Mar Saba Monastery
Mar Saba Monastery
4.5
About
Founded in the 5th century, this Greek Orthodox monastery is considered the oldest and one of the strictest in the Holy Land.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Plan your visit
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
123 within 3 miles
Attractions
359 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
193 reviews
Excellent
143
Very good
43
Average
4
Poor
3
Terrible
0
phenning2347
Mandalay, Myanmar125 contributions
Dec 2019
This is a must-see, even if you cannot get inside. The surrounding Judean Hills and the Kidron Valley are an amazingly beautiful place to hike, with breathtaking views. The monastery is set amid amazing scenery, with paths and steps going down into a wadi.
Unfortunately the Israeli settlers use the Palestinian desert for their waste-disposal which has left the wadi badly polluted with rubbish and the water contaminated. It is shameful really - and heartbreaking.
Unfortunately the Israeli settlers use the Palestinian desert for their waste-disposal which has left the wadi badly polluted with rubbish and the water contaminated. It is shameful really - and heartbreaking.
Written February 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew S
Bournemouth, UK55 contributions
Apr 2014 • Family
A visit to this isolated Monastery reminded me of something out of a Hollywood movie like raiders of the lost Ark. The desert and landscape around is stunning with many footpaths leading to dead monks tombs and a river at the bottom if you wish to go for a walk.
My son and I were allowed into the Monastery and a monk even took us into the church where several monks were praying at the time. There was a glass tomb with St Sava inside which we kissed. There was a second small church which had hundreds of dead monks skulls inside glass cases which felt a bit strange but after being to many Greek Monasteries I explained to my son why this is done.
INPORTANT: This Monastery does not open on Wednesday's and Friday's and women are not allowed inside.
To get there we took a taxi from Bethlehem which cost us 180 Israeli shekels with a 2 hour wait at the Monastery and return to Bethlehem. The Arab driver was non pushy and pleasant and showed us other things on route. There is no need to book a tour trip there unless you cant be bothered doing it independently. Cameras are not allowed inside the churches
My son and I were allowed into the Monastery and a monk even took us into the church where several monks were praying at the time. There was a glass tomb with St Sava inside which we kissed. There was a second small church which had hundreds of dead monks skulls inside glass cases which felt a bit strange but after being to many Greek Monasteries I explained to my son why this is done.
INPORTANT: This Monastery does not open on Wednesday's and Friday's and women are not allowed inside.
To get there we took a taxi from Bethlehem which cost us 180 Israeli shekels with a 2 hour wait at the Monastery and return to Bethlehem. The Arab driver was non pushy and pleasant and showed us other things on route. There is no need to book a tour trip there unless you cant be bothered doing it independently. Cameras are not allowed inside the churches
Written April 17, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anthony-Susan
Washington DC, DC799 contributions
Jul 2013 • Friends
I lived in Israel for four years and have visited countless times over the years. I thought I had visited every major site, but until I visited Mar Saba Monastery in July 2013, my list was indeed incomplete.
Here's how I did it on my own. First, I took Bus 21 at the bus station across from the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem. It was about a 12 minute walk from my hotel, The David Citadel. The bus runs all day and into the evening every half hour, and I boarded at 8am. The price was 7.3 shekels, a far better deal to go to Bethlehem. The bus terminates at the Baab Ziqaaq. Walk back in the direction the bus came from to the corner and turn left on to Paulus VI street. Stay on this as it goes up the hill and then down all the way to Manger Square. It is about a km from the bus stop to this point, and about half of it passes through the Old City.
As you enter Manger Square, immediately turn right and go to that corner of the square. There is an official tourist center there (not to be confused with private tourist offices), and they have countless maps of Bethlehem and environs as well as many West Bank cities, including Hebron, Nablus, Ramallah, etc. The young lady behind the counter spents lots of time answering all my questions and giving advice. She was spot on as things turned out, and I returned at the end of my day to offer her my sincerest thanks.
