Basilica Cistern Tickets and Tours
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Skip-the-Line Tickets to Basilica Cistern
- Skip the long lines and visit the biggest ancient water cistern with the 2 very famous Medusa heads.
- Appreciate the cathedral-sized cistern better with an English-speaking guide.
- 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.
- Upgrade your ticket and avail of the Highlights Tour to explore further.
- Choose to make your experience even better by upgrading your ticket to a combo including Topkapi Palace skip-the-line tickets and Hagia Sophia tour along with the Highlights Tour.
Inclusions
- Skip-the-line entry to the Basilica Cistern
- Highlights tour with English-speaking guide (optional)
- Topkapi Palace skip-the-line tickets (optional)
- Hagia Sophia historian guided tour (optional)
Exclusions
- Meals
- Hotel transfers
- 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.
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Guided Tour of Basilica Cistern with Skip-the-Line Tickets
- 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.
Inclusions
- Expert English-speaking guide
- Skip the line ticket to Basilica Cistern
- 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.
Combo: Hagia Sophia + Topkapi Palace + Basilica Cistern Guided Tours Tickets
- Save time and money with this combo ticket valid for 3 days, and enjoy hassle-free access to the Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, and the Basilica Cistern.
- Skip the lines at Topkapi Palace and Basilica Cistern (Hagia Sophia does not have fast-track entry tickets) and enter all the 3 museums to start your guided tour.
- Get the most important information and orientation tips from an official tour guide and benefit from an audio guide app available for Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace in 9 languages.
- Following this, feel free to explore the museums at your own pace and listen to the interesting commentary on your audio guides.
Inclusions
- Guided tour of Hagia Sophia
- Skip the line entry to Topkapi Palace & 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
- Harem section in Topkapi Palace
- Headsets
- Hotel transfers
- Meal inclusions
- Entry to Hagia Sophia is free. This experience offers a guided tour of Hagia Sophia.
- Please download the audioguide app in your smartphone prior to your tour.
- The audio guide is available for Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace in the following languages: English, German, Russian, Italian, Spanish, Polish, Arabic, Chinese, and Turkish.
- This ticket is valid for 3 days. You may come at the available times, to the meeting points and visit these with your Istanbul Welcome Card guide. You can visit all 3 museums in 1 day or on different days.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Combo: Blue Mosque + Topkapi Palace + Basilica Cistern Guided Tour
- Save big with this combo to Istanbul’s finest sites – the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and Basilica Cistern – with an expert English-speaking guide.
- Visit the newly-renovated Blue Mosque, admire the blue Iznik tiles of the interior and its exterior domes, and tour the surrounding Old City.
- With skip-the-line tickets, avoid the long queues as you make your way into the Basilica Cistern. Admire the structure and the head of Medusa that lies within.
- Jump right to the start of the ticket line at the Topkapi Palace, the former residence of the Ottoman sultans, and get deeper insights into the Ottoman Empire.
- With a flexible itinerary, you can stay back to explore each attraction over 1, 2, or 3 days, and even explore the site on your own after your tour.
Inclusions
Blue Mosque
- Expert English-speaking guide
- Entry to Blue Mosque
Topkapi Palace
- Expert English-speaking guide
- Skip-the-line entry to Topkapi Palace
Basilica Cistern
- Expert English-speaking guide
- Skip-the-line entry to Basilica Cistern
Exclusions
- Admission to Harem section of Topkapi Palace
- Tip: The best time to visit Istanbul is during the spring and autumn months, i.e., Dec to Mar and Sep to Dec since the weather then is ideal and tourists are fewer.
Blue Mosque
- 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€).
- Photography and outside food and drinks are allowed.
- Strict Dress Code: Women are required to cover their knees, shoulders, and chest. Hair should be partially covered with a scarf. Men are required to cover their knees and shoulders.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Istanbul Pass with Access to Top Attractions
- Valid for 7 days, the Istanbul Tourist Card lets you explore the Turkish metropolis as you skip the line to key attractions and cruise along the Bosphorus strait on a boat ride.
- Enjoy live guided tours and audio-guided tours of ancient sights like Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the Basilica Cistern.
