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Basilica Cistern Tickets

Visit the Basilica Cistern, one of the largest ancient water cisterns in Turkey. It is the perfect model of Byzantine architecture and is home to interesting attractions such as Hen’s Eye Column and Medusa Pillar Bases. Book Basilica Cistern tickets here to enjoy skip-the-line entry and guided tours.

Open today

09:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Recommended duration

2 hours

Basilica Cistern Tickets
Tourist admiring Beautiful Cistern in Istanbul
Blue Mosque and Basilica Cistern tour in Istanbul, showcasing historic architecture and cultural landmarks.
Tourists exploring the grand interiors of Dolmabahce Palace, marveling at the architectural beauty of Hagia Sophia, and descending into the historic Basilica Cistern on a guided tour
Blue Mosque and Basilica Cistern tour in Istanbul, showcasing historic architecture and cultural landmarks.
Renovated Basilica Cistern, Sultanahmet District Fatih, Istanbul
Blue Mosque and Basilica Cistern tour in Istanbul, showcasing historic architecture and cultural landmarks.
Instant Confirmation
Flexible duration
Mobile Ticket
2 more
  • Skip the long lines and discover one of the most-visited museums in Istanbul.

  • Learn more about the Basilica Cistern’s history and the outstanding engineering prowess of the Byzantines.

  • Witness the famous Hen’s Eye Column and Medusa Pillar Bases, which have been featured in several Hollywood films.

  • Opt for the multilingual audio guide to gain intriguing insights into the museum and its exhibits.

  • You can make your experience even better by upgrading your ticket to include a guided tour of Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern and Blue Mosque.

More details

  • Skip the long lines and discover one of the most-visited museums in Istanbul.

  • Learn more about the Basilica Cistern’s history and the outstanding engineering prowess of the Byzantines.

  • Witness the famous Hen’s Eye Column and Medusa Pillar Bases, which have been featured in several Hollywood films.

  • Opt for the multilingual audio guide to gain intriguing insights into the museum and its exhibits.

  • You can make your experience even better by upgrading your ticket to include a guided tour of Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern and Blue Mosque.

from
€34
Basilica Cistern and Hagia Sophia
Basilica Cistern guided tour in Istanbul, showcasing ancient columns and vaulted ceilings.
Basilica Cistern's illuminated columns in Istanbul, part of the Istanbul Combo tour.
Hagia Sophia in Istanbul on sunny day
Hagia Sophia exterior with tourists on guided tour in Istanbul, Turkey.
Basilica Cistern interior with columns, part of Istanbul Combo tour including Blue Mosque and Bosphorus Cruise.
Blue Mosque and Basilica Cistern tour in Istanbul, showcasing historic architecture and cultural landmarks.
Statue inside the Basilica cistern
Hagia Sophia exterior with tourists on guided tour in Istanbul, Turkey.
Selfie spot inside Hagia Sophia
Guided tour inside Hagia Sophia
Instant Confirmation
Flexible duration
Mobile Ticket
1 more
  • Experience the magic of the Basilica Cistern as you skip the queue and explore the ancient water storage, marveling at the 336 massive columns.

  • Immerse yourself in the mystery of the sideways Medusa head columns in the Basilica Cistern and listen to the intriguing theories from your multilingual audio guide.

  • Bypass the crowds with skip-the-line entry to the world-renowned Hagia Sophia, a monument that has served as a church, a mosque, and now a museum.

  • Admire the intricate mosaics and the imperial dome of Hagia Sophia at your own pace, equipped with an informative audio guide available in 23 languages.

  • Fun fact: The Basilica Cistern, known as the 'Sunken Palace', is capable of holding 80,000 cubic meters of water, enough to fill around 32 Olympic-sized swimming pools!

More details

  • Experience the magic of the Basilica Cistern as you skip the queue and explore the ancient water storage, marveling at the 336 massive columns.

  • Immerse yourself in the mystery of the sideways Medusa head columns in the Basilica Cistern and listen to the intriguing theories from your multilingual audio guide.

  • Bypass the crowds with skip-the-line entry to the world-renowned Hagia Sophia, a monument that has served as a church, a mosque, and now a museum.

  • Admire the intricate mosaics and the imperial dome of Hagia Sophia at your own pace, equipped with an informative audio guide available in 23 languages.

