Biblical Turkey Tour in 8 Days: The Seven Churches, the Roads of Saint Paul and Cappadocia

Overview

Much of the New Testament took place in today’s Turkey. Paul was born in Tarsus and walked its roads on his journeys, John wrote to seven of its cities in the Book of Revelation, and the first great councils of the Church met in its cities. Our biblical Turkey tour takes you to those places in eight days, with a guide who knows both the stones and the scriptures.

Istanbul on the Biblical Turkey Tour

We begin in Istanbul at Hagia Irene, where the Second Ecumenical Council met in 381 and completed the Nicene Creed. Then we visit Hagia Sophia and the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Fener. On the second day, we visit the Chora, now the Kariye Mosque, as its visiting status allows, before a flight to İzmir, ancient Smyrna.

The Seven Churches of Revelation

Next, we follow the letters of Revelation. In Pergamum, the Red Basilica stands below the acropolis, the city Revelation calls the place of Satan’s throne. The Red Basilica has been closed to visitors since January 2025, so we see it from outside. We see Thyatira, the city of Lydia, the seller of purple cloth, and Sardis, with one of the largest ancient synagogues ever found. In Philadelphia, the pillars of an old church still stand. At Laodicea, you see the water pipes that explain why its church was called lukewarm.

Ephesus and Saint Paul

In Ephesus, you stand in the theater where the silversmiths rioted against Paul. Nearby, the Basilica of St. John rises over the traditional tomb of the apostle, and in the hills stands the House of the Virgin Mary. Afterwards, we drive east to Antioch of Pisidia, where Paul preached in the synagogue, as Acts 13 tells.

The End of the Biblical Turkey Tour

Then we reach Konya, ancient Iconium, where Paul and Barnabas preached. On the last day, the painted rock churches of the Göreme Open-Air Museum show how early Christians lived and prayed in Cappadocia.

From our team

• ServicesMany churches welcome visitors to Sunday services. Ask us to plan one into your trip.
• Group readingsYour guide gives you time at each site for readings and prayer.
• SardisThe synagogue of Sardis was part of the city’s gymnasium, a sign of how rooted its Jewish community was.
• EasterChurch groups often travel around Easter, so book early for April.

Our suggestion Bring a Bible and read the letter to each church on the spot. In Laodicea, the words about lukewarm water make sense when you see the pipes.

Shape Your Biblical Turkey Tour

Every journey is private, so we adapt the readings and the pace to your group. A shorter trip with only the seven churches, in a loop from İzmir, is our Seven Churches tour in 5 days. Walkers can follow the St Paul Trail. Ephesus is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Route

1. Istanbul
2. İzmir
3. Pergamum
4. Thyatira
5. Sardis
6. Ephesus
7. Philadelphia
8. Laodicea
9. Antioch of Pisidia
10. Konya
11. Cappadocia

Day by day

1. Day 1 · Istanbul

   Istanbul, the city of the councils

   Hagia Sophia and Hagia Irene, where the Second Ecumenical Council met in 381, and the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Fener.

   • Places: Hagia Sophia, Hagia Irene, Fener
   • Stay: Sultanahmet

2. Day 2 · Izmir

   The Chora and the flight to İzmir

   The Chora, now the Kariye Mosque, as its visiting status allows, then a flight to İzmir, ancient Smyrna, and its Roman agora.

   • Places: Chora (Kariye Mosque)
   • Stay: İzmir

3. Day 3 · Izmir

   Pergamum

   The acropolis of Pergamum, the healing center of the Asklepion and the Red Basilica, in the city Revelation calls the place of Satan's throne.

   • Places: Pergamon, Red Basilica, Bergama
   • Stay: İzmir or Selçuk

4. Day 4 · Izmir

   Thyatira and Sardis

   The ruins of Thyatira in Akhisar, then Sardis with its great synagogue, its gymnasium and the temple of Artemis with a small church beside it.

   • Places: Sardis, Thyatira
   • Stay: Selçuk

5. Day 5 · Ephesus

   Ephesus

   Ephesus and the theater of the riot against Paul, the Basilica of St. John and the House of the Virgin Mary.

   • Places: Ephesus, Basilica of St. John (St. Jean), Selçuk, House of the Virgin Mary
   • Stay: Selçuk

6. Day 6 · Pamukkale

   Philadelphia and Laodicea

   The pillars of the church of Saint John in Philadelphia, then Laodicea, lukewarm in Revelation, and the tomb of Saint Philip in Hierapolis.

   • Places: Laodicea, Pamukkale & Hierapolis, Philadelphia (Alaşehir)
   • Stay: Pamukkale

7. Day 7 · Konya

   Antioch of Pisidia and Iconium

   The city where Paul preached in the synagogue, then Konya, ancient Iconium, and the village of Sille.

   • Places: Mevlana Museum, Antioch of Pisidia
   • Stay: Konya

8. Day 8 · Cappadocia

   Cappadocia and home

   The painted rock churches of the Göreme Open-Air Museum, then the flight home from Kayseri.

   • Places: Göreme Open-Air Museum

What’s included

Practical

Best time to go

All year round. In summer, we visit the churches and ancient sites early in the morning, and in winter, Cappadocia may be under snow, with balloons flying on clear mornings with little wind. Groups and churches often travel around Easter, so book early.

Fitness level

Moderate: many ancient sites on uneven ground, and long drives between them.

Accessibility

Tell us your needs. We can shorten site visits and add rest stops.

Gallery

Frequently asked questions