This private 18-day Footsteps of St. Paul tour follows the apostle’s journeys through some of the most important early Christian sites in Turkey. Beginning in Istanbul, the route continues to Antioch, Tarsus, Cappadocia, Iconium, Pisidian Antioch, Perge, Ephesus, Miletus, Smyrna, Pergamon, Assos and Alexandria Troas.
The itinerary combines places directly connected with St. Paul’s missionary journeys with the Seven Churches of Revelation, major archaeological sites and important centres of early Christianity. As the programme is private, the pace can be adjusted for church groups, clergy, Bible study groups and travellers who would like more time for historical explanation, prayer or reflection.
Travellers interested in early Christian history may also explore our [Seven Churches of Revelation Tours]. For a broader selection of faith-based itineraries, visit our [Biblical Turkey Tours] page.
Private 18-Day Footsteps of St. Paul in Turkey Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Istanbul
- Upon arrival in Istanbul, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
- After check-in, the rest of the day will be free to rest after your journey or explore the surrounding area at your own pace.
- Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 2: Classical Istanbul City Tour (Breakfast)
- After breakfast, you will meet your guide and begin a full-day tour of Istanbul’s historic Old City.
- The programme includes Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Roman Hippodrome, followed by Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar.
- Your guide will explain the Byzantine and Ottoman history of the city and its importance as a major centre of political, religious and commercial life.
- The order of the visits may change according to opening hours, prayer times and local conditions.
- Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 3: Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul Tour (Breakfast)
- After breakfast, you will continue exploring Istanbul with a visit to the Spice Market, one of the city’s historic trading centres.
- You will then join a Bosphorus cruise and sail between the European and Asian sides of Istanbul. From the water, you can see palaces, mosques, fortresses, bridges and waterfront neighbourhoods along the strait.
- The programme may also include additional sites according to the operating schedule and available time.
- At the end of the tour, you will return to your hotel.
- Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 4: Flight to Hatay and Antioch Tour (Breakfast)
- After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Hatay.
- Upon arrival, you will meet your guide and begin exploring Antioch, one of the most important centres of early Christianity. According to the Acts of the Apostles, the followers of Jesus were first called Christians in Antioch.
- You will visit the Church of St. Peter, traditionally associated with the earliest Christian community in the city, together with other important historical and archaeological sites in the region.
- At the end of the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel.
- Overnight in Antakya.
Day 5: Antioch and Tarsus Tour (Breakfast)
- After breakfast, you will leave Antakya and continue to Tarsus, the birthplace of St. Paul.
- During the visit, you will see sites traditionally connected with the apostle, including St. Paul’s Well and the area associated with his childhood and early life.
- Your guide will explain the history of ancient Tarsus, its importance during the Roman period and the cultural environment in which Paul was raised.
- After the tour, you will continue towards Cappadocia.
- Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 6: Ihlara Valley and Southern Cappadocia (Breakfast)
- Today you will explore the southern part of Cappadocia.
- The programme includes Ihlara Valley, where churches and monastic spaces were carved into the rock along the Melendiz River. You will walk through part of the valley while learning about the Christian communities that lived and worshipped here.
- Depending on the daily route, you may also visit Selime Monastery, panoramic viewpoints and other historic sites in southern Cappadocia.
- At the end of the tour, you will return to your hotel.
- Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 7: Biblical Cappadocia Tour (Breakfast)
- After breakfast, you will visit the Goreme Open-Air Museum, one of Cappadocia’s most important early Christian sites.
- The museum contains rock-cut churches and chapels decorated with Byzantine frescoes. Your guide will explain the development of monastic life in Cappadocia and the religious communities that shaped the region.
- The programme also includes panoramic viewpoints, valleys and traditional settlements that reflect Cappadocia’s geological and cultural history.
- Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 8: Cappadocia Underground City Tour (Breakfast)
- Today you will continue exploring Cappadocia with a visit to one of the region’s underground cities.
- You will walk through tunnels and see kitchens, storage rooms, ventilation shafts and living areas carved beneath the ground.
- The day also includes valleys, viewpoints and other important sites connected with Cappadocia’s Christian and cultural heritage.
- At the end of the tour, you will return to your hotel.
- Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 9: Konya and Pisidian Antioch Tour (Breakfast)
- After breakfast, you will leave Cappadocia and travel towards Konya, ancient Iconium.
- Iconium is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles and was visited by Paul and Barnabas during their missionary journeys. Your guide will explain the biblical background of the city together with its later importance in Anatolian history.
