Combos

Combo (Save 5%) Tickets with Audio Guide: Basilica Cistern + Hagia Sophia

Woman exploring the illuminated columns inside the Basilica Cistern, Istanbul.

Upside-down Medusa head column in Basilica Cistern, Istanbul.

Hagia Sophia with minarets under clear blue sky in Istanbul.

Mosaic of Virgin Mary and Christ Child with emperors in Hagia Sophia, 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

4.2/5

(3,369)

Peter

Sep 2025

Verified booking

5/5

Buying the tickets was easy and convenient. Unlike other services, the tickets from Headout were delivered electronically right away rather than requiring me to go pick up tickets at a meeting point. The Headout app on my phone worked great to show the digital tickets and download the audio guide. (Be sure to download the guide before actually entering the Cistern as there is poor Internet below ground.) As for the Basilica Cistern itself, it was absolutely amazing--well worth cost of admission.

Tina

Oct 2025

Verified booking

4/5

Istanbul is an amazing city. So much to experience you get sensation overload! The Cistern is breathtaking and I wouldn't miss going to experience this. Lineups are quick and efficient so don't let that dissuade you. Haigia Sofia is beautiful however please note the audio tour is confusing. The flow of walking through does not align with how each landmark is noted in audio. I would get the audio ready and simply listen to each station as you approach it.

Anna

Oct 2025

Verified booking

5/5

When we arrived at Basilica there was a really long queue... I'm very impatient so I decided to check if there is a fast track and we bought it. We skipped the line very fast, in 4 minutes we were inside basilica cistern. It was amazing! Beautiful, good audio guide. The most important fact is that a minute after we entered the rain started, so if we were in the line we wouldn't make it, so I really reccomend this fast track.

Get skip-the-line tickets to explore two of Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks with a single cost-effective combo, including immersive audio guides.

Descend into the Basilica Cistern and wander among its eerie marble columns, spotting the mysterious Medusa heads.

Marvel at Hagia Sophia, a breathtaking blend of Byzantine and Ottoman design, and visit the Upper Gallery for views of its golden mosaics.

Explore both sites at your own pace with a multilingual audio guide that brings centuries of history to life.

Basilica Cistern

Skip-the-line entry to Basilica Cistern

Audio guide downloadable in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Russian, Romanian, Turkish

Hagia Sophia

Skip-the-line entry to Hagia Sophia

Audio guide downloadable in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Russian, Romanian, Turkish

Exclusive access to the Upper Gallery visiting area

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

4.2
3,369 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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What our guests say
Valentina
Nov 2025
Verified booking
3/5
The cistern is beautiful and should definitely be visited. Hagia Sophia a bit disappointing. For the entrance to St. Sophia we had serious problems with the voucher sent by the company because it was not the one requested at the entrance. After half an hour of discussion at the entrance we realized that we had to apply for a new voucher, which then arrived, which allowed us to enter. Pay attention to this aspect. No problem, on the other hand, with the entrance to the tank.
Céliane
Nov 2025
Verified booking
3/5
All three monuments are well worth a visit. However, for the price I paid, I was expecting a much more detailed audio guide, especially for the Topkapi Palace, where there is no audio guide for the harem. What's more, in November, there was no real need for a line-up of tickets, so it would have been better for me to take my tickets on the spot. On the other hand, the guide to Saint Sophia is very comprehensive.
Antonio
Nov 2025
Verified booking
3/5
Correct tickets, but I had problems with the audio guide. Difficulty to share it, since I bought tickets for more people and secondly, impossible to reproduce it "offline" as we were informed. I would also like to point out that when you make the purchase, at no time is informed that to enter the palace there are set times. Even so, the guide informed us very well.
Armand
Nov 2025
Verified booking
5/5
Simple, effective and with no surprises. For St Sophie, enter directly outside TopKapi. No need to queue. Same for the cistern. The queue breaker is very pleasant. For TopKapi, it's very easy to find the place to meet the person who's letting us in. There's nothing to worry about, and it's a stone's throw from the site in a charming alley. I sincerely recommend it.
Patricia
Nov 2025
Verified booking
5/5
Buying tickets in advance avoids a long queue. Although there is one, it is shorter. Santa Sofia impressed me with the antiquity of its construction but it is in pretty bad shape and only the second floor can be visited. I highly recommend the cistern for its history and the work that has been done to make your visit enjoyable!

