Our most complete Biblical journey, tracing the Apostle Paul's missionary routes from Antioch and Tarsus through Iconium, Pisidian Antioch, Perge and Myra, on to Colossae, Laodicea, Pamukkale, all Seven Churches of Revelation, Troy, Nicea and Istanbul.
This 15-day Footsteps of St. Paul tour in Turkey is our longest and most complete Biblical tour, a Christian pilgrimage and cultural journey that traces the Apostle Paul's missionary journeys across Anatolia. It begins in Antioch (Antakya), where believers were first called Christians and from where Paul and Barnabas were sent out, and ends in Istanbul. Along the way you stand in the places named in the Book of Acts and in Paul's letters, guided by licensed English-speaking guides with real Biblical and historical knowledge.
The route follows the apostle's story in the order the landscape allows. In Tarsus you visit Paul's birthplace and the so-called Well of St. Paul. The sites of the First Missionary Journey (Acts 13–14) include Perge, Antioch in Pisidia and Iconium (Konya). Further west you reach the Aegean world of the Second and Third Missionary Journeys: Alexandria Troas, where Paul saw the vision of the man of Macedonia, Assos, and Ephesus, where he taught for nearly three years. At Myra, the port where Paul changed ships on his voyage to Rome, the Acts narrative on the south coast comes full circle.
The itinerary also completes the Seven Churches of Revelation: Ephesus, Smyrna (Izmir), Pergamon, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea. Near Laodicea you also see Colossae and Hierapolis at Pamukkale, the region addressed in Paul's letter to the Colossians. If you are searching for a Seven Churches tour that goes further, into the full world of the New Testament, this route covers both in a single trip.
Alongside the Biblical narrative, the route takes in extraordinary historical wonders: the Temple of Artemis and the Library of Celsus at Ephesus, the theatres of Perge and Pergamon, the white travertine terraces of Pamukkale, the legendary ruins of Troy, Iznik (Nicea), site of the first ecumenical council in AD 325, and Istanbul's Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque and Bosphorus. Konya adds the Mevlana Museum and the early Christian village of Sille. It is a tour that blends faith, archaeology and Turkish culture into one unhurried connection to the roots of Christianity.
The tour can run as a small-group departure or be arranged as a private Turkey tour for your church group, family or friends, with 14 nights in 3, 4 or 5-star hotels, boutique hotels or cave hotels, breakfast daily, dinner on most nights, air-conditioned transport, entrance fees and airport transfers included. It suits Christian pilgrims, Bible-study groups, history lovers and active older travellers. As an Istanbul-based operator with a 5.0 rating on TripAdvisor, The History Travel Agency organises every stage personally, from the airport welcome to the final transfer. Send an enquiry or WhatsApp us for dates, a private quote and the current status of the Hatay sites.
Hatay update: Antakya and other parts of Hatay were badly affected by the February 2023 earthquakes, and restoration of museums and churches is ongoing. We confirm which Day 1–2 sites are open before departure, and your guide adapts the programme where needed. Ask us for the current status when you enquire.
The itinerary follows the logic of Acts: Syria and Cilicia first, then the Anatolian plateau, the Pamphylian coast and the Aegean, and finally the Marmara region where early Christianity became an imperial faith. Each stage changes the landscape, the food and the pace, so no day feels repeated.
Hotels change every one or two nights, which keeps you positioned for the next day's sites without long late-night transfers. Pack light and expect a fair amount of driving between historic places.
Eight stages, from the Syrian border region to the Bosphorus. The number in each circle is the day on which that stage begins.
Not every stop is a Pauline foundation, and we say so on site. This is how the places on the route connect to the New Testament.
Paul and Barnabas sail from Seleucia Pieria, then preach at Perge, Antioch in Pisidia and Iconium before returning via Attalia (Antalya). Acts 13–14.
Paul travels through his home region of Cilicia and the Anatolian plateau to Alexandria Troas, where the vision of the man of Macedonia sends him to Europe. Acts 15–16.
Paul spends nearly three years at Ephesus, then passes through Troas and Assos on his way back toward Jerusalem. Acts 19–20.
