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Istanbul Super Combo: Topkapi Palace + Hagia Sophia + Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Tickets with Audio Guide

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

Explore Istanbul's top spots for less with this combo ticket, featuring skip-the-line access to Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and Basilica Cistern.

Highlights

  • 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.

Inclusions

Topkapi Palace

  • Skip-the-ticket-line entry to Topkapi Palace

  • Access to Harem Museum and Hagia Irene Museum

  • Audio guide in English, Arabic, French, German, and Spanish

Hagia Sophia

  • Skip-the-ticket-line entry to Hagia Sophia

  • Audio guide in English, German, French, Italian, and Spanish

Basilica Cistern

  • Skip-the-ticket-line entry to Basilica Cistern

  • Audio guide in English, German, French, Italian, and Spanish

Cancellation Policy

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

Reviews

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4.0
3K ratings
5/5
1.6K
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575
3/5
271
2/5
244
1/5
294
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Guests from United States, Spain, Italy and over 96 countries have loved this experience
Nouhade Naggiar

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
Dominique Leclercq

Dominique

3/5

Jan, 2025

I went to queue at the gate of Topkapi palace to be told that I needed a printed ticket to enter and could not use the QR code of my online réservation mail. I had de go back to Topkapi café to request for the assistance of a guide to skip the queue. The guide was very professional and very helpful
Ranto Oelinirina Rajaofetra

Ranto

4/5

Jan, 2025

A large palace with several courtyards, I think it deserves to be visited several times or over a whole day. Generally speaking, I found the entrance fees for monuments in Istanbul to be very high (Topkapi Palace, Galata Tower, Basilica Cistern and Sofia Mosque (which we didn't visit because of the 50-60€ entrance fee...). Maybe it's due to the current inflation in Turkey. In any case, my friends and I were quite shocked by the prices. Having lived in Paris for years, even the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and the Château de Versailles are much cheaper. For example, the price of unlimited access for 1 year to the Versailles estate + queue-cutting access to the château and other advantages is equivalent to the price of a single entry to the Topkapi Palace... hence my surprise.
View original review in French
roberto comina

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 Libeon Grobbelaar

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.

Bypass the queues and embark on a historical adventure through Istanbul's most captivating landmarks with this combo ticket guaranteeing unbeatable savings.

Dive into Ottoman grandeur at Topkapi Palace

The Topkapi Palace was once the heart of the Ottoman Empire, the last palace to have housed the rulers before its collapse. With skip-the-line access, explore it at your own pace with an audio guide. Wander through courtyards, marveling at the exquisite Iznik tiles and grand architecture. Peek into the Harem, a labyrinthine world where Sultans' wives and concubines resided.

A mosque, a church, and more!

The Hagia Sophia is an engineering marvel, having survived millennia from one empire to another. Stand beneath the towering dome, marveling at the sunlight filtering through its eight enormous windows. Your audio guide will point out the mosaics depicting scenes from Christianity, whispering tales of the Hagia Sophia's fascinating past as a church, mosque, and museum. Explore the expansive main hall, marveling at the intricate details of the mihrab (prayer niche) and the minbar (pulpit).

Istanbul’s hidden underground world

Descent into the cool, echoing depths of the Basilica Cistern, an ancient marvel built by the Byzantine Empire. Imagine the ingenuity of its creators as you walk amidst rows of 336 towering marble columns, their reflections shimmering in the water below. These columns, some with intricate carvings, were reportedly salvaged from ancient temples, hinting at the rich history beneath your feet. The audio guide will unveil the cistern's ingenious water filtration system and its role in sustaining the city for centuries.

Topkapi Palace

Monday09:00 AM - 04:45 PMlast entry 03:45 PM
TuesdayClosed
Wednesday09:00 AM - 04:45 PMlast entry 03:45 PM
Thursday09:00 AM - 04:45 PMlast entry 03:45 PM
Friday09:00 AM - 04:45 PMlast entry 03:45 PM
Saturday09:00 AM - 04:45 PMlast entry 03:45 PM
Sunday09:00 AM - 04:45 PMlast entry 03:45 PM

Basilica Cistern

Monday09:00 AM - 10:00 PMlast entry 06:30 PM
Tuesday09:00 AM - 10:00 PMlast entry 06:30 PM
Wednesday09:00 AM - 10:00 PMlast entry 06:30 PM
Thursday09:00 AM - 10:00 PMlast entry 06:30 PM
Friday09:00 AM - 10:00 PMlast entry 06:30 PM
Saturday09:00 AM - 10:00 PMlast entry 06:30 PM
Sunday09:00 AM - 10:00 PMlast entry 06:30 PM

Hagia Sophia

Monday09:00 AM - 07:30 PM
Tuesday09:00 AM - 07:30 PM
Wednesday09:00 AM - 07:30 PM
Thursday09:00 AM - 07:30 PM
Friday09:00 AM - 07:30 PM
Saturday09:00 AM - 07:30 PM
Sunday09:00 AM - 07:30 PM

What to bring

Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia & Basilica Cistern

  • Bring along your walking shoes for comfortable exploration.

  • Stay ahead of the game; download the audio app beforehand to dodge any network glitches at the location.

  • Don’t forget your trusty earphones for an immersive audio guide experience.

What's not allowed

Hagia Sophia

  • The prayer area on the first floor can only be entered by Turkish citizens.

  • Strict dress code: Women should not wear knee-length shorts, skirts, or clothing with exposed shoulders or chests. Hair should be partially covered with a scarf. Men should not wear knee-length shorts or clothing with exposed shoulders.

Accessibility

Topkapi Palace & Basilica Cistern

  • This experience is wheelchair accessible.

Hagia Sophia

  • This tour is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Additional information

Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia & Basilica Cistern

  • You skip the ticket lines but you cannot skip the security check. The security check can take up to 60 minutes during peak seasons.

Hagia Sophia

  • Hagia Sophia is under renovation, therefore, not all parts of the building are open to the public.

  • Due to the Friday prayer, the Mosque will be closed to tourists from 12pm to 2pm. For a smoother experience, it's recommend visiting after 4pm to avoid the lengthy security line anticipated between 2pm and 4pm.

  • Clothes and scarves are available for purchase at the entrance of the attraction.

  • Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

  • Please display the same at each ticket redemption point along with a valid photo ID.

Ticket redemption points

Topkapi Palace Skip-the-Line Ticket with Audio Guide

  • Please check your final voucher for the redemption point details and specific instructions.

Hagia Sophia Admission Tickets + Audio Guide

  • Please check your final voucher for the redemption point details and specific instructions.

Skip-the-Line Tickets to Basilica Cistern with Audio Guide

  • Please check your final voucher for the redemption point details and specific instructions.

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