This 15-day private Biblical Turkey tour follows some of the most important places connected with early Christianity, the Seven Churches of Revelation and the journeys of St. Paul. The route begins in Istanbul and continues through Troy, Alexandria Troas, Assos, Pergamon, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Pisidian Antioch, Konya and Cappadocia before returning to Istanbul.
Tour Program
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Along the way, you will visit ancient cities, early Christian churches, biblical sites and archaeological remains that help place the New Testament and the history of the early Church in their geographical setting. Because the tour is private, the pace can be adjusted for church groups, families, clergy, and travelers who want more time for historical explanation, prayer, or reflection.
Travellers with less time may also consider our [Seven Churches of Revelation Tour] for a more focused biblical itinerary. You can also browse our full selection of [Biblical tours in Turkey] for other private Christian heritage routes.
15-Day Private Biblical Turkey Tour
Day 1: Arrival in Istanbul and Bosphorus Dinner Cruise (Dinner)
- Upon arrival in Istanbul, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
- In the evening, you will join a Bosphorus Dinner Cruise, sailing between Europe and Asia while seeing Istanbul’s illuminated waterfront. After the cruise, you will be transferred back to your hotel.
- Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 2: Troy, Alexandria Troas and Assos (Breakfast)
- After breakfast, you will leave Istanbul and travel towards northwestern Turkey, an important region in both ancient and early Christian history.
- Your first visit is to Troy. It is the legendary city associated with Homer’s Iliad. You will explore the archaeological remains and learn about the different settlement layers that developed here over thousands of years.
- You will then continue to Alexandria Troas, mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles and closely connected with the missionary journeys of St. Paul. From here, the route continues to Assos, where Paul met his companions during his travels through Asia Minor.
- At the end of the day, you will continue to your hotel.
- Overnight in Assos or the surrounding area.
Day 3: Pergamon, Thyatira and Smyrna (Breakfast)
- Today you will visit three important cities associated with the Seven Churches of Revelation.
- The first stop is Pergamon, one of the most important cities of the ancient world. You will explore its archaeological remains and learn about the city addressed in the Book of Revelation as the church “where Satan’s throne is.”
- You will then continue to Thyatira, modern-day Akhisar, where archaeological remains mark the location of another of the Seven Churches.
- The final visit is Smyrna, modern Izmir, one of the two churches in Revelation that received no direct criticism in the biblical text.
- At the end of the tour, you will continue to your hotel.
- Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 4: House of the Virgin Mary, Ephesus and Basilica of St. John (Breakfast)
- After breakfast, you will visit some of the most important Christian sites in western Turkey.
- You will begin at the House of the Virgin Mary, traditionally associated with the final years of Mary’s life.
- The tour then continues to Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the Mediterranean and one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. Ephesus also played an important role in the ministry of St. Paul, who spent a significant period here.
- You will walk along the ancient marble streets and see landmarks such as the Library of Celsus, Great Theatre, Temple of Hadrian and Agora.
- Later, you will visit the Basilica of St. John in Selcuk, built over the traditional burial place of John the Apostle.
- Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 5: Priene, Miletus and Didyma (Breakfast)
- Today you will explore three important ancient sites south of Ephesus.
- The first visit is Priene, a well-preserved Hellenistic city built on the slopes of Mount Mycale. Its grid-plan streets, theatre and Temple of Athena provide a clear picture of ancient urban life.
- You will then continue to Miletus, an important ancient port city connected with St. Paul’s journeys. According to the Acts of the Apostles, Paul met the elders of the Ephesian church near Miletus during his return journey to Jerusalem.
- The final stop is Didyma, home to the monumental Temple of Apollo and one of the most important oracle centres of the ancient Greek world.
- At the end of the tour, you will return to your hotel.
- Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 6: Sardis, Philadelphia and Pamukkale (Breakfast)
- After breakfast, you will travel inland to visit two more of the Seven Churches of Revelation.
- Your first stop is Sardis, once the wealthy capital of the ancient Kingdom of Lydia. You will see the remains of the ancient city and learn about the message addressed to the church of Sardis in Revelation.
- You will then continue to Philadelphia, modern Alasehir, another of the Seven Churches. Although little of the ancient city survives today, the site remains important for understanding the geography of early Christianity in Asia Minor.