Years later Paul, now a prisoner, changes ships at Myra on the Lycian coast, the start of the voyage and shipwreck of Acts 27.
Colossians was written to a church Paul did not found himself and mentions neighbouring Laodicea. Both lie within sight of Pamukkale. Colossians 1:7, 4:12–16.
The letters in Revelation 2–3 come from John, not Paul. Ephesus is the one city on the list closely tied to Paul, and the others show how the faith grew after him.
Tap any day to read what you will see, where Paul fits in and which meals are included. Timings are approximate and may be adjusted for traffic, weather and opening hours. Mosques, including Hagia Sophia and Chora, follow prayer times and current visiting arrangements.
Welcome to Turkey! Upon landing at Hatay Airport, your guide greets you and begins the journey in Antakya, ancient Antioch on the Orontes, in its day the third-largest city of the Roman Empire after Rome and Alexandria. According to the Book of Acts, it was here that Jesus's followers were first called "Christians" (Acts 11:26), here that Barnabas and Paul taught side by side for a year, and here that the church sent them out on the first missionary journey (Acts 13:1-3).
Our first visit is to the Hatay Archaeological Museum, home to one of the world's great collections of Roman mosaics, rescued from villas and bathhouses across ancient Antioch. We then visit the Church of Saint Pierre (St. Peter), a cave church carved into the slope of Mount Staurin and traditionally regarded as one of the earliest places of Christian worship, where early believers gathered during periods of persecution. Overnight in Hatay, with dinner included.
After breakfast we drive toward the coast to Seleucia Pieria, once the seaport of ancient Antioch and the harbour from which Paul and Barnabas set sail at the start of their first missionary journey (Acts 13:4). Nearby is the Titus Tunnel, a Roman engineering feat carved through solid rock to divert floodwaters from the harbour, begun under Vespasian and completed under his son Titus. We also see Besikci Cave along the same stretch of coast.
Continuing inland, we reach Adana, Turkey's fourth-largest city and an important crossroads of trade since antiquity, for a guided tour of its riverside promenade on the Seyhan. We then press on to Tarsus, the birthplace of Saul, the future Apostle Paul, who called it "no mean city" (Acts 21:39). We visit the Well of St. Paul, traditionally associated with his family home, and the Gate of Cleopatra, a Roman-era gateway linked to the meeting of Cleopatra and Mark Antony in 41 BC. Overnight in Adana, with dinner included.
After breakfast we begin the drive of about five hours to Konya, known in antiquity as Iconium. Paul and Barnabas preached here on their first missionary journey (Acts 14:1-3), speaking boldly in the synagogue and drawing both believers and fierce opposition.
Our first stop is the Mevlana Museum, the turquoise-domed shrine of the 13th-century poet and mystic Jalal ad-Din Rumi, founder of the Mevlevi order of Whirling Dervishes. Next is the Karatay Museum, a Seljuk madrasah built in 1251 and now home to a superb collection of Seljuk tile art beneath a star-patterned dome.
After lunch at a local restaurant we visit Sille Village, a settlement with a history stretching back some 4,500 years and a long-standing Christian community. By local tradition, St. Paul himself found refuge here. Among its treasures is the Ak Monastery (Hagios Khariton), a cave-and-stone monastery that offers a tangible glimpse of the region's layered spiritual past. Overnight in Konya, with dinner included.
Antioch in Pisidia, where Paul preached (Acts 13)
This morning we drive to the ruins of Antioch in Pisidia, near the modern town of Yalvac. In the city's synagogue Paul delivered one of his longest recorded sermons (Acts 13:16-41), tracing Israel's history from Egypt to David and proclaiming Jesus as the promised Messiah. The message won many converts and stirred such opposition that the missionaries were driven out of the region (Acts 13:50). We walk among the colonnaded streets, the remains of the Temple of Augustus and the Sanctuary of Men, and the ruins of a Byzantine basilica traditionally associated with the site of Paul's preaching. We also visit the small Yalvac Archaeological Museum.
