Combos

Combo (Save 13%): Galata Tower Tickets + Basilica Cistern Tickets with Audio Guide

Galata Tower exterior with nearby buildings in Istanbul under a clear blue sky.

Staircase inside Galata Tower with stone walls and arched ceiling, Istanbul.

Pillars inside the Basilica Cistern in Istanbul with reflections on the water.

Illuminated sculptures resembling jellyfish in the Basilica Cistern, Istanbul.

Open today

Explore at your pace

Choose your entry time, stay as long as you like

Audio guide

Enhance your experience with multilingual audio guide

Guided tour

4.2/5

(3,231)

Rebecca

Feb 2026

Verified booking

Not such a smooth entry, because I had no wifi /data so couldn't show my ticket.... very helpful women on the gate sorted it out. I'd also downloaded the audioguide which again didn't work for me until they helped .... But my oh my, it really was BREATHTAKING, totally awesome!!! (I found the audioguide a little distracting, so wanted to walk around without it, but once I'd reached the end of the circuit, it was hard to go against the flow and start again) Feb visit - still quite busy! An amazing place, incredible atmosphere, I'm in awe of the brick/tile vaulting. Medusa heads are superb. Modern art installations are a nice touch. Later, I watched videos from the film 'Inferno' - which incldes a copy of the cistern for their set!

Elena

Jan 2026

Verified booking

Visiting Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern, and Topkapi Palace with a combo ticket was an unforgettable experience. From the moment we arrived, the staff at each site were incredibly helpful and attentive, making the visit smooth and enjoyable. Each place is stunning in its own way, and together they tell an extraordinary story of Istanbul’s layered history. The architecture, atmosphere, and historical depth were absolutely breathtaking—these landmarks truly bring history to life. A must-do experience when visiting the city.

Virginia

Feb 2026

Verified booking

The ease of purchasing tickets online, the faster admission process, and the audio guide on my cell phone, to start with. The girls at the entrance are really wonderful, they are very helpful. Upon entering, the lighting of the cistern makes the work stand out. The path marked above the water allows you to admire the entire structure. Although there were many people, you could look around and stop freely. It is a very interesting experience to also understand a little history and stop to admire the architecture.

Save time and money with this convenient combo ticket that includes skip-the-line entry to both the Galata Tower and the Basilica Cistern.

Ride the express elevator up the Galata Tower, once a medieval watchtower, and soak in 360° views of Istanbul’s skyline, including the Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace.

Your visit to the Tower is flexible, allowing you to explore at your own pace with a multilingual audio guide to uncover stories behind the landmark.

Skip the lines at the Basilica Cistern and step into an underground wonder, often dubbed Istanbul’s “Sunken Palace,” with a capacity of 80,000 cubic meters of water!

Wander past hauntingly beautiful columns like the Hen’s Eye and the Medusa Heads, famously featured in Hollywood films, as your audio guide reveals the cistern’s secrets.

Galata Tower

Skip-the-line entry to Galata Tower

Elevator access to the top

Multilingual audioguide

Basilica Cistern

Skip-the-line entry to Basilica Cistern

Multilingual audioguide

Galata Tower and Basilica Cistern

Guided tour

Food and drinks

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

3,231 reviews
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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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What our guests say
Virginia
Feb 2026
Verified booking
The ease of purchasing tickets online, the faster admission process, and the audio guide on my cell phone, to start with. The girls at the entrance are really wonderful, they are very helpful. Upon entering, the lighting of the cistern makes the work stand out. The path marked above the water allows you to admire the entire structure. Although there were many people, you could look around and stop freely. It is a very interesting experience to also understand a little history and stop to admire the architecture.
Nikitas
Feb 2026
Verified booking
It was a really amazing and educational tour with wonderful information about the usage of Basilica Cistern over the years. As a greek visitor it had an extra depth beacause many things from hour histroy were displayed there and believed by the people of 7 centuries ago. I definitely suggest the audio tour and everything to do with it.
Myroslava
Feb 2026
Verified booking
So nice and atmospheric place✨I never saw something like this before🥰I would recommend this place for the people who loves architecture😍
Flavio
Feb 2026
Verified booking
We skipped the line and were inside in a minute... then... well... it was just magic! I highly recommend this booking service.
Rebecca
Feb 2026
Verified booking
Not such a smooth entry, because I had no wifi /data so couldn't show my ticket.... very helpful women on the gate sorted it out. I'd also downloaded the audioguide which again didn't work for me until they helped .... But my oh my, it really was BREATHTAKING, totally awesome!!! (I found the audioguide a little distracting, so wanted to walk around without it, but once I'd reached the end of the circuit, it was hard to go against the flow and start again) Feb visit - still quite busy! An amazing place, incredible atmosphere, I'm in awe of the brick/tile vaulting. Medusa heads are superb. Modern art installations are a nice touch. Later, I watched videos from the film 'Inferno' - which incldes a copy of the cistern for their set!

Discover two of Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks with this money-saving combo ticket! Enjoy skip-the-line access to both the Galata Tower and the Basilica Cistern. From city views to mysterious underground chambers, this experience offers a perfect blend of history, architecture, and culture, enhanced by insightful multilingual audioguides.

