Open today
Explore at your pace
Audio guide
Guided tour
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Mobile ticket
4.4/5
(8,068)
Charles
Angelina
Alex
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Marvel at the cistern's vast underground chambers, supported by 336 marble columns, and learn more about its role as a water reservoir for Constantinople from your guide.
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Skip the lines and explore Basilica Cistern with a local expert or a multilingual audio guide.
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Choose a self-guided audio tour to explore at your own pace or join a local guide for expert commentary and insider stories that bring this underground marvel to life.
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Upgrade your experience to include a guided tour of Hagia Sophia with skip-the-line access, allowing you to explore two of Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks in one seamless visit.
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Fun fact: The Basilica Cistern is home to two upside-down Medusa head statues, which are believed to have been repurposed from ancient Roman temples, adding an air of mystery to the site.
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Skip-the-line entry to Basilica Cistern
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Instant mobile tickets with all-day validity
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1-hour guided tour of Basilica Cistern (based on option selected)
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Self-guided audio tour of Basilica Cistern (based on option selected)
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1-hour guided tour of Hagia Sophia (based on option selected)
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Expert English-speaking local guide (based on option selected)
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Audio app for iOS and Android in English, Spanish, French, German & Italian
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These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
How do we collect reviews?
Guests from United States, Italy, Spain and over 91 countries have loved this experience
Maria-anna
Jul, 2025Verified booking
The visit was something spectacular. Beautiful environment, news told in wonderful amniera by our guide (very friendly and nice). After the visit with the guide you can stay as long as you want to continue the visit on your own and take photos.
Angelina
Jun, 2025Verified booking
Both the Hagia Sophia and the sunken palace were beautiful! It is very worthwhile. And especially for the Hagia Sophia, it's worth buying tickets online in advance to avoid the queue at the ticket office. It's also worth it for the Basilica Cistern, as there are 2 different queues here and the one for the e-tickets was quicker in our case.
Juan
Jun, 2025Verified booking
The architecture of the basilica cistern is amazingly beautiful, very well lit and with a well organized traffic. It has generously met my expectations. But the number of visitors per shift or hour should be reduced.
Kazic
May, 2025Verified booking
It's just a complete fascinating cisterna and we are glad that we visited it. I can recommend it to everyone.
Ashokkumar
May, 2025Verified booking
Tickets were easy to book, great instructions and saved a lot if time by not queuing. In terms of the sites they were really good to see and understand the history behind it. Great addition to our Istanbul trip.
Skip the lines and explore the Basilica Cistern with expert-led tours or audio guides.
Getting started
Arrive 10 to 15 minutes before your scheduled time and keep your mobile ticket and a valid photo ID ready. A staff member will meet you at the entrance and help you check in. You’ll breeze past the ticket queue, but do note that all visitors must go through a security check.
Basilica Cistern
The Basilica Cistern is one of Istanbul’s most atmospheric spots—a vast, ancient underground reservoir built in the 6th century. It’s best known for its forest of marble columns, the serene reflections in the water, and, of course, the mysterious Medusa heads hidden at the far end.
Depending on the ticket you choose, an expert guide will accompany you through the cistern. You’ll get the backstory behind the Medusa heads, learn how this shadowy space once supplied water to emperors, and hear quirky details you’d probably miss on your own.
Prefer to explore at your own pace? You can use the included audio app, available in five languages, to guide you through the cistern. If you want to see more of Istanbul, upgrade your ticket to include a guided tour of Hagia Sophia, an architectural masterpiece known for its massive dome and golden mosaics.
What to bring
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Wear comfortable shoes with a good grip—the stone floor can be damp and slightly slippery.
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Bring a light jacket or shawl; it stays cool underground even in warm weather.
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Carry wired headphones if you plan to use an audio guide app—Bluetooth often struggles underground.
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Have your phone fully charged for photos and the audio guide (there are no charging stations inside).
What's not allowed
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Flash photography is not permitted.
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Tripods and selfie sticks are not allowed due to space and safety concerns.
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Eating, drinking, and smoking are strictly prohibited inside the cistern.
Accessibility
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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.
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Wheelchair users may need assistance, especially around corners or where the lighting is low.
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There are no elevators inside the cistern, and seating is extremely limited.
Additional information
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Your ticket allows you to skip the ticket queue, but all visitors must go through a security check.
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Arrive early in the morning or visit in the evening to avoid crowds from cruise ship tours.
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Don’t miss the Medusa heads tucked into the far corner. Walk around them to see both angles.
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The exit leads out to a different street than the entrance; take note of your location before entering.
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The lighting is intentionally dim—give your eyes a moment to adjust for better visibility and photos
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Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.
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Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the meeting point.
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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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