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Basilica Cistern guided tours
Headout is an authorized and trusted partner of the venue, offering curated experiences to enjoy this attraction.
Combos
Combo (Save 13%): Basilica Cistern + Hagia Sophia Skip-the-Line Tickets
from €69.50
€60.80
13% 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 23 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.
Combos
Istanbul Super Combo: Topkapi Palace + Hagia Sophia + Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Tickets with Audio Guide
from €123.50
€112.10
9% 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.
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.
- Want to save time and enjoy much flexibility? The Istanbul MegaPass is the one for you! Access multiple attractions with classic, premium, or deluxe passes, valid for 7 days!
- With your pass, enjoy a Bosphorus cruise, Blue Mosque tour, transportation card, route maps, and audio guides for all attractions—saving up to 37%!
- A Classic MegaPass allows you to choose 2 top attractions–Topkapi Palace, and Basilica Cistern, and activities like Turkish Hamam. Find the full list here
- For a more elevated experience choose the Premium or the all-inclusive Deluxe pass to explore more attractions and more flexibility at a great deal!
- Want to save time and enjoy much flexibility? The Istanbul MegaPass is the one for you! Access multiple attractions with classic, premium, or deluxe passes, valid for 7 days!
- With your pass, enjoy a Bosphorus cruise, Blue Mosque tour, transportation card, route maps, and audio guides for all attractions—saving up to 37%!
- A Classic MegaPass allows you to choose 2 top attractions–Topkapi Palace, and Basilica Cistern, and activities like Turkish Hamam. Find the full list here
- For a more elevated experience choose the Premium or the all-inclusive Deluxe pass to explore more attractions and more flexibility 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
- There is no reservation 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 an email shortly afterward with your tickets after you've picked a pass of your choice.
- If you're someone who likes a physical pass, you can print the PDF or show the PDF at the attraction so they scan your QR ticket.
- For the all-inclusive pass, you will also receive all your tickets.
- 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.
Basilica CisternGuided Tours
Top things to do in Istanbul
Which Basilica Cistern guided tour is best for you?
Guided tour with skip-the-line access
Duration: Approximately 1 hour
Suited for: History enthusiasts who are short on time.
Ticket price: €26
Why go for it?
- Skip the long queues and maximize your time exploring the cistern's wonders.
- Gain insights from knowledgeable guides who bring the history of the cistern to life.
- Enjoy access to an audio guide available in 8 languages.
Recommended ticket: Guided Tour of Basilica Cistern with Skip-the-Line Tickets
Combo guided tour
Duration: Approximately 4 hours
Suited for: Travelers interested in exploring multiple landmarks of Istanbul.
Ticket price: €79
Why go for it?
- Explore multiple iconic landmarks without the hassle of separate bookings.
- Enjoy skip-the-line access to the Basilica Cistern, Blue Mosque, and Hagia Sophia, saving time and avoiding queues.
- Benefit from informative commentary from expert guides, providing deeper insights into the city's rich history and culture.
Recommended ticket: Combo: Basilica Cistern + Blue Mosque + Hagia Sophia Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Tickets
Headout Saver Pass
Duration: 3 days
Suited for: Travelers seeking flexibility and convenience while exploring Istanbul's top attractions.
Ticket price: €134
Why go for it?
- Enjoy skip-the-line access to multiple attractions, including the Basilica Cistern, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and more.
- Explore Istanbul at your own pace over three days and enjoy a 25% discount on this ticket.
- Benefit from the services of English-speaking guides who provide informative commentary and assistance throughout your tour.
Recommended ticket: Headout Saver: 3-Day Skip-the-Line Tickets to Top Istanbul Attractions
Why take a Basilica Cistern guided tour?
- Enjoy skip-the-line benefits: Basilica Cistern guided tours not only help you avail of an expert tour guide but also offer skip-the-line privileges. You can save time by avoiding the long lines and make the most of your visit to the cistern with guided tour tickets.
- Understand the history in depth: Booking a guided tour is the best way to acquaint yourself with the history, legends, anecdotes, and stories associated with the byzantine cistern and its construction. Knowing these narratives will help you appreciate Istanbul’s multi-faceted history.
- Explore hidden gems: A tour guide will take you on an organized journey inside the Basilica Cistern. You may also get to see unexplored highlights, that you would not have seen otherwise. Tour guides will also help you navigate language and cultural barriers.
- Get a local's perspective: Tour guides often share local customs, old beliefs, and contemporary reiterations that will help you form a comprehensive idea of the Basilica Cistern. You can also learn about their customs and traditions.
Highlights covered on Basilica Cistern tours
Medusa Heads
One of the most iconic highlights of the cistern is the Medusa Heads, one placed sideways and one situated upside down beneath a column. It is believed that they had been removed from an ancient Roman building.
Long Colonnades
As you enter the cistern, you will notice long marble columns supporting the roof. They cast long and winding reflections on the tranquil water surface, adding a layer of mystery and intrigue to the cistern.
Weeping Column
Around 7000 slaves had labored to build the Basilica Cistern. Several of them died during the 38-year construction period. The cistern has a column, engraved with branches and peacocks to honor their memory.
Frequently asked questions about Basilica Cistern guided tours
Can I book a Basilica Cistern guided tour?
Yes, you can book Basilica Cistern guided tours and learn more about its unique architecture and Byzantine history. An expert tour guide will accompany you throughout the tour.
How can I book a Basilica Cistern guided tour?
It is best to book Basilica Cistern guided tours online to save time and money. You may also chance upon great deals and discounts when booking tours online.
How much does a Basilica Cistern guided tour cost?
Basilica Cistern guided tours price starts from €26. This includes an English or Spanish-speaking tour guide taking you around the attraction. You will also enjoy skip-the-line access and an audio guide app in over 8 languages.
What are the different types of Basilica Cistern guided tours?
You can choose between 3 types of Basilica Cistern guided. Either pick a guided tour with skip the line access to Basilica Cistern or a combo guided tour that includes access to the Basilica Cistern, Blue Mosque, and Hagia Sophia, or a Headout Saver Pass providing skip-the-line tickets to top Istanbul attractions with an English-speaking guide for 3 days.
What is included in Basilica Cistern guided tour tickets?
When you book Basilica Cistern guided tours, you can enjoy skip-the-line benefits, get an expert English or Spanish-speaking tour guide, and also avail of an audio app in over 8 languages to delve deeper into the cistern’s history.
Is booking a Basilica Cistern guided tour worth it?
Yes, if you are interested in Byzantine history and architecture, the Basilica Cistern is a must-visit. The marble columns and waterways take you on a journey through the yesteryears when the ancient underground cistern supplied water to the Great Palace of Constantinople and its surrounding areas.
What does the Basilica Cistern guided tour cover?
An expert English or Spanish-speaking tour guide will accompany you on a journey through the Sunken Water Palace aka the Basilica Cistern. You will get up close with the marble columns along the roof, the Medusa Heads, the Weeping Column, and the pristine water surface.
Do the Basilica Cistern guided tours include skip-the-line access?
Yes, you can enjoy skip-the-line benefits with your Basilica Cistern guided tours.
Can I cancel a booked Basilica Cistern guided tour?
Yes, if you have booked your Basilica Cistern guided tours online, you can cancel them up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund on your purchase.
How long is the Basilica Cistern guided tour?
A Basilica Cistern guided tour lasts for around an hour.
