Monastery of the Temptation

Monastery of the Temptation tickets: which one to buy

The Monastery of the Temptation clings to the cliffs of the Mount of Temptation above Jericho, in the West Bank, and it is reached by a cable car from near the ancient mound of Tel es-Sultan, or by a steep walk up a path. The cable car ticket is the main cost, and the monastery itself asks a small entry fee or donation. Jericho is about forty minutes' drive from Jerusalem, and tours usually combine the monastery with Tel es-Sultan, one of the oldest continuously inhabited sites in the world, Hisham's Palace with its mosaics, and the Dead Sea or the baptism site on the Jordan River.

Tours with Palestinian guides are easy to arrange. Visitors need their passports for the checkpoints, and travel advice should be checked before visiting. The monastery is run by Greek Orthodox monks, and modest dress is required. The walk up takes about half an hour and is steep and exposed, so the cable car is the practical choice in summer.

Visiting Monastery of the Temptation: what to see

According to Christian tradition, Jesus fasted and meditated for forty days on this mountain, where he was tempted by the devil, as described in the Gospels. Hermits lived in the caves of the cliff from the early Byzantine period, and a monastery was built around them. The present monastery was built by the Greek Orthodox Church in the late nineteenth century, on the ruins of earlier buildings, and it seems to hang from the rock face, with balconies and walls built against the cliff.

Inside, narrow passages lead to chapels built into the caves, including the grotto where Jesus is said to have sat, with a stone marking the spot, and icons and lamps. From the terraces there are dramatic views over the oasis of Jericho, the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea and the mountains of Jordan. The cable car ride itself gives an aerial view of the ancient mound. A small courtyard and several balconies look out over the plain, and the monks maintain a garden in a fold of the cliff. Ancient cisterns cut into the rock once collected rainwater for the hermits. The monastery church has a gilded iconostasis and icons brought from Greece.

Monastery of the Temptation opening hours and the best time to go

The monastery is open in the morning and early afternoon, closing at midday on some days and on Sundays at times; it closes earlier in winter. Jericho lies below sea level and is very hot in summer, so early morning visits are recommended, and winter and spring are pleasant. Christian pilgrims visit especially during Lent, which recalls the forty days of fasting.

Ramadan changes opening hours of businesses in Jericho. The political situation can affect access, so check local advice. Allow about an hour for the cable car and the monastery, and combine it with Tel es-Sultan at the bottom of the cable car and a visit to the Dead Sea. The restaurants at the base of the cable car serve fresh orange juice from Jericho's orchards and local dishes.