English
English
Basilica Cistern tickets
Headout is an authorized and trusted partner of the venue, offering curated experiences to enjoy this attraction.
- Skip the long ticket lines and visit the biggest ancient water cistern with the 2 very famous Medusa heads.
- Marvel at this sunken palace and discover an artificial freshwater lake the size of two football fields.
- Witness facets of the cistern which were featured in popular Bond movies and see the Weeping Column of Medusa which continues to weep.
- Upgrade your ticket to benefit from an in-depth audio guide in 8 languages.
- Choose to make your experience even better by upgrading your ticket to include Hagia Sophia and Basilica Cistern guided tour.
- Skip the long ticket lines and visit the biggest ancient water cistern with the 2 very famous Medusa heads.
- Marvel at this sunken palace and discover an artificial freshwater lake the size of two football fields.
- Witness facets of the cistern which were featured in popular Bond movies and see the Weeping Column of Medusa which continues to weep.
- Upgrade your ticket to benefit from an in-depth audio guide in 8 languages.
- Choose to make your experience even better by upgrading your ticket to include Hagia Sophia and Basilica Cistern guided tour.
Inclusions
- Skip-the-line entry to the Basilica Cistern
- Multilingual audio guide (optional)
- Basilica Cistern & Hagia Sophia English guided tour (optional)
- Tip: Since the cistern is underground, it can be quite humid, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes and clothing that won’t make you too hot.
- Please note that your ticket allows you to skip the ticketing queue but you cannot skip the security check.
- For the audio guide to function well, please ensure a stable internet connection and bring your own headphones.
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Reviews
How do we collect reviews?
Snapshots from our guests
4.3
3,593 ratings
2.3K
693
171
173
235
Guests from United States, Spain, Italy and over 97 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Liliana
Oct 2024Verified booking
It was a surprise to enter such an old and well preserved site, the lighting is perfect and the modern sculptures installed there add a lot of character, we loved not having to wait in line to enter especially because the day was very hot and it is always visited by many people.
View original review in Spanish
Jose
Oct 2024Verified booking
It is a wonderful place that we enjoyed very much. It was very crowded to get in but with our e-ticket we got in right away.
View original review in Spanish
Rodopi
Oct 2024Verified booking
Very beautiful and unique place! With e-ticket, I didn't had to wait in line (which was very long!). Audio also worked very well. Definitely worth it!!
Jeannie
Oct 2024Verified booking
The App was easy to download and was quick and easy to use. I was able to skip the long line and go right to the front and get in by showing my QR code. Highly recommend.
Beverly
Sep 2024Verified booking
I truly enjoyed my experience. I did think the pricing was a little high, but I would absolutely do this again. For me it's the history. Some of the things I saw were left over materials. Nothing significant about a head turned sideways other then it's was a leftover material. There were information boards, I loved the decorative lighting and art work. It was nice. I had skip the line tickets, so I'm glad I didn't have to waste a lot of time standing in a long line. I'll get the audioguide next t time. I spent about 45 minutes here. You have to walk down stairs to get to the cistern and then walk up stairs to leave. The routing is very organized. I recommend taking it all in.
Ionescu
Sep 2024Verified booking
We've skipped the lines for tickets. Especially at Cisterna. Super fast entry. At Aya Sofia there was a line for security and entry. But was fast enough. Good choice we bought the tickets online. Saved a lot of time and no more waiting in the heat and sun.
Kelly
Sep 2024Verified booking
The attraction is beautiful! Inside it is not so crowded and paying not to wait in line is very good since it is quite hot outside.
View original review in Spanish
Cotofana
Sep 2024Verified booking
What I loved the most was the lighting and how the art pieces were arranged and put together like almost creating a story. Also, about headout, it was very simple to get the tickets and we received straight simple directions on how to benefit of the purchase. Thank you!
Barbara
Sep 2024Verified booking
I loved how I didn't have to wait in the long line! We had a guide breifly that escorted our group in and gave us an overview of what the cisterns were about. Perfect for us!
Carlota
Aug 2024Verified booking
The ease of access, as it is well located and easy to see; it is worthwhile and does not take up time like the other sites.
View original review in Spanish
Sladjana
Aug 2024Verified booking
Ticket came online instantly by Headout.com so we could skip long line for buying tickets. Sight was about to close, so we saved precious time to explore it instead of staying in line for ticket. Basilica Cistern is such a unique place worth visiting, we enjoyed it.
Savoldi
Aug 2024Verified booking
Beautiful experience. The basilica is a goosebump show. Guide in Italian using cell phone. Online ticket purchase and ticket hopping. Good organization at the entrance
View original review in Italian
Alfredo
Aug 2024Verified booking
Purchasing tickets on line was easy, intuitive and fast taking advantage of cheaper prices than on other sites. The skip-the-line allowed us to immediately enter the attraction using the fast track dedicated to online purchases that was practically empty while the other two were full of people with very long lines. Using the audio guide was very easy and very intuitive, however, only after the invaluable help we got from the Support Team assistant at the entrance of the Basilica Cisterna by setting up the cell phone correctly with much helpfulness and courtesy. Thank you, it was fatastic to use Headout!
View original review in Italian
Laurini
Aug 2024Verified booking
Downloadable tickets from the app and impeccable line-jumping. The basilica inside is phenomenal, recommended to visit in the morning 9 a.m. at opening so you can take photos without the crush of people.
View original review in Italian
David
Aug 2024Verified booking
Spectacular and curious site, a good example of Turkish ingenuity in water management (and a break from the sun in summer!). It is worth getting tickets online to avoid queuing at the entrance.
View original review in Spanish
Maaz
Jul 2024Verified booking
A glimpse into the workings of a historical city, the Basilica Cistern takes the prize for one of the most immersive experiences Istanbul has to offer.
Kit
Jul 2024Verified booking
Quick and simple selection of attraction we would like to visit, other than Headout allow you to select each attraction, it also enable you to choose how many attraction per day to visit. We only select 1 attraction a day. This allow us to go in the morning and finish just before noon which is pretty hot in July. We head back to hotel to shower and take a nap 😴. Then head back out after 6pm for dinner and visit attraction to take pictures only from the outside. Sunset and night scene looks very different comparing it to day scene especially at Blue Mosque.
Clarence
Jul 2024Verified booking
Incredible engineering and scope of the cistern. Deniz is a well informed tour guide and really made our experience as enjoyable as possible!
Ileana
Jul 2024Verified booking
The place was out of this world. We don't have to make any line. The staff was very friendly. Were tennis shoes (no heels).
Rajnish
Jul 2024Verified booking
It was excellent. Get site to see. The atmosphere was great, left wondering how the water got there and how it was used. Great place.
Virginia
Jun 2024Verified booking
The best thing about buying tickets with Headout was not having to wait in line! The tour is impressive and very well organized. I was really impressed with the experience and recommend it for its historical value.
View original review in Spanish
Rachael
Jun 2024Verified booking
The regular lines were long, so glad we got skip the line tickets! The cistern itself was AMAZING! They have done such a great job with it, the lighting and the artwork that has been added in as well. Highly recommend.
