Jerusalem is a hilltop city of about 1 million people in the Judean Mountains, sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims. Its walled Old City holds the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Haram al-Sharif (Temple Mount) with the Dome of the Rock, while West Jerusalem offers the Mahane Yehuda market, Israel Museum and Yad Vashem, and East Jerusalem has Palestinian-run neighbourhoods, markets and the Mount of Olives.
Top day trips
Handpicked excursions within easy reach.
Dead Sea (Ein Bokek and Kalia Beach)
Float in the saltiest large body of water on earth at the lowest land point on earth, about 430 m below sea level.
Highlights: Floating in the mineral-rich water · Mud treatments · Sulphur pools at Ein Gedi Spa
Masada National Park
Herod's mountaintop fortress above the Dead Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Climb the Snake Path at dawn or take the cable car.
Highlights: Snake Path sunrise climb (about 45-60 minutes) · Ruins of Herod's palace · Dead Sea panorama
Ein Gedi Nature Reserve
A desert oasis with waterfalls and swimming pools at Nahal David and Nahal Arugot, plus ibexes and rock hyraxes.
Highlights: David Falls · Shulamit Spring · Wildlife spotting
Bethlehem
The traditional birthplace of Jesus in the West Bank, with the Church of the Nativity, Manger Square and the Palestinian-run market. Crossing involves a checkpoint and a passport check.
Highlights: Church of the Nativity · Milk Grotto · Banksy-related art around the separation wall
Tel Aviv and Jaffa
A beach-and-cafes contrast to Jerusalem, with the Jaffa Old Port, Carmel Market and Rothschild Boulevard.
Highlights: Old Jaffa · Carmel Market · Tel Aviv beaches
Abu Ghosh
A Palestinian-Israeli village known for hummus restaurants and a restored Crusader church, Notre Dame de l'Arche d'Alliance and the Benedictine Abbey.
Highlights: Crusader church · Hummus lunch · Abbey concerts
Beit Guvrin-Maresha National Park
A UNESCO site of caves, columbaria and Hellenistic tombs in the Judean lowlands, with archaeological dig experiences for visitors.
Highlights: Bell caves · Sidonian burial caves · Archaeological dig
Latrun Monastery and Yad La-Shiryon
A Trappist monastery with a wine shop and the Armoured Corps Museum next door, on the road between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
Highlights: Trappist wines · Armoured Corps Museum · Mini Israel (nearby)
Trips by distance
How far you can go in a day.
Under 30 Min
30 To 60 Min
Over 60 Min
Getting there
Transport options for day trips.
- Bus
- Egged and other companies leave from Jerusalem Central Bus Station on Jaffa Road; services stop from Friday afternoon to Saturday evening. Pay with a Rav-Kav card or the Pango/Moovit-linked apps.
- Train
- Israel Railways serves Tel Aviv and Ben Gurion Airport from Yitzhak Navon Station; no trains on Shabbat.
- Rental Car
- 250-350 ILS (approx $82-115) per day plus fuel; cars rented in Israel are generally not covered for the West Bank.
- Tours
- Licensed day-tour operators such as Bein Harim Tours (beinharimtours.com) and Abraham Tours (abrahamtours.com) run set-day tours to the Dead Sea, Masada and Bethlehem.
Multi-day tours from Jerusalem
If you have longer than a day, these are organised multi-day trips that start here.
Browse multi-day tours from JerusalemWe may earn a commission from bookings made through this link.
Day trip tips
Make the most of your excursions.
Check your embassy's travel advisory before any West Bank trip, including Bethlehem.
Start Dead Sea and Masada trips early to avoid heat.
Buses and trains stop for Shabbat from Friday afternoon to Saturday night.
Carry a passport for checkpoints.
Bring a swimsuit, water shoes and sunscreen for the Dead Sea.