- See the underground pillars and learn about Byzantine architecture at the Basilica Cistern, and learn about the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople at Hagia Sophia.
- Get up to 10 free rides on the public transportation system across Istanbul including metro, tram, ferry, funicular, bus, and Metrobus.
- Set sail on the Bosphorus strait on a 90 min cruise and enjoy a 20% discount on Turkish baths, luxury yacht tours, the Whirling Dervish show, and more!
Inclusions
- Skip-the-line access and entry tickets to attractions
- 30 min Hagia Sophia highlights tour
- 30 min Topkapi Palace highlights tour
- 30 min Basilica Cistern highlights tour
- Unlimited stay inside each museum
- Audio guide app in 9 languages
- 90 min Bosphorus Cruise
- 10 rides with public transportation
- Digital guide book & map
Exclusions
- Skip-the-line service for Hagia Sophia
- Entrance into Harem of Topkapi
- Tip: Research and plan out your itinerary beforehand so that you can make the best use of your Istanbul Tourist Card!
- Your card will be valid for 7 days (in hours) after first use and only one-time entry is allowed at each attraction.
- Audio guide app is available in English, German, Russian, Italian, Spanish, Polish, Arabic, Chinese, and Turkish. The app can be downloaded on your smartphone prior to the visit.
- Skip-the-line line tickets let you skip ticket lines, not the security line.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Why Visit the Basilica Cistern?
- Historical Importance: The Basilica Cistern embodies the essence of Istanbul in its use of modern technology to illuminate the decades-old smoothened columns. It is stunning proof of the advanced water system of the Byzantine Empire.
- Architecture: Inside the Basilica Cistern, one of the columns is separated by carvings of trees, branches, and peacocks in memory of the 7000 slaves who sacrificed themselves during its construction period of almost 38 years. Resembling falling tears, this column is called the ‘Weeping Column.’
- 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.
All Your Basilica Cistern Ticket Options
Skip the Line Tickets
- Ideal for travelers who only have a little time and want to avoid standing in long queues.
- Skip ahead of long lines at the Basilica Cistern with these tickets.
- Depending on your ticket option, you can avail of audio guides for Basilica Cistern, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palace in 9 languages- English, German, Russian, Italian, Spanish, Polish, Arabic, Chinese, and Turkish.
Recommended Tours:
Guided Tours
- Best for visitors who want to delve deeper into Byzantine history, meet like-minded travelers, and have a structured, informative, and social travel experience.
- With this ticket, you can skip long lines at the Basilica Cistern and avail of an audio app in over 8 languages and an expert English or Spanish-speaking guide.
Flexible Cancellation Policy: You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund on your purchase.
Recommended Tours:
Combo Tickets
- Ideal for visitors who have time on their hands and would like to explore a variety of attractions.
- With the Istanbul combo guided tour ticket, you can skip ahead of long lines and enjoy a guided tour of the Basilica Cistern, the Hagia Sophia, or the Topkapi Palace.
- The combo guided tour ticket allows you to skip the line and avail of an English-speaking tour guide at the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and the Basilica Cistern.
Flexible Cancellation Policy: You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund on your purchase.
Recommended Tours:
City Cards & Passes
- Ideal for travelers who plan to stay in the city for a couple of days and want to experience all that the city has to offer to the fullest.
- You can enjoy priority access to most of Istanbul’s attractions with the Istanbul Welcome Card. It also offers 30-minute highlights tours of the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the Basilica Cistern and a 90-minute Bosphorus Cruise.
- You can also enjoy 10 public transport rides and unlimited stay inside each museum with the city card.
Flexible Cancellation Policy: You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund on your purchase.
Recommended Tours:
Basilica Cistern Highlights
Long Colonnades
The spectacular stone architecture of the Basilica Cistern lit by the subtle lights makes for an unforgettable tourist experience. The colonnades are reminiscent of their Roman roots and are a standing testament to the multicultural history of Istanbul.
Medusa’s Heads
After the cavern water receded, two Medusa’s heads emerged from the base of the cavern. The two Medusa heads form the base for the 336 columns situated on the northwest side of the Basilica Cistern. The Gorgon monster’s head is still shrouded in mystery.