We then continue south to Antalya, ancient Attalia, from where Paul and Barnabas sailed back to Antioch to report on their journey (Acts 14:24-26). En route we stop at Perge, which they visited twice (Acts 13:13-14, 14:25). Perge reveals one of the best-preserved ancient theatres in Anatolia, a monumental Hellenistic gate flanked by round towers, a colonnaded main street with its central water channel, and the remains of Roman baths. Overnight in Antalya, with dinner included.
Antalya's old harbour, ancient Attalia
We begin with a walk through Antalya's preserved Old Town (Kaleici), a maze of cobbled lanes, Ottoman wooden houses and courtyards behind ancient walls. Highlights include Hadrian's Gate, a triple-arched marble gateway built in 130 AD to honour the emperor's visit, the historic Clock Tower and the 13th-century Fluted (Yivli) Minaret, still the symbol of the city's skyline.
From Antalya we drive west along a spectacular stretch of Mediterranean coast to Demre, ancient Myra, to visit the Church of St. Nicholas. This Byzantine church honours the 4th-century bishop of Myra, remembered for quiet generosity to the poor, whose story over many centuries and cultures grew into the legend of Santa Claus. We continue into Myra, where Lycian rock-cut tombs are carved into a cliff face like temple facades, with a well-preserved Roman theatre at its base. This was also the port where, years after his missionary journeys, Paul was placed aboard an Alexandrian grain ship as a prisoner bound for Rome (Acts 27:5-6), the start of the voyage and shipwreck that close the Book of Acts. Overnight in Antalya, with dinner included.
Pamukkale, beside Hierapolis and Laodicea
Today's drive of roughly 240 km north to Pamukkale begins at Colossae, near the modern town of Honaz. The site is still a largely unexcavated mound, but its significance is immense: this was the church to which Paul addressed his Epistle to the Colossians, written from prison, a congregation that Epaphras, a native of Colossae, had likely founded (Colossians 1:7, 4:12-13). We continue to Laodicea, one of the Seven Churches of Revelation and perhaps the most memorably rebuked: "because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spit you out of my mouth" (Rev 3:14-22). Among its excavated stadium, church and the remnants of the city's distinctive water pipes, it is easy to picture the wealthy, self-satisfied city John addressed.
Arriving in Pamukkale, we explore the UNESCO World Heritage city of Hierapolis, built around thermal springs prized since antiquity. Highlights include the Martyrium of the Apostle Philip, an octagonal structure commemorating the site of his martyrdom, the monumental Gate of Domitian and a beautifully preserved Roman theatre. We close the day with a barefoot walk across Pamukkale's white travertine terraces, layered pools of mineral-rich water that give the site its Turkish name, "Cotton Castle." Overnight at a thermal hotel in Pamukkale, with dinner included.
We begin in Philadelphia, modern Alasehir. Together with Smyrna, it is one of only two of the Seven Churches of Revelation to receive no word of rebuke; it was praised for its patient endurance and promised an open door that no one could shut (Rev 3:7-13). The atmospheric ruins of a Byzantine basilica still stand, its brick pillars surrounded by later buildings. We continue to Sardis, once the glittering capital of the Lydian kingdom under King Croesus, whose wealth gave us the phrase "rich as Croesus." By the time John wrote to its church, Sardis had grown spiritually complacent, prompting the warning to "wake up, and strengthen what remains" (Rev 3:1-6). Here we explore the restored Roman Gymnasium and Bath complex and the towering columns of the Temple of Artemis, one of the largest Ionic temples ever built.
Continuing to Izmir, we explore ancient Smyrna, the church singled out for its faithfulness under persecution and poverty: "be faithful unto death" (Rev 2:8-11). We visit the site associated with Saint Polycarp, a disciple of the Apostle John and Smyrna's bishop, martyred here in the 2nd century for refusing to renounce his faith, and explore the ancient Agora, a Roman marketplace whose vaulted chambers still hint at the commerce of nearly two thousand years ago. We close the day with a stroll along Izmir's lively Kordonboyu waterfront. Overnight in Izmir, with dinner included.
