Combos

Combo (Save 2%): Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Tickets with Audio Guide + Bosphorus Cruise

Tourist exploring the ancient columns of the Basilica Cistern in Istanbul.

Medusa head column in Basilica Cistern, Istanbul, part of Blue Mosque & Basilica Cistern tour.

Tourists boarding a Bosphorus cruise ship in Istanbul for an audio guide experience.

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

Open today

09:00am - 10:00pm

Explore at your pace

Choose your entry time, stay as long as you like

Audio guide

Enhance your experience with multilingual audio guide

Uncover Istanbul's hidden treasures with this cost-saving combo. Explore the Basilica Cistern with skip-the-line tickets and sail the picturesque Bosphorus Strait.

4.3/5

(5,256)

Paolo

Jan 2026

Verified booking

5/5

the cruise was very beautiful, the service was the best. me and my wife came ro Istanbul to have a chance to dedicate time exploring a beautiful city: this cruise was the perfect opportunity. with much room to let all the passenger sit comfortably we could enjoy the view of the city in relax. the explanation of the historical monument was interesting and gave us a very good insight about the past of this beautiful land. even though there were waves, the captain skill made the trip very smooth and we felt cradled by the sea. definitely an experience I'd do again, I very much suggest doing it for everyone

Elena

Jan 2026

Verified booking

5/5

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.

Irene

Nov 2025

Verified booking

5/5

Admission without queuing at the ticket office is perfect.... Sofia always under maintenance the amount of scaffoldings impede the view. The cistern is amazing and the Topkapi deserves about 3 hours..... It was an excellent buy and setting the days in advance allows for good organization.

Step into the Byzantine architectural wonder that is the Basilica Cistern with skip-the-line tickets, and explore one of the most-visited museums in Istanbul.

Experience the mystery of the Medusa column bases in the Basilica Cistern, as your audio guide unravels intriguing theories about their origin.

Board a 2-hour cruise along the Bosphorus Strait with an audio guide in 8 languages, offering a unique perspective of Istanbul’s beauty.

Witness architectural gems like the Galata Tower, once the tallest building in Istanbul, and the Dolmabahce Palace, the residence of 6 Ottoman sultans.

Fun fact: Each of the 336 columns of the Basilica Cistern is different from the other.

Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Tickets with Audio Guide

Skip-the-line entry to the Basilica Cistern

Multilingual audio guide

Bosphorus Cruise

2-hour Bosphorus cruise

Audio guide available in 8 languages

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

4.3
5,256 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, Italy, United States and over 10 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Giacomo
Jan 2026
Verified booking
4/5
Beautiful monuments and well maintained, too bad too many crowds and audio guide with one's cell phone. But good experience
Walter
Jan 2026
Verified booking
5/5
Really incredible. Second time I visit it and we'll come back again. Mandatory in any trip to Istambul. Congratulations
Paolo
Jan 2026
Verified booking
5/5
the cruise was very beautiful, the service was the best. me and my wife came ro Istanbul to have a chance to dedicate time exploring a beautiful city: this cruise was the perfect opportunity. with much room to let all the passenger sit comfortably we could enjoy the view of the city in relax. the explanation of the historical monument was interesting and gave us a very good insight about the past of this beautiful land. even though there were waves, the captain skill made the trip very smooth and we felt cradled by the sea. definitely an experience I'd do again, I very much suggest doing it for everyone
Elena
Jan 2026
Verified booking
5/5
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.
Patrick
Jan 2026
Verified booking
5/5
I was speechless from the moment I entered the cistern. It's simply incredible what was achieved back then. The visit was at the top of my bucket list, and I was not disappointed.

Enjoy a cost-saving combo that gives you access to two of Istanbul's must-visit sites: the Basilica Cistern and a cruise along the Bosphorus. Delve into Istanbul's rich history and mesmerizing beauty with this combo.

Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Tickets with Audio Guide

Step back in time with a tour of the Basilica Cistern, a marvel of 6th-century Byzantine architecture. With your skip-the-line tickets, gain immediate access to this cavernous subterranean beauty. Walk along wooden platforms, surrounded by 336 massive columns, while listening to the enchanting sounds of water dripping from the vaulted ceiling. Witness the famous Hen’s Eye Column and the mystifying Medusa Pillar Bases, and learn about their intriguing history through the multilingual audio guide.

Bosphorus Cruise

Next, sail away along the beautiful Bosphorus waterway. This 2-hour cruise offers stunning views of Istanbul's landmarks, including the iconic Hagia Sophia and the popular Ortaköy Mosque. You'll also pass the legendary Bosphorus Bridge, a testament to the city's connection between Europe and Asia. An audio guide available in 8 languages will provide intriguing insights about the attractions you'll pass by.

Sites you'll come across

Galata Tower

Dolmabahce Palace

Ciragan Palace

Ortaköy Mosque

Bosphorus Bridge

Beylerbeyi Palace

Üsküdar

Maiden Tower

Topkapi Palace

Hagia Sophia

Seaside Villas

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

What to bring

Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Tickets with Audio Guide

It's recommended to wear comfortable shoes.

Bosphorus Cruise

Don’t forget to bring along your headphones to listen to the audio tour.

Accessibility

Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Tickets with Audio Guide

The attraction is wheelchair and stroller-accessible.

Additional information

Bosphorus Cruise

The audio guide is available in English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Turkish, Arabic, and Chinese.

There is limited internet at the pier so please download the app before the tour.

The app does not require internet once it has been downloaded but ensure you have activated GPS.

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

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

Bosphorus Cruise

Board your cruise at DENTUR Istanbul Welcome Card Kabatas Pier.

Address: Ömer Avni, Mahallesi, Meclis-i Mebusan Cd. No:3, 34427 Beyoğlu/İstanbul.

Landmark: It is located across tram line no 1 and the funicular, come to the wooden house behind the red petrol station and look for the Istanbul Welcome Card ticket window.

Get directions to the boarding point