Save time and money with this combo ticket to two of Istanbul’s most famous landmarks, both enhanced with multilingual audio guides.

Getting started

Begin your journey at the Basilica Cistern, downloading the audio guide beforehand to avoid network issues. Once you’ve explored, continue to Hagia Sophia, just a few minutes away.

What to expect

Basilica Cistern

Step into the atmospheric depths of Istanbul and explore the ancient Basilica Cistern, once used to supply water to the Great Palace of Constantinople.

Features:

336 marble columns: Wander through rows of towering columns reflected in still waters with soft lighting that highlights their grandeur.

Medusa heads: Don’t miss the mysterious Medusa sculptures tucked at the back. Their origins and positioning remain a fascinating mystery.

Hagia Sophia

Admire the architectural marvel of Hagia Sophia, which has served as a cathedral, mosque, and museum across centuries of history.

Features:

Upper gallery access: Enjoy panoramic views of the vast interior, including intricate mosaics and colossal domes.

Historic layers: Discover how Hagia Sophia reflects the blend of Byzantine, Ottoman, and modern influences.

Basilica Cistern

Monday	09:00am - 10:00pm	last entry 06:30pm
Tuesday	09:00am - 10:00pm	last entry 06:30pm
Wednesday	09:00am - 10:00pm	last entry 06:30pm
Thursday	09:00am - 10:00pm	last entry 06:30pm
Friday	09:00am - 10:00pm	last entry 06:30pm
Saturday	09:00am - 10:00pm	last entry 06:30pm
Sunday	09:00am - 10:00pm	last entry 06:30pm

Hagia Sophia

Monday	09:00am - 07:30pm
Tuesday	09:00am - 07:30pm
Wednesday	09:00am - 07:30pm
Thursday	09:00am - 07:30pm
Friday	09:00am - 07:30pm
Saturday	09:00am - 07:30pm
Sunday	09:00am - 07:30pm

What to bring

Hagia Sophia

Bring along a scarf to use as a cover before entering the mosque

What's not allowed

Basilica Cistern

Photography is allowed but avoid using flash or tripods.

Hagia Sophia

Photography is allowed but avoid using flash or tripods.

Large bags, backpacks, food or drinks are not allowed inside the Hagia Sophia.

Accessibility

Basilica Cistern

Basilica Cistern is not entirely wheelchair accessible, as some areas may have uneven surfaces or narrow passageways, despite the main stairs having ramps.

Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia is not entirely wheelchair accessible. You have to climb a flight of stairs to reach the Upper Gallery visiting area.

Additional information

Basilica Cistern

Tip: The Basilica Cistern gets busy quickly post mid-morning. For a calmer visit, aim for late afternoon (post 4pm) or early evening.

Bring your old-school wired earphones or headphones for your audio guide as Bluetooth headphones might not work well underground.

Download the audio app beforehand to avoid any network glitches at the location.

The Cistern stays cool and damp year-round, with slippery floors. Wear warm clothes and shoes with a good grip to prevent yourself from slipping.

Don’t leave without seeing the Medusa heads. They’re tucked away at the far end, and worth viewing from every angle!

Hagia Sophia

Tip: Security checks are mandatory even with your skip-the-line tickets and wait times during peak hours (June to August) can reach up to 60 minutes.

Bring your old-school wired earphones or headphones for your audio guide as Bluetooth headphones might not work well underground.

Download the audio app beforehand to avoid any network glitches at the location.

The ground floor is designated for prayers, while the second floor is open to visitors.

During the five daily prayers, certain areas are restricted to tourists. Additionally, Hagia Sophia is closed on Fridays from noon to 2:30pm for the Friday prayer.

Please dress modestly—both men and women should wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees, and women are required to cover their heads inside. Bring a scarf or use one provided at the entrance.

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

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

Ticket redemption points

Skip-the-Line Tickets to Basilica Cistern

Show your ticket at Basilica Cistern.

Address: Alemdar, Yerebatan Cd. 1/3, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye.

Landmark: In front of the Exit Gate of the Basilica.

Get directions to the redemption point

Hagia Sophia Admission Tickets

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