Seven Churches of Revelation Private Tour in Turkey

Six days from Laodicea to Ephesus, with a guide and vehicle for your party only

Overview

This six-day trip takes you to all seven cities that received the letters in the Book of Revelation. They are in western Turkey today. You fly from Istanbul to Denizli and travel from Laodicea, the last letter, to Ephesus, the first.

Your guide connects each site with the text. At Laodicea you see the calcified water pipes behind the words “neither hot nor cold”. At Ephesus you stand in the theatre of Acts 19.

Why this tour is private. Most tours on our site share their guided days with other travellers. This route has no regular departures, so we arrange it only for you. The guide and the vehicle are for your party alone, and you choose the date.

Before you decide. This is a study and sightseeing trip, not a beach holiday. Day 3 covers about 370 km and starts early. At Ephesus you walk about 1.5 km on ancient stone in one direction, and you cannot turn back halfway.

Highlights

  • All seven churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea
  • A licensed English-speaking guide on all four touring days
  • One domestic flight, Istanbul to Denizli, so you do not lose a full day on the road
  • Hierapolis and Pamukkale, with the Martyrium of the Apostle Philip and the white terraces
  • The House of the Virgin Mary and the remains of the Temple of Artemis
  • Entrance fees included for every site in the programme

Itinerary

Day 1: Istanbul to Pamukkale

Morning flight from Istanbul to Denizli with 15 kg of checked baggage. Transfer to your hotel in Pamukkale, about one hour. The rest of the day is free.

Overnight in Pamukkale.

Day 2: Laodicea and Hierapolis

Laodicea, the seventh church (Revelation 3:15-16). The ancient city and the water pipes that explain the lukewarm water in the letter.

Hierapolis. The Martyrium of the Apostle Philip, the theatre, the necropolis and the travertine terraces of Pamukkale.

Overnight in Pamukkale.

Pamukkale travertine terraces glowing at sunset

Day 3: Philadelphia, Sardis and Thyatira

Philadelphia, the sixth church, at Alaşehir (Revelation 3:8). Sardis, the fifth (3:1), with one of the largest ancient synagogues known. Thyatira, the fourth, at Akhisar, the home city of Lydia (Acts 16:14).

This is the longest day: about 370 km with an early start.

Overnight in Bergama.

Day 4: Pergamum and Smyrna

Pergamum, the third church (Revelation 2:13). The acropolis, the site of the Altar of Zeus, the Asclepion and the Red Basilica.

Smyrna, the second church (2:10). The Roman agora of modern Izmir, the city of Polycarp.

Drive along the coast to Kuşadası. Overnight in Kuşadası.

Day 5: Ephesus

Ephesus, the first church (Revelation 2:4). The Library of Celsus, the Marble Road and the Great Theatre of Acts 19. Also the House of the Virgin Mary and the remains of the Temple of Artemis.

Overnight in Kuşadası.

Overview of Ephesus ancient city ruins

Day 6: Departure from Izmir

Transfer to Izmir airport, about one hour. If your flight home leaves from Istanbul, we can add the Izmir to Istanbul flight.

What's included

  • Domestic flight from Istanbul to Denizli, with 15 kg checked and 8 kg cabin baggage per person
  • A vehicle for your party only throughout the circuit, from Denizli airport to Izmir airport
  • 5 hotel nights with breakfast: 2 in Pamukkale, 1 in Bergama and 2 in Kuşadası
  • A licensed English-speaking guide on days 2, 3, 4 and 5
  • Entrance fees to the seven churches and the sites in the programme
  • WhatsApp support during the whole trip

What's not included

  • International flights
  • Your transfer to Istanbul airport on day 1
  • Your flight out of Izmir (we can add Izmir to Istanbul)
  • Lunches, dinners and drinks
  • Cleopatra’s Pool at Pamukkale, paid on site
  • Turkish visa, if your nationality needs one
  • Tips and personal expenses
  • Travel insurance

Price on request

The price per person depends on how many people travel. Send us your dates and the number of travellers and we will send one fixed price in USD within 24 hours.

You book with a 20% deposit, and we keep your deposit valid for 12 months. We are a local agency in Istanbul, TURSAB licence A-14430.

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Frequently asked questions

Will we visit every one of the seven churches?

Yes. Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea are all in the programme, across four guided days.

The first Christian communities met in homes, so those places of worship have not survived. You visit the ancient cities and, at several of them, the remains of later basilicas. Your guide connects each site with its letter.

Private. The guide and the vehicle are for your party only, with no other travellers. This is different from most tours on our site.

It depends on the number of travellers, because your party shares the guide and the vehicle. Send us your dates and how many people are travelling, and we will send one fixed price in USD within 24 hours.

We run this tour from 2 people. For 5 or more, we prepare a separate quote. We cannot run it for one person.

Two parts are demanding. Day 3 covers about 370 km and starts early. At Ephesus you walk about 1.5 km on ancient stone in one direction. If anyone in your party has difficulty walking, please tell us before you book.

Breakfast at the hotels is included. Lunches and dinners are not, and your guide will recommend good places.

Yes. We can add hotel nights and guided days in Istanbul before or after the circuit, and the Izmir to Istanbul flight.