  • Fun fact: The Basilica Cistern, known as the 'Sunken Palace', is capable of holding 80,000 cubic meters of water, enough to fill around 32 Olympic-sized swimming pools!

from €69.50
€64.04

8% off

Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia & Basilica Cistern Entry Tickets
Exterior of the Topkapi palace
Harem inside the Topkapi Palace
Father and son enjoy beautiful view on Hagia Sophia Cathedral, Istanbul
Ceiling of Hagia Sophia Sophia
Tourists exploring the grand interiors of Dolmabahce Palace, marveling at the architectural beauty of Hagia Sophia, and descending into the historic Basilica Cistern on a guided tour
Statue inside the Basilica cistern
Sultan's quarters of the Topkapi Palace
Guide with visitors inside topkapi palace
Hagia Sophia exterior with tourists on guided tour in Istanbul, Turkey.
Guided tour inside Hagia Sophia
Blue Mosque and Basilica Cistern tour in Istanbul, showcasing historic architecture and cultural landmarks.
Blue Mosque and Basilica Cistern tour in Istanbul, showcasing historic architecture and cultural landmarks.
Instant Confirmation
Flexible duration
Mobile Ticket
1 more
  • Explore the opulent Topkapi Palace, including the Harem, and marvel at holy relics like the Prophet Muhammad's mantle.

  • The Hagia Sophia's dome reveals its storied history with its mosaics of Christian Seraphims and inscriptions of Quranic verses.

  • Descend into the mysterious Basilica Cistern, an ancient water reservoir, and spot the upside-down Medusa head carvings.

  • Learn how the Byzantine-built Basilica and Hagia Sophia were repurposed and preserved by the Ottomans with audio guides for all three sites.

  • Did you know? The upside-down Medusa head in the Basilica Cistern wasn't a mistake. Some believe it was placed that way to ward off evil spirits.

More details

  • Explore the opulent Topkapi Palace, including the Harem, and marvel at holy relics like the Prophet Muhammad's mantle.

  • The Hagia Sophia's dome reveals its storied history with its mosaics of Christian Seraphims and inscriptions of Quranic verses.

  • Descend into the mysterious Basilica Cistern, an ancient water reservoir, and spot the upside-down Medusa head carvings.

  • Learn how the Byzantine-built Basilica and Hagia Sophia were repurposed and preserved by the Ottomans with audio guides for all three sites.

  • Did you know? The upside-down Medusa head in the Basilica Cistern wasn't a mistake. Some believe it was placed that way to ward off evil spirits.

from €123.50
€115.34

7% off

Illuminated columns of The Basilica Cistern
Basilica Cistern's illuminated columns in Istanbul, part of the Istanbul Combo tour.
Blue Mosque exterior with minarets in Istanbul, Turkey.
Blue Mosque and Basilica Cistern tour in Istanbul, showcasing historic architecture and cultural landmarks.
Hagia Sophia in Istanbul on sunny day
Guided tour inside Hagia Sophia
Tour guide showing a group of tourists around the historic Dolmabahce Palace, with a view of the Hagia Sophia and Basilica Cistern in the background, during a Combo Dolmabahce Palace, Hagia Sophia & Basilica Cistern Guided Tour in Istanbul
Tourists exploring the historic Basilica Cistern in Istanbul, a unique combo tour offering skip-the-line tickets and a hop-on hop-off bus tour, saving 9%
Tourists exploring the stunning Blue Mosque, a highlight of the Combo Tour: Basilica Cistern, Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia in Istanbul
Blue Mosque exterior with minarets in Istanbul, part of the Basilica Cistern and Bosphorus Cruise tour.
Selfie spot inside Hagia Sophia
Ceiling of Hagia Sophia Sophia
Free Cancellation
Extended Validity
Instant Confirmation
3 more
  • Enjoy fast-track entry into Basilica Cistern, one of the largest cisterns located in Istanbul with vaulted ceilings and raised wooden platforms with an expert guide.

  • Discover the heritage of a once-great Ottoman Empire and Istanbul’s spiritual side at the amazing Blue Mosque, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

  • Experience skip-the-line entry to Hagia Sophia and listen to how it was once a church and later became a mosque, and finally a museum.

  • Learn about the history and architecture of Hagia Sophia from your insightful audio guide.

  • Fun Fact: The Blue mosque was located on a square known as the Sultanahmet Square, originally known as the Hippodrome of Constantinople and used to be a huge stadium for chariot races.