Getting started

Begin your adventure by heading to the Galata Tower, where you’ll gain direct entry to one of the city's most recognisable symbols. Later, skip the queues and dive straight into the depths of the Basilica Cistern with your fast-track ticket. An included audio guide in multiple languages will help you uncover fascinating stories and little-known facts at both sites.

What to expect

Galata Tower

An ancient watchtower turned modern-day viewpoint, Galata Tower rises above Istanbul’s skyline with its distinctive cylindrical silhouette. Once you ride the elevator to the top, prepare to be captivated by 360-degree vistas of the city.

Features:

Observation deck: Panoramic views of landmarks like the Topkapı Palace, Hagia Sophia, Bosphorus Strait, Bosphorus Bridge, Suleymaniye Mosque, the Marmara Sea, and the city’s European and Asian sides await you at the top.

Historical exhibits: Learn about the origins of the Galata Tower, originally built in 1348 during the Genoese colonial period, and its many uses over the centuries as a watchtower, fire observation point, and even a prison.

Flexible duration: Enjoy unlimited time (until closing hour) at the top to take in the scenery and snap photos at your own pace.

Audioguide: A multilingual audio guide provides historical background, fun facts, and engaging stories about the tower and the cityscape below.

Basilica Cistern

Step into a world steeped in mystery beneath the streets of Istanbul. The Basilica Cistern, an ancient underground reservoir, offers an escape into the city's Byzantine past. As soon as you arrive, your skip-the-line ticket gets you in quickly, letting you bypass the long queues.

Features:

Underground wonder: Explore a sunken "palace" of 336 marble columns rising from still waters, illuminated by a soft golden glow.

Walk through a dream-like setting: Stroll on wooden walkways as you observe water droplets falling from vaulted ceilings and carp swimming through the vast cistern that measures almost the size of two football fields.

Pop culture significance: Discover the cistern's cultural significance, including its appearances in popular films and novels like Inferno and From Russia With Love.

Audioguide: Learn about its Byzantine engineering with the multilingual audio guide, available in eight languages.

Basilica Cistern

Monday	9:00am - 10:00pm	last entry 6:30pm
Tuesday	9:00am - 10:00pm	last entry 6:30pm
Wednesday	9:00am - 10:00pm	last entry 6:30pm
Thursday	9:00am - 10:00pm	last entry 6:30pm
Friday	9:00am - 10:00pm	last entry 6:30pm
Saturday	9:00am - 10:00pm	last entry 6:30pm
Sunday	9:00am - 10:00pm	last entry 6:30pm

Hagia Sophia

Monday	9:00am - 7:30pm
Tuesday	9:00am - 7:30pm
Wednesday	9:00am - 7:30pm
Thursday	9:00am - 7:30pm
Friday	9:00am - 7:30pm
Saturday	9:00am - 7:30pm
Sunday	9:00am - 7:30pm

Galata Tower

Monday	8:30am - 11:00pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 11:00pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 11:00pm
Thursday	8:30am - 11:00pm
Friday	8:30am - 11:00pm
Saturday	8:30am - 11:00pm
Sunday	8:30am - 11:00pm

What to bring

Galata Tower

Bring your ticket (received via booking confirmation email) and keep it with you throughout your visit, as you may be asked to present it at the exit.

Ensure your smartphone is fully charged and bring your own headphones to use the audio guide.

Download the audio guide in advance to avoid connectivity issues during your visit.

Basilica Cistern

Wear comfortable shoes with a good grip as the stone floor can be damp and slightly slippery.

Bring a light jacket or shawl; it stays cool underground even in warm weather.

Carry wired headphones if you plan to use an audio guide app, as Bluetooth often struggles underground.

Have your phone fully charged for photos and the audio guide (there are no charging stations inside).

What’s not allowed

Galata Tower

Food and drinks are not allowed inside the tower.

Pets are not permitted at the venues.

Skipping the security line is not possible; all visitors must wait in this queue.

Basilica Cistern

Flash photography is not permitted.

Tripods and selfie sticks are not allowed due to space and safety concerns.

Eating, drinking, and smoking are strictly prohibited inside the cistern.

Accessibility

Galata Tower

The Galata Tower is not wheelchair accessible.

Basilica Cistern

The site is partially accessible; there is a lift near the exit on Alemdar Street near the tram line, but the walking path inside may be uneven in places.

Wheelchair users may need assistance, especially around corners or where the lighting is low.

There are no elevators inside the cistern, and seating is extremely limited.

Additional information

Galata Tower and Basilica Cistern

Your ticket allows you to skip the ticket queue, but all visitors must go through a security check.

During high season, especially in summer, you may encounter wait times to enter the attractions.

Galata Tower

The ticket is valid for the entire day within the venue’s operating hours (Monday–Sunday: 8:30am–10pm; Saturday until 11pm).

Final confirmation and vouchers will be sent to you 1 day before the visit.

Please display the same at each ticket redemption point along with a valid photo ID.

Please arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before the scheduled time of your tour to avoid any delays.

Ticket Redemption Points

Please check your final voucher for the meeting point details and specific instructions.