With this cost-effective combo ticket, enjoy skip-the-line access to Istanbul's captivating Basilica Cistern as well as the magnificent Topkapi Palace.
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Immerse yourself in history and skip the lines as you see hundreds of ancient cisterns in the Sunken Palace beneath Istanbul.
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Witness the 336 well-preserved columns from Byzantine times and two Medusa heads.
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Get insights into the Topkapi Palace, the residence of Ottoman sultans during the 15th century, with your expert guide. Enjoy access to the Harem too!
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Experience the splendor of the Topkapi Museum Palace's centuries-old, distinctive art and architecture, and listen to the Topkapi Palace audio guide.
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Fun Fact: The Topkapi Palace was the epicenter of the Ottoman Empire, serving as both the sultan's abode and home to its governmental functions.
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Basilica Cistern
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Skip-the-line entry
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Free time to explore more
Topkapi Palace
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Skip-the-line entry
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Free time to explore more
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Topkapi Palace audio guide app
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Entry to Harem
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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, Italy and over 19 countries have loved this experienceVicente
Apr, 2025
Nick
Apr, 2025
Sandra
Apr, 2025
María
Mar, 2025
Eleonora
Apr, 2025
Included in the bigletto was admission for the basilica cisterna (at least apparently) but I found myself paying 80 euros for only admission to the topkapi, which on the official website costs less than 60. As for the skip-the-line those who had the regular ticket got in faster than me.View original review in Italian
Pick this super-saver combo which includes access to two of Istanbul's must-visit attractions.
Basilica Cistern
Start your 30-minute tour of the mysterious, well-preserved underground reservoir known as Yerebatan Cistern. You will walk down 52 steps and pass 336 columns arranged in the 12 rows used to build it. Built by Byzantine Emperor Justinian the First (527–565) to meet the water needs of Constantinople, you will be amazed by the marble pillars and the artificial freshwater lake, which is the size of two football fields. Check out locations where the first James Bond film, "From Russia with Love," was shot in the 1960s. Don't miss the ancient Hen's Eye Column and will narrate the story of the mysterious Medusa Heads from Greek mythology. Once your guided tour is over, stay back and explore the maze of the cisterns at your own pace.
Topkapi Palace
Your skip-the-line tickets mean you bypass the large crowds and head straight for the security check. Take your time to explore the beautiful Topkapi Palace, a museum with exhibits of imperial collections from the Ottoman Empire. Your guide will regale you with stories and the colorful history of the palace, once the former residence of the Ottoman Sultans. You will see 30,000 archived documents. Visit the holy relics and the imperial kitchens and see magnificent Chinese porcelain. Step out to the outside terraces to catch views of the Golden Horn. After the tour, stay longer and delve deeper into its history with an audio guide.
Operating Hours
Basilica Cistern
- Daily: 12pm, 1pm and 3pm
Topkapi Palace
- Wed to Mon: 10am, 12pm and 2pm
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Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.
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Please arrive at the meeting point 15 mins before the scheduled time of your tour to avoid any delays.
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Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the ticket counter point.
Meeting point
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Go to the Tours & Tickets kiosk located next to Topkapi Palace and obtain your Topkapi Palace ticket from there..
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Address: Cankurtaran, Soğuk Çeşme Sk. No:4, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye.
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Landmark: The turquoise Tours & Tickets Kiosk is located inside the Topkapi Cafe, at the entry of Topkapi Palace, 20 meters away from the Hagia Sophia Visiting Area entry and next the Tourism Police container..
Get directions to the meeting point
Important Information
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Please download the audio app before your tour.
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Do not forget to bring your earphones.
Instructions for Audio Guide
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Step 1: Go to Apple Store or Google Play Store and search for "YourMobileGuide"-
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Step 2: Download "YourMobileGuide"
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Step 3: Click "All Audio Tours"
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Step 4: In the search bar, type the activation code "ymg7" for "Basilica Cistern" tour and for Topkapi Palace please use ''ymg5''
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Step 5: Click on "Start this tour"
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