Basilica Cistern guided tours

• 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 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

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.

• 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.

• Avoid waiting in line outside the ancient Basilica Cistern with these skip-the-line tickets.
• Meet your expert English-speaking guide at the designated meeting point and enter the monument.
• The Basilica Cistern was built back in 532 AD and is one of Istanbul’s many hidden underground water reservoirs.
• According to Greek mythology, Medusa used to guard this building herself - you can even see two Medusa heads at the base of columns here.
• See the illuminated marble and granite columns and learn about how different eras used different materials to build them.
• Explore two more of Istanbul's iconic landmarks, Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque with an upgrade.

Inclusions

• Expert English-speaking guide
• Skip the line ticket to Basilica Cistern
• Hagia Sophia guided tour (optional)
• Blue Mosque guided tour (optional)
• Audio guide app in 8 languages

• Tip: Ensure your shoes have a good grip as the floors can become very slippery and safeguard your camera from water droplets falling from the ceiling.

• You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

• Ideal for history lovers and explorers, this Istanbul tour offers guided insights, skip-the-line access, and self-paced exploration of the city’s cultural gems.
• Marvel at the Blue Mosque's breathtaking Ottoman architecture, an architectural masterpiece adorned with over 20,000 handmade tiles.
• Skip the line for the mysterious Basilica Cistern. With an audio guide, dive deep into the ancient marvel's history in its atmospheric chambers.
• Roam the vibrant streets of the Old City Sultanahmet, soaking in its rich history with a knowledgeable English-speaking tour guide.
• Choose your preferred Bosphorus Cruise departure, with an enchanting sunset option that paints Istanbul in golden hues, an experience like no other.

Inclusions

• Skip-the-line entry to Basilica Cistern
• Guided tour of Basilica Cistern
• Audio guide in English, German, Italian, Spanish & French (for the Basilica Cistern tour)
• Guided tour of Old City
• Guided tour of Blue Mosque
• 2-hour Bosphorus cruise or sunset cruise (between April to October)
• Headsets

Exclusions

• Skip the security lines at Blue Mosque or Basilica Cistern
• Tour guide on the Bosphorus cruise

• Tip: Don't miss sampling lesser-known Turkish delights like lokum and sekerpare alongside the classic baklava.
• Choose safety and comfort: This experience is not the best fit for mobility issues.
• Strict dress code to visit Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia: 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. If needed, scarves (€1) and body covers (€3) are available at the entrance.
• The Blue Mosque has a security check that may take 30 minutes in the low season and up to 60 minutes in the high season. During this time, your guide will enrich the wait with fascinating stories and insights about Istanbul.
• The Bosphorus cruise departs daily at 12pm and 3pm year-round. Enjoy an extra sunset departure at 6pm from April to October.
• If you can't make the Bosphorus Cruise the same day, you can use the tickets the next day.

• You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

• 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.