Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Ticket with Guided Tour

273 Ratings

Fatih

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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

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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

(273 Ratings)

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1 star

Samuel_l

Oct 18, 2025

What you most need to know - This was one of the places we most wanted to see in Istanbul, along with the Hagia Sophia. We were not disappointed with either. It was so nice to avoid the long ticket line and go right in. Our guide was pleasant and knowledgeable.

Review provided by Viator

751cristinac

Oct 17, 2025

Experience 5 days top. - We bought the e-pass for 5 days and I was really happy to have made this purchase: you can visit the most important monuments by skipping the line and hearing the explanations (in English) of the guide; at the end of the visit you can stay inside the monument and continue the visit on your own. We had several experiences that without e-pass we would never have had. For me highly recommended. The main attractions I did with e-pass were - Saint Sophia with guide - cistern basilica with guide - blue mosque with guide - dulmabace palace with audio guide - camlica tower - cruise on the Bosphorus - rotating dervishes

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Atiya_s

Oct 6, 2025

Super cool spot and... - Super cool spot and paying extra to cut the line was totally worth it (though if youre pressed for cash the line does move quick). Also totally worth the 10-12 minute history lesson with the guide in the beginning. He kept the details interesting and quick

Review provided by Viator

Daniel_b

Oct 24, 2025

The only benefit of this... - The only benefit of this tour versus buying your own ticket is that you don't have to wait in a very long line to get in (you skip the line) and you get ten minute short storyline about basilica - then you explore on your own. It's worth it as long as you know what to expect.

Review provided by Viator

Cq44

Oct 29, 2025

Not worth the cost paid - Very brief guide, lasted no more than 15 minutes. Inside is nice but overall not worth the cost paid and would not recommend

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Julia_k

Oct 15, 2025

Basilica Cistern - Excursion is very short and guide is only available for 20 minutes. The line was short at 4 pm so skip the line was not necessary at that time.

Review provided by Viator

Jcvd6765

Nov 2, 2025

Dismal organization not recommended - Lousy organization, I recommend buying the activities directly. They cancelled today's activity at 16:00 without warning

Review provided by Tripadvisor

297ramonaw

Oct 28, 2025

The basilica can be visited without a guided tour. - The given meeting point was incorrect, only bus tours started there. We also booked a guided tour in German, the tour was in English.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Ross_b

Oct 17, 2025

Guide was a no show - We were at the meeting point at 11:00am waited until 11:45 no guide showed up!!!!!! I sent multiple messages to the service provider but the only response I got ( 20 minutes after first message ) was guide will have white flag with epass on it. Not very helpful seeing it was already 45 minutes after our start time. We had to stand in a line for 40 minutes buy a second lot of tickets and see the Basillica by ourselves. I would advise not to book with this company unless you like wasting time and money.

Review provided by Viator

Donna

Oct 6, 2025

Very misled. - Totally disappointed that this would be described as a tour of the Basillica Cisterns. Close to two hours to make our way to the meeting point where we met our ‘guide’ whom we followed across and down a short way to the entrance. Yes we had skip the line tickets which took extra time as the system for tickets was down. We waited for him to meet us, wondering if he was coming, as he had some how been held up. He gave us a brief talk, telling us where we could read information about the Cysterns, and did we have any questions. That was it. We realize now that you are on your own through the Cysterns, so had we known would never have booked a ‘tour’. I have to say we felt ripped off by you. Very disappointing.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Check Availability

From $43

up to 15 guests

1 - Adult