Basilica Cistern guided tours

Explore 2 of Istanbul’s most famous landmarks with a single ticket & skip the crowds.

Everything you get at Basilica Cistern: Get a quick entry to the Basilica Cistern with the skip-the-line tickets to explore at your own pace, with insights from an audio guide available in 7 languages.

Everything you get at Hagia Sophia: Get a fast-track entry to Hagia Sophia. Access the Upper Gallery and explore key highlights with an included audio guide.

Why choose this combo: See Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque with one discounted combo ticket—two iconic sites, one great deal, just 110 meters apart.

Inclusions Basilica Cistern

• Skip-the-line entry

• Audio guide downloadable in English, German, French, Italian, Russian, Spanish & Turkish

Hagia Sophia

• Skip-the-line entry

• Audio guide downloadable in English, German, French, Italian & Spanish

• Exclusive access to the Upper Gallery visiting area

Basilica Cistern

• Tip: The Basilica Cistern gets busy quickly post mid-morning. For a calmer visit, aim for late afternoon or early evening.
• The Cistern stays cool and damp year-round, with slippery floors. Wear warm clothes and shoes with a good grip to prevent yourself from slipping.
• Don’t leave without seeing the Medusa heads. They’re tucked away at the far end, and worth viewing from every angle!

Hagia Sophia

• Tip: Security checks are mandatory and wait times during peak hours (June to August) can reach up to 60 minutes.
• The ground floor is designated for prayers, while the second floor is open to visitors.
• The tour is not wheelchair accessible.
• During the five daily prayers, certain areas are restricted to tourists. Additionally, Hagia Sophia is closed on Fridays from noon to 2:30pm for the Friday prayer.
• Please dress modestly—your shoulders, arms, and knees should be covered. Women will also need to cover their heads. Scarves are available at the entrance if you forget to bring yours.
• Photography is allowed, but avoid using flash or tripods.
• Large bags, backpacks, food or drinks are not allowed inside the Hagia Sophia.
• Hagia Sophia is under renovation, therefore, not all parts of the building are open to the public.

Explore Istanbul’s 'Big Three' — Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, and the Basilica Cistern — with one flexible, skip-the-line combo ticket.

• Everything you get at Hagia Sophia: Explore the mosaics, domes, and quiet of the Upper Gallery at Hagia Sophia with ease. The included audio guide takes you through it all, from emperor coronations to the rich history of the place.
• Everything you get at Topkapi Palace: Skip long wait lines and enter the Harem's ornate chambers at the Topkapi Palace. Catch the jewel-covered Topkapi Dagger and the Spoonmaker’s Diamond, all with your personal audio storyteller in tow.
• Everything you get at Basilica Cistern: Descend under Istanbul's grounds and marvel at ancient columns, echoing vaults, and Medusa’s icy stares. Take in this experience with an added bonus of skipping long ticket lines and a 7+ language audio guide.
• Why choose this combo: 1 ticket, no transfers, no commute, no stress. All three landmarks are just minutes apart. Perfect combo if you want to save money and enjoy quick skip-the-line access at every stop.

Inclusions Basilica Cistern

• Skip-the-line entry

• Audio guide downloadable in English, German, French, Italian, Russian, Spanish, & Turkish

Hagia Sophia

• Skip-the-line entry

• Access to Hagia Sophia's Upper Gallery visiting area

• Audio guide downloadable in English, German, French, Italian, & Spanish

Topkapi Palace

• Skip-the-line entry

• Access to Topkapi Palace Harem (Royal Apartments & Imperial Hall)

• Access to Topkapi Palace Museum (Treasury & Sacred Relics Room)

• Audio guide downloadable in English, Arabic, French, German, & Spanish

Basilica Cistern

• Tip: Follow the full loop before heading out—the Medusa heads are tucked away at the far end and worth a close look from every angle.
• Skip-the-line tickets are very helpful, but all visitors must go through standard security screening.
• For a more peaceful visit, go early in the morning or later in the afternoon when it’s less crowded. The space feels a lot more serene then!
• The lighting is kept low to preserve the atmosphere. Switch to night mode or steady your phone to capture clearer photos.
• Make sure you wear shoes with good grip to avoid slipping in some areas.

Hagia Sophia

• Tip: Security checks are a must at the venue. During summer months, checks can take extra time with queues stretching into the courtyard.
• Only the Upper Gallery area is open to visitors, while the main floor is reserved for worshippers.
• You cannot enter the mosque during prayer times, so plan your visit around the daily schedule.
• Modest dress is mandatory for all, so make sure you wear clothes that cover your head, shoulders and knees. Headscarves are available at the entrance for women.
• Due to the Friday prayer, the Mosque will be closed to tourists from 12pm to 2pm. For a smoother experience, it's recommended visiting after 4pm to avoid the lengthy security line anticipated between 2pm and 4pm.