This morning we round out our exploration of Smyrna with a closer look at its Roman-era remains and the Church of St. Polycarp, which honours the city's martyred bishop. We then wander through the Kemeralti Bazaar, a sprawling covered market that has served the city's traders for centuries, its narrow lanes packed with spice merchants, jewellers, textile stalls and artisan workshops, a welcome contrast to the ruins of the past few days.
In the afternoon we drive south toward Kusadasi, taking a scenic detour through Sirince Village, a preserved former Greek Orthodox settlement among terraced vineyards in the hills above Selcuk. Its stone houses with red-tiled roofs and its tradition of fruit wine (try the pomegranate or blackberry) make it one of the most charming stops on the journey, a peaceful afternoon before the heart of the Ephesus story tomorrow. Overnight in Kusadasi, with dinner included.
The Library of Celsus, Ephesus
Today belongs entirely to Ephesus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the crown jewel of this journey. Paul spent nearly three years of his ministry here, longer than in any other city (Acts 19:8-10), reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus until, as Luke records, "all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord." Tradition also holds that the Apostle John later lived here. We walk the marble-paved Curetes Street, past the Temple of Hadrian and the two-storey Library of Celsus, and into the vast Grand Theatre, where an angry mob of silversmiths once rallied against Paul's preaching about the cult of Artemis (Acts 19:23-41).
We continue to the site of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, of which only a single reconstructed column now stands. From there we visit the Basilica of St. John, built by Justinian over the traditional burial site of the Apostle, and finish at the tranquil House of the Virgin Mary, in wooded hills above Ephesus, honoured by Christian and Muslim visitors alike and traditionally linked to Mary's later years (John 19:26-27). Overnight in Kusadasi, with dinner included.
We begin in Thyatira, modern Akhisar, home town of Lydia, "a seller of purple," whom Paul met and converted far away in Philippi, making her by tradition the first documented convert to Christianity in Europe (Acts 16:14-15). The letter to Thyatira's own church in Revelation is notably strong in its warning against tolerating false teaching (Rev 2:18-29).
We then continue to Pergamon (Bergama), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and once one of the great intellectual and religious capitals of the ancient world, famous for a library said to rival Alexandria's. Revelation remembers it as the place "where Satan's throne is" (Rev 2:12-17), widely read as a reference to the dominance of the imperial cult and the great Altar of Zeus on the acropolis. We explore the Temple of Trajan, the base of the Altar of Zeus (its frieze is displayed in Berlin) and the breathtakingly steep Great Theatre, seating up to 10,000 spectators. Overnight near Assos or Ayvalik, with dinner included.
Our first stop is Assos, a dramatic hilltop city with Bronze Age roots, perched above the Aegean with views across to the Greek island of Lesbos. During his third missionary journey Paul chose to travel the overland stretch on foot while his companions sailed ahead, before rejoining them here (Acts 20:13-14). Among the ruins of the acropolis, with its Doric temple to Athena silhouetted against the sea, it is easy to see why he might have wanted that solitude.
We continue to Alexandria Troas, a once-major Roman port mentioned repeatedly in Paul's travels: here he received his vision of the "man of Macedonia" calling him to Europe (Acts 16:8-9), and here he raised the young Eutychus after a fall from a third-floor window during a very long late-night sermon (Acts 20:6-10). Near the end of his life he asks Timothy to bring a cloak left behind here (2 Timothy 4:13). We then travel to Troy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose nine successive layers span over 5,000 years, immortalised by Homer's Iliad and the story of the Trojan Horse. Overnight in Bandirma, with dinner included.
We begin in Bursa, the first great capital of the Ottoman Empire, at the foot of Mount Uludag. Here we wander the Old Silk Bazaar (Koza Han), a 15th-century caravanserai where silk cocoons are still traded under vaulted arcades, and visit the Green Mosque (Yesil Cami), completed in 1424 and celebrated for its turquoise and blue tilework.
