Seven Churches of Revelation: Multi-day Trips and Tours from Izmir

The Seven Churches of the Revelation are a series of destinations that once housed religious monuments, directly mentioned in the Bible. Each of these worship sites was both lauded and condemned heavily by Jesus through his trusty devotee, John of Patmo in a series of letters depicted in the Book of Revelation.

Seven Churches of the Revelation multi-day trips from Izmir provide a religious introduction to the region for passionate Christians and history enthusiasts.

Here's all you need to know about Seven Churches of Revelation, one of the most exciting day trips from Izmir.

How to get to the Seven Churches of Revelation from Izmir?

The Seven Churches of the Revelation are located across Western Turkey in Pergamon, Thyatira, Smyrna, Sardis, Philadelphia, Ephesus and Laodicea. While Smyrna is modern-day Izmir itself, the others are all within driving distance of the city.

From Izmir to the Seven Churches of Revelation by car

It is possible to make the journey to the Seven Churches of the Revelation if you plan your route in advance. You’ll begin in Izmir — once known as Smyrna — before driving north to Pergamon via the E87 and working your way around the destinations in a clockwise motion, following the D585 for the majority of the route, and ending in Ephesus. The distance between each of the churches varies but you should allow several days to cover all seven locations.

Guided tour to the Seven Churches of Revelation from Izmir

As arranging public transport between all seven locations can be stressful, most tourists choose to make the jaunt to the Seven Churches of the Revelation via an organized tour. There are multiple options depending on how much time you have to spare and excursions range from 3 to 6 days. You’ll benefit from a convenient hotel pickup on the first day of your trip between 8 AM and 9 AM, and you’ll be returned to the same point after your experience ends.

What is the typical itinerary?

All multi-day tours to the Seven Churches of the Revelation follow a similar itinerary, however, they have slight differences depending on their duration. While some excursions pick you up from the airport and allow you an afternoon to get accustomed to your surroundings before setting off on a whirlwind adventure through the region, others jump right in.

You’ll typically visit Pergamon, Thyatira and Smyrna on the first day, participating in a guided tour of each destination. After relaxing in a comfortable hotel, you’ll continue along your route to Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea. Exploring Ephesus usually takes an entire day and some multi-day trips to the Seven Churches of the Revelation return back to Izmir after ambling through its famed monuments.

However, others stay overnight in the town of Kuşadası to recuperate after a busy, yet rewarding, excursion and head back to the city the following day.

What kinds of tours are available to go to the Seven Churches of Revelation?

There are a variety of Seven Churches of the Revelation multi-day tours to choose from, depending on how much time you have to spare on vacation.

3-Day tour to the Seven Churches of Revelation from Izmir

This multi-day tour to the Seven Churches of the Revelation is ideal for those with limited time on their itinerary. You’ll spend the first day discovering Pergamon’s historic ruins, as well as its Altar of Zeus, named in the Bible as “Satan’s seat.” You’ll move on to Thyatira — also known as Ahkisar before returning to Izmir to tour Smyrna, which was “admired for its tribulation and poverty” by Jesus.

After a restful night, you’ll make your way to Sardis, as well as Philadelphia stopping along the way to see the breathtaking thermal hot springs of Pamukkale. Finish up this day of your Seven Churches of the Revelation excursion by journeying to Laodicea, once named the ”City of Zeus.” On the last day of your tour, you’ll wander the remarkable ruins of Ephesus, discovering its funerary monuments and significant theaters.

You’ll pay homage to the Mother of Christ and the home the venerated saint supposedly spent her final days in, see the resting spot of St. John, and be awed by what remains of the Temple of Artemis — one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

4-Day tour to the Seven Churches of Revelation from Izmir

On this longer multi-day trip to the Seven Churches of the Revelation, you’ll be able to slow the pace and enjoy some relaxation time. You’ll follow a similar itinerary to that on a 3-day tour, however, instead of returning to Izmir after exploring Ephesus, you’ll spend the night in Kuşadası — a charming port town with paradisiacal beaches.

