can buy drinks and snacks. It is not essential to travel with food; however, we do recommend bringing along specific snacks or drinks that you need along the way. We highly recommend that you travel with a bottle of water because this is a very hot area, and you can get dehydrated very quickly. If you’re traveling with kids, we also recommend that you bring along some of their favorite snacks for the journey.
Opening hours at the Nativity Church
Daily from 7 am – 6 pm
Some days: 2.30 pm, 3.30 pm Mass (cave closed for around 30 minutes)
What is the best time to visit the Church of Nativity?
The best time of day to visit the Church of Nativity is early in the morning. Buses start running from Jerusalem to Bethlehem as early as 7:00 a.m., and if you get a sharp start on the day, you can get to the Church and Nativity by around 8:30 a.m. At this time, it is not too hot, and the church is not too crowded. This is a lovely time to see the church. If you arrive before 10am it is still pretty quiet and still a nice time to visit.
We do recommend visiting early to avoid the crowds and avoid the heat. If you do visit later in the day, it is likely that you will need to queue for quite a long time to get to the actual birthplace of Jesus. Furthermore, there are occasionally special Church groups, such as the Catholic procession, which visits the birthplace of Jesus around midday. During these times, you may need to wait to actually go in yourself.
On some days there is also a Mass service at 2.30 pm, 3.30 pm and the is cave closed for around 30 minutes.
How long does it take to visit the Church of Nativity? (from Jerusalem)
It is possible to visit the Church of Nativity in a single morning or afternoon, depending on your pace. If you are purposeful, you can do the entire trip from Jerusalem in around 5 hours. The bus journey from Jerusalem to Bethlehem is likely to take around 1 hour, the walk from the bus stop to the Church of Nativity is around 20 minutes, and then we recommend allowing a couple of hours to enjoy the area.
Remember, you also need to allow time to queue up and see the actual birthplace of Christ. So although it is possible to do it in a single morning, we do recommend being flexible with your timings and not trying to cram too much into the day. A visit to the Church of Nativity from Jerusalem is fascinating, exhilarating, and enjoyable, but you are likely to be quite tired when you actually get back to Jerusalem. So we recommend planning something fairly relaxed for the afternoon.
OR if you still have some energy on the way back – why not explore Hezekiyah’s Tunnel? (just hop off the bus near mount Zion, the City of David National Park is around 20 minute walk)
What is the best way to get to the Church of the Nativity?
There are several different ways to get to the Church of Nativity. The best way depends on your budget, your aspirations, and your desire for convenience. Just remember, it is very important to take your passport when you visit Bethlehem.
1 Take a local bus
In Brief: Go to the HaNevi’im Terminal near the Damascus Gate. Take 231 bus from stand C (5.5.NIS per person). Ride the bus for around 45 minutes – 1 hour to Bethlehem. Get off at Hebron Road (near the the junction of Al Makfufin street). Walk up Children Street and keep going straight for around 20 minutes (1.3km).
If you’re traveling on a budget, the best way to get to the Church of Nativity is to use a local bus from Jerusalem. We chose to travel to Bethlehem this way, and we found this to be an enjoyable, affordable, and flexible way to visit Bethlehem. The journey is pretty straightforward. Want to know where to go and which bus to take? We have prepared a full and in-depth step-by-step guide if you plan to take the bus from Jerusalem to Bethlehem. The bus costs 5.5NIS per person each way, and there is a 20-minute walk from the bus drop-off place in Bethlehem to the church. You can get the bus back to Jerusalem from the same location as it drops you off.
For more information check out our FULL GUIDE on traveling from Jerusalem to Bethlehem
2 Take a taxi
Another way to travel from Jerusalem to Bethlehem is to use a local taxi. The price of a taxi will depend on your ability to barter, and it will also depend on whether you want to go one way or two ways and how long you would like the driver to wait for you. Therefore, it is very important to agree on all of the details if you’re planning to visit Bethlehem by taxi.
