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Audio guide
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Mobile ticket
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Experience Istanbul’s spiritual and historic wonders with one combo ticket, Whirling Dervish show and Basilica Cistern entry.
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Both spots are just a 3-minute walk or quick drive apart, making it easy to visit in one day. Booking together saves time and ensures a smooth Budapest experience.
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Witness the mesmerizing Mevlevi Sema ceremony, a centuries-old Sufi ritual performed with live music in Sultanahmet.
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Skip the long lines at the Basilica Cistern and explore with a guided tour or a multilingual audio guide app.
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Whirling Dervishes
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Whirling Dervishes show tickets
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Mevlevi Sema ceremony
Basilica Cistern
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Skip-the-line entry to Basilica Cistern
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Self-guided audio tour in English, Spanish, French, German & Italian
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Instant mobile ticket
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These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
How do we collect reviews?
Guests from United States, Spain, Italy and over 90 countries have loved this experience
Peter
Jun, 2025Verified booking
Headout helped to make the visit for all locations seamless, for a first-time visitor. The App came with very clear directions for all sites along with online pdf (QR codes) tickets. This saved considerable time.
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.Gianni
May, 2025Verified booking
❤️❤️❤️ ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
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.
Whirling Dervish
Step into a serene 550-year-old cultural venue in the heart of Sultanahmet to witness the mesmerizing Mevlevi Sema ceremony, performed by the Whirling Dervishes. This spiritual performance, recognized by UNESCO, is rooted in the teachings of Rumi and offers a deeply moving insight into Sufi mysticism. As the dervishes whirl in flowing white robes, accompanied by traditional instruments like the ney (reed flute) and kudüm (drum), feel a sense of stillness and connection. The meditative atmosphere invites you to reflect on the themes of unity, love, and devotion that define this centuries-old practice.
Basilica Cistern
Discover one of Istanbul’s most intriguing historical sites with fast-track access to the Basilica Cistern, a subterranean marvel built in the 6th century during Emperor Justinian’s reign. Skip the long queues and step straight into this atmospheric structure, supported by hundreds of ancient columns and mysterious Medusa heads that capture the imagination.The included audio guide app, available in multiple languages, provides fascinating insights into the cistern’s engineering feats and its vital role in the ancient city’s water supply system. Explore at your own pace as you walk over wooden platforms suspended above still waters, soaking in the dimly lit, almost cinematic ambience.
What to bring
Whirling Dervish
- It is allowed to bring baggage to the venue.
Basilica Cistern
- Don’t forget your trusty earphones for an immersive audio guide experience.
Wear comfortable shoes with a good grip—the stone floor can be damp and slightly slippery.
- Bring a light jacket or shawl; it stays cool underground even in warm weather.
What’s not allowed
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
Whirling Dervish
- This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller 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
Whirling Dervish
- It is allowed to take photographs at the venue without flash or tripods.
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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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 redemption point.
Ticket redemption point
- Please check your final voucher for the redemption point details and specific instructions.
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