The Seven Churches of Revelation in Turkey: A Travel Guide

People are often surprised when we tell them: you don't need to go to Greece or Israel to see the Seven Churches of Revelation. All seven were in what is now western Türkiye. John wrote to them from the island of Patmos, and the letters fill chapters 2 and 3 of the Book of Revelation. The cities were Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamon, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea, and you can visit all of them in one trip of three or four days.

Here is what you will actually find at each site today, including the honest truth that two of them are very small.

Where they are today

None of the seven still goes by its biblical name, so it helps to know the modern towns: Ephesus is next to Selçuk, Smyrna is İzmir, Pergamon is Bergama, Thyatira is Akhisar, Sardis is at Sart near Salihli, Philadelphia is Alaşehir, and Laodicea is just outside Denizli, on the road to Pamukkale. They form a rough loop through the Aegean region, with İzmir as the natural starting point.

Ephesus

"Thou hast left thy first love." (Revelation 2:4)

If you only had time for one, it would be this one. Ephesus is one of the best preserved Roman cities anywhere and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2015. You walk down a marble street to the Library of Celsus and the Great Theatre, where Acts 19 places the riot of the silversmiths against Paul. In Selçuk, the ruins of the Basilica of St. John stand over the place where tradition says the apostle was buried; the church was built in the 6th century under Emperor Justinian. Up in the hills is the House of the Virgin Mary, a quiet chapel that Popes Paul VI, John Paul II and Benedict XVI all visited. Give Ephesus a full morning at least.

Smyrna (İzmir)

"Be thou faithful unto death." (Revelation 2:10)

Smyrna is the only one of the seven that is still a big city. The letter speaks of suffering, and İzmir remembers its bishop Polycarp, a disciple of John, who was martyred here in the 2nd century. Visit the Roman Agora, and if it is open, the Church of St. Polycarp. The present building dates from 1625, and its frescoes were painted in the 1890s. Opening hours are limited, so ask your guide to check ahead.

Pergamon (Bergama)

"Where Satan's seat is." (Revelation 2:13)

Many travellers' favourite. The acropolis sits high above Bergama, and its theatre is the steepest of the Hellenistic period. It is breathtaking to look down from the top row. Pergamon was added to the UNESCO list in 2014. In the lower town you will see the Asklepion, once one of the most important healing centres of the ancient world, and the huge brick Red Basilica. It was built as a Roman temple to Egyptian gods, probably Isis and Serapis, and later turned into a church. One of its towers is still used as a small mosque. The Altar of Zeus, which many link to "Satan's seat", stood on the acropolis, but what survives of it is now in Berlin.

Thyatira (Akhisar)

"Thou sufferest that woman Jezebel." (Revelation 2:20)

This is the smallest stop, and we always say so in advance. Most of ancient Thyatira lies under modern Akhisar. Only one block in the town centre was excavated, between 1969 and 1971: the remains of a long Roman basilica and a row of columns. Lydia, the "seller of purple" whom Paul met in Philippi (Acts 16:14), came from here. Half an hour is enough, and it is still special to stand there with the letter in your hand.

Sardis (Sart)

"Thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead." (Revelation 3:1)

Sardis is the one that surprises people most. It was the capital of the wealthy Lydian kingdom, and its ruins have been excavated by American teams since 1958. You will see a restored bath-and-gymnasium complex from the early 3rd century and, right next to it, one of the largest ancient synagogues ever found. A short drive away stands the giant Temple of Artemis. Tucked against its southeast corner is a tiny 4th-century chapel, a small sign of the Christians who lived here.

Philadelphia (Alaşehir)

"I have set before thee an open door." (Revelation 3:8)

Philadelphia is the only church besides Smyrna that receives no criticism in the letters. Little of the old city has been uncovered, because it lies under today's Alaşehir. What you come for are the massive brick pillars of the 6th-century Basilica of St. John, standing in the middle of town. It is a short visit but a moving one.

Laodicea (near Denizli)

"Thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot." (Revelation 3:16)

Laodicea was a rich city of bankers and wool merchants, and the excavations led by Pamukkale University have brought it back to life. Today you walk along restored colonnaded streets and see two theatres and the largest stadium in Anatolia. You also see the Church of Laodikeia, a 4th-century building now under a protective roof, which won a Europa Nostra award in 2016. Pamukkale and the ancient city of Hierapolis are just up the road. In 2011, Italian archaeologists announced they had found a tomb there that they believe belongs to the apostle Philip. Our route ends here, and you fly back from Denizli Airport.

How many days do you need?

Three days is possible, but it means long hours in the car. With four days you can see all seven at a comfortable pace, add Pamukkale and Hierapolis, and still give Ephesus the time it deserves. A typical four-day route looks like this:

1. Day 1: fly to İzmir, see Smyrna, continue to Pergamon
2. Day 2: Thyatira, Sardis and Philadelphia
3. Day 3: Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary and the Basilica of St. John
4. Day 4: Laodicea and Pamukkale, then fly home from Denizli Airport

Getting there from Istanbul

Fly to İzmir. The flight takes about an hour, and there are plenty each day from both Istanbul airports. At the end you can fly back to Istanbul from Denizli, close to Pamukkale, so there is no need to drive back to the coast. Driving all the way from Istanbul takes most of a day. The smaller sites are not well connected by public transport, so a car with a driver makes a huge difference.

When to go and what to bring

Spring and autumn are ideal. In July and August, Sardis and Laodicea are very hot and have almost no shade, so start early and carry water. Wear good walking shoes, because Ephesus, Pergamon and Laodicea all mean a lot of walking on old stone. Bring a scarf or something to cover your shoulders for the House of the Virgin Mary, which is still a place of prayer.

Travelling with us

On our 4-day Seven Churches of Revelation tour you travel privately with a biblical guide and your own car and driver. Entrance fees, three nights in central hotels, your domestic flights (Istanbul–İzmir and Denizli–Istanbul), breakfast and dinner, and hotel pickup are included. If you want more time somewhere, or want to add a day, just write to us and we will shape the route around you.