The classic first pilgrimage: seven days from the Old City of Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives to Bethlehem, the Jordan and Jericho, then north to Nazareth, Cana, the Sea of Galilee and Mount Tabor. Most pilgrims travel it with a group and a guide, by coach, staying in Jerusalem and by the lake.
Walking trail, 1 km · Via Dolorosa
Day 1 · Jerusalem: the Old City
Song of Ascents: Psalms 120
- Church of the Holy SepulchreJohn 19:17–18A Crusader church consecrated in 1149 over the remains of Constantine's, shared by several churches; inside, the rock of Golgotha and the Edicule over the tomb.
- Via DolorosaJohn 19:16–17Narrow streets of the Old City, mostly markets, with the stations marked on the walls; the last five are inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.≈ 0 km from the stop before
- Pool of Bethesda and St Anne'sJohn 5:2–3A 12th-century Crusader church with famous acoustics, and beside it the excavated pools with ruins of Byzantine and Crusader churches.≈ 0 km from the stop before
- Pool of SiloamJohn 9:6–7Stone steps of a large pool of Jesus' time, uncovered in 2004 at the lower end of King Hezekiah's water tunnel, and a smaller later pool above.≈ 1 km from the stop before
Day 2 · Jerusalem: the Mount of Olives and Mount Zion
Song of Ascents: Psalms 121
- Chapel of the AscensionActs 1:9–12A small octagon of the Crusader period, domed later, on the site of a 4th-century church; on the feast of the Ascension several churches hold services in its courtyard.≈ 1 km from the stop before
- Dominus FlevitLuke 19:37–44A small church shaped like a teardrop, built in 1956 over a Byzantine chapel; its west window looks straight at the Old City.≈ 0 km from the stop before
- Gethsemane: Basilica of the AgonyMark 14:32–36The Basilica of the Agony, or Church of All Nations, consecrated in 1924 over Byzantine and Crusader remains, beside a walled garden of old olives.≈ 0 km from the stop before
- Upper Room (Cenacle)Mark 14:12–16A vaulted Gothic hall of the Crusader period, restored in the 14th century; below it, the venerated tomb of David.≈ 1 km from the stop before
Day 3 · Bethlehem
Song of Ascents: Psalms 122
- Church of the NativityLuke 2:4–7Justinian's 6th-century basilica on the site of Constantine's 4th-century church, with the Grotto of the Nativity beneath the altar.≈ 8 km from the stop before
- Shepherds' Field, Beit SahourLuke 2:8–15The Franciscan chapel of the Angels to the Shepherds, built in 1953 in the shape of a tent, stands among olives near caves once used by shepherds.≈ 2 km from the stop before
Day 4 · The Jordan and Jericho
Song of Ascents: Psalms 123
- Qasr al-Yahud on the JordanMatt 3:13–17Steps and wooden platforms lead down to the narrow, muddy river, with monasteries of several churches nearby. Pilgrims wade in, many in white robes.≈ 33 km from the stop before
- Tell es-Sultan, ancient JerichoJosh 6:20An excavated mound of many layers, among them a stone tower of c. 8000 BC; how the remains relate to the story of Joshua is debated.≈ 10 km from the stop before
- Monastery of the TemptationMatt 4:1–4A Greek Orthodox monastery rebuilt in the late 19th century, clinging to the cliff around the cave of the fast; a cable car and a path lead up.≈ 1 km from the stop before
Day 5 · Nazareth and Cana
Song of Ascents: Psalms 124
- Basilica of the AnnunciationLuke 1:26–31A large basilica inaugurated in 1969 over the grotto and earlier churches; its walls carry images of Mary sent by Catholics from all over the world.≈ 93 km from the stop before
- St Gabriel's Church and Mary's WellLuke 1:26–28A Greek Orthodox church of the 18th century; steps lead down to a vaulted crypt where the spring still runs.≈ 1 km from the stop before
- Cana: the Wedding ChurchJohn 2:1–11A Franciscan church blessed in 1881 and later enlarged, near a Greek Orthodox church; married couples come here to renew their wedding vows.≈ 6 km from the stop before
Day 6 · The Sea of Galilee
Song of Ascents: Psalms 125
- Tabgha: Church of the MultiplicationMark 6:39–44A Benedictine church of 1982 in Byzantine style, over a 5th-century mosaic of a basket of loaves between two fish before the altar.≈ 3 km from the stop before
- Church of the Primacy of St PeterJohn 21:4–17A small black basalt chapel of 1933 at the water's edge, on the site of an older church; steps cut in the rock go down into the lake.≈ 0 km from the stop before
- Mount of BeatitudesMatt 5:1–3An octagonal church of 1938, one side for each Beatitude, in gardens looking over the lake.≈ 1 km from the stop before
- Sea of GalileeMark 4:35–41A freshwater lake more than 200 metres below sea level; boats sail from Tiberias and Ginosar, where a fishing boat of Jesus' time, found in 1986, is shown.≈ 8 km from the stop before
Day 7 · Mount Tabor and Nain
Song of Ascents: Psalms 126
- Mount TaborMatt 17:1–2On the summit, a Franciscan basilica completed in 1924 over Byzantine and Crusader ruins, and a Greek Orthodox monastery of the Transfiguration.≈ 24 km from the stop before
- NainLuke 7:11–15A small village on the slope of the hill of Moreh; a simple Franciscan church of 1881 stands on the remains of an older one.≈ 7 km from the stop before
Official pages
Before you travel, check your country’s travel advice. Opening hours and the rules of the sites change — see their official pages.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · ODbL 1.0 — Walking trail: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0), joined and simplified by Bible Explorer.
Land outlines: Natural Earth (public domain).