Why you should visit Bethlehem?
Bethlehem is less than six miles from Jerusalem. But sometimes, it can take almost an hour to get here due to vehicle and guide swaps, and border checkpoints. (And do not forget your passport. You’ll need to show it at checkpoints when entering or exiting the border. We recommend having six months of validity left on your passport when traveling to Bethlehem.) If all goes as planned, you can make the trip in under 30 minutes, but leave yourself some leeway just in case.
It is safe to visit Bethlehem, and the locals are friendly.
One of the main attractions in Bethlehem is, of course, the site where Jesus was said to be born. You can enter the Church of the Nativity to view the underground cave, where a large, silver star is embedded in the ground. This is called the Grotto of the Nativity, and the star is believed to mark the exact spot where Jesus was born.
Bethlehem has many other special sites such as the Milk Grotto (where rumor has it, Mary once spilled milk while nursing Jesus, turning the stone white); and the green hills of Shepard’s Field, where an angel is said to have announced the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.
For travelers not especially interested in religious landmarks, a stop at the Palestinian Heritage Center showcases traditional products created by women. There’s also the Old Bethlehem Museum, which provides cultural insight on the Palestinian way of life.
Experience the Apartheid Wall that separates Bethlehem from Jerusalem. Even the wall itself — large, gray slabs of concrete — is somber. But it’s covered with hopeful, inspiring and at times heartbreaking graffiti, and even an original Banksy (the famous and anonymous street artist).