From Bursa we continue to Iznik, ancient Nicea, of immense importance to Christian history. In 325 AD Emperor Constantine convened the First Council of Nicaea here, gathering some 300 bishops to settle the debate over the nature of Christ and producing the Nicene Creed still recited in churches today. We visit the Hagia Sophia of Iznik, a Byzantine church tradition links to the Second Council of Nicaea in 787 AD, which restored the veneration of icons after the iconoclast period. Among Nicea's Roman walls and its lakeside setting, the weight of those decisions becomes tangible. We reach Istanbul in the evening, with lunch included today.
The Bosphorus between Europe and Asia
We begin the morning with Istanbul's Christian heritage beyond the famous tourist core. We follow stretches of the monumental Byzantine City Walls, the triple fortifications built under Theodosius II in the 5th century that protected Constantinople for nearly a thousand years, then visit the Chora (Kariye) Church, home to some of the finest Byzantine mosaics and frescoes in the world, dating to the early 14th century. It operates as a mosque today, so visiting follows current arrangements. We continue to the Fener district to visit Saint George's Church, seat of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, the spiritual centre of the Eastern Orthodox world, and the neo-Gothic Bulgarian Iron Church, prefabricated in cast iron in Vienna and shipped down the Danube to Istanbul in the 1890s.
After lunch we set out on a scenic Bosphorus Cruise between Europe and Asia, gliding past the white marble Dolmabahce Palace, the elegant Ciragan Palace and the Ortakoy Mosque beneath the Bosphorus Bridge, a relaxing way to see the city from the water. Overnight in Istanbul.
Istanbul's Old City skyline
Today is devoted to the heart of Old Istanbul. We begin at Topkapi Palace, the seaside residence of Ottoman sultans for over 400 years, with its ornate courtyards, Harem quarters and treasury galleries, before continuing to Hagia Sophia, completed by Justinian in 537 AD and for nearly a thousand years the largest cathedral in the world. Its immense dome, layered mosaics and extraordinary light make it a fitting culmination for a journey through early Christian history. Hagia Sophia is a working mosque, so entry follows current visiting arrangements and prayer times, and modest dress is required.
We continue to the Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome, once the chariot-racing stadium of Byzantine Constantinople, still marked by an Egyptian obelisk and the twisted Serpent Column from Delphi, then descend into the Basilica Cistern, an underground Byzantine reservoir with 336 marble columns, including two carved with Medusa heads. The day ends with time in the labyrinthine Grand Bazaar, with over 4,000 shops selling ceramics, textiles, lamps, jewellery and carpets. Please note: the Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays and Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays; your guide will adjust the order of the day accordingly. Overnight in Istanbul, with lunch included.
After a relaxed breakfast, the day is yours in Istanbul at your own pace. Many travellers use the final morning for a last stroll through Sultanahmet, a visit to the Galata Tower for panoramic views, or a final round of shopping for Turkish delight, ceramics and textiles. When the time comes, our driver transfers you to the airport for your onward journey, carrying with you a lived understanding of the places where the early Christian story unfolded across Turkey.
Read ahead about what you will see: the history, the Biblical connection and the reason each stop earns its place on the route. Choose a region below to jump straight to its guide.
Where the mission began: the first place believers were called Christians, Paul's birthplace at Tarsus, and Iconium (Konya) on the Anatolian plateau. Read what to expect at each site, including the current situation in Hatay.
Top stops
Antioch in Pisidia, where Paul preached in the synagogue, the Roman theatre of Perge and the harbour of Antalya, then Myra, where Paul changed ships on his voyage to Rome.
Top stops
The heart of the tour: Colossae and Laodicea, Pamukkale, Philadelphia, Sardis, Smyrna, Ephesus, Thyatira and Pergamon, completing all Seven Churches of Revelation.
Top stops
From Assos and Alexandria Troas, where Paul saw the vision of the man of Macedonia, to the legendary ruins of Troy and Iznik, ancient Nicea, home of the first ecumenical council.
Top stops
The journey ends in the former capital of Byzantium: Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar and a Bosphorus cruise.