- After the visits, you will continue to Pamukkale.
- Overnight in Pamukkale.
Day 7: Laodicea, Colossae and Transfer to Antalya (Breakfast)
- Today begins with a visit to Laodicea, one of the Seven Churches of Revelation and one of the most extensively excavated ancient cities in the region.
- Your guide will explain the city’s wealth, water system and the biblical context of the message to the Laodicean church.
- You will then continue to the area of Colossae, known from Paul’s Epistle to the Colossians. The ancient city has not been extensively excavated, but the site provides an important geographical link to the early Christian communities of the Lycus Valley.
- After the visits, you will travel to Antalya.
- Overnight in Antalya.
Day 8: Perge, Side and Aspendos (Breakfast)
- After breakfast, you will explore several important ancient cities of the Pamphylian region.
- You will begin at Perge, which is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles in connection with the missionary journeys of Paul and Barnabas. You will see the Roman streets, baths, agora and other monumental remains.
- The tour continues to Aspendos, known for its exceptionally well-preserved Roman theatre.
- Later, you will visit Side, an ancient harbour city where Roman ruins stand alongside the modern Mediterranean town.
- At the end of the tour, you will return to your hotel.
- Overnight in Antalya.
Day 9: Pisidian Antioch and Konya (Breakfast)
- Today you will travel north towards Pisidian Antioch, one of the most significant places associated with the missionary journeys of St. Paul.
- According to the Acts of the Apostles, Paul preached in this synagogue here during his first missionary journey. You will explore the archaeological remains and learn about the city’s role in the spread of early Christianity through Anatolia.
- After the visit, you will continue to Konya, ancient Iconium.
- Overnight in Konya.
Day 10: Iconium and Transfer to Cappadocia (Breakfast)
- After breakfast, you will explore Iconium, the ancient city known today as Konya.
- Iconium is mentioned several times in the Acts of the Apostles and was visited by Paul and Barnabas during their missionary travels. Your guide will explain the city’s biblical background together with its later importance in Anatolian history.
- You will then continue across Central Anatolia towards Cappadocia.
- Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 11: Biblical Cappadocia Tour (Breakfast)
- Today you will explore Cappadocia from the perspective of its early Christian history.
- You will visit the Goreme Open-Air Museum, where rock-cut churches preserve important examples of Byzantine Christian art and frescoes.
- The programme also includes early Christian settlements, rock-cut churches and monastic areas that show how Christian communities lived, worshipped and sought refuge in Cappadocia over many centuries.
- Your guide will explain the development of monastic life in the region and Cappadocia’s importance in the history of Eastern Christianity.
- Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 12: Cappadocia Tour and Flight to Istanbul (Breakfast)
- After breakfast, you will continue exploring Cappadocia.
- The day includes one of the region’s underground cities, where you can see tunnels, storage rooms, kitchens, ventilation shafts and living spaces carved beneath the ground.
- You will also visit valleys, viewpoints and other important locations that reflect Cappadocia’s geological and cultural history.
- At the end of the tour, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
- Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 13: Istanbul Old City Tour (Breakfast)
- Today you will explore Istanbul’s historic Old City.
- You will visit Hagia Sophia, a building that has played a major role in Byzantine and Ottoman history, followed by the Blue Mosque and the Roman Hippodrome.
- The tour continues to Topkapi Palace, the former administrative and residential centre of the Ottoman sultans, and the Grand Bazaar, one of Istanbul’s oldest covered markets.
- The order of the visits may change according to opening hours, prayer times and local conditions.
- Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 14: Free Day in Istanbul (Breakfast)
- Today is free for you to explore Istanbul at your own pace.
- You may spend more time in the Old City, visit the Galata and Karakoy districts, take a Bosphorus cruise or simply enjoy the city’s cafes, markets and neighbourhoods.
- Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 15: Departure from Istanbul (Breakfast)
- After breakfast, you will have free time until your scheduled airport transfer.
- You will be picked up from your hotel according to the departure time of your international flight and transferred to the airport.
- This marks the end of your 15-day Biblical Turkey tour following the Seven Churches of Revelation, the journeys of St. Paul and the early Christian heritage of Anatolia.