Hidden beneath the streets of Istanbul lies the ancient Basilica Cistern. Enjoy a guided tour of this sunken filming location. Upgrade to include a tour of Hagia Sophia & Blue Mosque!
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Skip the winding queues at the ancient Basilica Cistern, one of Istanbul’s hidden underground reservoirs.
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Admire the amazing Byzantine artworks, including the many illuminated columns and the Medusa heads.
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Learn about the fascinating history of the cistern from your expert English-speaking local guide.
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Enhance your experience with a guided tour of the iconic Hagia Sophia and the grand Blue Mosque.
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Fun fact: Dan Brown’s Inferno and James Bond’s From Russia with Love were filmed here.
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Expert English-speaking guide
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Skip the line ticket to Basilica Cistern
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Hagia Sophia guided tour (optional)
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Blue Mosque guided tour (optional)
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Audio guide app in 8 languages
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You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
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Guests from United States, United Kingdom, Australia and over 45 countries have loved this experience
Francisco
Oct, 2024
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
Linhdan
Oct, 2024
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
Melinda
Sep, 2024
Our guide was lovely and gave us plenty of information about the history of the Cistern. It's a beautiful place to visit.Sandra
Aug, 2024
Very easy to use. I recommend this app I bought two tickets to see Basilica cistern with guide,it was a amazing experience ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Peter
May, 2024
Excellent guide. Excellent place to visit. Excellent accurate instructions in advance. I've used Headout twice so far, and have been impressed that they and organised, punctual, cost effective and informative
Visit one of the largest surviving ancient cisterns in Istanbul
Legend has it that Medusa once used to protect this great building. In fact, you will still see two Medusa heads at the base of the columns here. Even today, the Basilica Cistern comes across as one of the most magical buildings in all of Istanbul.
Interestingly, this large underground water reservoir (one of several hundred hidden ones in the city) has been a filming location for several Hollywood blockbusters. Tom Hanks was here while filming Dan Brown's thriller Inferno in 2016, James Bond's From Russia with Love was also shot here. Clearly, Hollywood producers loved the intriguing atmosphere of the place, and you will too when you experience it for yourself.
Admire the 336 illuminated marble and granite columns, and get transported back to another era. Opt for your preferred language from the ticket options and listen to your local guide as they tell you about the different building materials used across different eras. You'll also get to see the carp that thrive in the shallow waters of the reservoir!
Enhance your experience with a guided tour of Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia
Upgrade your ticket to discover over 20,000 handcrafted blue ceramic tiles at the Blue Mosque, featuring a blend of traditional Islamic design and Byzantine elements. Explore the iconic Hagia Sophia with your English-speaking guide. Marvel at its massive dome, which was an engineering feat in its time. The vast interior space and the intricate design elements showcase a blend of Byzantine and Ottoman architectural styles.
Important Information
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It's recommended to wear comfortable clothes along with non-slip shoes.
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The following are allowed during the tour: Photography, outside food & drinks.
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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 meeting point.
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Please arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before the scheduled time of your tour to avoid any delays.
Meeting Point
- Please check your final voucher for the meeting point details and specific instructions.
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