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Audio guide
Guided tour
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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 88 countries have loved this experienceWhat our guests say
Donna
Apr, 2025Verified booking
Thr queue was way to long so booking online was great. We did have help to do the online booking by one of the ladies working there. The cistern was amazing. The history of Istanbul is one to behold. Loved it
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.
José
Feb, 2025Verified booking
I recommend visiting it but I think the price is a bit high because there are many more mosques and monuments to visit, but you can not leave stambul without visiting it.
Dennis
Apr, 2025Verified booking
Very cool experience to get closer to the spiritual side of Islam!Julie
Apr, 2025Verified booking
Very easy to access, beautiful historic building amongst a busy city, highly recommend visiting
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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