The Best Part of Our Greek Holiday - Discovering Saint Paul's Second Missionary Journey in Greece!

We came to the end of our vacation in Greece. Of all the cities and towns we have visited, I liked Kavala the best as we have learned so much about Greek history as well as tracing Saint Paul's footsteps on his second missionary journey.

During Paul’s second missionary journey, he arrived in Kavala (ancient Neapolis) on his way to Philippi. The Book of Acts (Acts 16:11) states that Paul sailed from Troas and landed at Neapolis.

This is one of the few New Testament travel movements that is geographically precise.

After landing at Neapolis (Kavala), Paul walked from Kavala to Philippi following the Roman Via Egnatia, the main imperial road connecting the Adriatic to Byzantium. The road is still visible today in sections between Kavala and Philippi.

 

The distance of the route is about 16 km (10 miles) and a fit traveler in the 1st century would take 4–5 hours on foot.

  This route matters becasue Paul’s arrival at Neapolis (Kavala) and his walk to Philippi marked: the first recorded entry of Christianity into Europe and the founding of the Philippian church, one of Paul’s closest communities.

Today, people can still walk Paul’s route as it’s one of the best preserved apostolic routes in Greece. We saw the signs of Saint Paul's footsteps everywhere while we were at Kavala.

  For those who are fit and would like to walk this piligrim route, the modern experience starts at Kavala Port (ancient Neapolis landing point).

 

To continue, one can follow the old Via Egnatia path through the hills and arrive at the Philippi archaeological site. Piligrims could continue to Krinides village if desired.

It’s a beautiful, moderate hike with sea views, Roman paving stones, and historical markers.

  We were blessed as we have stumbled upon and visited the place where Paul met Lydia and started the spread of Christianity to Europe and ultimately to the rest of the world! Thank you, Greece, for an unforgettable holiday and a great time!

  RT, Kavala, Greece, 042026