Topkapi Palace

• Tip: Don’t miss the Harem—it holds the palace’s most intricate art and architecture.
• Visit early in the morning or in the late afternoon hours to avoid long security lines.
• Skip-the-line tickets bypass ticket queues but not security checks. Checks normally take 30–40 minutes from June to August.
• Some rooms in the Harem do not allow photography, so keep an eye out for signs.
• The Spoonmaker’s Diamond is dimly lit. Pro tip: catch the reflections on the wall to view it clearly.

Inclusions Basilica Cistern

• 1-hour guided tour of Basilica Cistern

• Skip-the-line entry

• Expert English-speaking guide

• Audio app downloadable in English, German, French, Italian, Russian, Spanish, & Turkish

Hagia Sophia

• 2-hour guided tour of Hagia Sophia

• Skip-the-line entry

• Expert English-speaking guide

• Entry to Hagia Sophia Upper Gallery visiting area

• Audio guide downloadable in English, German, French, Italian, & Spanish

Blue Mosque

• Entry and 1-hour guided tour to the Blue Mosque

• Expert English-speaking guide

• Skip-the-line entry

Basilica Cistern

• Tip: Be sure to walk to the far end of the cistern to see the famous Medusa heads—many visitors miss them by turning back too soon.
• Floors can be slick in places due to moisture, so wear stable footwear with good grip.
• For a quieter, more serene experience, visit first thing in the morning or just before closing when crowds are less.
• Skip-the-line tickets help cut down wait time. However, security screenings are compulsory for all visitors and will take time.

Hagia Sophia

• Tip: Security checks can take up to an hour in summer (June–August), so plan your visits accordingly.
• Only the Upper Gallery is open to visitors; the main prayer hall is reserved for worshippers and not accessible to visit.
• Access is paused during daily prayers, so plan your visit between those times.
• Tourist entry is paused every Friday from noon to around 2:30pm for weekly prayers.
• Visitors are required to dress modestly – so please cover your head, shoulders and knees. Women are also required to wear scarves. If you forget to bring your own, there are scarves available at the entrance.

Blue Mosque

• Tip: The Blue Mosque is closed to non-worshippers during the five daily prayers, so make sure you check local prayer times before visiting.
• Visitors are required to dress modestly – so please cover your head, shoulders and knees. Women are also required to wear scarves. If you forget to bring your own, there are scarves available at the entrance.
• Shoes must be removed before entering. Make sure you bring a small bag to carry them.

Skip the lines and explore the Basilica Cistern with flexibility to add more landmarks and guides.

• Everything you get: Enjoy skip-the-line entry and a 1-hour guided tour of the Basilica Cistern, or opt for a self-guided experience with a multilingual audio app. You can also add guided tours of Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque for a deeper dive into Istanbul’s iconic landmarks.
• Why choose this: This tour gives you the flexibility to choose between a guided tour or a self-guided audio app to explore the Basilica Cistern. Skip-the-line access saves time, letting you dive straight into the experience.
• Upgrades: Enhance your visit with guided tours of Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, providing in-depth insights into two of Istanbul’s iconic landmarks, all in one seamless experience.

Inclusions

• Skip-the-line entry to Basilica Cistern

• Guided tour of Basilica Cistern

• Skip-the-line entry to Hagia Sophia (based on option selected)

• Guided tour of Hagia Sophia (based on option selected)

• Entry to Blue Mosque (based on option selected)

• Guided tour of Blue Mosque (based on option selected)

• Expert English-speaking guide

• Audio app for iOS & Android in English, German, French, Italian, Russian, Spanish & Turkish

• Headset

Basilica Cistern

• Tip: The famous Medusa columns are easy to miss if you head out too early; walk all the way to the back.
• Your ticket lets you skip the long lines, but you’ll still need to go through the security check.
• Mornings and evenings are quieter; avoid midday hours when large tour groups and cruise visitors typically arrive.
• The lighting is intentionally dim; use your phone’s night mode for better photos.
• The damp floor can be slippery in some areas—wear comfortable shoes with a good grip.

Hagia Sophia

• Tip: Be prepared for security checks; expect up to 60 minutes of wait time during the peak season (June to August).
• The ground floor is designated for prayers, while the second floor is open to visitors.
• During the five daily prayers, certain areas are restricted to tourists.
• Hagia Sophia is closed on Fridays from 12pm to 2:30pm for the Friday prayer.
• Dress modestly—cover shoulders, arms, and knees. Women need to cover their heads. Scarves are available at the entrance.

