10-Day Istanbul, Cappadocia, Saint Paul & Seven Churches Biblical Tour in Turkey
Übersicht
10-Day Istanbul, Cappadocia, Saint Paul & Seven Churches Biblical Tour in Turkey
This private ten-day journey follows Saint Paul and the earliest Christian communities across Turkey. It begins in Istanbul, once Constantinople, and continues to Cappadocia, with its rock-cut churches and underground cities where early Christians took refuge.
From there you travel along Saint Paul's missionary route to Konya, ancient Iconium, and Pisidian Antioch, then visit all Seven Churches of Revelation: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamon, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea. You also see the House of the Virgin Mary, the Basilica of St. John, Hierapolis and the travertines of Pamukkale.
The package covers carefully selected hotels, domestic flights, private transportation, a professional licensed biblical guide, daily breakfast, selected lunches and airport transfers. It is well suited to pilgrims, church groups and Christian travellers.
Tour-Info
Reiseverlauf
Tag 1 - Ankunft in Istanbul
Our team welcomes you at Istanbul Airport (IST) and takes you by private transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to rest after your flight or to walk through the historic streets of Istanbul.
- Arrival at Istanbul Airport
- Meet and greet by our team
- Private airport transfer
- Hotel check-in
- Free time to explore Istanbul
- Tour briefing and welcome information
Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 2 - Istanbul Biblical Heritage Tour
After breakfast you explore the Christian heritage and imperial history of Istanbul, once known as Constantinople. You visit Hagia Sophia, one of the great masterpieces of Christian architecture, the Blue Mosque, the historic Hippodrome and Topkapi Palace, home of the Ottoman sultans. The day ends with free time at the Grand Bazaar, one of the oldest covered markets in the world.
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Hagia Sophia
- Blue Mosque
- Hippodrome
- Topkapi Palace
- Grand Bazaar
- Lunch at a local restaurant
Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 3 - Flight to Cappadocia and Red Tour
After breakfast you are transferred to the airport for your included flight to Cappadocia, a remarkable landscape that was an important refuge for early Christians. You visit the Goreme Open-Air Museum, the fairy chimneys of Pasabag, the pottery town of Avanos and the panoramic viewpoint at Uchisar Castle before checking in to your cave hotel.
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Transfer to Istanbul Airport
- Domestic flight to Cappadocia
- Goreme Open-Air Museum
- Pasabag (Monks Valley)
- Avanos pottery town
- Uchisar Castle
Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 4 - Optional Balloon Flight, Underground City and Selime Monastery
You can start the day with an optional sunrise hot air balloon flight over Cappadocia. After breakfast you visit Kaymakli Underground City, where early Christians hid during times of persecution, and Selime Monastery, the largest rock-cut monastery in Cappadocia.
- Hot air balloon flight (optional)
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Kaymakli Underground City
- Selime Monastery
Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 5 - In the Footsteps of Saint Paul: Iconium and Pisidian Antioch
After breakfast you leave Cappadocia and drive to ancient Iconium (Konya), one of the main cities visited by Saint Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey, as told in the Book of Acts. Your guide explains the early Christian community founded here.
You continue to Pisidian Antioch (Yalvac), where Saint Paul gave one of his most important sermons, and then drive through the Anatolian countryside to Pamukkale and check in to your hotel.
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Ancient Iconium (Konya)
- Sites linked to Saint Paul
- Pisidian Antioch
- Lunch at a local restaurant
- Private transfer to Pamukkale
- Hotel check-in
Overnight in Pamukkale.
Day 6 - Laodicea, Hierapolis and the Pamukkale Travertines
After breakfast you visit Laodicea, one of the Seven Churches of Revelation, where the Apostle John recorded Christ's message to the local Christian community. You continue to Hierapolis, known for its well-preserved Roman ruins, its ancient theatre and its early Christian history.
You end the day walking barefoot on the Pamukkale travertines, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of white mineral terraces and thermal water, before returning to your hotel.
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Laodicea (Seven Churches of Revelation)
- Hierapolis Ancient City
- Walk on the Pamukkale travertines
- Lunch at a local restaurant
- Free time for photos
Overnight in Pamukkale.
Day 7 - Ephesus, House of the Virgin Mary and Basilica of St. John
After breakfast you drive to Ephesus, one of the most important biblical cities and home to one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. You walk its marble streets and see the Great Theatre, where the Apostle Paul preached to the Ephesians.
You then visit the House of the Virgin Mary, believed to be the last home of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and the Basilica of St. John, built over the traditional burial site of the Apostle John, before transferring to your hotel in Kusadasi.
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Ancient Ephesus
- Great Theatre of Ephesus
- House of the Virgin Mary
- Basilica of St. John
- Lunch at a local restaurant
- Transfer to Kusadasi
Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 8 - Smyrna, Sardis and Philadelphia
After breakfast you visit three more of the Seven Churches of Revelation. You begin in Smyrna (modern Izmir), one of the few churches praised for staying faithful under persecution. You continue to Sardis, once the wealthy capital of the Lydian Kingdom, whose church received a strong message in Revelation.
