Open today
Explore at your pace
Audio guide
Guided tour
Instant confirmation
Mobile ticket
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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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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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Headset
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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 95 countries have loved this experienceWhat our guests say
Mariagrazia
Apr, 2025Verified booking
The guide arrived just 3 minutes before the starting time so don't panic if you don't see him 15 minutes before as recommended meeting time. He gave us a very interesting introduction on the water system throughout the history of the city and then we headed to the entrance. We skipped the queue but there were still several hours ahead of us and several visitors. Once downstairs we had a 25 minutes explanation and then we had time for photos and walk around the cystern following the platform path. The guide was good and we extracted the most of it in this hour tour. The cystern is simply fantastic
Xingcun
Apr, 2025Verified booking
We enjoyed both the Skip-the-Line-Tickets and touring the ancient Basilica Cistern. Basillica Cistern is a must-visit place for anyone who visits Istanbul.José
Apr, 2025Verified booking
The place is impressive (perhaps the most beautiful cistern in the world), but access is a bit slow. In the end, carrying a pre-paid ticket hardly saves you any time.
Martin
Apr, 2025Verified booking
We made a combined booking with Fastlane. For Hagia Sophia and Cisterna Basilica, the tickets we sent were immediately our valid tickets. Worked perfectly. Both sights were very beautiful and interesting. At Hagia Sophia, as a non-Muslim you "only" get to the first level and can look down into the whole mosque. Also very impressive, but not really explained beforehand. At the Topkapi Palace there was only one reservation in the mailing, which is easy to overlook, and we only noticed in front of gate 2 (where you need real tickets). We then had to go back to an agency outside Gate 1 so that we could finally get in with a tour lady. It worked but with a certain loss of time. The palace itself was huge and very beautiful. Be sure to book a ticket with harem access (as we had), this part is the highlight of the palace. All in all, a great day with lots of wonderful impressions.Nicola
Mar, 2025Verified booking
Well worth the skip the queue tickets. Absolutely beautiful inside. It's cold, so take a jumper! It only takes about 30/40 minutes to see around.
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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