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.
An Underground Relic
You have to descend down a flight of 52 stairs to take a walk through the cistern. Although the water was drained, you will find a few carp in shallow pools. The Yerebatan Palace, as the locals call it, is well-lit and stands splendidly as a historical marvel of the yesteryears.
Plan your Visit to the Basilica Cistern
Open: every day of the year
Hours: 9 AM to 7 PM
Duration of Visit: 30 mins to 1 hour
Best Time to Visit: March to May and September to October to enjoy the pleasant autumn temperatures in Istanbul
Plan Your Visit to the Basilica Cistern
Address: Alemdar, Yerebatan Cd. 1/3, 34110 Fatih, Turkey.
- By Bus: 28, 30D, 46C, 54E, 66, 77A, 92C, 99A, EM1
Nearest Parking: Eminonu-Iskele- Yesilkoy Yonu - By Train: Marmaray (Atakoy to Pendik) and Marmaray (Halkali to Gebze)
Nearest Parking: Sirkeci and Fatih - By Tram: T1
Nearest Parking: Fatih - By Metro: M2
Nearest Parking: Sirkeci - 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 navigate the space. You have to bring your own wheelchair or stroller.
- Multimedia Guide: There are guided tours and audio guides available coupled with your Basilica Cistern tickets 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.
- 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.
- Topkapi Palace: The Imperial Harem, where the Ottoman emperors housed their multiple concubines is an unmissable part of the Topkapi Palace. The world-famous Spoonmaker’s diamond and the Topkapi dagger also carry major historical significance that is housed in the museum section of this 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.
- Dolmabahce Palace: The Dolmabahce Palace boasts a fusion of European and Ottoman influences, with enormous chandeliers, well-maintained gardens, and lavish interiors.
- 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,
Frequently Asked Questions About the Basilica Cistern
We recommend you purchase Basilica Cistern tickets online because it is less time-consuming and also saves money. You can chance upon great deals and discounts when booking tickets online. With online ticket bookings, you can reserve your spot in advance
You can avail of Basilica Cistern skip-the-line tickets at €23.90. The Basilica Cistern guided tour tickets are around €29. These tickets also allow you to skip ahead of long lines at the cistern.
There are 3 kinds of Basilica Cistern tickets available for you to choose from- skip-the-line tickets, guided tours, and combo tickets. Basilica Cistern guided tours also allow you to skip ahead of long lines. Basilica Cistern 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.
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.
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.
The Basilica Cistern is an underground water storage system that had been set up during the 6th century. Constructed during the reign of Emperor Justinian I, the 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.
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.
The Basilica Cistern, also known as the Yerebatan Cistern, is located on Alemdar, Yerebatan Cd. 1/3, 34110 Fatih in Turkey.
If you are traveling from Taksim, take the funicular F1 to Kabastas and take the T1 tram to Sultanahmet station. The Basilica Cistern is only a 2-minute walk from Sultanahmet. You can take any bus between 28, 30D, 46C, 54E, 66, 77A, 92C, 99A, or EM1 and get down at Eminonu-Iskele- Yesilkoy Yonu, 4 minutes away from the cistern. You can also board either the Marmaray (Atakoy to Pendik) or the Marmaray (Halkali to Gebze) and get off at the Sirkeci station, 2 minutes away from the Basilica.
The Basilica Cistern is open from 9 AM to 7 PM every day throughout the year.
The Basilica Cistern has ramps and elevators to accommodate visitors with limited mobility. You can also bring prams and strollers inside the cistern.
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.
Yes, you can click pictures inside the Basilica Cistern. Try to avoid using tripods and other commercial equipment that may disturb other visitors.
Yes, since its restoration in the 20th century, the Basilica Cistern has emerged as one of the must-visit tourist destinations in Istanbul. The water storage system has deep historical roots. It was built during the reign of Emperor Justinian I and served as a vital water reservoir for the city of Constantinople, supplying water to the Great Palace and other important buildings. Its vast underground space is supported by 336 columns, many of which were repurposed from older structures.