Seven Churches of Revelation Tour in Turkey: 7 Days, Full Board
Overview
Seven Churches of Revelation Tour in Turkey: 7 Days, Full Board
This 7-day, 6-night tour traces Turkey's early Christian history. You fly from Istanbul to Izmir, the starting point for visits to the ancient cities of Smyrna, Pergamum and Thyatira.
The route continues to the biblical sites of Philadelphia, Sardis and Laodicea, and on to the extensive ruins of Ephesus. Along the way you stop at the House of the Virgin Mary and walk in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul.
Beyond its spiritual meaning, the journey also shows the wide range of Turkey's cultural and historical heritage. Full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner every day), 6 nights in 4-star or equivalent hotels, a professional guide and the entrance fees in the itinerary are included. Optional extra tours and activities are not.
Tour Info
Itinerary
Day 1 – Flight from Istanbul to Izmir & Izmir City Tour
Accommodation: Izmir. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
- 04:00 AM: pick-up from your Istanbul hotel and transfer to the airport.
- 07:00 – 07:30 AM: your flight to Izmir takes off, with views of the land below.
- 09:00 AM: on arrival in Izmir you meet your guide and head into the city.
- 09:30 AM – 10:30 AM: the Izmir Clock Tower in Konak Square, a landmark that represents the city's long history, set in a lively square that is good for photos.
- 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Kemeraltı Bazaar, a colourful market full of local life, where you can browse crafts and taste traditional snacks.
- 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: lunch at a local restaurant, with regional Turkish dishes and the flavours of the Aegean.
- 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM: the Agora of Smyrna, an ancient marketplace from Roman times, where you walk among the ruins.
- 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM: a relaxed walk along the Izmir waterfront, with views of the Aegean Sea and the busy promenade.
- 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM: the historic Asansör (Elevator), with panoramic views over Izmir.
- 04:00 PM: transfer to your hotel in Izmir to rest after the day's visits.
The afternoon programme runs from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, and the tour ends at 4:00 PM.
Day 2 – Pergamum & Thyatira
Accommodation: Izmir. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
- 09:30 AM: leave your Izmir hotel for a day among the biblical sites of the ancient world.
- 10:00 AM: arrival in Pergamon. At the Acropolis you see the steepest theatre in the world, with wide views and a clear example of ancient Greek architecture. Nearby stands the Altar of Zeus, called the “Throne of Satan” in the Book of Revelation, a place to consider its historical weight.
- 11:30 AM: the Asklepieion, a famous healing centre in Roman times, where you learn about the medical treatments and rituals of a sanctuary that combined faith and medicine.
- 12:30 PM: a one-hour lunch break at a local restaurant with regional dishes.
- 01:30 PM: the Pergamon Library, the second-largest library of the ancient world, which held around 200,000 parchments and was a centre of learning.
- 02:30 PM: the Red Basilica (St. John's Church), an impressive building that shows the architectural skill of its age and offers a window onto early Christian spiritual life.
- 03:30 PM: drive to Thyatira, today's Akhisar.
- 04:30 PM: tour of Thyatira, with the remains of a basilica and other Roman-era buildings. You also hear about Lydia, who sold purple cloth in Philippi, came from Thyatira and played an important part in the early Christian community.
- Evening: return to your hotel in Izmir after a day at the ancient biblical sites of Pergamon and Thyatira.
Day 3 – Philadelphia & Sardis, Transfer to Pamukkale
Accommodation: Pamukkale. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
- 08:00 AM: leave your Izmir hotel and drive toward Philadelphia (modern Alasehir).
- 09:30 AM – 10:30 AM: Philadelphia, a city with an important place in early Christianity, remembered for its resilience and steady faith. Walk its ancient streets and reflect on its heritage.
- 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM: continue to Sardis, once a wealthy city of the ancient world.
- 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM: the ruins of Sardis, including the Temple of Artemis and the Temple of Cybele, where you can picture the life that once filled these sacred places.
- 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM: a hearty lunch at a local restaurant.
- 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM: finish the visit to Sardis and set off for Pamukkale.
- 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM: transfer to Pamukkale, home of the travertine terraces known as the “Cotton Castle”, a natural wonder that has drawn travellers for centuries.
- 05:00 PM: arrival in Pamukkale and hotel check-in, with time to think back on the day's sites of faith and history.
- Evening: enjoy the beauty of a land where nature and biblical history meet.
Day 4 – Pamukkale, Hierapolis & Laodicea
- 10:00 – 10:30 AM: morning pick-up from your hotel to explore Pamukkale and the ancient city of Hierapolis, known for its well-preserved ruins and historical importance.