Top stops
Before there were churches across Turkey, there was Antioch. It was a cosmopolitan Roman city in which a mixed congregation of Jews and Gentiles first became known as Christians, and from which Barnabas and Paul were sent out. The first three days follow that story from the Syrian border region to Paul's hometown and on to the Anatolian plateau.
Konya adds a different spiritual voice: the city of the poet Rumi and the Whirling Dervishes, set beside the early Christian village of Sille.
Insider tip: Adana and Hatay are very hot in summer and Konya is cold in winter. Carry water, a hat and a light layer, and ask us about the current opening status of Hatay's museums and churches.
Ancient Antioch was the third city of the Roman world. The Hatay Archaeological Museum displays the floor mosaics rescued from its villas and bathhouses.
Why it matters
A cave church cut into the slope of Mount Staurin, traditionally counted among the earliest places of Christian worship and linked to Peter's time in Antioch.
Why it matters
The silted harbour of ancient Antioch, and the Roman rock-cut channel that protected it from floodwater. Standing here you can picture the ship that carried the first missionaries toward Cyprus.
Why it matters
A prosperous centre of Hellenistic learning and the birthplace of Saul. See the Well of St. Paul, traditionally tied to his family home, and the Roman Gate of Cleopatra.
Why it matters
Paul and Barnabas preached in Iconium's synagogue. Today the turquoise-domed Mevlana Museum holds the tomb of Rumi, and the Karatay Museum shows the best of Seljuk tile art.
Why it matters
A village of about 4,500 years of history, long a refuge for Christians. The Ak Monastery (Hagios Khariton) is one of the most striking surviving monastic sites in the region.
Why it matters
The route now crosses the Taurus mountains to the Mediterranean, tracing the road that Paul and Barnabas walked in Acts 13 and 14. Antioch in Pisidia gave Paul one of his best-documented sermons; Perge and Attalia were the gateway to the sea.
On the second day the road follows the Lycian coast to Myra, where the trail turns from missionary journeys to Paul's last voyage, and where the story of St. Nicholas begins.
Insider tip: Perge and Myra are open to the sun and the paths are uneven. Bring sun protection and sturdy shoes, and read Acts 13 on the road to Yalvac.
Colonnaded streets, the Temple of Augustus, the Sanctuary of Men and a Byzantine basilica associated with the place of Paul's preaching. The Yalvac museum holds finds from the site.
Why it matters
A wealthy Pamphylian city with a well-preserved theatre, round-towered Hellenistic gate, colonnaded street with water channel and Roman baths. Paul and Barnabas passed through twice.
Why it matters
Ancient Attalia's walled old quarter: Hadrian's Gate, the Clock Tower, the Fluted Minaret and Ottoman houses in cobbled lanes above the old harbour.
Why it matters
The church honouring the 4th-century bishop of Myra, remembered for generosity to the poor, whose story evolved into the Santa Claus legend.
Why it matters
Lycian rock-cut tombs carved into the cliff like temple facades, with a Roman theatre at its foot. Paul boarded an Alexandrian grain ship here as a prisoner (Acts 27:5-6).
Why it matters
For five days the route runs through the western province of ancient Asia: the Lycus valley of Colossae and Laodicea, the cities of Revelation and, above all, Ephesus, where Paul taught for nearly three years. It is the part of the journey that most often produces the "I have read this, and now I am standing in it" moment.
Each church has its own character: Laodicea rebuked, Philadelphia and Smyrna commended, Sardis warned, Pergamon and Thyatira tested. Your guide reads the relevant passage on site.
Insider tip: Ephesus is largely unshaded and the marble is slippery. Visit early, wear grip-soled shoes and carry water. Pamukkale's terraces are walked barefoot.
A grass-covered mound near Honaz, still unexcavated. Its significance is the letter Paul wrote to the church there, probably founded by Epaphras.
Why it matters
A wealthy banking and textile city. Excavated stadium, church and stone water pipes help explain the image of the "lukewarm" church in Revelation 3.
Why it matters
A UNESCO World Heritage Site built around thermal springs, with the Martyrium of Philip, the Gate of Domitian and a Roman theatre beside the white travertine pools.
