✦ Catholic Tourist

Catholic pilgrimage guide · Holy Land

Jerusalem,
the city of the Passion.

Follow the Passion and Resurrection in Jerusalem, then widen the pilgrimage through Mount Zion, Ein Karem, Bethlehem, Bethany, Galilee, and the Carmelite landscape—only when current security and access conditions permit.

Explore 27 places on the mapChoose a suggested journey
27 sacred places5 devotional areas1–5 day journeys

The essential pilgrimage

Passion and Resurrection

Begin on the Mount of Olives, descend through Gethsemane, and give the Via Dolorosa and Holy Sepulchre a separate prayerful block. The Friday Franciscan procession and church access remain subject to local conditions.

ShrineMount of Olives — Chapel of the AscensionJerusalem, Holy LandOpen guide →ShrineChurch of the Pater NosterJerusalem, Holy LandOpen guide →ShrineDominus FlevitJerusalem, Holy LandOpen guide →ShrineGarden of Gethsemane & Basilica of the AgonyJerusalem, Holy LandOpen guide →ShrineVia DolorosaJerusalem, Holy LandOpen guide →ShrineChurch of the Holy SepulchreJerusalem, Holy LandOpen guide →

Suggested journeys

Choose your pace

Each journey can be saved directly to your account with its day assignments, stop order and pilgrimage notes intact.

1 day

Passion and Resurrection

A demanding Old City pilgrimage attempted only when local guidance supports the full route.

  1. Day 1 · Early morningMount of Olives — Chapel of the AscensionStart before heat and crowds; verify present access and transport to the Mount of Olives.
  2. Day 1 · MorningChurch of the Pater NosterLet the Pater Noster frame the descent.
  3. Day 1 · MorningDominus FlevitDescend to Dominus Flevit only if surfaces and mobility permit.
  4. Day 1 · Late morningGarden of Gethsemane & Basilica of the AgonyPause at Gethsemane; services can limit visitor movement.
  5. Day 1 · Early afternoonVia DolorosaConfirm whether the Franciscan procession is operating.
  6. Day 1 · Late afternoonChurch of the Holy SepulchreExpect queues and denominational service schedules inside the shared church.
2 days

Jerusalem and Mount Zion

Separate the Passion route from Mount Zion and the Marian–Baptist places of Ein Karem.

  1. Day 1 · Early morningMount of Olives — Chapel of the AscensionBegin the Passion day on the Mount of Olives.
  2. Day 1 · Late morningGarden of Gethsemane & Basilica of the AgonyDescend to Gethsemane with realistic walking time.
  3. Day 1 · Early afternoonVia DolorosaWalk the Via Dolorosa prayerfully.
  4. Day 1 · Late afternoonChurch of the Holy SepulchreConclude around the shared-church schedule.
  5. Day 2 · MorningCenacle — Upper RoomBegin on Mount Zion at the Cenacle.
  6. Day 2 · Late morningDormition AbbeyConfirm Dormition Abbey’s current access.
  7. Day 2 · MiddayChurch of St. Peter in GallicantuComplete Mount Zion at St. Peter in Gallicantu.
  8. Day 2 · AfternoonChurch of the VisitationClimb to the Visitation church only if current access permits.
  9. Day 2 · Late afternoonChurch of St. John Ba HarimEnd at St. John Ba Harim after confirming the Franciscan schedule.
3 days

Jerusalem, Ein Karem and Bethlehem

A three-day framework with the West Bank day conditional on current checkpoint, transport, and security guidance.

  1. Day 1 · Early morningMount of Olives — Chapel of the AscensionMount of Olives and the Passion descent.
  2. Day 1 · Late morningGarden of Gethsemane & Basilica of the AgonyGethsemane.
  3. Day 1 · Early afternoonVia DolorosaVia Dolorosa, if operating appropriately.
  4. Day 1 · Late afternoonChurch of the Holy SepulchreHoly Sepulchre with time for queues.
  5. Day 2 · MorningCenacle — Upper RoomCenacle and Mount Zion.
  6. Day 2 · Late morningDormition AbbeyDormition Abbey.
  7. Day 2 · MiddayChurch of St. Peter in GallicantuSt. Peter in Gallicantu.
  8. Day 2 · AfternoonChurch of the VisitationVisitation church.
  9. Day 2 · Late afternoonChurch of St. John Ba HarimSt. John Ba Harim.
  10. Day 3 · MorningChurch of the NativityEnter Bethlehem only after reconfirming checkpoint access.
  11. Day 3 · AfternoonShepherds’ FieldContinue to Shepherds’ Field only if regional conditions remain suitable.
5 days

The Holy Land in five chapters

A conceptual Jerusalem–Galilee pilgrimage that must be rebuilt around current government advice; northern stops are omitted whenever Level 4 restrictions apply.

