Church of the Nativity of St John the Baptist
Church of the Nativity of St John the Baptist
Church of the Nativity of St John the Baptist
4.5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Church of the Nativity of St John the Baptist and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
146 within 5 kms
Attractions
371 within 10 kms
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
54 reviews
Excellent
26
Very good
23
Average
4
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Eileen108
Mount Shasta, CA4,203 contributions
Nov 2022
We were a group of 50 and went directly into the church, no waiting. There was some scaffolding over the main alter, restoration work I guess, in November 2022. However the lower area with the actual birthplace of John the Baptist, was accessible. A holy place to visit, which only takes a few minutes!
Written 5 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Bluebellplasnewydd
Cardiff, UK1,648 contributions
Nov 2022
Rather difficult to form an impression here as the inside of the church is undergoing renovation. You can still go in and see the side altar but it was understandably depressing. There is a courtyard outside that is unremarkable.
Written 18 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia12,480 contributions
Oct 2022
John the Baptist baptized Jesus in the River Jordan. Mary, the mother of Jesus, visited Elizabeth, her cousin, here. This Church is much-loved by pilgrims, especially Catholics, for whom Mary and Elizabeth hold special significance. You can see the Church of the Visitation, and the Grotto, the birthplace of John the Baptist. The Franciscan Order has done marvelous work in maintaining this breathtaking Church.
Written 4 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ECLadines
Paranaque, Philippines2,801 contributions
Apr 2020
Another site being visited by Catholic pilgrims. One interesting feature of this church is the songs of thanksgiving in 24 languages posted on the premises. The Filipino song on a bryan ceramics was donated in 1998 by our own tour operator, the Catholic Travel, Inc. Just proud to join this pilgrimage with CTI.
Written 27 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Lita
42 contributions
Mar 2020
A pretty church with blue and white tile. Unfortunately there was scaffoling in the main body of the church so it took away from the ambience of the church. You could still see the altar, but was not conducive for taking pictures. The grotto to the left of the altar is the site of St. John's birth. There is a nice small altar and a plague at the site of his birth. The courtyard was very pretty with the Benedictus written in several languages.
Written 14 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Linda Y
Frisco, TX5,649 contributions
Jan 2020
This Catholic church belongs to the Franciscans who built the current church in the mid-19th century with help from Spain. The structure itself dates to the 11th century, with foundations possibly as old as the Byzantine period (4th-7th century). The church was built on the spot where Saint John the Baptist was born. The sanctuary was under restoration when we were there, so we had just a glimpse of the beautiful blue and white interior. Thankfully we were able to visit the grotto identified as John’s birthplace. A small marble circle under the altar marks the spot and is venerated by pilgrims. Note that Zachariah and Elizabeth, John’s parents, had two homes in Ein Kerem. John was born in the valley home, and Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth in the hillside home, now the location of the Church of the Visitation (which you must visit).
Written 17 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
David Ha'ivri 🇮🇱 Censored Expert
Israel460 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
The Church and its history is of great significance to Christianity and many Christians from around the world visit this site which they believe to be the birth place of John the Baptist.
The sanctuary is currently under renovations, but, most of it is accessible to guests in sections that are fenced off from the construction areas.
There is no entrance fee.
The sanctuary is currently under renovations, but, most of it is accessible to guests in sections that are fenced off from the construction areas.
There is no entrance fee.
Written 29 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Eduardo E
Miami, FL13 contributions
Oct 2019
Not a huge church by today's standards but rich in history. A must see if you wants to know everything about Jesus Christ.
Written 2 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
patshea2016
Norridge, IL236 contributions
Jan 2019
Early this year, forty-nine of us did a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. It was our first visit to the Holy Land for each of us. Our tour guide took us to the village of Ein Karem. It is the village where St. John the Baptist was born. One of the two churches we visited while we were in Ein Karem is the Church of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist. In a valley, we visited the church in which the birth of St. John the Baptist is commemorated. When in the Holy Land, be sure to go to Ein Karem and visit the Church of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist.
Written 24 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
IlyaNJ
Marlboro, NJ944 contributions
Nov 2019
A beautiful tiled church that was unfortunately covered in scaffolding when I was visiting. Has its own Nativity Grotto, as the name suggests, marking the place of birth of St John the Baptist. The walls of the courtyard of the church carry transcription of a prayer in several dozen different languages - a fairly unusual feature.
Written 1 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
mark +alexi k
Santa Fe, NM133 contributions
I have been there. So deeply moving and devastating. It took me several days to normalize, if I really ever did. There is a huge presence of Holocaust studies on the internet. You can study this before you go, if you so choose. May all the blessings and comforts of the universal consciousness be bestowed on these innocent victims now and always.
CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST (Ein Kerem) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Church of the Nativity of St John the Baptist
- We recommend booking Church of the Nativity of St John the Baptist tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 6 Church of the Nativity of St John the Baptist tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Church of the Nativity of St John the Baptist:
- 2 Days Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Petra (From S$1,002.15)
- Bethlehem and Ein Kerem Private Tour - visit Jesus and John Birthplaces (From S$1,210.64)
- Holy Land and Egypt 13 days (From S$3,161.16)
- Private Day Trip of Jerusalem and Bethlehem from Amman (From S$689.85)
- Private Day Trip of Jerusalem and Bethlehem from Dead Sea (From S$689.85)
- Hotels near Church of the Nativity of St John the Baptist:
- (0.03 km) Heart of Ein Kerem,Charming appartment in the most beautiful square of Jerusalem
- (0.14 km) Alegra - Boutique Hotel
- (0.13 km) Flora Valley Boutique Hotel
- (0.13 km) Montana
- (0.08 km) sweet n karem garden
- Restaurants near Church of the Nativity of St John the Baptist:
- (0.06 km) Fairus
- (0.11 km) Karma
- (0.11 km) Mala Bistro
- (0.27 km) Atalya
- (0.10 km) Sweet n Karem