Adrian
Jun 2024Verified booking
Don't miss visiting this place in Istanbul. It is an amazing historical place. Skip the line tickets helped us to get in very quickly considering the long queue for the tickets. Highly recommended in Istanbul.
Marianela
Jun 2024Verified booking
The experience at the Basilica Cistern is incredible. I purchased tickets that allowed me to enter without waiting in line, and I was able to get in quickly. The basilica is marvelous, with stunning lights and artistic displays to enjoy. On the downside, there's no mobile signal inside the cistern. Although I had downloaded the app for a virtual guided tour, it wasn't available within the basilica. It would have been very considerate of them to inform visitors of this when purchasing tickets. So, you could decide whether to listen to the guide before or after entering the basilica. Alternatively, providing an option to download the guide for offline use would be ideal. Despite this, I highly recommend visiting the Basilica Cistern.
Anne-Marie
Jun 2024Verified booking
The basilica cistern is awesome and a magnificent site to behold. Few people could dislike this amazing spectacle of giant pillars in a cavernous space with colourful lighting and great reflection images. The online ticket was super easy to use and I didn't even ha e to wait 1 minute before being ushered in. I passed all the ticket office queue while people watched in amazement!! So cool!!
Combos
Combo (Save 9%): Basilica Cistern + Hagia Sophia Skip-the-Line Tickets
from €71.50
€64.98
9% off
- Avail of a great cost benefit with this combo, giving you skip-the-line access to two of Istanbul’s iconic sites: the Basilica Cistern and Hagia Sophia.
- Marvel at the impressive Byzantine architecture of the Basilica Cistern, a 6th-century subterranean marvel with 336 massive columns.
- Soak in the Basilica Cistern experience with an optional multilingual audio guide providing intriguing insights into the history of this unique site.
- Step into the world-famous Hagia Sophia, once the largest place of worship for over a millennium with skip-the-line tickets and an audio guide.
- Enjoy the liberty to explore the magnificent mosaics and paintings at your own pace at the Hagia Sophia’s 2nd-floor Visitors' Center.
- Avail of a great cost benefit with this combo, giving you skip-the-line access to two of Istanbul’s iconic sites: the Basilica Cistern and Hagia Sophia.
- Marvel at the impressive Byzantine architecture of the Basilica Cistern, a 6th-century subterranean marvel with 336 massive columns.
- Soak in the Basilica Cistern experience with an optional multilingual audio guide providing intriguing insights into the history of this unique site.
- Step into the world-famous Hagia Sophia, once the largest place of worship for over a millennium with skip-the-line tickets and an audio guide.
- Enjoy the liberty to explore the magnificent mosaics and paintings at your own pace at the Hagia Sophia’s 2nd-floor Visitors' Center.
Inclusions
Basilica Cistern
- Skip-the-line entry to the Basilica Cistern
- Multilingual audio guide
Hagia Sophia
- Skip-the-line entry to Hagia Sophia
- Entry to Hagia Sophia visiting area
- Audio guide in 5 languages
Basilica Cistern
- Tip: Keep an eye out for the ghostly outlines of carp swimming in the water, they make for a great photo backdrop.
- This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.
Hagia Sophia
- Tip: Look for the 'weeping column,' it's believed to have healing powers.
- This tour is not suitable for wheelchair users.
- You skip the ticket lines but you cannot skip the security check.
- The security check can take up to 60 minutes during peak seasons.
- 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.
- Clothes and scarves are available for purchase at the entrance of the attraction.
- 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.
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Reviews
How do we collect reviews?
Snapshots from our guests
4.0
1,113 ratings
528
335
66
87
97
Guests from United States, Spain, Italy and over 89 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Liliana
Oct 2024Verified booking
It was a surprise to enter such an old and well preserved site, the lighting is perfect and the modern sculptures installed there add a lot of character, we loved not having to wait in line to enter especially because the day was very hot and it is always visited by many people.
View original review in Spanish
Rodopi
Oct 2024Verified booking
Very beautiful and unique place! With e-ticket, I didn't had to wait in line (which was very long!). Audio also worked very well. Definitely worth it!!
Ionescu
Sep 2024Verified booking
We've skipped the lines for tickets. Especially at Cisterna. Super fast entry. At Aya Sofia there was a line for security and entry. But was fast enough. Good choice we bought the tickets online. Saved a lot of time and no more waiting in the heat and sun.
Savoldi
Aug 2024Verified booking
Beautiful experience. The basilica is a goosebump show. Guide in Italian using cell phone. Online ticket purchase and ticket hopping. Good organization at the entrance
View original review in Italian
Alfredo
Aug 2024Verified booking
Purchasing tickets on line was easy, intuitive and fast taking advantage of cheaper prices than on other sites. The skip-the-line allowed us to immediately enter the attraction using the fast track dedicated to online purchases that was practically empty while the other two were full of people with very long lines. Using the audio guide was very easy and very intuitive, however, only after the invaluable help we got from the Support Team assistant at the entrance of the Basilica Cisterna by setting up the cell phone correctly with much helpfulness and courtesy. Thank you, it was fatastic to use Headout!
View original review in Italian
Kit
Jul 2024Verified booking
Quick and simple selection of attraction we would like to visit, other than Headout allow you to select each attraction, it also enable you to choose how many attraction per day to visit. We only select 1 attraction a day. This allow us to go in the morning and finish just before noon which is pretty hot in July. We head back to hotel to shower and take a nap 😴. Then head back out after 6pm for dinner and visit attraction to take pictures only from the outside. Sunset and night scene looks very different comparing it to day scene especially at Blue Mosque.
Ileana
Jul 2024Verified booking
The place was out of this world. We don't have to make any line. The staff was very friendly. Were tennis shoes (no heels).
Virginia
Jun 2024Verified booking
The best thing about buying tickets with Headout was not having to wait in line! The tour is impressive and very well organized. I was really impressed with the experience and recommend it for its historical value.
View original review in Spanish
Marianela
Jun 2024Verified booking
The experience at the Basilica Cistern is incredible. I purchased tickets that allowed me to enter without waiting in line, and I was able to get in quickly. The basilica is marvelous, with stunning lights and artistic displays to enjoy. On the downside, there's no mobile signal inside the cistern. Although I had downloaded the app for a virtual guided tour, it wasn't available within the basilica. It would have been very considerate of them to inform visitors of this when purchasing tickets. So, you could decide whether to listen to the guide before or after entering the basilica. Alternatively, providing an option to download the guide for offline use would be ideal. Despite this, I highly recommend visiting the Basilica Cistern.
Annette
Jun 2024Verified booking
The online ticket system was super easy and convenient. We arrived and entered without any line ups. The Basilica Cistern is breathtaking, Beautiful, spectacular and a must do whilst in Istanbul.
Amra
May 2024Verified booking
The skip-the-line ticket is worth every penny. We were quickly inside and were able to enjoy the beautiful basilica without waiting in line. Buying and paying for tickets online is easy. I highly recommend it. The basilica itself was incredible. It's nice to see a piece of history and enjoy the beautiful views.
