Combos

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

Father and son enjoy beautiful view on Hagia Sophia Cathedral, Istanbul

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 Arabic, English, French, German, Russian, and Spanish

Hagia Sophia

Skip-the-ticket-line entry to Hagia Sophia
Audio guide in English, German, French, Italian, Russian, Spanish, and Turkish

Basilica Cistern

Skip-the-ticket-line entry to Basilica Cistern
Audio guide in English, German, French, Italian, Russian, Spanish, and Turkish

Cancellation policy

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

Reviews

4.1

4.7K ratings

5/5

2.8K

4/5

822

3/5

413

2/5

327

1/5

373

Dolores

4/5

Sep, 2024

It was easy to get to the meeting point and from there the guide took us to the Harem, although all the explanations about how it was organized were in English, it was easy for us. From there we started the visit to the palace. But we thought that St. Irene was included in the ticket we had bought and it was not, we had to pay 600 liras more for each one. Anyway it was a beautiful experience, we liked the Topkapi Palace very much, especially the fourth courtyard with the view of the Golden Horn.

View original review in Spanish

Valerie

3/5

Sep, 2024

Made to look like official palace website which is misleading. We were kept waiting to be taken into palace for about 30 minutes. Defeated object of priority booking. Just give us e tickets. A man leading a big group to security carrying an umbrella is pointless.

Tereza

5/5

Sep, 2024

Headout tickets were wonderfully easy to use through my messaging app. At Basilica Cystern we walked right in. At Hagia Sophia we arrived at a busy time and so had a short wait. Those waiting in line were obliged to be in hot sun. Big relief for us. Both of these sites were tremendously impressive for building and architecture-engineering skills. Would readily use Headout again. Worth paying to skip the line.

Racliu

5/5

Sep, 2024

The Topkapi Palace is extraordinary, for a history buff it's something breathtaking, and the fact that we had a guide and didn't have to stand in queues (which are indeed endless) was a big plus. Without the app, the palace visit would probably have taken us all day. Thank you so much, it is a very helpful app! I will use it in other locations.

This review is translated. Show original review.

Carey

3/5

Sep, 2024

Booking 4 tickets at once for our group meant that it was complicated to access them and save them for offline use later.

Your experience

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.

Operating hours

Topkapi Palace

Monday	09:00 AM - 06:00 PM	last entry 05:00 PM
Tuesday	Closed
Wednesday	09:00 AM - 06:00 PM	last entry 05:00 PM
Thursday	09:00 AM - 06:00 PM	last entry 05:00 PM
Friday	09:00 AM - 06:00 PM	last entry 05:00 PM
Saturday	09:00 AM - 06:00 PM	last entry 05:00 PM
Sunday	09:00 AM - 06:00 PM	last entry 05:00 PM

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

Know before you go

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.