The last stop is Philadelphia (modern Alasehir), the church commended for its steadfast faith, before you return to your hotel in Kusadasi.
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Smyrna (Seven Churches of Revelation)
- Ancient Sardis
- Philadelphia (Alasehir)
- Lunch at a local restaurant
- Scenic drive through western Anatolia
Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 9 - Pergamon, Thyatira and Flight to Istanbul
After breakfast you visit Pergamon (Pergamum), one of the Seven Churches of Revelation, and explore the remains of its Acropolis high above the ancient city. You continue to Thyatira (modern Akhisar), whose Christian community received Christ's message in the Book of Revelation, completing your visit to all Seven Churches.
You are then transferred to Izmir Airport for your included flight to Istanbul, where our representative meets you and takes you by private transfer to your hotel.
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Pergamon (Seven Churches of Revelation)
- Acropolis of Pergamon
- Thyatira (Akhisar)
- Lunch at a local restaurant
- Transfer to Izmir Airport
- Domestic flight to Istanbul
- Private airport transfer to your hotel
Overnight in Istanbul.
Tag 10 - Abreise von Istanbul
After breakfast and check-out, a private transfer takes you to Istanbul Airport (IST) at the scheduled time for your international flight.
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Hotel check-out
- Private airport transfer
- Arrival at Istanbul Airport
- International departure
This is the end of our services.
Wichtige Hinweise
Prices per person (without hotel)
- Adult: from $1,130
$1,380 - Child: from $1,010
$1,130
The package price does not include hotels. Choose your hotel for each city on this page and its price for your dates is added; you can also book the package without hotel. Prices are per person based on a minimum of two travellers.
Hotel options
On this tour you stay in carefully selected 4-star hotels with modern comforts and convenient locations. In Istanbul you stay at an internationally known hotel near the historic centre, close to the main sights. In the Aegean region you stay at a comfortable seaside hotel that is well placed for the Seven Churches, Ephesus and Pamukkale. All hotels include daily breakfast, a private bathroom, free Wi-Fi and air conditioning.
- Istanbul: Hampton by Hilton Istanbul Old City (or a similar 4-star hotel)
- Kusadasi: Suhan Seaport Hotel (or a similar 4-star seaside hotel)
Good to know
- Accommodation: 4-5 star hotels (Hampton by Hilton Istanbul Old City, Suhan Seaport Hotel or similar)
- Best Season: July - December
- Tour Type: Biblical, historical and religious tour
- Meals: Daily breakfast and lunch on tour days
- Languages: English, Spanish
- Transfers: Hotel and tour transfers included
- Guide: Professional English-speaking guide
- Departure From: Istanbul
- Arrival City: Istanbul, Izmir, Denizli
Notes
The hot air balloon flight in Cappadocia on Day 4 is optional. The tour is designed for pilgrims, church groups and Christian travellers.
Leistungen & Ausschlüsse
- ✓2 Nights Hotel in Pamukkale with Breakfast (included)
- ✓Selected Lunches on Guided Tour Days
- ✓Professional English-Speaking Licensed Biblical Guide
- ✓Private Airport Meet and Greet
- ✓Private Airport Transfers
- ✓Inlandsflüge
- ✓Private Transportation Throughout the Tour
- ✓Seven Churches of Revelation Tour
- ✓Ancient Iconium (Konya)
- ✓Pisidische Antiochia
- ✓Goreme Open-Air Museum
- ✓Unterirdische Stadt Kaymakli
- ✓Selime-Kloster
- ✓Antike Stadt Ephesus
- ✓Haus der Jungfrau Maria
- ✓Basilica of St. John
- ✓Smyrna (Izmir)
- ✓Antike Stadt Pergamon
- ✓Thyatira (Akhisar)
- ✓Sardes Antike Stadt
- ✓Philadelphia (Alasehir)
- ✓Antike Stadt Laodikeia
- ✓Antike Stadt Hierapolis
- ✓Pamukkale Travertine
- ✓Christian Heritage Tour in Istanbul
- ✓Hagia Sophia
- ✓Blau Moschee
- ✓Topkapi-Palast
- ✓Großer Basar
- ✓Alle Eintrittskarten für Museen und Attraktionen
- ✓Hotelabholung und -bringung
- ✓Alle Steuern und Servicegebühren
- ✕Hotelunterkunft (optional – Sie können sie hinzufügen, wenn Sie möchten)
- ✕Internationale Flüge
- ✕Turkey Visa Fees (If Required)
- ✕Reiseversicherung
- ✕Persönliche Ausgaben
Stornierungsrichtlinie
Sie können bis zu 7 Tage vor der Tour kostenlos stornieren und erhalten eine volle Rückerstattung. Stornierungen innerhalb von 7 Tagen vor der Tour sind nicht erstattungsfähig. Alle Zeiten sind in der lokalen Zeitzone angegeben.