Clelia
May 2024Verified booking
It was a wonderful visit, the site is beautiful. As expected, we didn't wait in line and it was easy to get in. We recommend taking the guided tour to get more details about the cisterns. It is a must see place in Istanbul.
View original review in Spanish
Monica
May 2024Verified booking
The Basilica Cistern is impressive. Is beautiful, incredibly stunning. To visit is a must while in Istanbul. Using the "skip the line" tickets was the best. From bying and downloading the app and walking in took us less than 10 minutes while the line to buy the tickets was very long. We did not do any line or waiting or nothing. We highly recommend it.
Lynne
May 2024Verified booking
So glad we found these online tickets! We visited later in the day, which meant limited remaining open time, so we only had to wait in the long security line. Ww would have liked to have more guidance, or an escort, regarding where to go after picking up the tickets, but we figured it out. The audio tour was only for one person and there were two of us, so that was only OK. That said, getting to visit the Hagia Sophia was wonderful and well worth the effort to get there.
L.A.
May 2024Verified booking
Arrived a few minutes after 9am opening to find a line half way up the block, but then realized I chose the SKIP THE LINE option, I breezed in. There are two lines, one along the wall and the other STL option right next to it but sort of street side. I was maybe one of the first 20 people in the door Very pleased I went with that option. A tiny bit disappointed that the downloaded audio didn't work, I had listed to it the night before so I had a good idea what to expect, but would have been nice if it had worked as advertised.
Patricia
May 2024Verified booking
Instrucciones sencillas,descarga de la guía correcta y funcionó sin datos móviles durante toda la visita a la basilica cisterna.muy recomendable.
Romana
May 2024Verified booking
Ottimo il servizio di biglietti in Line siamo entrati senza fila. Il posto è veramente incredibile Complimenti anche per come sono allestite le luci. L'esperienza della visita è stata veramente unica. Un posto bellissimo!
Patricia
May 2024Verified booking
Having purchased my ticket early, we avoided the very long lines. The Cistern was amazing! Words can't describe. Stunning!
Judith
Apr 2024Verified booking
The speed with which we were able to enter and the explanations about the Cistern Basilica. We had read them beforehand so that we could take a closer look at the details.
View original review in Spanish
Julia
Apr 2024Verified booking
Fue una gran experiencia. Disfrutamos mucho el caminar entre las columnas. El único detalle es que pagamos audioguia y no pudimos utilizarla porque nunca pudimos conectarnos a Internet
Virgil
Apr 2024Verified booking
I caught a good day and was lucky to be there before all the tourists crowded the basilica. Very interesting with many thoughts that teleport you back in time. From my point of view, worth seeing.
View original review in German
Robert
Mar 2024Verified booking
It was a very interesting experience. I love being in such old structures and the fact that it was featured in movies and videogames, it makes it even better
Tatjana
Oct 2024Verified booking
Breathtaking place! We loved we skipped very long line and enter in a few minutes!
Javier
Oct 2024Verified booking
Fast, easy entries and very attentive staff.
View original review in Spanish
María
Oct 2024Verified booking
The organization to enter, very interesting, the platforms allow you to go all over the site.
View original review in Spanish
Combos
Istanbul Super Combo: Topkapi Palace + Hagia Sophia + Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Tickets with Audio Guide
from €131.40
€121.53
8% off
- This combo lets you skip the lines for Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, and Basilica Cistern all in one go! Perfect for time-conscious travelers and history buffs.
- Explore the Sultan's lavish chambers at the Topkapi Palace, including the Harem, and marvel at the Imperial Treasury's jewels like the Topkapi Dagger.
- Witness the architectural marvel of Hagia Sophia and decipher the cryptic Viking runes etched by ancient visitors, alongside Islamic and Christian art.
- At Basilica Cistern, spot the column that is shaped like the feathers of a peacock, constructed in memory of the slaves who died building it.
- With multilingual audio guides, unlock the secrets of Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia's hidden murals, and the Basilica Cistern's haunting Medusa.
- This combo lets you skip the lines for Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, and Basilica Cistern all in one go! Perfect for time-conscious travelers and history buffs.
- Explore the Sultan's lavish chambers at the Topkapi Palace, including the Harem, and marvel at the Imperial Treasury's jewels like the Topkapi Dagger.
- Witness the architectural marvel of Hagia Sophia and decipher the cryptic Viking runes etched by ancient visitors, alongside Islamic and Christian art.
- At Basilica Cistern, spot the column that is shaped like the feathers of a peacock, constructed in memory of the slaves who died building it.
- With multilingual audio guides, unlock the secrets of Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia's hidden murals, and the Basilica Cistern's haunting Medusa.
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
Topkapi Palace
- Tip: In the first courtyard, don't miss Hagia Irene, the oldest church in Istanbul and one of the oldest unreconstructed buildings in the world.
- This experience is wheelchair accessible.
Hagia Sophia
- Tip: Don't miss the Deesis mosaic, a recently uncovered Byzantine treasure depicting Virgin Mary, Jesus, and John the Baptist in a scene of intercession.
- This tour is not suitable for wheelchair users.
- The prayer area on the first floor can only be entered by Turkish citizens.
Basilica Cistern
- Tip: Look out for exhibitions which combine modern art installations with the cistern's ancient architecture, showcasing Istanbul's evolving character.
- This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Reviews
How do we collect reviews?
Snapshots from our guests
4.0
3,111 ratings
1.7K
596
268
273
297
Guests from United States, Spain, Italy and over 97 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Marcella
Oct 2024Verified booking
The. Palace is marvelous, thoughtful and friendly assistance, unfortunately the audio guide was inaccessible and the internet coverage was partial, so we were not. Managed to translate all the explanations and we. Understood little
View original review in Italian
Liliana
Oct 2024Verified booking
It was a surprise to enter such an old and well preserved site, the lighting is perfect and the modern sculptures installed there add a lot of character, we loved not having to wait in line to enter especially because the day was very hot and it is always visited by many people.
View original review in Spanish
Romana
Oct 2024Verified booking
The gentleman who came for us was funny and nice. He was well understood. The tour itself was wonderful. It is a pity that in the palace there is no property or other things to look at.
This review is translated. Show original review.
Rodopi
Oct 2024Verified booking
Very beautiful and unique place! With e-ticket, I didn't had to wait in line (which was very long!). Audio also worked very well. Definitely worth it!!
Ionescu
Sep 2024Verified booking
We've skipped the lines for tickets. Especially at Cisterna. Super fast entry. At Aya Sofia there was a line for security and entry. But was fast enough. Good choice we bought the tickets online. Saved a lot of time and no more waiting in the heat and sun.
Savoldi
Aug 2024Verified booking
Beautiful experience. The basilica is a goosebump show. Guide in Italian using cell phone. Online ticket purchase and ticket hopping. Good organization at the entrance
View original review in Italian
Alfredo
Aug 2024Verified booking
Purchasing tickets on line was easy, intuitive and fast taking advantage of cheaper prices than on other sites. The skip-the-line allowed us to immediately enter the attraction using the fast track dedicated to online purchases that was practically empty while the other two were full of people with very long lines. Using the audio guide was very easy and very intuitive, however, only after the invaluable help we got from the Support Team assistant at the entrance of the Basilica Cisterna by setting up the cell phone correctly with much helpfulness and courtesy. Thank you, it was fatastic to use Headout!