- Then we will continue to Pisidian Antioch to visit the place Paul preached in the synagogue during his first missionary journey. Together, we will explore the archaeological remains, then learn about the city’s role in the spread of Christianity through Asia Minor.
- At the end of the day, you will continue to Antalya.
- Overnight in Antalya.
Day 10: Perge, Side and Aspendos Tour (Breakfast)
- Today you will visit several important ancient cities in the Pamphylian region.
- The first stop is Perge, mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles in connection with Paul and Barnabas. You will explore its Roman streets, baths, agora and other monumental remains.
- You will then continue to Aspendos, known for its well-preserved Roman theatre.
- The final visit is Side, an ancient harbour city where archaeological remains stand close to the modern Mediterranean town.
- At the end of the tour, you will return to your hotel.
- Overnight in Antalya.
Day 11: Pamukkale and Hierapolis Tour (Breakfast)
- After breakfast, you will travel to Pamukkale and visit the ancient city of Hierapolis.
- You will see the theatre, necropolis, Roman baths, monumental gates and other remains from the Roman and Byzantine periods.
- Your guide will also explain the early Christian history of Hierapolis and the traditions associated with the Apostle Philip.
- You will then have time to walk on the permitted sections of Pamukkale’s white travertine terraces.
- Overnight in Pamukkale.
Day 12: Laodicea, Colossae, Philadelphia and Sardis (Breakfast)
- Today you will visit several important biblical and early Christian sites in western Turkey.
- The first stop is Laodicea, one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. You will explore its archaeological remains while learning about the city’s wealth, water system and early Christian community.
- You will then continue to the site of Colossae, known from Paul’s Epistle to the Colossians.
- Later, you will visit Philadelphia, modern Alasehir, and Sardis, once the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Lydia. Both cities are included among the Seven Churches addressed in Revelation.
- At the end of the tour, you will continue to your hotel.
- Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 13: Thyatira and Miletus Tour (Breakfast)
- After breakfast, you will visit Thyatira, modern-day Akhisar, another of the Seven Churches of Revelation.
- Although only limited remains of the ancient city survive today, your guide will explain the biblical message associated with Thyatira and the historical setting of its early Christian community.
- You will then continue to Miletus, an important ancient port city connected with the journeys of St. Paul. According to the Acts of the Apostles, Paul met the elders of the Ephesian church near Miletus during his return journey to Jerusalem.
- At the end of the tour, you will return to your hotel.
- Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 14: Ephesus, House of the Virgin Mary and Basilica of St. John (Breakfast)
- Today you will visit Ephesus, one of the most important ancient cities in the Mediterranean and a major centre in the ministry of St. Paul.
- You will walk along the marble streets and see the Library of Celsus, Great Theatre, Temple of Hadrian, Agora and other important remains from the Roman period.
- Your guide will explain Paul’s time in Ephesus, the early Christian community and the city’s place among the Seven Churches of Revelation.
- The tour also includes the House of the Virgin Mary and the Basilica of St. John in Selcuk, built over the traditional burial place of John the Apostle.
- Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 15: Smyrna and Pergamon Tour (Breakfast)
- After breakfast, you will visit two more cities associated with the Seven Churches of Revelation.
- The first stop is Smyrna, modern-day Izmir. Your guide will explain the history of the ancient city and the early Christian community addressed in the Book of Revelation.
- You will then continue to Pergamon, one of the leading political and cultural centres of the ancient world. During the visit, you will explore its archaeological remains and learn about the biblical message connected with the church of Pergamon.
- At the end of the tour, you will continue towards Assos.
- Overnight in Assos or the surrounding area.
Day 16: Assos, Alexandria Troas and Troy (Breakfast)
- Today you will visit several important sites in northwestern Turkey.
- You will begin at Assos, where St. Paul met his companions during his journey through Asia Minor.
- The tour continues to Alexandria Troas, a city closely connected with Paul’s missionary travels and mentioned several times in the Acts of the Apostles.
- We will continue to the ancient city of Troy. This city is famous for its connection with Homer’s Iliad and the story of the Trojan War. You will explore the archaeological remains. Your guide will explain the different settlement layers that developed here over thousands of years.
- At the end of the tour, you will continue to Canakkale.
- Overnight in Canakkale.
Day 17: Canakkale to Istanbul (Breakfast)
- After breakfast, you will leave Canakkale and begin the return journey to Istanbul.
- Depending on the route and available time, rest stops will be arranged during the drive.
- Upon arrival in Istanbul, you will be transferred to your hotel.
- The rest of the day will be free.
- Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 18: 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 18-day Footsteps of St. Paul tour through Turkey’s major biblical and early Christian sites.