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Guided Tour of Basilica Cistern with Skip-the-Line Tickets

Statues at Basilica cistern
Pillars of basilica cistern
Medusa head at Basilica Cistern
Basilica Cistern with Guided Tour

Hidden beneath the streets of Istanbul lies the ancient Basilica Cistern. Enjoy a guided tour of this sunken filming location. Upgrade to include a tour of Hagia Sophia & Blue Mosque!

Highlights

  • Skip the winding queues at the ancient Basilica Cistern, one of Istanbul’s hidden underground reservoirs.

  • Admire the amazing Byzantine artworks, including the many illuminated columns and the Medusa heads.

  • Learn about the fascinating history of the cistern from your expert English-speaking local guide.

  • Enhance your experience with a guided tour of the iconic Hagia Sophia and the grand Blue Mosque.

  • Fun fact: Dan Brown’s Inferno and James Bond’s From Russia with Love were filmed here.

Inclusions

  • Expert English-speaking guide

  • Skip the line ticket to Basilica Cistern

  • Hagia Sophia guided tour (optional)

  • Blue Mosque guided tour (optional)

  • Audio guide app in 8 languages

Cancellation policy

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Reviews

4.2
2.1K ratings
5/5
1.3K
4/5
461
3/5
91
2/5
114
1/5
170
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Guests from United States, United Kingdom, Australia and over 48 countries have loved this experience
Elisabeth Gritzner-Schlug

Elisabeth

4/5

Nov, 2024

The quick admission. The handling in the Topkapi Café was a bit confusing and the employees were not very customer-oriented. There were very angry comments from some people around. The tour was ok
View original review in German
Gill Gallagher

Gill

4/5

Oct, 2024

I booked a combi tour Topkapi Palace and Cistern Basilica. The day before I received a WhatsApp message providing details of where to meet the guide and optional times to visit the Basilica which helped to plan our day. Our guide for the Palace did not have a strong voice so having to compete against other visitors and guides did make audio difficult. The guide at the Cistern Basilica did not stay with our small group very long and again it was difficult to hear what he was saying over other guides. The skip the queue concept proved to be invaluable though as all attractions had very long ticket and entry queues and we jumped the lot. In hindsight I would just pay for audio guide and not a physical person.
Francisco Merino

Francisco

4/5

Oct, 2024

Very nice visit of the Cistern. It is not very clear where to meet the guide and then we walk back to the original gate.
View original review in Spanish
Karen Hoult

Karen

5/5

Oct, 2024

The cistern sin Istanbul are a historical marvel, not to be missed. Though the cistern I visited was very dramatic with lighting and art installations - it did not detract from its historic value. Would highly recommend.
LinhDan Nguyen

Linhdan

5/5

Oct, 2024

Obtaining tickets was very easy but app said we needed earphones but we didn't because it was a guided tour. Need speaker and headphones for guide. Our guide was very friendly and knowledgeable

Visit one of the largest surviving ancient cisterns in Istanbul

Legend has it that Medusa once used to protect this great building. In fact, you will still see two Medusa heads at the base of the columns here. Even today, the Basilica Cistern comes across as one of the most magical buildings in all of Istanbul.

Interestingly, this large underground water reservoir (one of several hundred hidden ones in the city) has been a filming location for several Hollywood blockbusters. Tom Hanks was here while filming Dan Brown's thriller Inferno in 2016, James Bond's From Russia with Love was also shot here. Clearly, Hollywood producers loved the intriguing atmosphere of the place, and you will too when you experience it for yourself.

Admire the 336 illuminated marble and granite columns, and get transported back to another era. Opt for your preferred language from the ticket options and listen to your local guide as they tell you about the different building materials used across different eras. You'll also get to see the carp that thrive in the shallow waters of the reservoir!

Enhance your experience with a guided tour of Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia

Upgrade your ticket to discover over 20,000 handcrafted blue ceramic tiles at the Blue Mosque, featuring a blend of traditional Islamic design and Byzantine elements. Explore the iconic Hagia Sophia with your English-speaking guide. Marvel at its massive dome, which was an engineering feat in its time. The vast interior space and the intricate design elements showcase a blend of Byzantine and Ottoman architectural styles.

Important Information

  • It's recommended to wear comfortable clothes along with non-slip shoes.

  • The following are allowed during the tour: Photography, outside food & drinks.

  • Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

  • Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the meeting point.

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

Meeting Point

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

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