Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Ticket with Guided Tour

Embark on a captivating journey through history and architecture with a skip-the-line tour of the Basilica Cistern. Discover the intriguing stories behind this ancient marvel and marvel at its unique features, including the medusa-head column bases. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the essence of historical architecture and capture stunning photographs!

Duration: 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Basilica Cistern - You will meet with our guide at the meeting point and continue to the museum. The guide will explain the history of the place and the tour will end at the museum.
What's Included
  • Admission to Basilica Cistern
  • Professional licensed guide
What's Not Included
  • Transportation
  • Meal
Additional Information

Discover the ancient cistern escorted by an expert guide with priority access to bypass long queue lines. Its unique history pulls adventurers from around the world to witness its majesty firsthand. Walking on elevated wooden walkways with water droplets falling from the vaulted ceilings adds to the captivating allure of this historical marvel. If…

Location
At Meydanı Cd No:3
At Meydanı Caddesi
At the Busforus (Red Double-decker Bus) Stop across the Hagia Sophia in Sultanahmet Square. D marked bus stop sign.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.1
(248 Ratings)
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Maureen_h
Aug 5, 2025
Great way to visit - Walked past the long line. Guide told us all of information clearly and briefly. Very informative. Awesome place. Have to see it
Review provided by Viator
Geoffrey_v
Jul 30, 2025
Basilica Cistern - Difficult to find guide as the area of “hop on hop off buses” where we were told to wait was a large area and in full sunlight. Guide arrived 5 minutes before tour began and the flag at the end of his stick was too small to see. Fortunately he yelled out the name of company and the tour. He took us to the “Skip the Queue” entrance. His information was adequate. He spoke for about 15 minutes inside. We then were on our own which was ok. The Light show enhanced the experience and atmosphere.
Review provided by Viator
Linh_h
Jul 13, 2025
Fantastic Visit - Great to have a short 20 min overview of the Cistern before freely exploring. Umit our guide was fantastic!
Review provided by Viator
Tess_m
Jun 24, 2025
I loved the information... - I loved the information we were given, but it would have been nice to get a few highlights pointed out. We missed one of the Medusas, but it’s a really neat place. We were glad we didn’t self-guide!
Review provided by Viator
Debra
Jun 21, 2025
Highly recommend Basilica Custern tour - I never received my barcoded Skip The Line ticket. However luckily a Basilica staff member assisted us to gain entry. The venue has a very no long & interesting history. It was amazing to see the ancient Basilica.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gary_b
Jun 19, 2025
Must do tour - Good to get all the explanations out of the way first so you could then take your own time wandering around. Engine, our tour guide explained everything fully.
Review provided by Viator
Julieanne_g
Jul 17, 2025
What an unexpected suprise - While the guide was present, he wasn't that engaged. Fortunately, the venue was spectacular and spoke for itself.
Review provided by Viator
Gabriela
Jul 21, 2025
Great to skip the long line, I just wish that the tour guide was not so fast paced and hurried. - The guide’s tour was very fast and there was not a lot of time for deeper explanations on the history and cultural relevance. It was great though to be able to skip the line. This was a true time saver.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marlin_s
Jun 24, 2025
No tour guide beeded - The place was beautiful but you don’t need a tour guide’s. I would go there again, but again you don’t need a tour guide. Just look up the place on google
Review provided by Viator
Rossella
Aug 19, 2025
Not a skip-the-line ticket but an obligatory guided tour of 10 min. in group at fixed slots (and guide not found) - We had to wait for a guide to enter the Basilica for an hour when it was supposed to be a skip-the-line ticket that we buy at the base so as not to queue and waste time. In addition we had to stay under the sun with 34 degrees to wait for this guide because there is a visit planned every hour and the appointment is in front of a bus stop in full sun. The guide arrived late and without a sign to be recognized and placed himself under the trees him. I had to call Customer Service to find him. He was very arrogant and aggressive despite being wrong, they even threatened to leave us under the sun to wait for the next guide, an hour later. Infect!! The pass overall is not interesting, we do not really save money. Galata Tower they offer it at 32€ and on site the ticket is 30€ and so on. At the Topkapi Palace the guide asked us 750TL pp to enter the harem while it is not specified when you book the tour (obligatorily guided also, with a group and every hour). Anyway, we were looking for time and money and we didn't get either one and we got insulted in the process... At dinner cruise we should have had a table for two but on site the waiter told us that the tables for two were for VIPs .... Lol!! VIPs are Turkish tourists. Anyway, try something else
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $44
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).