Combos

Combo (Save 15%): Galata Tower Tickets + Skip-the-Line Tickets to Basilica Cistern with Audioguide & Optional Guided Tour

Portrait of beautiful mother and son tourists with view of Galata tower in Beyoglu, Istanbul

Tourist exploring the historic Basilica Cistern in Istanbul, Turkey.

Blue Mosque and Basilica Cistern tour in Istanbul, showcasing historic architecture and cultural landmarks.

Gain bird’s eye view of Istanbul on Galata Tower and get skip-the-line tickets to the 6th century Basilica Cistern with this cost-saving combo.

Highlights

Experience Istanbul from a different perspective atop the Galata Tower, where an express elevator ride takes you to the lookout platform for a hassle-free view.
Spot iconic landmarks like Hagia Sophia Museum, Suleymaniye Mosque, and Topkapi Palace while benefiting from an informative audio guide detailing tower facts.
Tour the expansive Basilica Cistern, the largest ancient water reservoir, and enrich your experience with a multilingual audio guide available in 8 languages.
See the renowned Hen’s Eye Column and Medusa Pillar Bases, immortalized in numerous Hollywood films for their iconic presence.
Fun fact: The cistern is has the capacity to hold up to 80,000 cubic meters (2,800,000 cubic feet) of water.

Inclusions

Galata Tower

Entry to Galata Tower
Downloadable audio guide
Express elevator to the lookout platform of the Galata Tower

Basilica Cistern

Skip-the-line entry to the Basilica Cistern
Instant mobile ticket

Cancellation Policy

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

Reviews

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4.1

941 ratings

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José

4/5

Feb, 2025

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.

View original review in Spanish

Vitalii

4/5

Feb, 2025

We really liked the Basilica Cistern and recommend visiting it. Hagia Sophia is beautiful, but the problem for foreigners is that if you are not a Muslim or a Turkish citizen, you cannot enter the first floor😕

Nouhade

5/5

Jan, 2025

Having bought the tickets in advance, we didn't wait in line at all. We walked right past dozens of people. The tour was magnificent!!! Not very long but very beautiful to see. Definitely worth a visit to Basilica Cisterne!!!! I highly recommend it!!!!

View original review in French

Roberto

4/5

Jan, 2025

done off-season, it works as a line skip , probably makes more sense in high season. The "guide" drops you off at the entrance to the Harem, then it's free from there. Topkapi Palace is really big to visit completely. 3 hours minimum

View original review in Italian

Alec

5/5

Jan, 2025

Amazing experience! And with the headout tickets purchased online, a seamless and efficient entry into both the hagia sophia and cistern.

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Your experience

Galata Tower

Experience the magnificence of Istanbul's skyline with a fast-access visit to the legendary Galata Tower. Standing tall for over six centuries at its prominent location, this towering landmark has etched itself as an enduring symbol of the city. Ascend to its terrace and see a panoramic vista that captures the essence of Istanbul's beauty: the historic peninsula, the majestic silhouette of the Topkapı Palace and Hagia Sophia, the meandering Bosphorus Strait, the iconic Bosphorus Bridge, the tranquil waters of the Marmara Sea, and the juxtaposition of the European and Asian quarters. Let the audio guide share fun tower facts, enlightening your visit with engaging narration and interesting tidbits along the way.

Basilica Cistern

From Dan Brown's widely acclaimed novel "Inferno" to the iconic 1963 James Bond film "From Russia With Love," the Basilica Cistern has long been embedded in popular culture. Gain skip-the-line access to this vast subterranean wonder, where you'll be welcomed by a subdued golden radiance reflecting off the water's surface. As you traverse the elevated wooden walkways amidst the 336 imposing columns upholding the structure, brace yourself to be mesmerized by the soft patter of water droplets trickling from the arched ceiling and the ethereal silhouettes of carp gliding through the water. Utilize the multilingual audio guide for an enriched experience.

Operating hours

Basilica Cistern

Monday	09:00 AM - 10:00 PM	last entry 06:30 PM
Tuesday	09:00 AM - 10:00 PM	last entry 06:30 PM
Wednesday	09:00 AM - 10:00 PM	last entry 06:30 PM
Thursday	09:00 AM - 10:00 PM	last entry 06:30 PM
Friday	09:00 AM - 10:00 PM	last entry 06:30 PM
Saturday	09:00 AM - 10:00 PM	last entry 06:30 PM
Sunday	09:00 AM - 10:00 PM	last entry 06:30 PM

Hagia Sophia

Monday	09:00 AM - 07:30 PM
Tuesday	09:00 AM - 07:30 PM
Wednesday	09:00 AM - 07:30 PM
Thursday	09:00 AM - 07:30 PM
Friday	09:00 AM - 07:30 PM
Saturday	09:00 AM - 07:30 PM
Sunday	09:00 AM - 07:30 PM

Galata Tower

Monday	08:30 AM - 11:00 PM
Tuesday	08:30 AM - 11:00 PM
Wednesday	08:30 AM - 11:00 PM
Thursday	08:30 AM - 11:00 PM
Friday	08:30 AM - 11:00 PM
Saturday	08:30 AM - 11:00 PM
Sunday	08:30 AM - 11:00 PM

Know before you go

What to bring

Galata Tower

Remember to bring your earphones.

Basilica Cistern

It's recommended to wear comfortable shoes.

Additional information

Galata Tower

Please note that there is mostly no internet or very little signal in the museum. Please download the Audio Guide App on your own smartphone before your visit.
Please check your voucher for the audio guide instructions.

My tickets

Final confirmation and vouchers will be sent to you 1 day before the visit.
Please display the same at each ticket redemption point along with a valid photo ID.
Please arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before the scheduled time of your tour to avoid any delays.