More details

  • Enjoy fast-track entry into Basilica Cistern, one of the largest cisterns located in Istanbul with vaulted ceilings and raised wooden platforms with an expert guide.

  • Discover the heritage of a once-great Ottoman Empire and Istanbul’s spiritual side at the amazing Blue Mosque, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

  • Experience skip-the-line entry to Hagia Sophia and listen to how it was once a church and later became a mosque, and finally a museum.

  • Learn about the history and architecture of Hagia Sophia from your insightful audio guide.

  • Fun Fact: The Blue mosque was located on a square known as the Sultanahmet Square, originally known as the Hippodrome of Constantinople and used to be a huge stadium for chariot races.

from €99
€89

10% off

Hagia Sophia interior with visitors, part of Istanbul MegaPass attractions.
Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque view with Istanbul MegaPass access.
Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque view with Istanbul MegaPass access.
Cruise ship on the Bosphorus strait in Istanbul
Busforus at Tophane Clock tower, Istanbul
Interior of dome of Blue Mosque
Blue Mosque exterior with tourists, Istanbul Combo: Basilica Cistern + Blue Mosque + Bosphorus Cruise.
Exterior of the Topkapi palace
Free Cancellation
Instant Confirmation
Flexible duration
3 more
  • Discover Istanbul with the MegaPass! Choose 2, 4, or 9 attractions including museums, guided tours, Bosphorus cruises, national palaces, and Hamam baths.

  • Skip the lines to the attractions and spend your precious time exploring Turkish culture, architecture, and cuisine, saving up to 37%.

  • Choose your preferred experiences: Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, Dolmabahce Palace, Whirling Dervish Show, Turkish bath, or a dinner cruise.

  • The pass is valid for 7 days, offering maximum flexibility, and includes a complimentary Bosphorus Cruise ticket and a guided tour of the Blue Mosque.

  • Get access to a 5-ride transport card, route maps, and a digital guidebook—everything you need for a great experience!

More details

  • Discover Istanbul with the MegaPass! Choose 2, 4, or 9 attractions including museums, guided tours, Bosphorus cruises, national palaces, and Hamam baths.

  • Skip the lines to the attractions and spend your precious time exploring Turkish culture, architecture, and cuisine, saving up to 37%.

  • Choose your preferred experiences: Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, Dolmabahce Palace, Whirling Dervish Show, Turkish bath, or a dinner cruise.

  • The pass is valid for 7 days, offering maximum flexibility, and includes a complimentary Bosphorus Cruise ticket and a guided tour of the Blue Mosque.

  • Get access to a 5-ride transport card, route maps, and a digital guidebook—everything you need for a great experience!

from
€98
External View of Galata Tower
Portrait of beautiful mother and son tourists with view of Galata tower in Beyoglu, Istanbul
Inside view of the Galata Tower
Galata Tower with cityscape view, skip-the-line tickets available.
A female tourist standing on Galata tower bridge
Instant Confirmation
Flexible duration
Mobile Ticket
1 more
  • Take an elevator up the Galata Tower, originally a watchtower, now an interesting museum with space for exhibitions about Turkish history.

  • Revel in the panoramic vista of the city and witness the Topkapi Palace, the Hagia Sophia, and the Suleymaniye Mosque from atop the tower.

  • Walk down some of the oldest streets in the Galata quarter of Istanbul as you head to the seaside.

  • Upgrade your tickets to enjoy access to the Galata Tower as you enjoy listening to interesting facts and stories through your audio guide app.

  • Did you know? There is a restaurant on top of the Galata Tower. Indulge in fancy Turkish delicacies at the Galata Restaurant.

More details

  • Take an elevator up the Galata Tower, originally a watchtower, now an interesting museum with space for exhibitions about Turkish history.

  • Revel in the panoramic vista of the city and witness the Topkapi Palace, the Hagia Sophia, and the Suleymaniye Mosque from atop the tower.

  • Walk down some of the oldest streets in the Galata quarter of Istanbul as you head to the seaside.

  • Upgrade your tickets to enjoy access to the Galata Tower as you enjoy listening to interesting facts and stories through your audio guide app.