  1. Day 1 · Early morningMount of Olives — Chapel of the AscensionMount of Olives to Gethsemane.
  2. Day 1 · Early afternoonVia DolorosaVia Dolorosa.
  3. Day 1 · Late afternoonChurch of the Holy SepulchreHoly Sepulchre.
  4. Day 2 · MorningCenacle — Upper RoomMount Zion.
  5. Day 2 · AfternoonChurch of the VisitationEin Karem.
  6. Day 3 · MorningChurch of the NativityBethlehem, conditional on access.
  7. Day 3 · AfternoonChurch and Traditional Tomb of St. LazarusBethany, only if West Bank access permits.
  8. Day 4 · Late morning, by appointmentSisters of Nazareth Convent and Traditional Childhood Home of JesusContinue the hidden-life pilgrimage beneath the Sisters of Nazareth Convent, only with advance confirmation from the community.
  9. Day 4 · MorningBasilica of the AnnunciationNazareth, only if northern travel is permitted.
  10. Day 4 · AfternoonWedding Church at CanaCana and optional Tabor.
  11. Day 5 · MorningCapernaum — House of St. PeterCapernaum.
  12. Day 5 · MiddayTabgha — Church of the MultiplicationTabgha.
  13. Day 5 · AfternoonMount of BeatitudesMount of Beatitudes.
  14. Day 5 · Late afternoonMagdala Archaeological Park & Duc In AltumMagdala if current hours fit.
  15. Day 5 · Optional extensionStella Maris Carmelite MonasteryStella Maris belongs to a separate Carmel extension.

Sacred ways

Pilgrimage routes and historic paths

Every route card states its form of recognition so an official Catholic pilgrimage, a devotional tradition, and an independent modern trail are never treated as the same thing.

Historic Catholic devotional route

Via Dolorosa

Jerusalem Old City

Distance
About 600 m
Typical time
1.5–3 hours prayerfully

The fourteen Stations lead from the Franciscan Sanctuary of the Flagellation through the Old City to Calvary and the Holy Tomb inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Franciscan Catholic traditionStation access and the Friday Franciscan procession can change with security conditions.Route information ↗
Modern Christian pilgrimage trail

Jesus Trail

Lower Galilee: Nazareth to Capernaum

Distance
About 65 km
Typical time
Usually 4 days

A waymarked hiking route through Cana, the Horns of Hattin, Arbel, Tabgha, the Mount of Beatitudes and Capernaum, linking landscapes associated with Christ’s Galilean ministry.

Independent route; not an official Catholic designationRequires hiking preparation, current trail-condition checks and regional security review.Route information ↗
Public Christian pilgrimage and recreation trail

Gospel Trail

Galilee: Nazareth to Capernaum

Distance
About 62 km
Typical time
4 segments

A parallel Galilee route for walkers and cyclists, organized in segments with access to Nazareth, Cana, Mount Tabor, Magdala, Tabgha, the Mount of Beatitudes and Capernaum.

Not a Catholic ecclesial designationCheck present trail maintenance, transport and local access before departure.Route information ↗
Biblical and historical walking trail

Emmaus Trail

Jerusalem Hills: Saxum to Emmaus-Nicopolis

Distance
About 20 km
Typical time
A full walking day

A walking pilgrimage inspired by Luke 24, beginning at the Saxum Visitor Center and ending at the Emmaus-Nicopolis tradition.

Christian pilgrimage initiative; not a Vatican designationRoute logistics and current regional access should be confirmed directly with the organizer.Route information ↗

The Upper City

Mount Zion and St. Peter

Keep the Cenacle’s traditional identification, Dormition Abbey, and St. Peter in Gallicantu distinct: they have different custodians, worship patterns, and access rules.

ShrineCenacle — Upper RoomJerusalem, Holy LandOpen guide →MonasteryDormition AbbeyJerusalem, Holy LandOpen guide →ShrineChurch of St. Peter in GallicantuJerusalem, Holy LandOpen guide →

Beyond the Old City

Ein Karem, Bethlehem, Bethany, and Emmaus

These places require current checkpoint and transport checks. Pair the Visitation and St. John in Ein Karem; give Bethlehem its own day; treat Bethany and Emmaus as separate excursions.

