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Charles
Angelina
Marcello
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Get convenient skip-the-line tickets to explore two of Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks at your own pace, complete with immersive audio guides.
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Discover the mysterious Basilica Cistern, where you’ll find towering stone columns and the legendary Medusa heads hidden beneath the city streets.
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Walk into Hagia Sophia and head up to the Upper Gallery for a close-up view of its dazzling golden mosaics.
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Basilica Cistern
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Skip-the-line entry
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Audio guide downloadable in English, German, French, Italian, Russian, Spanish & Turkish
Hagia Sophia
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Skip-the-line entry
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Audio guide downloadable in English, German, French, Italian & Spanish
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Exclusive access to the Upper Gallery visiting area
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These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
How do we collect reviews?
Guests from Spain, United States, Italy and over 86 countries have loved this experience
Ricardo
Jun, 2025Verified booking
Meeting point easy to find. Quick to receive tickets (once giving the reserve papers of the app) and go inside the palace.
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.
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.
Christoph
Jul, 2025Verified booking
Tickets were a perfect fit. We got in straight away at 17:00 without having to wait. A great experience.
Explore two of Istanbul’s most iconic sites with a single, hassle-free combo ticket. Both locations offer downloadable audio guides in 5+ languages, giving you rich context as you explore. Take your time, move at your own pace, and enjoy the experience.
Basilica Cistern
Descend into Istanbul’s undergrounds supported by 336 ancient marble columns, once used to store water for the Great Palace. The famous Medusa heads are tucked away at the far end and are worth viewing, so don’t miss them. Uncover stories and engineering legends that make this space unforgettable, with a multilingual audio guide.
Hagia Sophia
Walk into the grandeur of Hagia Sophia, and head up to the Upper Gallery, which offers stunning close-up views of its mosaics and domes. Once a cathedral, then a mosque, and now a mosque-museum hybrid, this site captures Istanbul’s layered history. The multilingual audio guide shares insights into emperors, architecture, and spiritual life.
What to bring
Basilica Cistern
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Bring your old-school wired earphones or headphones for your audio guide as Bluetooth headphones might not work well underground.
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The skip-the-line ticket helps you avoid long queues, but you'll still need to go through a security check. Have your tickets ready on your device to speed up entry.
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Download the audio app beforehand to avoid any network glitches at the location.
Hagia Sophia
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Both men and women must wear modest clothing that covers their shoulders and knees.
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Women are required to cover their heads inside, so bring along a scarf. There are scarves available at the entrance as well.
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Use wired headphones if you plan to use a self-guided audio tour.
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Make sure your phone is fully charged for tickets, audio guides, and taking photos.
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Sunglasses or a hat will help if you’re waiting outside in the sun during busy hours.
What's not allowed
Basilica Cistern
- Flash photography is not allowed.
Hagia Sophia
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Visitors are not permitted to enter the main prayer hall on the ground floor.
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Flash photography is not allowed.
Accessibility
Basilica Cistern
- For people with mobility difficulties, it’s best to have someone to help you around the place as the flooring inside is uneven.
Hagia Sophia
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The site is not wheelchair accessible. You have to climb a flight of stairs to reach the Upper Gallery visiting area.
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Some areas may be closed due to ongoing renovations.
Additional information
Basilica Cistern
- Tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled
Hagia Sophia
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Security checks can take time. Keep 30 to 40 minutes on hand for possible delays, especially during midday or after prayer hours.
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The Deësis mosaic in the Upper Gallery is a must-see and easily missed without a guide.
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Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.
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Please display the same at each ticket redemption point along with a valid photo ID.
Ticket redemption points
Skip-the-Line Tickets to Basilica Cistern
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Show your ticket at Basilica Cistern.
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Address: Alemdar, Yerebatan Cd. 1/3, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye.
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Landmark: In front of the Exit Gate of the Basilica.
Get directions to the redemption point
Hagia Sophia Admission Tickets
- Please check your final voucher for the redemption point details and specific instructions.
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