10 Day Seven Churches of Revelation Tour in Turkey

Dinner included

Upon arrival at Izmir Airport, transfer to your hotel and check in. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, with time to explore Izmir at your own pace.

Enjoy dinner at the hotel.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

After breakfast at your hotel in İzmir travel to Pergamon (modern Bergama), one of the Seven Churches of Revelation (Revelation 1:11; 2:12–17). Explore the Acropolis, including its steep ancient theater, the Temple of Trajan, the remains of the renowned library—traditionally estimated to have held around 200,000 scrolls and the Altar of Zeus, which some interpreters associate with the “throne of Satan” in Revelation. Continue to the Asclepion, a celebrated ancient healing center. Visit the Red Basilica, originally a Roman temple dedicated to Serapis and later adapted for Christian worship.

Enjoy lunch en route to Thyatira (modern Akhisar), another of the Seven Churches (Revelation 2:18–29). See the archaeological remains and Roman-era architectural fragments. Thyatira was known for its textile and dyeing industry; Acts 16:14 identifies Lydia, a seller of purple goods, as being from Thyatira.

Continue to Izmir, ancient Smyrna (Revelation 2:8–11), for a panoramic city tour. Visit Kadifekale on Mount Pagos, a citadel built under Lysimachus, one of Alexander the Great’s generals, and see the Izmir Clock Tower.

Check in to your hotel for dinner and your overnight stay.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Depart early for Sardis (modern Sart), the capital of the ancient Lydian kingdom and one of the Seven Churches of Revelation (3:1–6). Explore the Temple of Artemis, the remains of a later Christian chapel, and the restored Bath-Gymnasium Complex, Marble Court and synagogue. See the Pactolus River, famed in antiquity for its gold, and learn about Sardis’s place at the western end of the Persian Royal Road to Susa.

After lunch en route, continue to Philadelphia (modern Alaşehir), another of the Seven Churches (Revelation 3:7–13). Visit the remains of the early Byzantine Church of St John, including its surviving monumental pillars.

Then travel to Hierapolis, beside Pamukkale’s white travertine terraces. Visit the Martyrium of the Apostle Philip, traditionally associated with his martyrdom, and explore the Gate of Domitian, Frontinus Street, the ancient theater, Nymphaeum, Temple of Apollo, Plutonium and Necropolis.

Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Travel to Laodikeia, an ancient city near modern Denizli and one of the Seven Churches of Revelation (Revelation 1:11; 3:14–22; Colossians 2:1; 4:13–16). Explore its ancient theater, the remains of a church and parts of its water system.

Continue to Aphrodisias, famous for its remarkably well-preserved monuments. Visit the ancient Stadium, which seated around 30,000 people, the Odeon and its marble stage façade, the Temple of Aphrodite, Hadrianic Baths and the late-antique complex traditionally known as the Bishop’s Palace. Enjoy lunch en route to Kuşadası, an Aegean port town.

Check in to your hotel for dinner and your overnight stay.

Breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner included

After breakfast, you’ll be picked up from your hotel for a full-day boat trip along the Kuşadası coast. Visit nearby beaches, relax on board and enjoy a cooked picnic lunch during the trip.

Return to your hotel at approximately 5:00 p.m. Dinner will be served around 7:00–8:00 p.m.

Overnight in Kuşadası.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

After breakfast, depart from Kuşadası at approximately 8:30 a.m. for a guided tour of Ephesus. Visit the Temple of Artemis and explore the ancient city’s highlights, including Curetes Street, the Roman baths, the Library of Celsus and the Great Theatre.

Enjoy lunch at around 1:00 p.m. Then visit a carpet-weaving center to learn about traditional Turkish carpet-making. Continue to Şirince, a hillside village known for its traditional houses, vineyards and fruit wines. Learn about the village’s fruit-wine-making tradition.

Before returning to Kuşadası, stop at a regional leather center to learn about leather craftsmanship and browse its products.

Dinner and overnight in Kuşadası.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

After breakfast, depart from your Kuşadası hotel at 8:30 a.m. with your local guide for a full-day tour of Priene, Miletus and Didyma.

First, explore Priene, known for its planned grid layout. Visit the theater, Temple of Athena, Bouleuterion, Agora and Temple of Zeus. Then enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

Continue to Miletus, once an important Ionian port and home to the philosopher Thales, who is traditionally credited with predicting a solar eclipse. Learn about the city’s history, including the Persian invasion of 494 BCE.

Finish at Didyma, one of antiquity’s best-known oracle centers. Visit the monumental Temple of Apollo, one of the largest temples of its time. After the tour, return to Kuşadası and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Dinner and overnight in Kuşadası.

Breakfast and lunch included

After breakfast, transfer to İzmir Airport for your flight to Istanbul. On arrival, transfer to your hotel. Meet in the hotel lobby at approximately 12:00–12:30 p.m. for a Bosphorus cruise along the waterway between Europe and Asia.

Enjoy views of Dolmabahçe Palace, the grounds of Yıldız Palace, Çırağan Palace, Ortaköy, Rumeli Fortress and Beylerbeyi Palace from the boat. After the cruise, have lunch at a local Turkish restaurant, then visit the Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar) to browse spices, herbs, Turkish sweets, coffee, nuts, ceramics and souvenirs.

Return to your hotel after the tour.

Overnight in Istanbul.

Breakfast and lunch included

After breakfast, explore Istanbul’s historic Sultanahmet district. Begin at the Hippodrome of Constantinople, once the setting for chariot races. See the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpent Column and the Walled Obelisk, also known as Constantine’s Column.

Visit the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque), built between 1609 and 1620 by architect Sedefkâr Mehmet Ağa and known for its İznik tilework. Then visit the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, a landmark of Byzantine architecture with a history spanning nearly 1,500 years.

Enjoy lunch at around 1:00 p.m. After lunch, stop at Alipaşazade for shopping. Browse spices, herbs, Turkish delight, baklava, Turkish coffee, nuts, dried fruit, ceramics, nazar amulets, olive-oil soaps and other souvenirs.

Return to your hotel after the tour.

Overnight in Istanbul.

(Breakfast and lunch included)

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and meet your guide for a visit to Kariye Mosque, formerly the Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora. Explore the site’s Byzantine heritage and discover its renowned mosaics and frescoes along the visitor route. Access may be affected by prayer times and visitor arrangements.

Lunch is included during the day. After the visit, transfer to the airport for your flight home. We hope you’ve had a memorable journey. Thank you for choosing TravelShop Booking, and have a safe flight!