"Bethlehem" Jerusalem Off The Beaten Path Tip by antistar

On the other side of Israel's controversial West Bank barrier, and just outside of Jerusalem, is the other town of Jesus: his birthplace in Bethlehem. Getting to this town, now almost completely surrounded by an 8m high concrete wall, is an adventure in itself, but the rewards are the chance to see the Church of the Nativity on Manger Square, a building of incredible Biblical and modern history.

You can get there by taking the number 22 bus from the Arab station near Damascus Gate. Then passing through the strict security of the Bethlehem checkpoint (obviously much stricter coming in than going out). Finally you take a taxi from checkpoint to Manger Square. Expect to pay an exhorbitant fare of about $10 as the taxi drivers try to make up for the economic devastation in the town (about 66% unemployment) by making a buck off the few visitors.

Website: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/6e4bb/1c7d0d/