EPHESUS / LAODICEA / SARDIS / PHILADELPHIA / THYATIRA / PERGAMON / SMYRNA

Overview

Itinerary

Pick up from your hotel or airport and begin the Seven Churches Tour,

Ephesus — Ancient Greco-Roman city, home to the House of Virgin Mary and St. John Basilica.
Laodicea — Historic crossroads with impressive ruins of an early Christian city.
Sardis — Ancient Lydian capital featuring well-preserved remains and a famous church.
Philadelphia (Alasehir) — Youngest of the Seven Churches of Revelation, known for its early church ruins.
Thyatira — Site of one of the Seven Churches with significant archaeological remains.
Pergamon (Bergama) — Location of “Satan’s throne,” home to the Red Court, Acropolis, and ancient church ruins.
Smyrna (Izmir) — An early Christian city praised by St. Paul, with a rich cultural heritage.

Day 01 :

Ephesus and Laodicea

We will arrive around 08:30 at Ephesus, one of the Seven Churches of Revelation.
Visit the St. John Basilica and the Last Abode of the Virgin Mary on Mount Solmissos.
Explore the ancient Greco-Roman city of Ephesus, the most significant of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor. This is where St. John brought Mary in fulfillment of his promise to Jesus to protect her; she is believed to have been taken into heaven here.
After lunch, continue to Laodicea, a historic crossroads of the ancient world.
Overnight stay in Pamukkale

Day 02 :

Hierapolis, Sardis, Philadelphia and Thyatira

In the morning, visit the ancient city of Hierapolis, known as the home of Philip the Evangelist.
Take a break at the stunning calcium terraces of Pamukkale, a natural wonder renowned for its white travertine pools.
Continue to Philadelphia (Alasehir), the youngest of the Seven Churches of Revelation, where you will explore the well-preserved remains of an early church and the city walls.
Enjoy lunch en route.
In the afternoon, visit the ancient city of Sardis, once the capital of Lydia, and explore the ruins of its famous church.
Then, see the remains of the church of Thyatira before driving to Pergamon for an overnight stay.

Day 03 :

Pergamon & Smyrna (Izmir)

After breakfast, depart for Pergamon (Bergama), the historic site where St. John addressed the church, warning of “Satan’s throne.”
Visit the Church of Pergamon, the Red Court, and the ancient Acropolis.
After lunch, stop at a carpet cooperative center to witness the traditional handmade Turkish carpet weaving process.
Continue to Smyrna (Izmir), a city praised by St. Paul in his letters for the faithfulness of its early Christian community.
End of the tour.
Transfer to your hotel or the airport.