Per her advice, I walked about 50 meters to the main road beyond Manger Square to find a taxi to take me to sites outside of Bethlehem. We agreed on 150 shekels after much haggling to visit four sites (which took about 2 and half hours). I understand that the going rate is 70 shekels per hour, so this was a sweet deal. In addition, the young man, Amir was delighted to have an opportunity to practice his English, such as it was.
Our route took us first to the Shepherd's Fields Francisan church. This is modeled after a tent, and has a long history and wonderful site. It's worth 20 minutes or so, depending on how much time you may want to spend at the various grottoes. We then drove a good 45 minutes to get to Mar Saba, which seems in the middle of nowhere in the Judean Desert. But oh...what an unforgetting setting.
There is far too much to write about Mar Saba here, so I suggest you google it, as I did. But let me restate: it is one of the most stunning desert monasteries I have ever visited, and one can feel what these amazing individuals must have done to create this. CAUTION: Only men are allowed inside the monastery. There are absolutely no exceptions. I still suggest women visit as they can get some feel for the splendor and uniqueness of the site. But there is so much more men can see and feel inside.
We retraced our steps to nearby town of Al Obeidiyah, and stopped at the monastery of St. Theodosius. Normally, only Russians, Romanians and Greeks are permitted entry, but I happened to arrive just as a tour group from Greece was entering. I slid right into the group. The compound is lovely, with the church frescoed every square millimeter.
Next we stopped at the Shepherd's Field Greek Orthodox Church. The gate is always closed, so we simply said we were pilgrims. No further identity. The gate was buzzed open. This site is truly special, as there is a cave on the compound beyond the church which contains a chapel at the burial site of the shepherds. There are other artifacts and an archeological site. All in all, a wonderful visit.
I returned to Manger Square, and visited the sites I had been to many times over the years: the Church of the Nativity and the Milk Grotto. I don't recommend the latter except to pilgrims, although for those looking for olive wood carvings, especially nativity sets, walk all the way to the Grotto and explore the shops. I consider the workmanship and prices far better here than in Jerusalem. (By the way...the same goes for the baklava. Ask the tourist center lady for the best baklava shop. She will point it out.)
As for the Church of the Nativity, a very special tip: go to the left of the altar and enter the door going down to the site of Christ's birth. If you go to the right, the line is long and so is the wait. I entered immediately when I went to the left. Of course, that is the exit, but no one is there to say no.
Here's how I did it on my own. First, I took Bus 21 at the bus station across from the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem. It was about a 12 minute walk from my hotel, The David Citadel. The bus runs all day and into the evening every half hour, and I boarded at 8am. The price was 7.3 shekels, a far better deal to go to Bethlehem. The bus terminates at the Baab Ziqaaq. Walk back in the direction the bus came from to the corner and turn left on to Paulus VI street. Stay on this as it goes up the hill and then down all the way to Manger Square. It is about a km from the bus stop to this point, and about half of it passes through the Old City.
As you enter Manger Square, immediately turn right and go to that corner of the square. There is an official tourist center there (not to be confused with private tourist offices), and they have countless maps of Bethlehem and environs as well as many West Bank cities, including Hebron, Nablus, Ramallah, etc. The young lady behind the counter spents lots of time answering all my questions and giving advice. She was spot on as things turned out, and I returned at the end of my day to offer her my sincerest thanks.
Per her advice, I walked about 50 meters to the main road beyond Manger Square to find a taxi to take me to sites outside of Bethlehem. We agreed on 150 shekels after much haggling to visit four sites (which took about 2 and half hours). I understand that the going rate is 70 shekels per hour, so this was a sweet deal. In addition, the young man, Amir was delighted to have an opportunity to practice his English, such as it was.
Our route took us first to the Shepherd's Fields Francisan church. This is modeled after a tent, and has a long history and wonderful site. It's worth 20 minutes or so, depending on how much time you may want to spend at the various grottoes. We then drove a good 45 minutes to get to Mar Saba, which seems in the middle of nowhere in the Judean Desert. But oh...what an unforgetting setting.
