Combo (Save 5%): Blue Mosque Guided Tour + Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Tickets with Audio Guide
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Audio guide
4.4/5(3,973)
Ana V
Margarida M
Mohammad C
Dora B
Roxana C
Zakky A
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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.
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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.
- 3,973 reviews4.4
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, Italy, United States and over 72 countries have loved this experienceWhat our guests say
MMohammad C
GroupVerified bookingJun 20264/51. Easy to book 2. Headout uses intermediary 3rd party and there is no refund. 3. No tickets arrived. Just a note via email to say I would need to meet a man holding a white flag outside the venue. 4. Thankfully Headout was contactable by WhatApp and they responded to my message 5. The man was present on the day and provided my tickets 6. Entry was smooth 7. The visit was amazingAAna V
SoloVerified bookingLast week5/5No trouble getting there, no lines We visited this beautiful place with no time limit, so we were able to enjoy it and take in every detail without rushing 💝MMargarida M
CoupleVerified booking3 weeks ago5/5Well organized. Well-maintained facilities and excellent lighting. A wonderful visit. I don't find the Enel Mobile audio guides very user-friendly.RRaymond R
GroupVerified bookingLast week5/5The cistern is outstanding. The history and views were amazing. It was also cool when it was hot outside. I would go backAAnne F
CoupleVerified booking3 days ago3/5We loved the cruise, it was great. But the Cistern was closed due to repairs or maintenance. I would think this should NOT be included in the price of the ticket since we DID NOT get to see it. Also, I thought we were supposed to be contacted ahead and told where to meet to go to the Cistern, but never got that info, and of course, as I said, the Cistern was closed. I, however, was charged for it.
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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100% ticket guarantee
Receive tickets on time, for the experience you've booked.
100% experience guarantee
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Available before, during, and after your trip.
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