Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity

Bethlehem, an ancient hill town just south of Jerusalem, is one of the most revered places on earth, celebrated across the world as the birthplace of Jesus. At its heart stands the Church of the Nativity, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the oldest continuously used churches in the world, built over the grotto traditionally honoured as the very place of the Nativity. Beneath its worn stone and ancient mosaics, pilgrims descend to the silver star marking the sacred spot. Around it spread Manger Square, old markets, monasteries and the warm life of a historic town whose name resonates through two thousand years of faith and song.

What you actually see

• The Church of the Nativity - the ancient basilica over the grotto.
• The Grotto - the cave revered as the birthplace of Jesus.
• Manger Square - the historic square at the town's heart.
• The old town - the markets, monasteries and stone streets.

When to go

October to April, the cooler months, are most comfortable, and the town is at its most atmospheric around Christmas, when pilgrims and processions fill Manger Square; spring is mild and pleasant. The Church of the Nativity can be very busy at the great festivals, quieter on ordinary mornings.

Honest expectations

The Church of the Nativity is deeply revered and heavily visited, so queues to enter the grotto can be long, especially around Christmas, and the ancient basilica has undergone extensive restoration. As the town celebrated the world over as the birthplace of the Christmas story, home to one of the oldest churches in Christendom, though, Bethlehem is a place of extraordinary and moving significance.

Nearby

Jerusalem, the Shepherds' Fields and the monasteries of the desert lie nearby.