There is far too much to write about Mar Saba here, so I suggest you google it, as I did. But let me restate: it is one of the most stunning desert monasteries I have ever visited, and one can feel what these amazing individuals must have done to create this. CAUTION: Only men are allowed inside the monastery. There are absolutely no exceptions. I still suggest women visit as they can get some feel for the splendor and uniqueness of the site. But there is so much more men can see and feel inside.
We retraced our steps to nearby town of Al Obeidiyah, and stopped at the monastery of St. Theodosius. Normally, only Russians, Romanians and Greeks are permitted entry, but I happened to arrive just as a tour group from Greece was entering. I slid right into the group. The compound is lovely, with the church frescoed every square millimeter.
Next we stopped at the Shepherd's Field Greek Orthodox Church. The gate is always closed, so we simply said we were pilgrims. No further identity. The gate was buzzed open. This site is truly special, as there is a cave on the compound beyond the church which contains a chapel at the burial site of the shepherds. There are other artifacts and an archeological site. All in all, a wonderful visit.
I returned to Manger Square, and visited the sites I had been to many times over the years: the Church of the Nativity and the Milk Grotto. I don't recommend the latter except to pilgrims, although for those looking for olive wood carvings, especially nativity sets, walk all the way to the Grotto and explore the shops. I consider the workmanship and prices far better here than in Jerusalem. (By the way...the same goes for the baklava. Ask the tourist center lady for the best baklava shop. She will point it out.)
As for the Church of the Nativity, a very special tip: go to the left of the altar and enter the door going down to the site of Christ's birth. If you go to the right, the line is long and so is the wait. I entered immediately when I went to the left. Of course, that is the exit, but no one is there to say no.
Written July 16, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
healthspacritic
Washington DC, District of Columbia, USA187 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
Had our guide not brought us here I don't think I would have even seen it from the road. It is hidden into the mountain side and is most visible if you walk around and look at it from the back side. It takes about 30 min to get to the point with the best views, but it is worth it. It is a unique monastery and an architectural feat. My husband was able to go inside and tour with our guide, but no woman are allowed. Where good walking shoes so you can climb around to get the best views of not just the monastery but the surrounding rock area. There are some very interesting formations. Bring your camera.
Written April 22, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
McG_Road_Warrior
Tokyo, Japan519 contributions
Jul 2017 • Solo
Beyond all the fake, or invented, history in Bethlehem, there does exist this amazing monastery. Just 17km outside of town, perched on cliff, this incredible monastery has existed for 1,500 years. Part of what makes this place so special is the location, the network of caves the run down the cliffs and the trails for hiking.
Hiking to the other side of the river is a must. The views are second to none.
If you are a man, you can enter the monastery and take a tour. Get ready for some very outdated viewpoints. The Monks are nice, just not culturally with it.
The easiest way to get here is by taxi. Drivers will quote some high prices, but you should pay around 120nis. Don't let them guilt you into more.
Hiking to the other side of the river is a must. The views are second to none.
If you are a man, you can enter the monastery and take a tour. Get ready for some very outdated viewpoints. The Monks are nice, just not culturally with it.
The easiest way to get here is by taxi. Drivers will quote some high prices, but you should pay around 120nis. Don't let them guilt you into more.
Written July 15, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike M
Columbus, IN57 contributions
If you want to visit an out of the way place which is beautiful and near Jerusalem, St. Sabas Monastery is the place. But you need to remember that this is a working Orthodox monastery and not a tourist site. It would be best if you had a guide who drives a Palestinian-licensed car to visit. We highly recommend Sam Salem (guide.holy@gmail.com) for this service. He will pick you up at your hotel/hostel in Jerusalem and take you on tour anywhere you want to go in the West Bank. We thought our Russian language would help us in visiting Mar Saba, but it did not. The monks were cordial, but not very helpful. Women are not allowed in the monastery so my wife and daughter had to stay outside and look around the hillside with an Arab guide who happened to be hanging around outside the walls. Interesting place, but not a final destination unless you are Orthodox.