View original review in Italian
Humera
Aug 2024Verified booking
Straight forward tour, enjoyed being able to have my own time flexibility. Loved the sacred relics and all the historical architecture. However audio guide only covered the entrance really.
Simone
Aug 2024Verified booking
The meeting point is near the main entrance easily recognizable. The guide is ONLY for entering inside the palace and does not give instructions or ticket to visit the Harem area. Beware of this as Harem turns out to be extra charged and if not ticketed they will not let you in. Ask the guide for instructions now!!!
View original review in Italian
Kit
Jul 2024Verified booking
Quick and simple selection of attraction we would like to visit, other than Headout allow you to select each attraction, it also enable you to choose how many attraction per day to visit. We only select 1 attraction a day. This allow us to go in the morning and finish just before noon which is pretty hot in July. We head back to hotel to shower and take a nap 😴. Then head back out after 6pm for dinner and visit attraction to take pictures only from the outside. Sunset and night scene looks very different comparing it to day scene especially at Blue Mosque.
Ileana
Jul 2024Verified booking
The place was out of this world. We don't have to make any line. The staff was very friendly. Were tennis shoes (no heels).
Dirk
Jun 2024Verified booking
We loved the beautiful palace at the impressive location at the Bosporus. The palace is well preserved. Information about the harem could be more informative, there were for instance no stories about the harem. The ticket service also could be better. First it was not clear where to get the Headout tickets. We got the tickets from a guide, but the guide only accompanied us to the palace but did not follow us into the palace. So we did not get more information from the guide after entering the palace. In spite of these points of criticism the overall impression was great, we are glad we have visited this very impressive beautiful palace.
Virginia
Jun 2024Verified booking
The best thing about buying tickets with Headout was not having to wait in line! The tour is impressive and very well organized. I was really impressed with the experience and recommend it for its historical value.
View original review in Spanish
Naho
Jun 2024Verified booking
The guide's explanation of the highlight was accurate. I was able to see the main parts of the palace in less than 2 hours.
Marianela
Jun 2024Verified booking
The experience at the Basilica Cistern is incredible. I purchased tickets that allowed me to enter without waiting in line, and I was able to get in quickly. The basilica is marvelous, with stunning lights and artistic displays to enjoy. On the downside, there's no mobile signal inside the cistern. Although I had downloaded the app for a virtual guided tour, it wasn't available within the basilica. It would have been very considerate of them to inform visitors of this when purchasing tickets. So, you could decide whether to listen to the guide before or after entering the basilica. Alternatively, providing an option to download the guide for offline use would be ideal. Despite this, I highly recommend visiting the Basilica Cistern.
Vekshana
Jun 2024Verified booking
Easy to get there and apart from the initial part where the tour guide needs to lead you into the harem area, you are free to look around at your leisure. Audio guide app doesn't work but you can download a guide from the website although sometimes the areas can get confusing.
Annette
Jun 2024Verified booking
The online ticket system was super easy and convenient. We arrived and entered without any line ups. The Basilica Cistern is breathtaking, Beautiful, spectacular and a must do whilst in Istanbul.
Amra
May 2024Verified booking
The skip-the-line ticket is worth every penny. We were quickly inside and were able to enjoy the beautiful basilica without waiting in line. Buying and paying for tickets online is easy. I highly recommend it. The basilica itself was incredible. It's nice to see a piece of history and enjoy the beautiful views.
Clelia
May 2024Verified booking
It was a wonderful visit, the site is beautiful. As expected, we didn't wait in line and it was easy to get in. We recommend taking the guided tour to get more details about the cisterns. It is a must see place in Istanbul.
View original review in Spanish
Monica
May 2024Verified booking
The Basilica Cistern is impressive. Is beautiful, incredibly stunning. To visit is a must while in Istanbul. Using the "skip the line" tickets was the best. From bying and downloading the app and walking in took us less than 10 minutes while the line to buy the tickets was very long. We did not do any line or waiting or nothing. We highly recommend it.
Btissame
May 2024Verified booking
The guide was very well informed and got us through all the lines very quickly. He gave us all the information we needed, including tips on how to make the most of this visit. I really recommend. Expecially if you have children (skip the line really does mean skip the line)
Lynne
May 2024Verified booking
So glad we found these online tickets! We visited later in the day, which meant limited remaining open time, so we only had to wait in the long security line. Ww would have liked to have more guidance, or an escort, regarding where to go after picking up the tickets, but we figured it out. The audio tour was only for one person and there were two of us, so that was only OK. That said, getting to visit the Hagia Sophia was wonderful and well worth the effort to get there.
L.A.
May 2024Verified booking
Arrived a few minutes after 9am opening to find a line half way up the block, but then realized I chose the SKIP THE LINE option, I breezed in. There are two lines, one along the wall and the other STL option right next to it but sort of street side. I was maybe one of the first 20 people in the door Very pleased I went with that option. A tiny bit disappointed that the downloaded audio didn't work, I had listed to it the night before so I had a good idea what to expect, but would have been nice if it had worked as advertised.
Patricia
May 2024Verified booking
Instrucciones sencillas,descarga de la guía correcta y funcionó sin datos móviles durante toda la visita a la basilica cisterna.muy recomendable.
Romana
May 2024Verified booking
Ottimo il servizio di biglietti in Line siamo entrati senza fila. Il posto è veramente incredibile Complimenti anche per come sono allestite le luci. L'esperienza della visita è stata veramente unica. Un posto bellissimo!
Guided Tours
Combo: Basilica Cistern + Blue Mosque + Hagia Sophia Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Tickets
- Enjoy a guided tour of 3 of Istanbul’s iconic attractions with this one combo ticket that you can use in 1 day or over a span of 2 days.
- Skip the lines and enter the 4th-century Basilica Cistern, an underground reservoir from the Byzantine times, with an expert English-speaking guide.
- Admire the artwork here with raised wooden platforms and aesthetic vaulted ceilings as you to the mystery of Medusa heads from Greek mythology.
- Soak up the architectural charm and beauty of the Blue Mosque as you admire the hand-painted blue tiles that adorn the mosque’s interior walls.
- See the 5 main domes, 6 minarets, and 8 secondary domes and learn about Byzantine and Ottoman heritage, Islam and Istanbul’s rich heritage from your guide.
- Enter Hagia Sophia with skip-the-line access, an important monument both for the Byzantine and the Ottoman Empires and admire its architectural beauty.
- Enjoy a guided tour of 3 of Istanbul’s iconic attractions with this one combo ticket that you can use in 1 day or over a span of 2 days.
- Skip the lines and enter the 4th-century Basilica Cistern, an underground reservoir from the Byzantine times, with an expert English-speaking guide.
- Admire the artwork here with raised wooden platforms and aesthetic vaulted ceilings as you to the mystery of Medusa heads from Greek mythology.
