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Audio guide
Guided tour
4.2/5
(3,149)
Armand
Sarah
Patricia
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Save time and money with this convenient combo ticket that includes skip-the-line entry to both the Galata Tower and the Basilica Cistern.
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Ride the express elevator up the Galata Tower, once a medieval watchtower, and soak in 360° views of Istanbul’s skyline, including the Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace.
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Your visit to the Tower is flexible, allowing you to explore at your own pace with a multilingual audio guide to uncover stories behind the landmark.
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Skip the lines at the Basilica Cistern and step into an underground wonder, often dubbed Istanbul’s “Sunken Palace,” with a capacity of 80,000 cubic meters of water!
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Wander past hauntingly beautiful columns like the Hen’s Eye and the Medusa Heads, famously featured in Hollywood films, as your audio guide reveals the cistern’s secrets.
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Galata Tower
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Skip-the-line entry to Galata Tower
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Elevator access to the top
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Multilingual audioguide
Basilica Cistern
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Skip-the-line entry to Basilica Cistern
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Multilingual audioguide
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Galata Tower and Basilica Cistern
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Guided tour
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Food and drinks
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These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
- 3,149 reviews4.2
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.
1.6K929264154170Guests from Spain, Italy, United States and over 10 countries have loved this experienceWhat our guests say
Sonia
Dec 2025Verified booking3/5
Nerea
Dec 2025Verified booking5/5Aleksandar
Dec 2025Verified booking5/5
Maria
Dec 2025Verified booking5/5
Alejandra
Dec 2025Verified booking5/5
Discover two of Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks with this money-saving combo ticket! Enjoy skip-the-line access to both the Galata Tower and the Basilica Cistern. From city views to mysterious underground chambers, this experience offers a perfect blend of history, architecture, and culture, enhanced by insightful multilingual audioguides.
Getting started
Begin your adventure by heading to the Galata Tower, where you’ll gain direct entry to one of the city's most recognisable symbols. Later, skip the queues and dive straight into the depths of the Basilica Cistern with your fast-track ticket. An included audio guide in multiple languages will help you uncover fascinating stories and little-known facts at both sites.
What to expect
Galata Tower
An ancient watchtower turned modern-day viewpoint, Galata Tower rises above Istanbul’s skyline with its distinctive cylindrical silhouette. Once you ride the elevator to the top, prepare to be captivated by 360-degree vistas of the city.
Features:
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Observation deck: Panoramic views of landmarks like the Topkapı Palace, Hagia Sophia, Bosphorus Strait, Bosphorus Bridge, Suleymaniye Mosque, the Marmara Sea, and the city’s European and Asian sides await you at the top.
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Historical exhibits: Learn about the origins of the Galata Tower, originally built in 1348 during the Genoese colonial period, and its many uses over the centuries as a watchtower, fire observation point, and even a prison.
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Flexible duration: Enjoy unlimited time (until closing hour) at the top to take in the scenery and snap photos at your own pace.
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Audioguide: A multilingual audio guide provides historical background, fun facts, and engaging stories about the tower and the cityscape below.
Basilica Cistern
Step into a world steeped in mystery beneath the streets of Istanbul. The Basilica Cistern, an ancient underground reservoir, offers an escape into the city's Byzantine past. As soon as you arrive, your skip-the-line ticket gets you in quickly, letting you bypass the long queues.
Features:
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Underground wonder: Explore a sunken "palace" of 336 marble columns rising from still waters, illuminated by a soft golden glow.
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Walk through a dream-like setting: Stroll on wooden walkways as you observe water droplets falling from vaulted ceilings and carp swimming through the vast cistern that measures almost the size of two football fields.
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Pop culture significance: Discover the cistern's cultural significance, including its appearances in popular films and novels like Inferno and From Russia With Love.
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Audioguide: Learn about its Byzantine engineering with the multilingual audio guide, available in eight languages.
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What to bring
Galata Tower
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Bring your ticket (received via booking confirmation email) and keep it with you throughout your visit, as you may be asked to present it at the exit.
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Ensure your smartphone is fully charged and bring your own headphones to use the audio guide.
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Download the audio guide in advance to avoid connectivity issues during your visit.
Basilica Cistern
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Wear comfortable shoes with a good grip as 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, as 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
Galata Tower
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Food and drinks are not allowed inside the tower.
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Pets are not permitted at the venues.
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Skipping the security line is not possible; all visitors must wait in this queue.
Basilica Cistern
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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
Galata Tower
- The Galata Tower is not wheelchair accessible.
Basilica Cistern
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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
Galata Tower and Basilica Cistern
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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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During high season, especially in summer, you may encounter wait times to enter the attractions.
Galata Tower
- The ticket is valid for the entire day within the venue’s operating hours (Monday–Sunday: 8:30am–10pm; Saturday until 11pm).
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Final confirmation and vouchers will be sent to you 1 day before the visit.
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Please display the same at each ticket redemption point along with a valid photo ID.
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Please arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before the scheduled time of your tour to avoid any delays.
Ticket Redemption Points
- Please check your final voucher for the meeting point details and specific instructions.
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