- 10:30 – 12:00 PM: the Necropolis, an ancient burial ground where you walk among tombs and mausoleums left by long-gone civilizations.
- 12:00 – 1:00 PM: the Theater, an imposing structure that has survived the centuries, with fine detail and wide views.
- 1:00 – 2:00 PM: lunch at a local restaurant, with regional food and time to relax.
- 2:00 – 3:00 PM: the Cleopatra Pool (swimming costs extra). Legend says Cleopatra herself bathed in its warm, healing water, and you can take a refreshing dip.
- 3:00 – 4:00 PM: the travertines of Pamukkale, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of bright white terraces and mineral-rich pools. Walk along the cotton-like formations and enjoy the views.
- 4:00 – 4:30 PM: Pamukkale Natural Lake and Park, a peaceful spot to end the day.
- 4:30 PM: return to your hotel.
Day 5 – House of the Virgin Mary & Selçuk, Transfer to Kusadasi
Accommodation: Kusadasi. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
- 07:00 AM: early pick-up from your hotel for the drive to the coastal town of Kusadasi.
- 10:00 AM: the House of the Virgin Mary, which tradition holds to be the final home of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Take time to reflect in this peaceful sanctuary.
- After the visit: drive on to Selçuk through attractive countryside.
- 12:00 – 1:00 PM: lunch at a local restaurant in Selçuk.
- 1:00 – 3:00 PM: shopping time in Selçuk's boutiques and markets for handicrafts, Turkish textiles and souvenirs, with a chance to meet local artisans and enjoy Turkish hospitality.
- 3:00 PM: the tour ends and you head back to your hotel.
- 3:30 PM: arrival at your hotel in Kusadasi for the night.
Day 6 – Ephesus & Kusadasi
Accommodation: Kusadasi. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
- 08:00 AM: pick-up from your hotel for the ancient city of Ephesus, a key place in early Christian history.
- 08:30 AM: the tour of Ephesus. See the Library of Celsus, built in an age that valued learning, and the great Theatre, where early Christians may have gathered to hear the Apostle Paul. Continue to the Temple of Aphrodite and the Temple of Hadrian, then visit the Temple of Diana, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and consider its biblical meaning.
- 12:00 – 1:00 PM: lunch at a local restaurant with traditional Turkish food and time to talk over the morning.
- 1:00 – 3:00 PM: the Town Overlooks, viewpoints where you can reflect on a region where early believers lived their faith, and on the early church and the teachings of Christ.
- 3:00 PM: the tour ends and you return to your hotel in Kusadasi.
Day 7 – Flight from Kusadasi to Istanbul
Accommodation: Istanbul (not included). Meals: breakfast; lunch and dinner optional. Activities: optional tours available (please mention them in your booking remarks).
- 08:30 – 09:00 AM: after breakfast you are picked up for your journey to Istanbul. The pick-up time may change depending on your flight.
- 12:00 PM: board your flight to Istanbul.
- On arrival in Istanbul: transfer to your hotel in Istanbul, where our services end.
- Evening: dinner can be arranged on request if you would like to try the local cuisine.
Important Notes
Optional extras
- Cappadocia hot air balloon (Göreme): $310
- One extra night in an Istanbul hotel, before or after the tour: $65
- Two extra nights in an Istanbul hotel, before or after the tour: $125
Inclusions & Exclusions
- ✓Full board (breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily)
- ✓6 nights in 4-star or equivalent hotels
- ✓Professional guide
- ✓Admission fees in the itinerary
- ✕Optional additional tours or activities.
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Seven Churches of Revelation in 7 days, full board: the key facts
This 7-day, 6-night group package visits the seven cities named in the Book of Revelation at a steady pace, with all meals included. You fly from Istanbul to Izmir on Day 1 and spend the day in Izmir, ancient Smyrna. Day 2 covers Pergamum and Thyatira. Day 3 covers Philadelphia and Sardis, then the drive to Pamukkale. Day 4 is Hierapolis and the Pamukkale terraces, and Laodicea is named in the title. Day 5 brings the House of the Virgin Mary and Selcuk, and Day 6 is Ephesus. On Day 7 you fly back to Istanbul.
It suits church groups, pilgrims and anyone who wants the biblical sites with time to stop and reflect, rather than a rushed three-day version. The price is from $2,410 per person.
