Combos

Combo (Save 4%): 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

9:00am - 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

(5,408)

Rommel B

Couple

Verified booking

Last week

Visiting the Basilica Cistern was one of the highlights of our time in Istanbul. The experience was truly impressive from the moment we stepped inside. Walking through the massive underground space, surrounded by beautifully lit columns and reflections in the water, feels almost magical. The atmosphere is unique and very different from anything else in the city. One of the best parts was that we were able to enter without waiting in line, which made the visit even more enjoyable and relaxed. Once inside, you can take your time exploring, appreciating the architecture, and seeing details like the famous Medusa head columns. It’s an incredible historical place and absolutely worth visiting. Highly recommended for anyone coming to Istanbul.

Alberto M

Couple

Verified booking

3 weeks ago

Well, what makes it special is the historic setting, which is quite well-preserved. The downside... there are way too many people, and it’s very noisy, which makes it hard to enjoy the magnificent surroundings—a place that really invites you to unwind. As for the price, to be honest, I think it’s a bit steep: 39 euros for a visit that lasts about 30 minutes.

Davide F

Couple

Verified booking

2 weeks ago

March is generally a slow season, so there wasn't much of a line at the entrance, but with our "skip-the-line" tickets, we got in right away—we just went through security and showed the QR code on our ticket. Highly recommended!!!

Francisco P

Couple

Verified booking

2 weeks ago

I loved it—the cistern has everything you need for a great time. The scenery is beautiful, and the Romans prove once again that they were the best architects. Admission is expensive, like it is for all monuments.

Luis F

Couple

Verified booking

3 weeks ago

Our experience at the Cisterna was excellent! It was easy to buy tickets online, there was an audio guide in Portuguese, and the staff helped us open our tickets. We definitely recommend it!

Mérour C

Couple

Verified booking

3 weeks ago

Easy to make reservations online. The audio guide explanations are very clear and interesting. If you don't have internet access, remember to open the link when you have a connection.

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.

5,408 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 76 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Irmgard S
Solo
Verified booking
3 days ago
It wasn’t until after a long wait and thanks to the wonderful assistance of the staff at Hagia Sophia that I received the missing entry code for this remarkable mosque from the support team. I had already booked the combo tickets online two days earlier. Since I only had one day in Istanbul, this was very frustrating. I received the code for the Sunken Palace in time. Both attractions were fantastic, and the visit was worth it despite the delay.
Sara S
Couple
Verified booking
Yesterday
We really appreciated not having to wait in line at all, and it was very easy to buy the tickets ahead of time! I will definitely use Headout again in the future.
Maurizio S
Group
Verified booking
2 days ago
There was no guide, even though I had paid for one on the ticket. Other than that, the place was really nice, and I appreciated being able to book online instead of waiting in line.
Emanuela R
Couple
Verified booking
2 days ago
A wonderful experience. The Basilica Cistern leaves you speechless—its beauty and harmony seem timeless, making it a truly unique and captivating place.
Viliam K
Couple
Verified booking
4 days ago
I would like to have working qr code immidietly in my email. I dont want to download any app or communicate through whatsApp

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	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

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