Written December 20, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jessica C
Edinburgh, UK107 contributions
Dec 2019
PLEASE BE AWARE MAR SABA DOES NOT ADMIT FEMALES .There's not much else to say but this fact is not always made clear by tour guides/groups. Women have to wait outside whilst the men go in
Written July 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rudan
Montreal, Canada12 contributions
Apr 2019 • Friends
What a chance for me to see this unique place in the world!!
If you are in Jerusalem during a orthodox Easter, the best way to visit this holly place is to find a group of piligrims from Greece, Serbia or any other orthodox country. So feel free to ask them to join their group, and you'll have a great experience.
That's how I did, I found serbian pilligrims in Petra house in Old Jerusalem and they accepted me.
Beautiful monastery, having couple of churches inside, and for orthodox people it's one of the holliest place to visit. Especially for the Serbs, since St. Sava foundator of serbian church visited this monastery and brought with him two icons of St Marry at St. Athos in Greece.
There are 18 monks on the place, and they served us a coffe with a croissants with a chocolate. Our group eat all this in a couple of minutes. Knowing that Monks eat only once a day, I had a shame. I bought a dates Medjoul to bring them back in Canada, and share them with my friends at work, but I decides to offers them to monks, which they accepted with the words Slava Bogu meanning glorry to the God.
So, bring with you olive oil, salt, fruit, vegetables, no cheaps please .... You'll do a great thing for you and for them.
I took some pictures inside, but some of serbs told me that is forbideen, so I felt guilty.
Once the Monks dies, there is a small square place on the floor having modest dimensions. Those of them that can't fit into a cave are not burried there, but most of them of course are left for some times inside cave. After some times, they will get them out and see if there is some parts of their body that left untouched (holly). Otherwise, their scull will be put in the oldest church with the sculls of all monks who died there.
I noticed that 5 members of the serbian group left on the monastery to sleep. Maybe next time I'll inform me how it works and ask to spend a night in this unique experience in the life. No electricity.
Must to see!!!
If you are in Jerusalem during a orthodox Easter, the best way to visit this holly place is to find a group of piligrims from Greece, Serbia or any other orthodox country. So feel free to ask them to join their group, and you'll have a great experience.
That's how I did, I found serbian pilligrims in Petra house in Old Jerusalem and they accepted me.
Beautiful monastery, having couple of churches inside, and for orthodox people it's one of the holliest place to visit. Especially for the Serbs, since St. Sava foundator of serbian church visited this monastery and brought with him two icons of St Marry at St. Athos in Greece.
There are 18 monks on the place, and they served us a coffe with a croissants with a chocolate. Our group eat all this in a couple of minutes. Knowing that Monks eat only once a day, I had a shame. I bought a dates Medjoul to bring them back in Canada, and share them with my friends at work, but I decides to offers them to monks, which they accepted with the words Slava Bogu meanning glorry to the God.
So, bring with you olive oil, salt, fruit, vegetables, no cheaps please .... You'll do a great thing for you and for them.
I took some pictures inside, but some of serbs told me that is forbideen, so I felt guilty.
Once the Monks dies, there is a small square place on the floor having modest dimensions. Those of them that can't fit into a cave are not burried there, but most of them of course are left for some times inside cave. After some times, they will get them out and see if there is some parts of their body that left untouched (holly). Otherwise, their scull will be put in the oldest church with the sculls of all monks who died there.
I noticed that 5 members of the serbian group left on the monastery to sleep. Maybe next time I'll inform me how it works and ask to spend a night in this unique experience in the life. No electricity.
Must to see!!!
Written April 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lars M
Risskov, Denmark2,055 contributions
Jun 2017 • Friends
About 20 kilometers east of Bethlehem in the desert of Judea we find the oldest still active monastery in the world. The best way to go there is to go by a taxi. Out here you will get the feeling of an unchangeableness throughout the history. The surroundings in the desert are beautiful, but beautiful is not the real word for it. There is no admittance for women to the monastery, but all both men and women are allowed to take a walk around in the amazing landscape.
