Basilica Cistern(Istanbul): Skip the line Ticket with Guided Tour
3.8
96 Ratings
Fatih
Explore the Basilica Cistern in Istanbul with a skip-the-line ticket and guided tour. Discover the ancient wonders and fascinating history of this underground palace.
Duration: 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Basilica Cistern - Fifty two steps, a jungle of three hundred and thirty six columns, an enchanting and uncanny darkness, and the phosphorescence of the water…like a secret underground kingdom, which has waited for fifteen hundred years for the sun’s light to illuminate it.

Don’t be mistaken when reading these incredible words: This historical and mysterious place actually exists in Istanbul. It is the water cistern, which was built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian the First (527

Due to the fact that Constantinople era Istanbul was constantly besieged during the Roman and Byzantine periods, it was constantly in need of a regular supply of water. To meet this need, a great number of cisterns were constructed during both eras. The Yerebatan Cistern, which is also known as the Basilica Cistern, is the largest and most impressive of all of the cisterns in the city. The Yerebatan Cistern amazes all of its visitors with its marble pillars. Indeed, one might even think that such a magnificent space could, in fact, be a castle.

What's Included
  • Professional guide
  • Admission Ticket to Basilica Cistern
What's Not Included
  • Lunch
  • Private transportation
Additional Information

Skip the line and listen from your guide the story of The Basilica Cistern - is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of Istanbul. Venture into the underground palace that is filled ancient wonders such as the Medusa Pillar Bases, and the Hen’s Eye Column. This sunken palace has so much to hold that they shot scenes of Hollywood movies in it. Exploring had never been this adventurous!

Location
Yerebatan Cd. No:1
Yerebatan Caddesi
Meeting point is in front of the Exit Gate of the Cistern. The guide will be carrying a flag with the logo of Istanbul Tourist Pass. This museum CANNOT be visited without the guide.
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
3.8
(96 Ratings)
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Xakky
May 9, 2024
A place where you can feel the breath of the ancient and medieval era! - Although we had limited time, visiting the Basilica Cistern was a truly wonderful experience. I was overwhelmed by the grand atmosphere and could feel the history from ancient to medieval times. I don't like queuing, so I bought a Skip Lane ticket from an online ticket seller. The Headout ticket costs 27 euros and includes an audio guide in 8 languages. You need to download the audio guide before going underground, so it's recommended to prepare it in advance. Also, trolley bags and trunks are not allowed to be brought in, and there are no temporary lockers on-site. It's a good idea to consider having them stored at your accommodation or at a hotel in front of the nearby Sultan Mohamed tram station. The Basilica Cistern is really worth a visit. If you have time, be sure to visit and feel the breath of ancient and medieval times.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sean_u
Apr 6, 2024
Stunning site ancient Roman Cistern definitely worth a look - Amazing sight definitely worth a look. One of our top sites that we saw and the teens loved it. Can strongly recommend
Review provided by Viator
Trailblazer799608
Feb 23, 2024
Informative and worth skipping the line. - Excellent tour . Very informative and interesting. So worth paying a few extra bucks to skip the long line! Our guide was very nice. The place is great! A must see in Istambul.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Quest34669624212
Sep 27, 2023
Basilica Cistern - A tour that everyone who buys the Istanbul Tourist Pass should do. Our guide Oğuzhan was fantastic, with incredible patience and a very well developed sense of humor.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Raeleen_d
Sep 6, 2023
Great tour guide - Great Guide, friendly and knowledgeable. Got some fantastic pics. Definately didn't look into Medusa's eyes.
Review provided by Viator
819claudiof
Nov 18, 2023
Great - Good guide and available to our requests and gave us lots of advice on how to find guides
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jessica
Nov 5, 2023
A must see in Istanbul - I’m really happy I did this tour. Our guide was very knowledgeable and provided great background and facts for the cistern. The skip the line was the best! The only thing I found difficult was trying to hear our guide once we were in the cistern. There were so many people and the background noise is a lot! It probably didn’t help there was a group of young school children there at the same time. Note this site is very busy!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Apsara88
Aug 24, 2023
Impressive - The Basilica Cistern was vast and filled with towering ancient columns and vaults. Very atmospheric in the coloured lighting. On the downside, even with a pre-paid ticket, we still waited and sweated under the hot sun while other groups sashayed past. Inside, it was filled with the sound of echoing voices, making our guide difficult to understand. Overall, memorable and impressive.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Randy_m
Apr 29, 2024
Horrible Overall - Meeting location is not really marked but in reality none of them appeared to be. No cover at meeting location and waited in pouring down rain. Guide late and was difficult to identify. Tried to call help but got no answer. Guide did get us into cistern but then disappeared never to be seen again. Cistern itself was a marvel.
Review provided by Viator
Derek_p
Mar 25, 2024
Skip the line, yes. Also, not really a guided tour. - Um, the guide brought us downstairs, spoke for 10 minutes, then thanked us. We couldn’t hear him as there were three incredibly sick people coughing and hacking who somehow made their way thru a pandemic and still hadn’t learned how to cover their mouth instead of spraying phlegm over other people. Total waste of $. You can easily do this on your own or book a tour with a guide who is excited to walk around and share stories with you.
Review provided by Viator
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
June 2024
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