  • Did you know? There is a restaurant on top of the Galata Tower. Indulge in fancy Turkish delicacies at the Galata Restaurant.

from
€37.50
Guide Explaining to Tourist about Topkapi
Guided Tour of Topkapi Palace Museum
Harem and Sultan's Private Apartments, The Courtyard of the Eunuchs, Topkapi Palace
Guided Tour of Topkapi Palace Museum
Guided Tour of Topkapi Palace Museum
Topkapi Palace's Imperial Treasury's Armory in Istanbul, Turkey.
Topkapi Palace's Imperial Treasury Topkapi Dagger in Istanbul, Turkey
Sultan's quarters of the Topkapi Palace
Guided Tour of Topkapi Palace Museum
The harem at the Topkapi Palace
Topkapi palace. Imperial council decorated facade in Istanbul city. Turkey
The gate of Salutation in Topkapi Palace
Free Cancellation
Instant Confirmation
1 hour
2 more
  • Tour the UNESCO World Heritage site – Topkapı Palace along with an expert multilingual local guide and enjoy priority admission with skip-the-line access.

  • Explore the main residence and administrative headquarters of the Ottoman sultans.

  • Admire the lavish interiors, see the brilliant artifacts on display, and bask in the glory of the Ottoman Era.

  • Visit the Harem section and see the lavishly decorated marble hallways, and arched doorways with over 400 rooms!

  • Fun Fact: The Palace has 20 chimneys in the kitchen, where roughly 800 employees worked making this the largest kitchen in the Ottoman Empire at the time.

More details

  • Tour the UNESCO World Heritage site – Topkapı Palace along with an expert multilingual local guide and enjoy priority admission with skip-the-line access.

  • Explore the main residence and administrative headquarters of the Ottoman sultans.

  • Admire the lavish interiors, see the brilliant artifacts on display, and bask in the glory of the Ottoman Era.

  • Visit the Harem section and see the lavishly decorated marble hallways, and arched doorways with over 400 rooms!

  • Fun Fact: The Palace has 20 chimneys in the kitchen, where roughly 800 employees worked making this the largest kitchen in the Ottoman Empire at the time.

from
€62
Bosphorus cruise and Galata Tower
Portrait of beautiful mother and son tourists with view of Galata tower in Beyoglu, Istanbul
Galata Tower with cityscape view, skip-the-line tickets available.
Bosphorus cruise ship sailing past Istanbul landmarks with audio guide.
Bosphorus cruise ship sailing past Istanbul skyline with audio guide experience.
Bosphorus cruise ship sailing past Istanbul skyline with audio guide.
Instant Confirmation
Flexible duration
Mobile Ticket
1 more
  • Take a 90-minute cruise along the Bosphorus Strait with an audio guide to learn about the city's centuries-old history.

  • Sail past landmarks like Dolmabahce Palace and Rumeli Fortress seamlessly blending with modern marvels like the Istanbul Sapphire.

  • Standing guard over Istanbul, the Galata Tower offers a bird's eye view of the Topkapi Palace, the Hagia Sophia, and the Marmara Sea.

  • Take advantage of the downloadable audio guide to learn of the tower's importance through the Byzantine, Ottoman, and modern Turkish eras.

  • Fun fact: A Roman legend suggests that couples who climb the Galata Tower together, both first-timers, are guaranteed to get married.

More details

  • Take a 90-minute cruise along the Bosphorus Strait with an audio guide to learn about the city's centuries-old history.

  • Sail past landmarks like Dolmabahce Palace and Rumeli Fortress seamlessly blending with modern marvels like the Istanbul Sapphire.

  • Standing guard over Istanbul, the Galata Tower offers a bird's eye view of the Topkapi Palace, the Hagia Sophia, and the Marmara Sea.

  • Take advantage of the downloadable audio guide to learn of the tower's importance through the Byzantine, Ottoman, and modern Turkish eras.

  • Fun fact: A Roman legend suggests that couples who climb the Galata Tower together, both first-timers, are guaranteed to get married.

from €56
€46.35

17% off

Inside the Basilica Cistern in Istanbul
Statues at Basilica cistern
Pillars of basilica cistern
Medusa head at Basilica Cistern
Basilica Cistern with Guided Tour
Statue inside the Basilica cistern
Hand sculpture at basilica cistern
Free Cancellation
Instant Confirmation
1 hour
3 more
  • Skip the winding queues at the ancient Basilica Cistern, one of Istanbul’s hidden underground reservoirs.