Why it matters
The ruins of a Byzantine basilica with towering brick pillars, standing among later buildings.
Why it matters
Capital of Croesus's Lydian kingdom, with a restored Roman Gymnasium and Bath complex and the huge Ionic columns of the Temple of Artemis.
Why it matters
The Roman Agora, the Church of St. Polycarp and the Kemeralti Bazaar, still the commercial heart of the city.
Why it matters
Curetes Street, the Library of Celsus and the 25,000-seat Grand Theatre, plus the site of the Temple of Artemis, the Basilica of St. John and the House of the Virgin Mary.
Why it matters
The home town of Lydia, "a seller of purple," whom Paul met in Philippi. Modest remains lie in the middle of a modern town.
Why it matters
A UNESCO World Heritage acropolis with the Temple of Trajan, the base of the Altar of Zeus and a Great Theatre seating up to 10,000 on a steep hillside.
Why it matters
The northern stretch of the tour follows two threads. In the Troad, Paul's third journey meets Homer's Troy at Alexandria Troas and Assos. Further east, Nicea shows how the early church defined its faith in the creed that is still recited today.
A morning in Bursa, the first Ottoman capital, links the Byzantine world to what came next.
Insider tip: Day 12 is a long driving day. Keep Troy and Alexandria Troas unhurried the day before and rest on the road.
A hilltop city above the Aegean, with an acropolis and a Doric temple of Athena. Paul travelled here on foot to rejoin his companions.
Why it matters
A once-major Roman port. Here Paul saw the vision that took him to Europe, and raised Eutychus after his fall.
Why it matters
A UNESCO World Heritage Site with nine successive layers of settlement, tied to Homer's Iliad and the story of the Trojan Horse.
Why it matters
The first Ottoman capital. The 15th-century Koza Han still trades silk, and the Green Mosque (1424) is famed for its turquoise tilework.
Why it matters
Site of the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD and, by tradition, the Second Council in 787 at the Hagia Sophia of Iznik. Roman walls and a lakeside setting frame the visit.
Why it matters
The tour ends in the city Constantine made the capital of a Christian empire. Istanbul's Byzantine heritage runs from the Theodosian Walls and the mosaics of Chora to the great dome of Hagia Sophia, and the Ecumenical Patriarchate still sits in the Fener district.
Two full days give you time for the Christian sites first, then the Ottoman and imperial highlights, with a Bosphorus cruise in between.
Insider tip: Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays and the Grand Bazaar on Sundays. Mosques pause visits at prayer times, so your guide may reorder the day. Carry a scarf and dress modestly.
The triple fortifications raised under Theodosius II in the 5th century, which protected Constantinople for nearly a thousand years.
Why it matters
Early 14th-century mosaics and frescoes depicting the life of Christ and the Virgin Mary in gold and deep blue.
Why it matters
The seat of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and the neo-Gothic Bulgarian Iron Church, prefabricated in Vienna and shipped down the Danube.
Why it matters
A cruise between Europe and Asia past Dolmabahce and Ciragan Palaces and the Ortakoy Mosque.
Why it matters
Completed by Justinian in 537 AD. For nearly a thousand years it was the largest cathedral in the world, with a vast dome and layered mosaics.
Why it matters
The residence of Ottoman sultans for over 400 years, and the six-minaret mosque across the Hippodrome.
Why it matters
An underground Byzantine reservoir with 336 marble columns, and the old chariot track marked by an Egyptian obelisk and the Serpent Column.
Why it matters
Over 4,000 shops selling ceramics, textiles, lamps, jewellery and carpets, a lively finish to the day.
Why it matters
PamukkalePisidian AntiochAntalyaIstanbulWhere believers were first called Christians, with the cave church of St. Peter and the Hatay mosaics.
The birthplace of the Apostle Paul, with the Well of St. Paul and Cleopatra's Gate.
The Mevlana Museum, and Sille Village's ancient Ak Monastery.
Paul's Pamphylian mission sites, and St. Nicholas Church in Demre.
The travertine terraces and the Martyrium of the Apostle Philip.
Paul's longest ministry, with the Library of Celsus and the Grand Theatre.
