What was the route of Paul's first missionary journey?
Paul's first journey (Acts 13 to 14) went out from Antioch in Syria: by sea to Cyprus (Salamis and Paphos), then into south Galatia, Perga, Antioch in Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe, before retracing the same cities home. "So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus" (Acts 13:4).
What the text states
Paul and Barnabas were sent out from the church at Antioch (Acts 13:1-3). They sailed from Seleucia to Cyprus and crossed the island from Salamis to Paphos (13:4-6), then came to the mainland at Perga (13:13) and went up to Antioch in Pisidia (13:14), Iconium (13:51), Lystra, and Derbe (14:6). From Derbe they did not press into new country; they turned back and strengthened the same churches they had planted, "they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch" (14:21), and sailed from Attalia home, "from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled" (14:26). The whole arc is Acts 13 to 14.
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Verified. Every scripture quotation on this page has been checked word-for-word against the King James text. Last reviewed 2026-10-07.
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