- Soak up the architectural charm and beauty of the Blue Mosque as you admire the hand-painted blue tiles that adorn the mosque’s interior walls.
- See the 5 main domes, 6 minarets, and 8 secondary domes and learn about Byzantine and Ottoman heritage, Islam and Istanbul’s rich heritage from your guide.
- Enter Hagia Sophia with skip-the-line access, an important monument both for the Byzantine and the Ottoman Empires and admire its architectural beauty.
Inclusions
Basilica Cistern
- 30-min guided tour of the Basilica Cistern
- Skip-the-line ticket to Basilica Cistern
- Expert English-speaking guide
Blue Mosque
- 60-min guided tour of the Blue Mosque
- Entry to the Blue Mosque
- English-speaking guide
Hagia Sophia
- 60-min guided tour of Hagia Sophia
- Skip-the-line tickets to Hagia Sophia
- English-speaking tour guide
- Audio guide inside Hagia Sophia
Basilica Cistern
- Tip: The underground cistern is dark and damp, which can lead to a drop in temperature. It’s best to carry a light cardigan to keep yourself warm.
Blue Mosque
- Tip: Look out for decorations and items inside the mosque inscribed with the names of the caliphs and verses from the Quran.
- This tour is not available on Tuesdays.
- Please note that the security line can take up to 60 minutes in the high season.
- If you do not have a scarf or body cover, you can buy them at the entrance (a scarf is 1€ and a body cover is 3€).
Hagia Sophia
- Tip: Don’t forget to make a wish at one of Hagia Sophia’s columns, known as the ‘wishing column.’ Legend has it that if you poke your finger through a hole in the column and your finger emerges wet, your wishes will come true and you’ll be cured of any illness. No harm in trying!
- This tour is not available on Tuesdays.
- Please expect a considerable wait time as you enter the attraction, especially during holidays and weekends.
- Security checks at Hagia Sophia take approximately 30 minutes.
- Since it is a religious place, guests are requested to wear clothes that cover their arms and head.
- While photography is allowed, all visitors are requested to refrain from turning on flash and using bulky accessories like tripods.
- Hagia Sophia may be closed during prayer times as it is a place of religious worship.
- These tickets are valid for 2 days from the date of experience.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
- These tickets are valid for 2 days from the date of purchase.
Reviews
How do we collect reviews?
Snapshots from our guests
4.1
344 ratings
184
90
26
13
31
Guests from United States, United Kingdom, Italy and over 51 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Marta
Aug 2024Verified booking
Skip the line tickets were the best thing we could do, it saved us hours of waiting in long queues under the sun. The group was quite small which make it easy to hear our guide. Our guide was great, he spoke very good English and explained everything in a very interesting way. I really liked that he also told us about Turkish history, culture, current situation in the country etc., I found it very interesting. Hagia Sofia was amazing and breathtaking. Basilica cistern was a big surprise, it's a beautiful place worth visiting. The time given in each place was enough for exploration and pictures. The tour overall took 4 hours. I highly recommend this tour when in Istanbul.
Maruen
Aug 2024Verified booking
Arda, our guide, was awesome even tho it was sometimes hard to hear every word he said (to be fair every place we saw was quite crowded). Also the skip the line feature is super useful! There is enough time to take pics and buy water or food during the tour
Eduardo
Jun 2024Verified booking
The Headout service was so good, the guide explanation was clear and he was supported with some additional photos and complementary information. In my case I had a little incident, I lost my guide outside Blue Mosque, fortunately one guide of Headout supported me to find my group. Thanks so much to save my visit!
Goran
Jun 2024Verified booking
Our guide (Haluk Barlas) was very knowledgeable, witty, and well-organized. He showed us a lot of hidden gems inside Basilica Cistern, Blue Mosque, and Hagia Sophia. Our guide kept the focus of the group by asking some basic questions about the history and culture of the monuments we were visiting. This participation and interaction elevated the whole experience to another level.
Moscicki
Aug 2024Verified booking
Amazing day with amazing guide
YUEN
Jul 2024Verified booking
Excellent The guide us professional
Gillian
Jul 2024Verified booking
Great tour guide who was very informative. Did not rush us through the cistern so that we could appreciate it fully
River
Jun 2024Verified booking
A great walking tour that suits our preferences n timing. Good knowledgeable guide !
Rafael
Jun 2024Verified booking
The guide was perfect! Places were amazing. No line with this combo.
Christian
Mar 2025Verified booking
We got in quickly Unfortunately in English The guide was quite strict and not relaxed He was more of a boss than a tourist guide There was no audioguite but except in the Hagia Sophia where the preacher was so loud, we understood everything
View original review in German
Tarlin
Mar 2025Verified booking
Our guide Mohammed was very enthusiastic, knowledgeable and kind. He gave a lot of details that others would not. He also taught us Turkish words and gave us recommendations to eat and visit. A must go tour. Very easy to book and really wonderful attractions. Don't miss it.
Armando
Mar 2025Verified booking
Tour guy was very knowledgeable of the Istanbul history. Great way to get into the historical places with the passes. We did not spend time waiting on the lines.
Esther
Mar 2025Verified booking
Detailed explanations and at a good pace. Despite being a visit in English and q in group we were several whose native language is different the guide adapted to us and our level.
View original review in Spanish
Ferri
Feb 2025Verified booking
Experience to be had here in Istanbul especially with the guide who took us through all the explanation necessary to understand the whole history up to the present day. Skip the line is essential to avoid long waits.
View original review in Italian
Theodoros
Feb 2025Verified booking
Glad we took the combo, we had a great experience visiting these amazing monuments. And our guide Ali gave us many details about the history of the places we visited. Totally recommended.
María
Jan 2025Verified booking
Our guides were great, nice, supportive , patient. The whole combo was ideal to see into one single shot. Skip the line was worthy.
santosh
Jan 2025Verified booking
The guide who conducted the walking tour was excellent. Very knowledgeable and professional. The tour was organised very well too. Overall a fabulous experience.
Javier
Dec 2024Verified booking
Recommended!! It was very easy to find the tour guide and he knew how to explain about the history of the Mosques. They provided us with headphones to hear better what he was talking. Very patient and attentive. Also with no cues! Fantastic
Niels
Dec 2024Verified booking
We were blessed with a great guide named Mehmet who provided us with information on the sides and about culture and life in Istanbul. He further took care of everyones personal needs like extended pauses for food and drinks!
Naike
Nov 2024Verified booking
Beautiful and very interesting tour, Ali very kind guide, made us spend 4 hours without ever getting bored and telling us many historical anecdotes of this fantastic city
View original review in Italian
Niall
Nov 2024Verified booking
The history of the area. Seeing all the attractions. Tour guide was very engaging and knowledgeable. Being guided throughout and skipping the queues.
Ioan
Nov 2024Verified booking
Great introduction to the city history and culture! Seeing this amazing constructions,having Arda as a passionate and so knowledgeable guide helped us made this trip the highlight of the year!
Jennifer
Oct 2024Verified booking
Tour was fantastic with Busa - she was really informative and had a lovely sense of humour. Everything ran on time and the time at each place was perfect.