Laodicea, Philadelphia, Sardis, Smyrna, Ephesus, Thyatira and Pergamon, with Revelation read on site.
The legendary city of the Iliad, and the town of the Nicene Creed.
Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque and a Bosphorus cruise.
Best for:
Your hotel changes almost every night or two on this route, following the itinerary so you are always positioned for the next day's sites.
Bases for Antioch, Tarsus and the surrounding sites, breakfast and dinner included.
2 NightsFor Iconium, Pisidian Antioch, Perge and Myra, breakfast and dinner included.
3 NightsCovering Laodicea, the Seven Churches and Ephesus, breakfast and dinner included.
4 NightsFor Pergamon, Assos, Alexandria Troas and Troy, breakfast and dinner included.
2 NightsFor Iznik, the Bosphorus cruise and the Old City, breakfast and lunch included.
3 NightsMeals note: dinner is included on Days 1–11, and lunch is included in place of dinner on Days 12–14 in Istanbul. Day 15 includes breakfast only.
The tour can run as a small-group departure or be arranged privately for your party. Everyday departures are available, and confirmation is received at the time of booking.
Reserving requires a 40% deposit.
The balance is payable on arrival.
Please read our Terms & Conditions for the cancellation policy before reserving.
Practical suggestions based on the route, the season and the pace of the itinerary.
Acts 13–14, 16 and 19–20, Colossians and Revelation 2–3 map almost exactly onto this route. Bring a Bible or a notes app.
Marble at Ephesus, uneven stone at Perge and Sardis, and cobbles in Kaleici: wear broken-in walking shoes.
Hotels change every one or two nights. A single suitcase and a day bag make the many transfers easier.
Pamukkale at late afternoon, Ephesus early, Pergamon's theatre and Istanbul's skyline from the Bosphorus.
This is our longest itinerary, with plenty of driving. Rest on the road and keep water with you.
Cover shoulders and knees, and carry a scarf for mosques including Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.
Mild days and green landscapes. Ideal for long days on site.
Very hot in Adana, Antakya and the Aegean. Start early.
Warm days, softer light and thinner crowds.
Cool and quiet, with cold nights in Konya and Istanbul.
Local tip: the Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays and Topkapi Palace on Tuesdays. Tell us your arrival date and we will check how the Istanbul days fall.
These are guest reviews of The History Travel on TripAdvisor, reproduced as written. They describe the agency's tours across Turkey, not only this itinerary. Read all reviews on TripAdvisor.
Family tour to Turkey
“We had a wonderful family trip to Turkey. Mr Sebahettin of The History Tours planned and organised it. He knows Turkey well, provided detailed itinerary unlike other travel agents. All domestic bookings, transfers, guides, day trios were organised by him. He kept in touch throughout the trip for updates. Highly recommend him for any travel to Turkey”
Excellence holiday in Turkey with family
“We had heard about the beauties of Turkey from friends who had visited, and then we booked a 10-day family package tour with Mr. Sebahattin, owner of History Travel, which was recommended by friends. He was very friendly and very knowledgeable. All the service was very well organized. We liked our tour very much. I recommend Mr. Sebahattin and The History Travel Agency to everybody.”
A thrilling visit to a glorious country
“Our visit to turkey was filled with incredible experiences and long lasting memories. Mr Sebahattin was very helpful throughout out planning stages and in the process created a personalised itinerary that fit our needs. Even while in Turkey he was extremely prompt and professional in all his dealings. And enabled us to navigate through the trip effortlessly. The English speaking guides organised by him were very knowledgeable and friendly. The transport and the hotels provided were also of top quality and we were very pleased with the service. Overall a great visit curated by a gem of a person.”
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Reserving requires a 40% deposit; the balance is payable on arrival.
A 40% deposit reserves your place and the balance is payable on arrival. Please read our Terms & Conditions for the full cancellation policy.
Travel insurance and the Turkey entry visa are not included. Please check the visa requirements for your nationality before booking.
Prefer a shorter route? Compare other Biblical and cultural journeys from The History Travel Agency.