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With this cost-effective combo ticket, enjoy skip-the-line access to Istanbul's captivating Basilica Cistern as well as the magnificent Topkapi Palace.
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Immerse yourself in history and skip the lines as you see hundreds of ancient cisterns in the Sunken Palace beneath Istanbul.
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Witness the 336 well-preserved columns from Byzantine times and two Medusa heads.
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Get insights into the Topkapi Palace, the residence of Ottoman sultans during the 15th century, with your expert guide. Enjoy access to the Harem too!
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Experience the splendor of the Topkapi Museum Palace's centuries-old, distinctive art and architecture, and listen to the Topkapi Palace audio guide.
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Fun Fact: The Topkapi Palace was the epicenter of the Ottoman Empire, serving as both the sultan's abode and home to its governmental functions.
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Basilica Cistern
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Skip-the-line entry
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Free time to explore more
Topkapi Palace
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Skip-the-line entry
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Free time to explore more
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Topkapi Palace audio guide app
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Entry to Harem
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You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
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Guests from United States, United Kingdom, France and over 21 countries have loved this experienceWhat our guests say
Elena
Apr, 2025Verified booking
On the day set aside for visiting the palace it was pouring rain and cold so the skip-the-line ticket, which works excellently, ga allowed us not to take water at least in the queue. The palace beautiful and interesting but all open and because of the weather was enjoyed less than expected.Gnanalingam
Apr, 2025Verified booking
The process to go through the gates need to be improved when bringing through that many people. We lost so much time and won't do it this way. The time lost is about as long as waiting for tickets. With the tickets we can move more independently. So no benefit going this way except to save some money. Also we never got another email for the basilica cistern. Not happy.
Muhammad
Apr, 2025Verified booking
Topkapi was great but you you did not share tickets for Briscilia Cistren or provided guidance so remain stuck at the door with family for 20 minutes. No one responded to WhatsApp messages. Finally, thanks to staff at the entrance, they called local help desk to resolve it. After paying hefty amount, that's the least one expect, will not recommend anyone.
Steiner
Apr, 2025Verified booking
The house of cards online and access to the palace worked wonderfully and the change to the cistern was super fast! Istanbul is well worth a visit!Michal
Feb, 2025Verified booking
Goodd organization in Topkapi Palace. The organization of the trip to the Basilica Cistern was a bit worse, but overall it was good.
Pick this super-saver combo which includes access to two of Istanbul's must-visit attractions.
Basilica Cistern
Start your 30-minute tour of the mysterious, well-preserved underground reservoir known as Yerebatan Cistern. You will walk down 52 steps and pass 336 columns arranged in the 12 rows used to build it. Built by Byzantine Emperor Justinian the First (527–565) to meet the water needs of Constantinople, you will be amazed by the marble pillars and the artificial freshwater lake, which is the size of two football fields. Check out locations where the first James Bond film, "From Russia with Love," was shot in the 1960s. Don't miss the ancient Hen's Eye Column and will narrate the story of the mysterious Medusa Heads from Greek mythology. Once your guided tour is over, stay back and explore the maze of the cisterns at your own pace.
Topkapi Palace
Your skip-the-line tickets mean you bypass the large crowds and head straight for the security check. Take your time to explore the beautiful Topkapi Palace, a museum with exhibits of imperial collections from the Ottoman Empire. Your guide will regale you with stories and the colorful history of the palace, once the former residence of the Ottoman Sultans. You will see 30,000 archived documents. Visit the holy relics and the imperial kitchens and see magnificent Chinese porcelain. Step out to the outside terraces to catch views of the Golden Horn. After the tour, stay longer and delve deeper into its history with an audio guide.
Operating Hours
Basilica Cistern
- Daily: 12pm, 1pm and 3pm
Topkapi Palace
- Wed to Mon: 10am, 12pm and 2pm
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Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.
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Please arrive at the meeting point 15 mins before the scheduled time of your tour to avoid any delays.
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Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the ticket counter point.
Meeting point
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Go to the Tours & Tickets kiosk located next to Topkapi Palace and obtain your Topkapi Palace ticket from there..
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Address: Cankurtaran, Soğuk Çeşme Sk. No:4, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye.
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Landmark: The turquoise Tours & Tickets Kiosk is located inside the Topkapi Cafe, at the entry of Topkapi Palace, 20 meters away from the Hagia Sophia Visiting Area entry and next the Tourism Police container..
Get directions to the meeting point
Important Information
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Please download the audio app before your tour.
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Do not forget to bring your earphones.
Instructions for Audio Guide
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Step 1: Go to Apple Store or Google Play Store and search for "YourMobileGuide"-
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Step 2: Download "YourMobileGuide"
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Step 3: Click "All Audio Tours"
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Step 4: In the search bar, type the activation code "ymg7" for "Basilica Cistern" tour and for Topkapi Palace please use ''ymg5''
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Step 5: Click on "Start this tour"
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