Landmarks

Skip-the-Line Tickets to Basilica Cistern

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Enjoy an informative guided tour of one of the largest ancient water cisterns in Istanbul with exclusive skip-the-line tickets!

Highlights

Skip the long lines and discover one of the most-visited museums in Istanbul.
Learn more about the Basilica Cistern’s history and the outstanding engineering prowess of the Byzantines.
Witness the famous Hen’s Eye Column and Medusa Pillar Bases, which have been featured in several Hollywood films.
Opt for the multilingual audio guide to gain intriguing insights into the museum and its exhibits.
You can make your experience even better by upgrading your ticket to include a guided tour of Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern and Blue Mosque.

Inclusions

Skip-the-line entry to the Basilica Cistern
Multilingual audio guide in (optional)
Basilica Cistern, Blue Mosque & Hagia Sophia English guided tour (optional)

Cancellation policy

These tickets can't be cancelled. However, you can use them any time until 31 Dec, 2024.

Ratings & Reviews

4.4

4K Ratings

5/5

2.9K

4/5

523

3/5

169

2/5

190

1/5

253

Guests from United States, Spain, United Kingdom and over 90 countries have loved this experience

Kimberly

3/5

May, 2024

I thought I would get headphones as the audio guide. Our phones were low on battery and couldn't download the guide 😞😞😞😞😞

Andy

3/5

May, 2024

The experience of the cistern basilicrwas good, howeuthe skip the line ticket should realistically be just called online ticket as there was still a long queue to get in. It would also be better if there is suggestion to download the audio tour in advance. The code itself took a lot of try before it was recognised so not sure if it can actually be downloaded in advance.

Saba

4/5

May, 2024

Ticketing experience wasn't easy online, it was asking me to download the app to retrieve the tickets, which I didn't want to do. Skipping the queue was simple.

Alessio

5/5

May, 2024

Visiting The Cistern Basilica was one of the most beautiful cultural experiences I have ever had! It is like being immersed in a surreal world where the charm of the ancient world is combined with the magic of contemporary art. I highly recommend skip the line given the amount of tourists!

View original review in Italian

Veronika

4/5

May, 2024

Fast-track entry was definitely worth it. The eternal queue would certainly have taken a long time! The cistern is also beautiful - and worth admiring. However, as with all sights, there are so many people around. The price for just under 30 EUR is high - but of course that is the case everywhere. There were no audio guides. So you don't need to book one.

View original review in German

Ticket Validity

These tickets are valid until 31 Dec, 2024.

Your Experience

From Dan Brown’s wildly popular novel Inferno to the 1963 James Bond film ‘From Russia With Love’, the Basilica Cistern has always been a part of popular culture. Built during the reign of Justinian I, the cistern itself is a paragon of 6th century Byzantine architecture. As you enter this cavernous subterranean marvel, you will be greeted by a dim golden hue that glistens off the surface of the water.

As you walk on the raised wooden platforms amongst the 336 massive columns that support the structure, prepare to be enchanted by the gentle pitter-patter of water dripping from the vaulted ceiling and the ghostly outlines of carp that populate the water. The Medusa column bases in the northwest portion of the cistern are a particularly mesmerizing sight. Your guide will tell you about the various theories surrounding the mysterious origin of the two stone heads that are oriented sideways.

Upgrade to Include Hagia Sophia & Topkapi Palace

Enhance your experience with guided tours. When you sign up for this exclusive offer, your name will be added to the list of monuments over the course of three days. Visit any monument at any available time, or meet us outside two museums where we'll guide you past long lines! With a flexible combo ticket that allows access to all three attractions, feel free to explore them together or independently - it's totally up to you!

Operating hours

Basilica Cistern

Monday	9:00 AM - 10:00 PM	last entry 6:30 PM
Tuesday	9:00 AM - 10:00 PM	last entry 6:30 PM
Wednesday	9:00 AM - 10:00 PM	last entry 6:30 PM
Thursday	9:00 AM - 10:00 PM	last entry 6:30 PM
Friday	9:00 AM - 10:00 PM	last entry 6:30 PM
Saturday	9:00 AM - 10:00 PM	last entry 6:30 PM
Sunday	9:00 AM - 10:00 PM	last entry 6:30 PM

Know Before You Go

Important Information

It's recommended to wear comfortable shoes.

My tickets

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly after the purchase.
Please display the same along with a valid photo ID at the meeting point.
Kindly ensure that you arrive 10-15 minutes before the scheduled time to avoid any delays.