Our route
Bethlehem
Transportation
We took a taxi from the Jerusalem Center to the checkpoint. There is also a bus #231 from Jerusalem Damascus Gate - HaNevi'im Bus Terminal to the checkpoint (5,5 shekel).
We walked to the center of the city from the checkpoint - easy 20 min walk.
There is passport control on the way back to Israel.
On the way back we took a bus #231 to the Damascus Gate - HaNevi'im Bus Terminal (5,5 shekel).
Our itinerary
- took a taxi to a checkpoint
- walked to the Walled Off Hotel
- walked to the Old City
- visited Church of the Nativity
- wander around Manger Square
- visited Milk Grotto Chapel
- shopped in the souq
- walked back along the Wall
- crossed via the check-poin
- took bus back to the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem
Travel essentials
- travel dates: 19 November 2022
- accommodation: we stayed in Jerusalem
- currency: shekel = ₪ = ILS = New Israeli Shekel
Travel tips
- we went on Shabbat (Saturday) because in Jerusalem most things are closed
- it's best to take bus 231 from the Damascus Gate station - you buy a ticket from the driver, you need to have cash (ticket 5.50 shekels); you can also take a taxi (to the checkpoint) - we paid 80 shekels
- it takes maybe 30 minutes to get to the border crossing - checkpoint - you get off and walk through a rather depressing tunnel to metal gates, as we walked there was not a living soul; no control…nothing; on the other side a lot of soliciting taxi drivers which we politely avoided - then a 25-minute walk to the center of Bethlehem
- partly walking along the Security Wall separating Israel from the Palestinian Territory - a very sad experience
- on the way we went for coffee at The Wall Off Hotel - a hotel owned by Banksy - an interesting place; at the entrance, a plaque with a tour of 20 shekels; or you can get a delicious coffee for 11 shekels 🙂 the whole interior is full of Banksy's works and very interesting art - we regretted that we didn't have time to spend the night there - gallery upstairs; there is also a small museum for an additional fee;
- the streets of Bethlehem are packed with shopkeepers and goods, very noisy and colorful;
- Church of the Nativity - free entry, queue to the nativity grotto - we waited maybe 40 minutes, entrance quite claustrophobic in the crowd of people;
- we also visited the Milk Grotto - next to it there is also a shop that produces souvenirs from olive wood and you can climb the stairs to the roof to see the panorama of the city
- the square next to it was just dug up, but there are usually cafes etc., there are lots of shops with souvenirs and devotional items around (magnets 10 shekels)
- we walked back to the checkpoint - again a depressing concrete tunnel and gates; and finally a soldier who scans your passport and checks if you still have your visa card; pass without a problem
- bus 231 was waiting on the other side - we got to Damascenska Gate for 5.5 shekels
Favourites
- The Walled Off Hotel for good coffee and amazing Banksy art
- Church of the Nativity
- The Chapel of the Milk Grotto of Our Lady
Some prices
At the time of our travel:
10 shekel (ILS = New Israeli Shekel) = 2,77 euro = 13,03 zł (PLN)
- taxi from Jerusalem center to the checkpoint - 30 shekel
- coffee at The Walled Off Hotel - 15 shekel
- grilled chicken sandwich at The Walled Off Hotel - 37 shekel
- draft beer at The Walled Off Hotel - 35 shekel
- fridge magnets - 10 shekel
- olive tree rosary - 15 shekel
- whole fried chicken - 40 shekel
- local draft beer - 20/25 shekel
- orange juice - 15 shekel
- lentil soup - 25 shekel
- bus #231 from the checkpoint to Damascus Gate - 5,5 shekel
Our favourite local food
Palestine, Bethlehem - Falafel
Palestine, Bethlehem - Market