You can take a taxi from anywhere around the Jerusalem Old City; drivers tend to wait close to the city gates. We found many drivers around the Damascus Gate who were looking for business. Expect to pay around £15 – £20 ($18 – $25) one way or £20 – £30 ($25 – $36) two ways. Some taxi drivers may try to charge a lot more than this, so we recommend being willing to walk around and negotiate with different drivers until you find someone who is willing to do a good deal.
3 Take a tour
Another way to visit Bethlehem is to take a tour from Jerusalem. You can either book your tour online in advance or you can book tours to Bethlehem through most hotels and guest houses in Jerusalem. The exact price of the tour depends on how and where you book and exactly what is included in the tour. One of the advantages of taking a tour from Jerusalem to Bethlehem is that you may be able to see other attractions such as the Shepherd’s Field.
You can book tours online in advance, and tours are likely to cost around £50 – £100 ($60 to $120). If you wish to book a tour through your hotel in Jerusalem, expect to pay around £80 – £130 ($100 to $150) per person. Although Bethlehem tours are relatively expensive, a massive advantage is the ability to learn from a knowledgeable local guide. It is also very nice to do a tour where your guide does all the thinking for you. No need to negotiate or navigate your way around Bethlehem.
What can you see and do at the Church of Nativity?
The Church of Nativity is a very beautiful building steeped in history. The Church is beautifully adorned with decorations and artwork, and it has a Christmasy feel throughout the year. The original church is around 1,700 years old, and the site has been developed over the years. You can see parts of the original floor that have been excavated. You may also want to check out the beautiful Chapel of St Catherine situated at the Church of the Nativity.
The most significant thing that you can see at the Church of Nativity is the birthplace of Christ. There is a small altar under the middle of the altar, there is a circular hole cut into the rock. It is possible to feel inside this hole and touch the original slab, which is thought to be the very birthplace of Jesus. Nearby, there is also a small Stone Manger which is thought to be the manger in which Jesus was laid.
What else is there to do near the Church of the Nativity?
There are also several other things to do near the Church of Nativity. There is a small church called the Milk Grotto which is a short walk from the Church of Nativity. The Milk Grotto is a small cave where it is thought that Mary nursed Jesus. This is also a popular attraction. We recommend that you also dress conservatively and remain calm and quiet in this area. Nearby, you can also visit market stalls selling gifts, artwork, and small souvenirs. There are several shops, cafes, and restaurants in the area as well.
Is it safe to travel to Bethlehem?
OCTOBER 2023: We are very sad to learn of the problems in Israel. The FCO currently advises against all but essential travel to Israel including Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. They also advise against all travel in Gaza and the South and in the border regions with Lebanon and Syria in the North. Remember if you travel against FCO advice you will not be covered by your travel insurance policy. If you are currently in these regions follow consulate advice and take care. Keep your eye on the FCO website for updates.
Finally, we wanted to discuss safety. It is important to recognize that Bethlehem is in Palestinian territory. As a popular tourist destination, many people visit Bethlehem each day without any problems at all. The area is well policed, and we felt relatively safe when we visited. We always recommend that you keep a close eye on your consulate website to find out about the latest travel advice in any area that you travel. This is especially important if you’re planning to travel in areas that are known to have unrest, such as Israel and Palestine.
We have found the information on the UK FCO website to be very accurate, up-to-date, and helpful when it comes to safe travel information. As with any travel, visiting Bethlehem does have its risks. We recommend that you follow safe travel advice, looking after yourself and your belongings when you are visiting Bethlehem. Remember to take your passport, and remember that there is a security checkpoint when you are traveling back from Bethlehem to Jerusalem. Any car, bus, or taxi will need to stop at the checkpoint, and the security officers will want to check your passport and ask a few questions. We found the security staff to be very friendly, and we were not intimidated by this process.
We absolutely loved our visit to Bethlehem; this was genuinely one of our absolute highlights of our Israel trip. It does take some energy and organization, and you do need to make sure that you have a morning free in your itinerary to do this trip. We only stayed in Israel for 3 days, and we made time for Bethlehem. We have absolutely no regrets and would highly recommend this experience.