ShrineChurch of the VisitationEin Karem, Holy LandOpen guide →ShrineChurch of St. John Ba HarimEin Karem, Holy LandOpen guide →ShrineChurch and Traditional Tomb of St. LazarusBethany, Holy LandOpen guide →ShrineEmmaus Al-Qubeibeh Franciscan ShrineAl-Qubeibeh, Holy LandOpen guide →BasilicaChurch of the NativityBethlehem, Holy LandOpen guide →ShrineShepherds’ FieldBeit Sahour, Holy LandOpen guide →

The public ministry of Jesus

Nazareth, Cana, Tabor, and the Sea of Galilee

Base a separate Galilee chapter around Nazareth, then travel to Cana, Tabor, Capernaum, Tabgha, the Mount of Beatitudes, and Magdala. This is not a day trip from Jerusalem and must be replanned around present northern security restrictions.

BasilicaBasilica of the AnnunciationNazareth, Holy LandOpen guide →ShrineChurch of St. JosephNazareth, Holy LandOpen guide →ShrineWedding Church at CanaKafr Kanna, Holy LandOpen guide →Historic SiteSisters of Nazareth Convent and Traditional Childhood Home of JesusNazareth, Holy LandOpen guide →BasilicaBasilica of the TransfigurationMount Tabor, Holy LandOpen guide →Archaeological SiteCapernaum — House of St. PeterCapernaum, Holy LandOpen guide →ShrineTabgha — Church of the MultiplicationTabgha, Holy LandOpen guide →ShrineChurch of the Primacy of St. PeterTabgha, Holy LandOpen guide →ShrineMount of BeatitudesKorazim Plateau, Holy LandOpen guide →Archaeological SiteMagdala Archaeological Park & Duc In AltumMigdal, Holy LandOpen guide →

Prophet and contemplative tradition

Carmel: Stella Maris and Muhraka

The two Carmelite places interpret different parts of the Elijah tradition and require a separate Haifa–Carmel journey inside a region where official advisories may restrict travel.

MonasteryStella Maris Carmelite MonasteryHaifa, Holy LandOpen guide →MonasteryMuhraka Carmelite MonasteryDaliyat al-Karmel, Holy LandOpen guide →

The complete collection

Every mapped sacred place

01
Church of the Holy SepulchreShrine · Jerusalem
→02
Garden of Gethsemane & Basilica of the AgonyShrine · Jerusalem
→03
Mount of Olives — Chapel of the AscensionShrine · Jerusalem
→04
Dominus FlevitShrine · Jerusalem
→05
Church of the Pater NosterShrine · Jerusalem
→06
Cenacle — Upper RoomShrine · Jerusalem
→07
Dormition AbbeyMonastery · Jerusalem
→08
Church of St. Peter in GallicantuShrine · Jerusalem
→09
Via DolorosaShrine · Jerusalem
→10
Church of the VisitationShrine · Ein Karem
→11
Church of St. John Ba HarimShrine · Ein Karem
→12
Church and Traditional Tomb of St. LazarusShrine · Bethany
→13
Emmaus Al-Qubeibeh Franciscan ShrineShrine · Al-Qubeibeh
→14
Church of the NativityBasilica · Bethlehem
→15
Shepherds’ FieldShrine · Beit Sahour
→16
Basilica of the AnnunciationBasilica · Nazareth
→17
Church of St. JosephShrine · Nazareth
→18
Wedding Church at CanaShrine · Kafr Kanna
→19
Sisters of Nazareth Convent and Traditional Childhood Home of JesusHistoric Site · Nazareth
→20
Capernaum — House of St. PeterArchaeological Site · Capernaum
→21
Tabgha — Church of the MultiplicationShrine · Tabgha
→22
Church of the Primacy of St. PeterShrine · Tabgha
→23
Mount of BeatitudesShrine · Korazim Plateau
→24
Magdala Archaeological Park & Duc In AltumArchaeological Site · Migdal
→25
Basilica of the TransfigurationBasilica · Mount Tabor
→26
Stella Maris Carmelite MonasteryMonastery · Haifa
→27
Muhraka Carmelite MonasteryMonastery · Daliyat al-Karmel
→

A pilgrim’s note

Leave room for grace.

Opening hours, liturgies, security arrangements and route access can change. Confirm every major detail shortly before your visit.

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