Day Trips & Excursions in Jerusalem

A little over an hour from Jerusalem, this classic combined day trip pairs a cable car or sunrise hike up Masada, King Herod's clifftop fortress overlooking the desert, with an afternoon floating in the mineral-rich, buoyant waters of the Dead Sea at one of its public beaches. Bring plenty of water and sun protection, this is one of the lowest and hottest points on Earth.

Just south of Jerusalem in the West Bank, Bethlehem is traditionally revered as the birthplace of Jesus, centered on the ancient Church of the Nativity and its grotto shrine. Many visitors join an organized tour that handles the border crossing and permits, though independent travel with a licensed Palestinian guide is also common; check current entry requirements before planning.

On the way to or from the Dead Sea, Qumran is where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered hidden in desert caves by a Bedouin shepherd in 1947, with a visitor center explaining the Essene community believed to have lived there. Nearby Ein Gedi nature reserve offers freshwater waterfalls and hiking trails through a desert oasis, a striking contrast to the surrounding arid landscape.

This Arab-Israeli village just outside Jerusalem is widely regarded as having some of the best hummus in the country, along with a well-preserved Crusader-era church built over a Roman spring. It's an easy, low-key half-day trip for travelers who want a taste of everyday life and food outside the intensity of the Old City.