Valentina
Oct 2024Verified booking
Our guide Buse was really nice and knowledgable We skipped all the lines and got to know interesting facts about Istanbul history Good price for what you get
Tina
Oct 2024Verified booking
Our guide was so knowledgeable about each of the places we went, and he was very patient with our questions and keeping us all together.
- With the Istanbul MegaPass, access 2 to 9 attractions in 7 days with Classic, Premium, or Deluxe passes, saving up to 34% on individual ticket costs.
- Head to 2 attractions like the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, Turkish Hammam, Dolmabahce Palace, and more with the Classic pass.
- What's more? Every pass comes with a free Bosphorus cruise, Blue Mosque tour, transportation card, route maps, and audio guides for all attractions.
- Emails with all tickets to the selected attraction will be delivered straight to your inbox so you can rest assured and plan your adventure.
- Choose the Premium or the all-inclusive Deluxe pass to visit 4 or 9 attractions. More exploration at a great deal!
- With the Istanbul MegaPass, access 2 to 9 attractions in 7 days with Classic, Premium, or Deluxe passes, saving up to 34% on individual ticket costs.
- Head to 2 attractions like the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, Turkish Hammam, Dolmabahce Palace, and more with the Classic pass.
- What's more? Every pass comes with a free Bosphorus cruise, Blue Mosque tour, transportation card, route maps, and audio guides for all attractions.
- Emails with all tickets to the selected attraction will be delivered straight to your inbox so you can rest assured and plan your adventure.
- Choose the Premium or the all-inclusive Deluxe pass to visit 4 or 9 attractions. More exploration at a great deal!
Inclusions
- Choice of 2/4/9 of Istanbul's top attractions
- Attractions: Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, Dolmabahce Palace
- Cruises: Bosphorus cruise, Dinner cruise on Bosphorus with Turkish drinks and food
- Tours: Asian side walking tour, Blue Mosque tour,
- Access to hop on hop off bus tour
- Activities: Dervish Ceremony, Turkish bath & Hamam
- 5-ride transportation card
- Digital guide book
- City, tram & metro map
- Get the list of included attractions here.
- No reservation is needed for any activity except the Bosphorus Dinner cruise.
- Each pass is valid for 7 consecutive days including the first day of use.
- You can visit multiple attractions in a day but you can only visit each attraction once with this pass.
- You do have skip-the-line access but you will still need to go through security.
- You'll receive tickets for all attractions you have selected in an email, and you'll receive tickets for all attractions if you've chosen the Deluxe pass.
- You can show the PDF digitally on your phone, or get a physical pass printed if you like.
- You can change the chosen attractions as many times as you want, or you can cancel the pass free of charge up to 1 day before the service date.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Reviews
How do we collect reviews?
Snapshots from our guests
4.1
61 ratings
35
13
3
3
7
Guests from France, United States, Spain and over 26 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Edis
Oct 2024Verified booking
Everything is fine, you just have to make sure that you read your emails! It took us a while to find the checkpoint!
View original review in German
Raquel
Jan 2025Verified booking
The experience of taking the ticket and pass without queues is excellent, they accompany you to the entrance of topkapi, we were 3 friends and we took the premium megapass. The transport card is very good, it includes 5 trips and then you can recharge them in the machines of any transport. The audio guides are good. The only but, the guided tour of the Blue Mosque is not worth much, it is in English and they do not explain much.
View original review in Spanish
KARMANN
Nov 2024Verified booking
The fike-cutters are very practical for St Sophia and the Cistern Basilica, but not very efficient for Topkapi. The cruise is very pleasant and the sightseeing buses always interesting for a first visit to the city.
View original review in French
muller
Dec 2024Verified booking
Good, do it after 16:00, less waiting.
View original review in French
diana
Dec 2024Verified booking
All perfect Great pass to skip the line
View original review in Italian
Clemencia
Nov 2024Verified booking
Instructions were clear and easy to follow. Very convenient. The customer service is superb and very helpful!
Ashley
Oct 2024Verified booking
Loved how you could choose which attractions to visit and loved how you could visit on your own schedule!!
Kőrösi
Oct 2024Verified booking
Skip the line really did work! Great!
Pierre
Oct 2024Verified booking
Buying the megacard was a god proposition
View original review in Dutch
SHAMIDAH
Oct 2024Verified booking
Very convenient, well organised and a lot of time saved by booking events online
Deep
Oct 2024Verified booking
Value and customer service was great!
TANJIL
Oct 2024Verified booking
Well organized, everything went Very smooth. Highly recommend. Customer service(whats app) is excellent.
Donatella
Mar 2025Verified booking
Torben
Mar 2025Verified booking
Vittorio
Jan 2025Verified booking
Giordano
Jan 2025Verified booking
YAIZA
Dec 2024Verified booking
Omair
Dec 2024Verified booking
Oana
Nov 2024Verified booking
Nathalie
Nov 2024Verified booking
Corentin
Nov 2024Verified booking
Clare
Oct 2024Verified booking
Henchel
Oct 2024Verified booking
Mehdi
Oct 2024Verified booking
Kourtesi
Oct 2024Verified booking
Top things to do in Istanbul
Why visit the Basilica Cistern, Turkey?
- Historical significance: Delve into history as you wander through this Byzantine wonder. Learn about the cistern's role in ancient Constantinople's water supply system and its intriguing past, including its transformation into a popular tourist attraction.
- Subterranean serenity: Immerse yourself in the tranquil ambiance of the Basilica Cistern's subterranean world. The dimly lit pathways, coupled with the gentle sound of water, create a serene atmosphere, making it a perfect escape from the bustling city above.
- Marvel at ancient engineering: See the stunning architecture of the underground Basilica Cistern, with large corridors and 336 marble columns highlighting the ingenuity of Byzantine engineering.
- Experience a visual spectacle: The grand architecture of the underground cistern, highlighted by the soft glow of strategically placed lights, turns your visit into a visual spectacle.
- Sculpture art: The two columns at the north-western part of the Basilica Cistern display some of the most beautiful sculpture art, including its famous Medusa Heads. It was believed that Medusa, one of the Gorgon monsters, would guard the Basilica.
Which Basilica Cistern ticket is best for you?
If you are short on time
Go for: skip-the-line tickets
Duration: around 1 hour
Guide: Multilingual audio guide
- With these Basilica Cistern skip the line tickets, you can bypass long lines at the Basilica Cistern and spend more time exploring the beauty and history of the underground cistern.
- You can also upgrade your ticket to include a multilingual audio guide or avail of a combo offer that includes access to the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.
Recommended tours:
If you are a history enthusiast
Go for: guided tours
Duration: Flexible
Guide: Expert English-speaking tour guide and an audio guide in over 8 languages
- This guided tour includes a professional tour guide to acquaint you with the construction process and cultural significance of the Basilica Cistern.
- Take advantage of skip the line access and a multilingual audio guide to learn about the Basilica Cistern museum in any language of your choice.
Recommended tours:
If you want to explore beyond
Go for: combo tickets and Istanbul passes
Duration: Flexible
Guide: Expert English-speaking tour guide or an audio guide, depending on the ticket option
- Visit a variety of attractions like the Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, and Blue Mosque with a single combo ticket.