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Length | 7 days / 6 nights |
| Route | Istanbul – Izmir (Smyrna) – Pergamum – Thyatira – Philadelphia – Sardis – Pamukkale (Hierapolis, Laodicea) – Selcuk – Kusadasi (Ephesus) – Istanbul |
| Style | Group tour |
| Start / end | 04:00 hotel pick-up in Istanbul / flight to Istanbul around 12:00 on Day 7, hotel transfer |
| Included | Full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner daily), 6 nights in 4-star or similar hotels, professional guide, admission fees in the itinerary |
| Extra | Optional tours and activities, Cleopatra Pool swim, Istanbul hotel on Day 7, extra Istanbul nights ($65 / $125) |
Does the tour really visit all seven churches?
Six are clearly in the day plans: Smyrna, through the Agora of Smyrna on Day 1, then Pergamum, Thyatira, Philadelphia, Sardis and Ephesus. Laodicea is the problem. Day 4 is titled "Pamukkale, Hierapolis & Laodicea", but its timetable lists only the Necropolis, the theatre, the Cleopatra Pool, the travertines and the Natural Lake and Park, with no stop at Laodicea. Ask us in writing when Laodicea is visited and for how long, since it is one of the seven.
Are the domestic flights included?
Check this before you pay. Day 1 has a 07:00–07:30 flight from Istanbul to Izmir, with pick-up at your Istanbul hotel at 04:00. Day 7 has a flight to Istanbul at about 12:00. The inclusions list covers meals, hotels, the guide and entrance fees, but it does not mention either flight or the airport transfers. The Day 7 title says "Flight from Kusadasi", but Kusadasi is the hotel town. Ask which airport you fly from, the exact times and whether both fares are in the $2,410 price.
How are the days paced?
The pace is steady, with most days ending in the afternoon. Day 1 starts very early, but the Izmir tour ends at 16:00. Day 2 leaves at 09:30 for Pergamum, with the Acropolis, the Altar of Zeus, the Asklepieion, the library and the Red Basilica, then Thyatira at 16:30. Day 3 leaves at 08:00 and reaches Pamukkale at 17:00. Days 4 to 6 end by about 15:00 to 16:30. On Day 5 you get two hours of free time in Selcuk.
What does the Izmir day cover?
Day 1 is a city tour of Izmir, ancient Smyrna. After landing at 09:00 you meet your guide and see the Clock Tower in Konak Square and the Kemeralti Bazaar. Lunch is at a local restaurant. Then you visit the Agora of Smyrna, the Roman marketplace, walk along the waterfront and finish at the historic Asansor, the old lift with views over the city. You reach your Izmir hotel at 16:00 and sleep there two nights.
Which hotels and meals are included?
Full board is included on Days 1 to 6, with breakfast, lunch and dinner. Day 7 has breakfast only, and lunch and dinner are optional. The six nights are in 4-star or similar hotels: two in Izmir, two in Pamukkale and two in Kusadasi. Day 4 has no accommodation line on the page, but you stay on in Pamukkale. Hotels are not named, so ask for them. On Day 7 the Istanbul hotel is "not included", and our services end at the transfer.
What should we wear at the holy sites?
Cover your shoulders and knees at the House of the Virgin Mary, in the basilicas and at any church or mosque on the way. A light scarf is useful for women. At Pamukkale you walk the white terraces barefoot, so carry a bag for your shoes. Swimming in the Cleopatra Pool costs extra, so pack swimwear only if you plan to use it. Good walking shoes are needed at Pergamum, Sardis and Ephesus.
What do we see at Ephesus on Day 6?
You are picked up at 08:00 and the tour starts at 08:30. The page lists the Library of Celsus, the Great Theatre, where early Christians may have heard the Apostle Paul, the Temple of Hadrian and the site of the Temple of Artemis, called Diana here. After lunch, from 13:00 to 15:00, you visit viewpoints over the area before returning to Kusadasi. The Terrace Houses are not mentioned on this page. Ask if you want them added. Our Ephesus guide covers the site in more detail.
Can we extend the trip or compare other routes?
You can add Istanbul nights at $65 for one or $125 for two, before or after. The extras list also offers a Cappadocia balloon for $310, though Cappadocia is not on this route. To compare, see the Seven Churches of Revelation tour, 7 days from $2,050, or the shorter 3-day biblical Turkey tour from $1,640. The Istanbul, Cappadocia and Seven Churches tour, 10 days is from $2,750. In Istanbul, a Christian heritage tour adds the city's churches. All are in biblical packages.
How do I book the Seven Churches tour?
Pick your date and number of guests in the booking form on this page, or message us on WhatsApp. We check flights and hotels for your dates. Then we send the full plan in writing, with both flight times and airports, hotel names, and the time set aside for Laodicea. You pay only after you have read and confirmed it. The tour is run by Get Turkey Tours, TÜRSAB licence A-15751.
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