Written July 24, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CristiDan
Bucharest, Romania287 contributions
Dec 2011 • Business
Heaven in Earth, in the middle of nowhere - in the Judean desert this wonderful monastery is a corner of heaven, the peace, the silence, the sites are just breathtaking. The only small problem is that women are not allowed in the monastery and they have a special place named the Tower of Women from where they can see the inside of the monastery. Monks are very nice, will welcome anyone that will like to visit and pray, a small contribution in mandatory. It's amazing how they can live without any electricity, running water, hot water, AC in the summer temperatures can reach 45 Celsius /shade. Best time to visit November till May. June July August Sept to be avoided to hot. Also the trip from Jerusalem or Bethlehem is fantastic :)) roads are narrow but the view is incredible. Also make sure you visit St Theodosius Monastery another gorgeous monastery, located at the edge of the desert. Photos in Mar Saba or in English -The Great Lavra of St. Sabbas the Sanctified - are not permitted in the church, monks will let you take a photo at the Kidron Valley but not inside the Church. Fridays the monastery is closed to visitors and the program is from 8 am till sundown, in the winter around 15.30 closes. If you have the opportunity visit the monastery it's worth it.
Written February 1, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I want to go from Jerusalem to the monastery by bicycle and come back the same day or maybe stay one night and come back the next day. Is there any danger in the area? can I go any day?
thanks! (I am from Colombia)
Written February 6, 2021
I want to get to Mar Saba from Bethlehem with a friend. How much would a taxi cost from there, and would they have to stay at Mar Saba with us?
Written January 7, 2020
No idea... it's off road to the lookout on the Israeli controlled side...so you need 4wd not a taxi. And it's West Bank...so you've got some things working against you.
Written January 8, 2020
Hello, can I go to Mar Saba Monastery and Wadi Qelt with an organized tour with an Israeli passport? It is in the "allowed" area theoretically, but will there be any problems on the border?! Thank you all!
Written February 1, 2019
Yes you can in wadi qelt but there is no border Wadi qelt,unlike in mar saba where you will need to pass the border,and the people there is arab palestinian,so i dont think so if it is advisable for you wherein in the history as well as in the present situation the relation of arab palestinian to jews is not really good and not okay,there still a
Barrier among of u and them.u need to asks some of your other friends
Written February 1, 2019
I would like to visit Mar Saba from Jerusalem Thursday morning. What would be a reasonable price for a taxi drive there and back plus 1-2 hrs wait at the monastery? How and where do I find a reliable taxi driver who can take me there from Jerusalem? Any other tips? Thank you for your help!
Written May 7, 2018
We hired a taxi in Bethlehem where we were staying. We went to Herodion and Marsaba. The road is fine. Like you we had no idea about anything. I think we paid 120 shekel including the wait. There is an awesome guy who lives in a cave outside Marsaba. He acts as a guide. Take the walk around the valley to see the monastry from afar and meet the bedoin family there.
Written May 9, 2018
You mentioned you went there on a local bus.we were going to hire a vehicle and drive out there but some people have indicated you must have a guide with you .would love to hear how you got there
kind regards
margie
Written January 25, 2018
Is it worth the visit if you cannot enter the monastery (female Orthodox woman) if you have very few days in Jerusalem
Written August 17, 2017
If you only have very few days in Jerusalem, I would give priority to Jerusalem. The surroundings, the mountains and the desert around the Mar Saba Monastery are very beautiful, but as woman you will not be admitted to enter the monastery.
Written August 18, 2017
holyoganj
Ivanjica, Serbia
I would like to knew it is possiblle to visit monastir on Easter 16.04 or on Easter Monday 17.04. This year with one small Greek ortodox group of 6 peope from Serbia...
Thank you from the hearth
Written March 15, 2017
It may be possible. The Brothers there are very friendly and accommodating. Women are not permitted inside.
Written March 15, 2017
Showing results 1-7 of 7
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing