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Audio guide
4.2/5
(3,306)
Michael
Alfonsina
Alexandros
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Get 13% off and see Blue Mosque's minarets on a guided tour, then skip the long lines at Basilica Cistern to marvel at its 200+ columns with an audio guide.
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No long detours—just a short walk between these two wonders gives you more time to soak in the beauty of Istanbul.
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Spend 3–4 hours on the Blue Mosque and Old Town tour, then visit the Basilica Cistern in about 1 hour on the same day or any other day you prefer.
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Blue Mosque
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1-hour guided tour of the Blue Mosque
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Entry to Blue Mosque
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Expert English-speaking licensed guide
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Walking tour around Old Town
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Istanbul Old Town map
Basilica Cistern
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Skip-the-line entry to Basilica Cistern
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Audio guide in English, German, French, Italian, Russian, Spanish & Turkish
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These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
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Guests from Spain, United States, Italy and over 90 countries have loved this experience
Luca
Aug, 2025Verified booking
Online ticket cut the queue time and let me enjoy the tour which was awesome. The mobile voice guide was exhaustive and easy to use
Fabio
Aug, 2025Verified booking
The Cistern is fascinating, distinctive and well maintained. The line hopping was a boon. The audio guide from the iphone was excellent. Very positive experience
Brett
Aug, 2025Verified booking
We had heard about this from a friend in Australia, who told us this was a must-see tourist attraction in Istanbul, and he was right. Wonderful, informative, enjoyable experience. Bought tickets online to skip the line and it was worth it. Took some great photos. Highly recommend it to anyone considering going.Jordi
Aug, 2025Verified booking
The purchase of the tickets was very easy and fast. If I have something to comment, it is the little and small i information of where is the entrance/row of the people who bought tickets online. The Cistern Basilica was amazing, we liked it very much.
Alyssa
Aug, 2025Verified booking
I found this combination quite practical. We can access the different sites fairly quickly. It's worth noting that each of these tours is relatively expensive for what they offer. Topkapi Palace is a must-do, but far too expensive for what it offers (note that you have to pick up your ticket before going inside, at a visit checkpoint next to a cafe in front of one of the palace entrances). The queue-cutting cistern is extremely practical, but the visit is not very impressive (allow 30min). The mosque is beautiful, but its history isn't really explained, and it's not at all as impressive as the Blue Mosque opposite, which is free (but more crowded). All in all, I'm glad I did the consisted and saved time, but they're not really worth the detour. For the other two, tickets are available directly from the Apple (Saint Sophie's Mosque + Basilica).
Blue Mosque
Istanbul's past is brought back to life on this guided tour of the Blue Mosque and the Old Town. Inside the mosque, marvel at over 20,000 handmade Iznik tiles in shades of blue, arranged in floral and geometric patterns. Gaze up at the grand central dome, supported by four towering “elephant foot” pillars, as sunlight streams in through under 260 stained-glass windows. Then, follow your guide through Istanbul Old Town and pass by Sultanahmet Square, once the Hippodrome of Constantinople, where ancient Egyptian obelisks and the Serpent Column still stand. Stroll past Ottoman-era fountains, the German Fountain’s golden mosaics, and lively street vendors selling warm simit and Turkish tea.
Basilica Cistern
Avoid the queues and descend into the beautiful Basilica Cistern, a 1,500-year-old underground water reservoir built by Emperor Justinian I. Walk along wooden pathways over shallow, eerily still water, where the soft glow of orange lights highlights 336 marble columns, each standing 30 feet tall. Listen to your audio guide reveal secrets of this ancient structure, once supplying water to the Great Palace of Constantinople. Seek out the famous Medusa heads—one upside down, the other sideways—mysteriously placed at the base of two columns. The hushed atmosphere, cool air, and gentle sound of dripping water make this an unforgettable experience.
What to bring
Blue Mosque
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Bring your walking shoes, water bottle, hat, sunglasses, and snacks for comfortable exploration.
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Bring local currency or your preferred payment method for meals, souvenirs, and extra delights not covered by the ticket.
Basilica Cistern
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Stay ahead of the game; download the audio app beforehand to dodge any network glitches at the location.
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Don’t forget your trusty earphones for an immersive audio guide experience.
Accessibility
Basilica Cistern
- This experience is wheelchair accessible.
Additional information
Blue Mosque
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If you do not have a scarf or body cover, you can buy them at the entrance (a scarf is 1€ and a body cover is 3€).
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While you can breeze through the ticket lines, security screening is standard for all guests. Be prepared for wait times of up to 60 minutes during peak travel periods.
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Due to the Friday prayer, the Mosque will be closed to tourists from 12pm to 2pm. For a smoother experience, it's recommended to visit after 4pm to avoid the lengthy security line anticipated between 2pm and 4pm.
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Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.
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Please display the same at each ticket redemption point along with a valid photo ID.
Meeting points
- Please check your final voucher for the meeting point details and specific instructions.
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