Here, you can enjoy a leisurely seafood dinner, shop for souvenirs or dip your toes in the mild waters of the Aegean Sea before journeying back to the bustling city. Throughout this biblical excursion, you’ll be educated on each of the religiously-significant sites and how they were mentioned in the Book of Revelation by a knowledgeable guide.

5-Day tour to the Seven Churches of Revelation from Izmir

This multi-day excursion begins with a convenient airport pickup. After arriving in Izmir, you’ll have the rest of the day to sightsee or simply relax in anticipation of your adventure. The following day, you’ll head to Smyrna, Pergamon and Thyatira as part of a small group of religion enthusiasts.

Day 3 will leave you breathless after discovering the ancient wonders of Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea, while day 4 includes a visit to the iconic ancient city of Ephesus, built in the 10th century B.C. Spend your final night in Kuşadası before checking out in the morning to return to Izmir after bonding with your group over breakfast, reminiscing on your experience.

How much does a multi-day trip to the Seven Churches of Revelation from Izmir cost?

Multi-day trips to the Seven Churches of the Revelation vary in price, depending on their length.

A 5-day tour can, surprisingly, be the most budget-friendly option, costing US$890 per adult and US$300 per child between the ages of 6, and 8. You’ll be part of a small group limited to 10 participants and if you have any children under the age of 6, they can accompany you for free. All entry fees are included on this multi-day trip to the Seven Churches of the Revelation.

Those who select a 4-day trip will pay US$980 per adult. This is a private excursion and you must book for at least two participants. Up to three children under the age of 8 can join your party for no additional cost.

If you opt for a 3-day excursion, you’ll pay US$1,850 as a solo traveler. However, the cost per head reduces to US$990 each if you book with at least one other individual. A maximum of three children aged 8 and under can be added to your booking for free, and this multi-day trip is limited to 12 guests overall.

What will you see and do?

The Seven Churches of the Revelation are a collection of ancient religious sites that existed in the 1st century and were mentioned by name in the Book of Revelation. While these churches have all been destroyed over the past 2,000 years, their locations still house a myriad of ruins, which include temples, theaters and residential villas from the time period of Christ.

In this book of the Bible, Jesus appeared before John of Patmo — thought to be John the Apostle — in a dream and asked him to write, and send letters to seven influential places of worship in Western Turkey. These letters contained prophecies of the hardships and successes of each landmark.

Each of these destinations still exists today, however, Smyrna has changed names over the centuries and is now known as modern-day Izmir City. This ancient destination was admired for its tribulation and poverty in the Bible, and was forecast to suffer great persecution.

Ephesus is reprimanded for its inhabitants forsaking the love they once had, however, it is also praised for its deeds, hard work and perseverance. Pergamon is referred to as “Satan’s seat” as the members of its church allowed themselves to fall prey to false teachings. In the letter to Thyatira, its congregation is heralded for its growth, however, in the same breath, its members are also accused of following a false prophet.

Sardis is declared spiritually dead while Philadelphia is commended for its faith in the face of intense adversity. This is the one church that is not criticized by Christ in its letter. Laodicea, on the other hand, was scolded for its lukewarm faith, accusing its inhabitants of allowing economic wealth to spiritually bankrupt the town.

When is the best time to visit the Seven Churches of Revelation?

The best times to visit the Seven Churches of Revelation are spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November) when the weather is generally pleasant. You can explore the ancient ruins, avoiding the intense heat of summer and the crowds of the high season.

Travel tips

• Dress modestly. The Seven Churches of Revelation are religious sites. So be respectful and dress modestly: cover your shoulders, wear clothes that are above your knees, and avoid revealing clothing.
• Respect the sanctity of the church. Remember, the seven churches are places of worship. Maintain a respectful demeanor, speak softly, and follow all rules and instructions provided at each location.
• Take your time at each church. Delve into its historical and spiritual significance and let yourself be captivated by the architectural details and works of art.
• Pack your essentials. Bring essentials such as comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, hat, a water bottle and a small backpack to carry your belongings. Be prepared for variable weather conditions during your visit.
• Bring your camera or smartphone to capture the beauty of the church and the surrounding landscape. Take photos to document your visit and create lasting memories.