Seven Churches of Revelation Tour, Izmir

About this activity

The Seven Churches of Asia from the Book of Revelation are located in the ancient cities of Western Turkey.

With this 2-day tour, follow in the footsteps of the early Christians as you visit all seven—Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Ephesus, Smyrna, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.

Along the way, visit sites including the ‘cotton castle’ of Pamukkale, the Temple of Artemis, Pergamum Acropolis, and the House of Virgin Mary.Guided tours of all seven ancient cities inc. three UNESCO sitesLearn about early Christianity and Turkish history from a licensed guide.

Private tour ensures a personalized experience for just your groupHassle-free tour with transfers, accommodation, and most meals.

Multi-day Tours Bus Tours Private and Luxury Private Sightseeing Tours Cultural Tours Ports of Call Tours City Tours Religious Tours

At a glance

Duration: 3 days
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–15
Guide: German, English, Spanish
Operated by: Ephesus Tours by Local Guides

Ages: Infants (0–2 years) · Children (3–8 years) · Youth (9–17 years) · Adults (18–65 years) · Seniors (66–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Private transportation
Included: Entrance Fees to the sites
Included: 2 Nights Accomodation With Dinner and Breakfast
Included: All Fees and Taxes
Included: 3 days Lunch

Not included

Not included: Drinks during meals
Not included: Personal expenses
Not included: Tips to driver & Guide

Itinerary

Day 1 · Izmir - Pergamum – Thyatira – Izmir

Pergamon Ancient City

2 hours Admission included

At 08:30 your guide will meet with you at your hotel lobby and you will drive to Pergamum, actually called Bergama. It is one of the sites of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11; 2:12]. Here we explore the impressive Acropolis, the steepest theatre in the world, the Asklepion, famous medical Centre of classical times, see the Altar of Zeus which is mentioned as the «Throne of Satan» in the book of Revelation, the marble columns of the Temple of Trajan and the Library which was foremost in the world and was long a rival of the equally famous Library of Alexandria in Egypt. Its wealth of volumes was estimated at over 200,000. It inspired the invention of parchment.
Red Basilica (Kizil Avlu)

20 min

Visits to Red Basilica
Stop 3

30 min Admission included

Then we continue our visit to Thyatira, now called Akhisar, another one of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11; 2:18-24; Acts 16:14]. It was a city famous for purple dyes. We visit the remains of a basilica and some architectural fragments from the Roman period. Lydia, the seller of purple in Philippi, was from Thyatira.

Drive back to your hotel for dinner and overnight in Izmir.

Day 2 · Izmir - Sardes- Philedelphia - Laodicea - Pamukkale - Hierapolis

Hierapolis & Pamukkale

2 hours Admission included

We drive to the healing city of Hierapolis, actually Pamukkale, the white «cotton fortress» where hot mineral water bursts from the earth and cascades over steep cliffs forming pools, channels and stalactites. The therapeutic waters were known to the founders of Hierapolis and of Laodicea in 190 BC. Check in at hotel for dinner and overnight in a Thermal Hotel.
Laodicea

1 h 30 min Admission included

Visit to Laodicia. The city established in the C3 BCE by the Seleucid Antiochus II, the city was named after his wife Laodicea. Built on the Lycus Tributary of the Meander River, it was surnamed Laodicea on Lycus, to distinguish it from other similarly named cities. Laodicia is the last of the seven churches. As a crossroad of two important roads, this city had an important commercial and logistical position.
Alasehir

one hour

Then we continue our journey to Philadelphia, nowadays called Alasehir, another church of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11; 3:7], and the only church not censured. There we see the remains of a Byzantine basilica built of brick, with a bit of high arch and some 11th century frescoes.
Sardis (Sardes)

90 hours Admission included

Today we depart early in the morning to one of the most picturesque areas of any of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11; 3:1-4], Sardis, presently Sart. This was the capital of the ancient Lydian kingdom of the 6th century BC, portrayed as a dying church. We visit the great Temple of Artemis and the restored gymnasium and reconstructed Synagogue. We also see the last several meters of the royal Persian Road from Susa to Sardis built by Cyrus the Great and the «golden» river Pactolus.

Drive Back to Izmir

Day 3 · Izmir - Ephesus -Basilica Of John- Mary’s House - Pamukkale

The House of the Virgin Mary

one hour Admission included

*Drive to House of Virgin Mary which is one of the pilgrimage for Christians where she had her last years and died. Pope Paul VI visited the shrine in 1967, Pope John Paul II also visited the shrine in 1979. Pope Benedict XVI visited this shrine in 2006. It is an active church for a long time.
Ephesus Ancient City

2 hours Admission included

*After that, you will visit Ephesus which is one of the best well-kept Greco-Roman (Greek and Roman) ancient city in the world, famous with Odeon (small theatre), Library; theatre where is one of the biggest with 25. 000 people capacity and where St. Paul preached; Roman Baths ; Fountains; Temples; Agora; Love House; Public Toilets; etc.

Ephesus visit to the ancient city of Ephesus including the Basilica of St. John. The Apostle Paul preached to the Ephesians and lived here for three years. This church also received an epistle from him. We tour the spectacular ruins where excavations still continue in this once great and important city, which was founded in the 10th century BC.

Walk through history along marble streets lined with wonderful public buildings, among them the Baths of Scholastica, the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian and the Theatre. The Temple of Diana of the Ephesians, another of the seven wonders of the ancient world, was built in this city
Basilica of St. John

30 min Admission included

*After Ephesus, you will visit Saint John Church where Apostle John spent his final years and he was buried. Then visit Temple of Artemis which is one of the seven wonders of Ancient time.