  • Admire the amazing Byzantine artworks, including the many illuminated columns and the Medusa heads.

  • Learn about the fascinating history of the cistern from your expert English-speaking local guide.

  • Enhance your experience with a guided tour of the iconic Hagia Sophia and the grand Blue Mosque.

  • Fun fact: Dan Brown’s Inferno and James Bond’s From Russia with Love were filmed here.

More details

  • Skip the winding queues at the ancient Basilica Cistern, one of Istanbul’s hidden underground reservoirs.

  • Admire the amazing Byzantine artworks, including the many illuminated columns and the Medusa heads.

  • Learn about the fascinating history of the cistern from your expert English-speaking local guide.

  • Enhance your experience with a guided tour of the iconic Hagia Sophia and the grand Blue Mosque.

  • Fun fact: Dan Brown’s Inferno and James Bond’s From Russia with Love were filmed here.

from
€39

Pro tips to help you make a pick

About Basilica Cistern

Explore the Basilica Cistern, a massive 6th-century Byzantine water reservoir. Emperor Justinian I initiated its construction to ensure water supply to the Great Palace of Constantinople. Its intriguing features, like the Weeping Column and Medusa's Heads, echo Istanbul’s centuries-old history.


Address
Alemdar, Yerebatan Cd. 1/3, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
Also known as
Yerebatan Sarnıcı, Sunken Palace, Subterranean Palace
Year opened
532
Founded by
Emperor Justinian
Visitors per year
2200000
Expected wait time - Standard
30-60 mins (Peak), 0-30 mins (Off Peak)
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Why visit Basilica Cistern?

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Millions love heading out with us

Francisco Merino
GT

Francisco

4/5
Guatemala
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Very nice visit of the Cistern. It is not very clear where to meet the guide and then we walk back to the original gate.
View original review in Spanish
Guided Tour of Basilica Cistern with Skip-the-Line Tickets
LinhDan Nguyen
US

Linhdan

5/5
United States
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Obtaining tickets was very easy but app said we needed earphones but we didn't because it was a guided tour. Need speaker and headphones for guide. Our guide was very friendly and knowledgeable
Guided Tour of Basilica Cistern with Skip-the-Line Tickets
Matthew Timmermann
US

Matthew

4/5
United States
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We booked last minute and were still able to see everything we wanted to. Ticketing was straightforward. The Topkapi Palace tour was what we hoped for: descriptive, informative, and quick so we could go exploring on our own. Hagia Sophia and Basilica Cisterns were amazing to witness. Thank you for helping to make this a good experience.
Skip-the-Line Tickets to Basilica Cistern
Elsa Antonia Mateo Díaz
ES

Elsa

5/5
Spain
review-image
Everything was great, no queues to get in and , seeing the Basilica cistern is the most beautiful thing I have done on the trip. Thank you .
View original review in Spanish
Skip-the-Line Tickets to Basilica Cistern
Nashla Alexandra Baez De Andrea
ES

Nashla

5/5
Spain
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The experience has been great. Arriving with the tickets already bought saves you a lot of queues, the Turkish bath is one of the best things I chose to do on this tour, the Cistern Basilica is beautiful, everything is very well done.
View original review in Spanish
Istanbul MegaPass: Skip-the-Line E-Tickets for Top Attractions
Kathrin Grobelnik

Kathrin

5/5
review-image
The Istanbul Megapass worked wonderfully. We were able to visit all the attractions quickly and easily. Everything went really well.
View original review in German
Istanbul MegaPass: Skip-the-Line E-Tickets for Top Attractions
Giuseppe La Camera
IT

Giuseppe

5/5
Italy
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Beautiful experience, well organized and with a kind, friendly and passionate guide! Definitely worth the price of the ticket. Plus you skip the queue for access to the sites, something not to be overlooked especially during the hottest times of the year.
View original review in Italian
Combo: Basilica Cistern + Blue Mosque + Hagia Sophia Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Tickets
Lajuan Messer
US

Lajuan

5/5
United States
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We enjoyed the Panoramic view of the city from this ancient tower. Ticketing was simple. Did not realize the elevator does not go all the way to the top. It is necessary to climb two flights of stairs to get from the top of the elevator too the top viewing area outside the tower. Two of our party had mobility issues and were unable to climb the stairs, So they could only enjoy the views from inside the tower through windows.
Entry Tickets to Galata Tower with Audio Guide

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