Biblical Seven Churches of Turkey Tour in 4 Days

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Istanbul – Izmir – Pergamon
5 stops
1
Pergamon Ancient City
The ancient city of Pergamon (modern-day Bergama), located in western Turkey, is one of the most significant archaeological sites of the ancient Greek and Roman world. Pergamon was once a thriving and powerful city-state, known for its cultural, architectural, and intellectual achievements, and it played a key role in the Hellenistic period. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site and an important destination for both tourists and scholars interested in ancient history.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
2
Saint Polycarp Church
Saint Polycarp Church is an important Christian landmark in Izmir, Turkey, and is one of the oldest churches in the region. It is dedicated to Saint Polycarp, a 2nd-century Christian bishop of Smyrna (the ancient name of Izmir) who is regarded as one of the Apostolic Fathers
1 hour • Admission ticket included
3
Agora Open Air Museum
The Agora of ancient Pergamon was a central public space, primarily used for commerce, social interaction, and political activity. It was a key part of the city’s urban layout, located in the lower town, below the impressive Acropolis. The ruins of the Agora in Pergamon provide valuable insights into the city’s public life during the Hellenistic and Roman periods.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
4
Akropolis
The Acropolis of Pergamon sits on a steep hill that rises 330 meters (1,083 feet) above the surrounding plains, offering commanding views of the city and the countryside. It was the political, religious, and cultural heart of Pergamon, and much of the city’s architectural grandeur was concentrated here. The Acropolis is one of the most impressive archaeological sites in Turkey and remains an icon of Hellenistic architecture.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
5
The Asklepion
The Asklepion of Pergamon is an ancient healing center dedicated to Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine. It is one of the most important archaeological sites related to ancient medicine and health, and it offers a fascinating look into the development of early medical practices.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
Day 2
Thyatira – Sardis – Philadelphia
3 stops
6
Akhisar
The ruins of Thyatira are located in the modern-day town of Akhisar, in western Turkey, and represent one of the most important ancient cities of the Roman and Hellenistic periods. Thyatira was a significant center in the ancient world, known for its thriving commercial and religious life.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
7
Sardis (Sardes)
Sardis was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Lydia and one of the most influential cities in the ancient world, particularly during the Lydian, Persian, and Hellenistic periods. Located in what is now western Turkey, near the modern town of Sart, Sardis was renowned for its wealth, its role in early coinage, and its strategic importance.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
8
Philadelphia Siesean Kilisesi
Philadelphia was founded by King Attalus II of Pergamon in the 2nd century BCE (around 189 BCE) as part of his efforts to spread Greek culture and Hellenism to the area. The city's name means "brotherly love" (from the Greek philos meaning "love" and adelphos meaning "brother"), likely named after Attalus II's affection for his brother and predecessor Eumenes II. The city was strategically located on a fertile plain between the Gediz River and the Mount Tmolus, with important roads connecting it to other major cities like Sardis and Pergamon.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
Day 3
Pamukkale – Hierapolis – Laodicea – Kusadasi
3 stops
9
Hierapolis & Pamukkale
Hierapolis is an ancient Phrygian city located in Pamukkale, Turkey, famous for its stunning natural hot springs and the remarkable ruins of the ancient city that sits above them. The city is well known for its thermal baths, its status as a religious center, and its impressive architectural and archaeological heritage. The combination of the ancient city and the breathtaking travertine terraces created by the thermal waters has made Hierapolis-Pamukkale a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Turkey’s most iconic tourist destinations.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
10
Laodicea
The ruins of Laodicea are located in the Denizli Province of southwestern Turkey, near the modern town of Denizli. The city is known for its wealth, its advanced infrastructure, and its spiritual legacy.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
11
Colossae
Colossae was an ancient city located in Phrygia, in what is now western Turkey. The city's ruins are less well-preserved than those of other ancient cities in the region, but Colossae's legacy remains important in the context of early Christianity.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
Day 4
Kusadasi – Ephesus – Istanbul
4 stops
12
Ancient City of Ephesus
The Ancient City of Ephesus is one of the most significant and best-preserved archaeological sites from the classical world, located in present-day Selçuk, Izmir Province, on the Aegean coast of Turkey. Ephesus was a major center of commerce, culture, and religion for centuries, and it is particularly renowned for its connection to the Apostle Paul, the worship of the goddess Artemis, and its monumental ruins that showcase the grandeur of ancient Greek and Roman architecture.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
13
Basilica of Saint John
The Basilica of St. John (also known as the St. John Church or St. John's Basilica) is an important historical and religious site located near the town of Selçuk, Turkey, close to the ancient city of Ephesus. It is one of the significant early Christian monuments in the region and is especially associated with the Apostle John, one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ, who is believed to have spent his final years in Ephesus.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
14
Virgin Mary's House
The House of the Virgin Mary (Meryem Ana Evi) is a significant Christian pilgrimage site located near Ephesus in western Turkey, on Bülbül Dağı (Mount Nightingale), approximately 7 kilometers (4 miles) from the ancient city of Ephesus. This small stone house is believed by many to be the final residence of Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, after the crucifixion of Jesus.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
15
The Temple of Artemis
The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus (modern-day Selçuk, Turkey) was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and one of the most significant religious structures of the ancient world. Dedicated to the Greek goddess Artemis, the temple was renowned not only for its immense size and architectural splendor but also as a center of worship, commerce, and art.
1 minute • Admission ticket included

Additional info

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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