Daily Sardes & Philadelphia Tour from Cesme
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Duration
daily
Max Group Size
40
Departure Type
Scheduled
Guiding Method
Fully guided
Physical level
relax
Operated In
English
Age Requirement
11 - 99 Ages
Tour Overview
Embark on a full-day journey from Çeşme to explore the fascinating remnants of two ancient cities: Sardes, the once-glorious capital of the Lydian Kingdom, and Philadelphia, one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. This tour blends history, archaeology, and culture as you discover landmarks from different eras—Lydian, Persian, Roman, and Byzantine.
After a morning pick-up from your hotel in Çeşme, enjoy a scenic drive through İzmir’s countryside, passing olive groves and vineyards. At Sardes, walk among the ruins of the royal city where King Croesus once reigned, famous for its wealth and early coinage. Later, continue to Philadelphia (modern Alaşehir), a small city that preserves traces of its Christian heritage.
This tour offers an in-depth look at two key sites of Western Anatolia and is perfect for history lovers and those interested in early Christian sites.
Route
Starts from
Cesme
Ends in
Cesme
Pickup Location
Cesme
Dropoff Location
Cesme
Highlights
Itinerary
(Lunch included)
We will pick you up from the hotel. Today we depart in the morning to one of the most picturesque areas of any of the Seven Churches of Asia, Sardis, presently Sart. This was the capital of the ancient Lydian kingdom of the 6th century BC, portrayed as a dying church.
We visit the great Temple of Artemis and the Temple of Cybele, which became a Byzantine Church. We will also visit the restored gymnasium and reconstructed Synagogue. We also see the last several meters of the royal Persian Road from Susa to Sardis built by Cyrus the Great and the «golden» river Pactolos.
Lunch en route. Then we continue our journey to Philadelphia, nowadays called Alasehir, another church of the Seven Churches of Asia, and the only church not censured. There we see the remains of a Byzantine basilica built of brick, with a bit of high arch and some 11th century frescoes. After the tour, transfer back to your hotel.
We hope your tour was a memorable one and we look forward to seeing you in the future on another TravelShop Booking Tour. Have a safe trip back home and thanks for choosing TravelShop Booking.
Trip includes
Included
Professional English-speaking tour guides
Guiding Method
Fully guided
EnglishLunch
Vegetarian
Halal
MeatPick up from hotel in Cesme
Transportation in a fully air-conditioned, non-smoking coach
Return transfer to hotel in Cesme
Guided Sardes & Philedephia Ancient Cities Tour
All entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary
Distance & Duration: Approx. 3 hours’ drive each way from Çeşme. The full-day tour lasts about 10–11 hours.
Inclusions: Round-trip transportation, professional guide, entrance fees, and lunch.
What to Bring: Comfortable walking shoes, sunhat, sunscreen, and a water bottle.
Physical Level: Moderate walking involved over uneven terrain and some uphill areas at Sardes.
Best Season: Spring and autumn are ideal for pleasant weather and fewer crowds.
Note for Pilgrims: This tour is popular for those following the route of the Seven Churches of Revelation.
Excluded
International or Domestic flights
Insurance: All types
Personal expenses: Extras at hotel or additional meals
Tipping: Tips for guides and drivers
Availability
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Book the tour by paying only 25% upfront, and settle the remaining amount 30 days before the tour departure.
Request a Private, Customizable Departure
By design, this is a group tour. You can however request a private, customized version of this tour for yourself or your private group of people. Private departures are usually more expensive, but come with these benefits:
Personal
Itinerary can be tweaked and customized.
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Professional
Access our Travel Specialists insider knowledge.
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