Blue Mosque

• Tip: Dress modestly to avoid delays at the entrance; long pants and covered shoulders are recommended for everyone.
• The mosque closes to tourists five times a day for prayers.
• You’ll need to remove your shoes before entering. Bring a small bag to carry them easily.

Do a Bosphorus cruise, get a guided Blue Mosque guided tour plus access to up to 10 landmarks & experiences like Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and a dervish show.

• Everything you get: All levels of passes includes a Blue Mosque tour, a Bosphorus dinner cruise, a 5-ride transportation card, multilingual audio guides for all attractions, a digital guidebook, and a city map to navigate it all. Then get additional access to two top landmarks or experiences like Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and Dolmabahçe Palace, guided tours including the Asian side walking tour, hop-on hop-off bus tours, Turkish bath or Dervish ceremony.
• Why choose this: Think of this as your Istanbul starter kit — metro rides, a cruise, guided entry to the Blue Mosque, and all the maps and audio you’ll need to navigate the city! Plus, entry to two landmarks of your choice.
• Upgrades: Choose the Premium Pass to visit 4 attractions or experiences or go all in with the Deluxe Pass to unlock 10 of the city’s best attractions and experiences, with all tickets delivered straight to your inbox.

Inclusions

• Included with the MegaPass

  • Blue Mosque guided tour

  • Bosphorus sightseeing cruise

  • 5-ride Istanbul transportation card

  • Multilingual audio guides for all attractions

  • Digital guidebook

  • City, tram, and metro map

• Additional inclusions based on pass option selected

  • Landmarks & Palaces: Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, & Dolmabahce Palace (choose 2/4/10 depending on your pass tier)

  • Sightseeing tours: Asian side walking tour, hop-on hop-off bus tour, Bosphorus sunset yacht cruise with snacks (based on your pass tier)

  • Cultural experiences: Turkish bath or hammam experience, Whirling Dervish ceremony, & Bosphorus dinner cruise (based on your pass tier)

• Click here for full details

Inclusions Istanbul HOHO

• 1-day unlimited hop-on hop-off pass

• Audio commentary in English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Arabic, Russian & Turkish

• Free earphones

Galata Tower

• Entry to Galata Tower (Close to stop #4 Galataport)

• Express elevator to the lookout platform of the Galata Tower

Istanbul HOHO

• First Bus: 10am from Taksim Sqaure/Sultanahmet
• Last Bus: 4:45pm from Taksim Sqaure/Sultanahmet
• Frequency: every 45 minutes
• Popular stops: Taksim Square, Beylerbeyi Palace, Spice Bazaar & Dolmabahce Palace

Click here for the detailed route map and boarding points.

You can join the tour at any stop and hop on and off for the duration of your ticket.

Istanbul HOHO

• The routes, stops and departure times may change temporarily under uncontrollable circumstances.
• During peak hours, seating cannot be guaranteed on both decks.

Galata Tower

• Tip: Walk around the entire observation deck to experience the city from every angle. Don't miss the views towards the Golden Horn.
• The tower is wheelchair accessible only till the 7th floor.
• Specific details related to the Galata Tower will be shared in the ticket post-booking.

Inclusions Bosphorus cruise

• 90-minute Bosphorus cruise

• Audio guide in English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Turkish, Arabic, and Chinese

Galata Tower

• Entry to Galata Tower

• Downloadable audio guide

• Express elevator to the lookout platform

Exclusions Bosphorus cruise

• Headphones

Bosphorus cruise

• Galata Tower
• Dolmabahce Palace
• Ciragan Palace
• Ortaköy Mosque
• Bosphorus Bridge
• Beylerbeyi Palace
• Üsküdar
• Maiden Tower
• Topkapi Palace
• Hagia Sophia
• Seaside Villas

Galata Tower

• Tip: Treat yourself to traditional Turkish delicacies at the Galata Restaurant at the top of the tower.
• The Galata Tower's observation deck requires climbing over 200 stairs. This may not be suitable for individuals with mobility issues.

Bosphorus cruise

• Tip: After the cruise, savor fresh seafood delicacies at Anadolu Kavigi, a fishing village that used to be a checkpoint since Byzantine times.

Inclusions

• Skip the line entry to Hagia Sophia

• Guided tour of Hagia Sophia

• Skip the line entry to Topkapi Palace (including Harem section) & guided tour (optional)

• Skip the line entry to Basilica Cistern & guided tour (optional)

• Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace audio guide (English, German, Russian, Italian, Spanish, Polish, Arabic, Chinese, Turkish)

Exclusions

• Headsets

• Hotel transfers

• Meal inclusions