- Enjoy discounts on combo tickets or get the Headout Saver Pass with 3 days skip the line acsess to Istanbul's top attractions.
Recommended tours:
What to see at the Basilica Cistern?
Stone columns
The ceiling of the Basilica Cistern is supported by 336 tall marble columns, each 9 meters high. Check out the interesting designs and strange patterns on these pillars, which are even older than the Basilica itself.
Medusa’s Heads
The Basilica Cistern has two Medusa heads at the base of two columns, with one positioned horizontally and the other inverted. These ancient artifacts capture attention with their unsettling aura and unclear historical background.
Weeping Pillar
To commemorate the sacrifice of 7000 slaves during the construction of the cistern, a standalone pillar had been carved. Named the ‘Weeping Pillar’, it has trees, branches, and peacocks carved on its surface. It also resembles a hen’s eye with tears and angled branches.
Water reflections
Nowadays, the Basilica Cistern only has a shallow water level, letting visitors see the old structures that used to be underwater. The calm water creates beautiful reflections of the dimly-lit structures.
Plan your visit to the Basilica Cistern
Timings
Location
Facilities
Visitor tips
Stay
Open: every day of the year
Hours: 9 AM to 10 PM
Duration of visit: 30 mins to 1 hour
Best time to visit Basilica Cistern: April to May and September to October to enjoy pleasant temperatures in Istanbul.
Basilica Cistern timings
Address: Alemdar, Yerebatan Cd. 1/3, 34110 Fatih, Turkey.
Find on maps
- By bus: BN1, TB2
Nearest stop: Sultanahmet Square - By train: Marmaray (Atakoy to Pendik) and Marmaray (Halkali to Gebze)
Nearest stop: Marmaray Square or Sultanahmet Square - By tram: T1
Nearest stop: Sultanahmet Square - By metro: M2
Nearest stop: Sultanahmet Square - By car: The distance from the Istanbul Airport to the Basilica Cistern is 45.4 km.
Nearest parking: Dalbasti Parking, Ispark 540, and Kabasakal Medrese Onu
- Accessibility: There are elevators and ramps at the entrance of the Basilica Cistern to help visitors with limited mobility in navigating the space. You have to bring your own wheelchair or stroller.
- Multimedia guide: Basilica Cistern guided tours and audio guides are available to make your visit a memorable one.
- Photography: You are allowed to take pictures with a mobile phone or camera inside the Basilica Cistern. However, you are not allowed to enter inside with a tripod.
- Gift shops: Located at the hub of Istanbul, the Basilica Cistern has several gift shops nearby. You will find many trinkets and souvenirs in these shops.
- Wear comfortable shoes: The floor of the cistern is quite slippery, so make sure to wear your most comfortable, closed shoes to explore the interiors.
- Wear a cardigan: Since the Cistern is a damp place, there is a significant drop in temperature underground. Carry a light cardigan on your visit there.
- Mind the stairs: You have to descend around 52 stairs to reach the colonnades in the cistern. Mind your step when descending them.
- Arrive early: Early mornings are cool and pleasant and are the best time to avoid crowds.
- Book guided tours: The most structured way to explore the long colonnades of the Basilica Cistern is to book guided tours. An expert tour guide will take you through the rich history and cultural significance of the cistern. You can also opt for an audio-guided tour and explore the cistern at your own pace.
Here is the list of some of the best hotels near Basilica Cistern:
Beyond the Basilica Cistern
Hagia Sophia
The Hagia Sophia Mosque is a standing testament to the changing dynasties in Istanbul. Originally built as a Greek Orthodox Church, the Hagia Sophia is now a grand mosque.
Visit the Hagia Sophia
Topkapi Palace
Topkapi Palace was built in the mid-15th century and was the royal residence and administrative center for the Ottoman Sultans for more than four centuries.
Visit the Topkapi Palace
Blue Mosque
The Sultan Ahmed Mosque, popularly known as the Blue Mosque is known for its interior ceramic art, central dome, minarets, marble structures, and landscape art.
Visit the Blue Mosque
Dolmabahce Palace
The Dolmabahce Palace boasts a fusion of European and Ottoman influences, with enormous chandeliers, well-maintained gardens, and lavish interiors.
Visit the Dolmabahce PalaceFrequently asked questions about Basilica Cistern tickets
Where can I buy Basilica Cistern tickets?
Purchase Basilica Cistern tickets online because it is less time-consuming, saves money, and secures your spot in advance. You can also chance upon great deals and discounts when booking Basilica Cistern online tickets.
What is the cost of Basilica Cistern tickets?
You can avail of Basilica Cistern skip the line tickets at €24. The Basilica Cistern guided tour tickets are around €26. These tickets also allow you to skip ahead of long lines at the cistern.
What are the different types of Basilica Cistern tours available?
There are 3 kinds of Basilica Cistern tours and tickets available for you to choose from- skip-the-line tickets, guided tours, and combo tickets. Basilica Cistern guided tours are perfect for exploring the cistern in depth while the combo tickets are perfect for visitors who want to plan a day trip in and around Sultanahmet. You can explore the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace along with the cistern.
Do my Basilica Cistern tickets include skip-the-line access?
Yes, you can avoid crowds and skip ahead of long lines with your Basilica Cistern tickets. Depending on the ticket you purchase, you can avail of an audio guide in over 8 languages with your skip-the-line tickets.
Are Basilica Cistern guided tours available?
Yes, Basilica Cistern guided tour tickets are available for purchase. You can choose between an English or Spanish-speaking tour guide. You can also enjoy priority access to the attraction with these guided tour tickets.
What is Basilica Cistern?
The Basilica Cistern in Istanbul, Turkey, is an underground water storage system built during the 6th century. Constructed during the reign of Emperor Justinian I, this underground cistern provided water to the nearby Great Palace of Constantinople and other important buildings in the city. It is an engineering marvel of the yesteryears that offers visitors a glimpse into Istanbul's past.
What are some of the highlights of the Basilica Cistern?
The long colonnades, dimly-lit interiors, the Medusa Heads, and the Weeping Column are some of the most interesting highlights of the Basilica Cistern. Each of these features has legends and anecdotes surrounding them.
Where is Basilica Cistern located?
The Basilica Cistern, also known as the Yerebatan Cistern, is located on Alemdar, Yerebatan Cd. 1/3, 34110 Fatih in Turkey.
What are the timings of the Basilica Cistern?
The Basilica Cistern is open from 9 AM to 7 PM every day throughout the year.
What facilities are available in the Basilica Cistern?
The Basilica Cistern has ramps and elevators to accommodate visitors with limited mobility. You can also bring prams and strollers inside the cistern.
Is the Basilica Cistern wheelchair-accessible?
While the cistern offers ramps and elevators for visitors on wheelchairs, you have to be very careful inside the underground cavern. Although the water has been drained during the restoration, the inside is still quite damp and slippery.
Is photography allowed in the Basilica Cistern?
Yes, you can click pictures inside the Basilica Cistern. Try to avoid using tripods and other commercial equipment that may disturb other visitors.
