Combos

Combo (Save 5%): Blue Mosque Guided Tour + Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Tickets with Audio Guide

Name: Combo (Save 5%): Blue Mosque Guided Tour + Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Tickets with Audio Guide
Start: 2026-10-29T10:00:00
End: 2026-10-29T11:30:00
Location: Istanbul

4.4/5(4,083)

Mikio M

Couple

Verified booking

3 weeks ago

We visited the Basilica Cistern on September 26, 2026. It was wonderful to have the flexibility to choose our visiting time after 9:00 AM. The waiting queue was extremely long, but we managed to exchange our online reservation for paper entrance tickets through a guide standing nearby. While it was a little tricky to spot the guide at first, it was totally worth it—we got to skip the massive line and head right inside. The Basilica Cistern is truly a must-visit when you are in Istanbul!

Michael B

Group

Verified booking

Last week

The Blue Mosque trip was excellent, with just the right amount of time to understand. Hossain the guide spoke impeccable English was knowledgeable andat times amusing. A very likeable guide. The trip down to the Basillica Cistern was amazing, the enginering was incredible, really enjoyed it.

Michael B

Group

Verified booking

Yesterday

Basilica cistern was a stunning engineering work and beautifully presented. The blue mosque was amazing, our guide Hassain spoke clearly and knowledgeable about the mosque and it's history. We were allowed enough free time to explore independently. Would recommend to all istanbul visitors.

Olivier M

Couple

Verified booking

Last week

Our QR codes weren't generated automatically, but I reached out for help via the chat: they sent me an email to confirm the order and everything went smoothly.

Julie S

Couple

Verified booking

3 weeks ago

The information provided by the tour guide Hussain was great although information regarding the pick up point was very unhelpful and there was no one to ask. Why not just say in front of the ticket office opposite the main entrance to the mosque

Yulieth R

Couple

Verified booking

Sep 2026

What a wonderful experience! La Cisterna is truly fantastic, and I recommend it to anyone visiting the city—it has an incredible atmosphere. The Bosphorus cruise was a bit crowded, but it was absolutely worth it because the sunset cruise was nothing short of stunning and offered an amazing view.

Save big time while seeing the 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.

No long detours—just a short walk between these two wonders gives you more time to soak in the beauty of Istanbul.

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.

Blue Mosque

1-hour guided tour of the Blue Mosque

Entry to Blue Mosque

Expert English-speaking licensed guide

Walking tour around Old Town

Istanbul Old Town map

Basilica Cistern

Skip-the-line entry to Basilica Cistern

Audio guide in English, German, French, Italian, Russian, Spanish & Turkish

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

4,083 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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Guests from Spain, United States, Italy and over 61 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Mikio M
Couple
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
We visited the Basilica Cistern on September 26, 2026. It was wonderful to have the flexibility to choose our visiting time after 9:00 AM. The waiting queue was extremely long, but we managed to exchange our online reservation for paper entrance tickets through a guide standing nearby. While it was a little tricky to spot the guide at first, it was totally worth it—we got to skip the massive line and head right inside. The Basilica Cistern is truly a must-visit when you are in Istanbul!
Rodney B
Couple
Verified booking
Last week
The web site had a good choice of tours, once the tickets were purchased and arrived at the tour destination the entry was seamless.
Paola B
Group
Verified booking
Sep 2026
The entrance was very chaotic. At the turnstiles, there was a girl who only spoke Turkish and made us waste a lot of time. Then, once we identified the right person, we managed to get inside. It's not so much your service, but the fact that the assistance staff doesn't speak English. In the middle of all that chaos, it gets difficult.
Michael B
Group
Verified booking
Last week
The Blue Mosque trip was excellent, with just the right amount of time to understand. Hossain the guide spoke impeccable English was knowledgeable andat times amusing. A very likeable guide. The trip down to the Basillica Cistern was amazing, the enginering was incredible, really enjoyed it.
Julie S
Couple
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
The information provided by the tour guide Hussain was great although information regarding the pick up point was very unhelpful and there was no one to ask. Why not just say in front of the ticket office opposite the main entrance to the mosque

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

Bring your walking shoes, water bottle, hat, sunglasses, and snacks for comfortable exploration.

Bring local currency or your preferred payment method for meals, souvenirs, and extra delights not covered by the ticket.

Basilica Cistern

Stay ahead of the game; download the audio app beforehand to dodge any network glitches at the location.

Don’t forget your trusty earphones for an immersive audio guide experience.

Accessibility

Basilica Cistern

This experience is wheelchair accessible.

Additional information

Blue Mosque

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€).

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.

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.

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

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.