Basilica Cistern Tour: Discover the Mysteries of Istanbul's Ancient Waterways
5.0
8 Ratings
Fatih
Embark on an unforgettable adventure through Istanbul's ancient waterways on our Basilica Cistern Tour. Discover the city's rich water culture, encounter the enigmatic 'Medusa', and explore hidden underground columns with expert guides.
Duration:
30 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Basilica Cistern - Brace yourself for an enigmatic adventure! The cistern has gained immense popularity due to its appearances in the “Inferno” movie featuring Tom Hanks and the “007” film starring Sean Connery. Visitors eagerly anticipate their visit, often enduring lengthy queues. Beyond just learning about the intriguing tales of the cistern, we’ll bypass the wait in line, allowing you to devote more time to exploring the city. Experience comprehensive tours of the Basilica Cistern with a knowledgeable guide. After your guided exploration concludes, you’re free to meander through the area at your leisure.
- Become well-versed in the subject, equipped with both facts and mysteries
- Delve into the past with a broad spectrum of analysis
- Avoid the queues and save time with priority access to the Basilica Cistern
- Admission fees are included
What's Included
- Upgraded Experience With Tech
- Official Tour Guide
- Golden Content Pack (Exclusive info about Istanbul) by atourguideinconstantinople
- All fees and/or taxes included
- 30 min. of active English guiding
- Skip the ticket line privilege
- Entrance Fee covered
Additional Information
Embark on a journey of discovery as we navigate the ancient waterways of Istanbul with our Cistern Tour. Delve deep into the city’s impressive water heritage and submerge yourself in the remarkable world of mythological tales concealed beneath the depths. Encounter the elusive ‘Medusa’ lurking in the eerie gloom of this stunning edifice. Navigate through countless hidden subsurface pillars, each holding its own unique story. Capture unforgettable images, enhanced by the meticulously arranged museum illuminations. Engage with our well-informed guide, available to field queries and share insights even after the tour’s conclusion. Benefit from exclusive suggestions from your guide, adding more depth to your Istanbul experience. Bypass the ticket queue and optimize your time, guaranteeing you extract the best from your visit. Post-tour, take the opportunity to wander at your own pace, absorbing the captivating cistern. Liaise with your guide for customized advice and insider tips, making your Istanbul experience truly outstanding.
- May be inconvenient for guests with shortness of breath
Location
atourguideinconstantinople
The Meeting Point is located behind the Sultanahmet (Blue Mosque) Tram Station, at the park.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(8 Ratings)
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Bethany_l
Oct 10, 2023
Excellent tour - Great tour 👏 extremely informative, used visuals/videos to further explain the cistern and the mythologolies connected to it. It was just us with our guide and we were able to ask all the questions our hearts desired. We were very happy with our experience. We were so enthralled we didn't really take pictures during the tour and had to go back once he was done. You have to go against the tourist traffic to do so, but it wasn't that bad. I appreciated focusing in on the tour and doing the photography after.
Review provided by Viator
Chris
Oct 7, 2023
A WOW moment for us as we decended and set eyes on the underground cistern. - It only took an hour but the atmosphere of the cistern was impressive. The light show definitely added a mysterious movie scene. Our tour guide gave us information that was both educational and inspirational. We all enjoyed this excursion, a definite must see.
Review provided by Viator
Kim_t
Jul 23, 2023
Excellent and well recommended - Can was an absolute star. I had an unexpected surprise that my daughter was given one-to-one tour. It was a delight and Can was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic given he majored in history and archaeology. I had a wonderful time and Can even bought his iPad to show other relevant information about the cistern. Lovely experience and made me appreciate even more how ingenious the Romans were. Also it was a blessing to get away from the midday heat!
Review provided by Viator
Noah_jhnsn15
Jul 18, 2023
It couldn't have been better - The cistern fascinated us with its incredible atmosphere. We entered quickly and our guide is a very successful narrator. After telling us everything we could ask for, he was kind enough to answer our questions. Definitely don't miss it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Badc0p
Jun 2, 2023
Do not miss out !!! - It is a must visit place for everyone who comes to Istanbul. We were really lucky because our guide was quite successful. He is a sympathetic and knowledgeable person who can address everyone in the group. You can listen him for hours without getting bored.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
H5222bksarahj
May 26, 2023
Fascinating experience from a wonderful guide - The experience was really great. Our guide Can is very knowledgeable and has the ability to analyze extremely accurately. He welcomed us very well with his fluent English and friendliness. (Especially the posts he prepared for us with special information from Istanbul were very useful for us.) We would definitely recommend him.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Maryai5731cb
May 16, 2023
Extraordinary tour of the Basilica Cistern - The Basilica Cistern was spectacular and magical with our host @atourguideinconstantinople. Can (Guide) is very professional and knowledgeable. He managed to create the personality of Medusa and did his part to introduce the Basilica Cistern in the most efficient way. We did not wait at the entrance, it was smooth and easy. The cistern is very beautiful and we are glad we did it with Can. Many thanks to the 'best guide in the world'
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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