Patmos

Patmos — The Island of Revelation

Patmos is a small Aegean island with an outsized place in Christian history. Tradition holds that the Apostle John was exiled here around AD 95 and, in this island’s quiet, received the visions recorded in the Book of Revelation — a text that has shaped Christian thought for nearly two millennia.

👉 Continue Paul’s journey in Philippi where he baptized the first European Christian, Lydia.

Why Patmos matters

• Apostle John and the Book of Revelation — Patmos is the place most closely associated with John’s visions and the writing of Revelation, making it a key destination for anyone studying the New Testament and early Christian prophecy.
• The Cave of the Apocalypse — a small, still-chapel-like grotto where tradition says John received his revelations; it remains a powerful, contemplative site for pilgrims and visitors.
• The Monastery of Saint John the Theologian — founded in the 11th century on a hill above Chora, the monastery houses priceless icons, manuscripts, and a living monastic tradition that links the present to John’s legacy.
• Historic Chora (Old Town) — narrow, whitewashed streets and a dramatic hilltop fortress-town that together form a UNESCO-listed cluster valued for its cultural and religious history.

👉 From here, Paul moved westward — discover the continuation of his journey in Corinth.

Experience Apostle John's environment

Visiting Patmos is more than sightseeing — it’s an invitation to slow down. Walk from Skala to Chora, enter the Cave of the Apocalypse, and climb the monastery steps. Read short passages from Revelation where the scenes unfold, then sit in a quiet cove and let the island’s light and sea sharpen the story for you. Practical highlights visitors love:

• Guided visit to the Cave of the Apocalypse and the monastery
• Short historical talks that place Revelation in its 1st-century context
• Time to explore Chora’s museums, chapels, and viewpoints
• Easy boat trips to hidden coves and peaceful beaches

Fulfill your interest

Whether you come as a scholar, a pilgrim, or a traveler looking for meaning in place, Patmos meets you with both history and hospitality. The island’s austere beauty — rocky hills, olive-scented lanes, and bright Aegean water — creates the perfect backdrop for reflection on one of the New Testament’s most vivid books.

👉 Explore more of Paul’s ministry in Athens where he delivered his famous sermon on the Areopagus.

Plan your visit

Start with the Cave of the Apocalypse and the monastery, then leave time to wander Chora and find a quiet spot by the sea. Many travelers pair Patmos with other biblical and historic sites across Greece to build a short pilgrimage or an extended learning trip.

👉 Learn more about the full Biblical Greece Tours experience with Sar El.

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