Should I buy Basilica Cistern tickets in advance?
Yes, since its restoration in the 20th century, the Basilica Cistern has emerged as one of the most popular tourist destinations in Istanbul. So booking tickets in advance to secure your spot is a smart choice.
More reads
Millions love heading out with us
Liliana
oct., 2024
+ 1 more
It was a surprise to enter such an old and well preserved site, the lighting is perfect and the modern sculptures installed there add a lot of character, we loved not having to wait in line to enter especially because the day was very hot and it is always visited by many people.
View original review in Spanish
Skip-the-Line Tickets to Basilica Cistern
Jose
Mexicooct., 2024
It is a wonderful place that we enjoyed very much.
It was very crowded to get in but with our e-ticket we got in right away.
View original review in Spanish
Skip-the-Line Tickets to Basilica Cistern
Paola
Italysept., 2024
I highly recommend buying headout tickets to skip the ticket buying stuff. For the galata tower you have to wait in line a bit even though you have the ticket already purchased, but it is the line needed to take the elevator . . And it is really worth it. Fantastic scenery..instambul was for me the most intense trip so far with a thousand emotions.
View original review in Italian
Galata Tower Entry Tickets with Optional Audio Guide
Borhene
nov., 2021
Great experience with great guides. I asked the support team for a help with whatsApp and they were so reactive. appreciated
Istanbul Museum Pass: Guided Tour + Skip the Line
Tsvetelina
juil., 2022
Our tour guide Hakan was awesome! The service was great, the balance of guided tours excellent for the price we paid. The best information packet and cards were delivered on time and gave ample instructions on redemption. Smooth, simple and god value! Will highly recommend to friends
Istanbul Pass with Access to Top Attractions
Jo
Australiaoct., 2024
Skipping the queue was really handy and having the guide was great. Just to manage expectations he got us through the security areas and then told us a bit about the history of the palace and surrounds. That was great. He pointed out significant collections to go to but didn't take us there himself. That makes sense given it's only a one hour tour. It's a big complex and a lot to see. There were no audio headsets either so you really had to get close to listen which was a bit difficult in a big group.
Guided Tour of Topkapi Palace & Harem with Skip-the-Line Tickets
Fulvio
oct., 2024
Among the greatest experiences I've ever witnessed! Nice contribute from the guide with helpful informations about the complex and insights!
Guided Tour of Topkapi Palace & Harem with Skip-the-Line Tickets
Donna
United Kingdomnov., 2024
Beautiful sight seeing activity
Guide could of done more he was only with us for a short time and felt he could of told us more.
Guided Tour of Basilica Cistern with Skip-the-Line Tickets
Alan
sept., 2024
Able to gain quick access to the attractions and the guide excellent background information prior to using exploring the attraction on our own
Guided Tour of Basilica Cistern with Skip-the-Line Tickets
Francesca
juin, 2024
The celerity in entering the attractions by skipping the line .
The audio guide for Topkapi Palace did not work, only the one for Saint Sophia
View original review in Italian
Combo Guided Tours with Entry Tickets: Hagia Sophia + Topkapi Palace or Basilica Cistern
Sara
mai, 2024
Bene: Headout ha fornito le entrate e ha permesso di saltare la fila, come descritto nell'offerta di acquisto.
Male: nella descrizione dell'offerta si parlava di audioguida compresa sia per Aya Sofia che per Topkapi, mentre ho ricevuto l'audioguida solo per Aya Sofia.
Organizzazione migliorabile: era chiaro solo il punto di incontro del primo giorno, dove da descrizione sembrava ti dessero i biglietti per entrare in autonomia e alle ore desiderate nelle 3 attrazioni acquistate. Invece ogni entrata doveva essere fissata con una guida, con punti di incontro e orari specifici, ma non ben descritti dalle guide stesse. Nel dubbio di perdersi in questa organizzazione non chiara, anche se avevamo acquistato la possibilità di usufruire delle entrate in 3 giorni, abbiamo preferito visitarle tutte e tre in un giorno, e quindi purtroppo più di fretta di quanto avremmo desiderato.
Combo Guided Tours with Entry Tickets: Hagia Sophia + Topkapi Palace or Basilica Cistern
Oliver
Switzerlandjuin, 2024
The 3 guides for Topkapi, Hagia Sophia and Sultanahmet Mosque, Sunken Palace were excellent: there was helpful information and comments that are not in the guidebook and they were very helpful!
View original review in German
Istanbul Top Museums 3-Day Pass: Guided Tour + Entry Tickets & Free Bosphorus Cruise
Ignacio
déc., 2023
Everything was great, very well organized, the guides were fantastic... only one drawback, it's a pity that there are no guides who speak Spanish.
100% recommendable
View original review in Spanish
Istanbul Top Museums 3-Day Pass: Guided Tour + Entry Tickets & Free Bosphorus Cruise
Laura
oct., 2023
Very good organization. We have been with the guide Seda and she has explained everything very well, very well explained. By taking this experience we got rid of the huge queue we had to enter.
For future trips I will check this website
View original review in Spanish
Skip-the-Line Tickets to Basilica Cistern with Guided Tour in Spanish
Sergio
Colombiaoct., 2023
Fantastic place! Tour Guide very kind! Its a short Visit. About HEadout app, I think Will be better I we can find more information how to go to other cisterns of Istanbul.
Skip-the-Line Tickets to Basilica Cistern with Guided Tour in Spanish
Tarlin
United Kingdommars, 2025
Our guide Mohammed was very enthusiastic, knowledgeable and kind. He gave a lot of details that others would not. He also taught us Turkish words and gave us recommendations to eat and visit. A must go tour. Very easy to book and really wonderful attractions. Don't miss it.
Combo: Basilica Cistern + Blue Mosque + Hagia Sophia Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Tickets
Armando
United Statesmars, 2025
Tour guy was very knowledgeable of the Istanbul history. Great way to get into the historical places with the passes. We did not spend time waiting on the lines.
Combo: Basilica Cistern + Blue Mosque + Hagia Sophia Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Tickets
Dr
Hungarymars, 2024
The guided tour was good.
It was not clear from the material that the 3 sites are not consecutive, but can be switched.
But otherwise it was good.
This review is translated. Show original review.
Combo: Dolmabahce Palace + Hagia Sophia + Basilica Cistern Guided Tour
Nigel
déc., 2024
It made the organising of visiting the attractions much easier. Very happy overall but I would suggest the information regarding were the meeting points are be improved. It's not clear on the information supplied.
Istanbul Combo: Basilica Cistern + Blue Mosque + Bosphorus Cruise Guided Tour & Tickets
Raquel
janv., 2025
The experience of taking the ticket and pass without queues is excellent, they accompany you to the entrance of topkapi, we were 3 friends and we took the premium megapass. The transport card is very good, it includes 5 trips and then you can recharge them in the machines of any transport. The audio guides are good. The only but, the guided tour of the Blue Mosque is not worth much, it is in English and they do not explain much.
View original review in Spanish
Istanbul MegaPass: Skip-the-Line E-Tickets for Top Attractions