Basilica Cistern Guided Tour
- 1 hour
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- 5 languages
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
Descend beneath Istanbul to explore the Basilica Cistern, a fascinating underground world of marble columns, shimmering waters, and ancient legends. Built in the 6th century during the Byzantine era, this vast reservoir once supplied water to imperial palaces and public baths. Today, its hundreds of columns, reflected in the still water under soft lighting, create a unique and mysterious atmosphere. Enjoy fast-track entry with your guide and discover the stories behind Byzantine engineering, the cistern’s history, and the famous Medusa heads with their unusual placement and symbolism.
Inclusions
What's included
- Historical commentary about the Basilica Cistern and Medusa Heads
- Guided tour with a professional guide
- Skip the ticket line
- Basilica Cistern entry ticket
What's not
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Food and drinks
- Skip-the-line access for security checks
- Personal expenses
Itinerary
- Skip the ticket line and enter the Basilica Cistern with your guide - Explore one of Istanbul’s most iconic Byzantine landmarks - Discover the history and engineering of the 6th-century cistern - See the famous Medusa Heads and hear the legends behind them - Admire the atmospheric columns, reflections, and underground setting
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- Meet your guide at Roots & Roasted Café. Look for the white MegaPass flag.
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Tickets
- Tickets are redeemed at a different location from the meeting point.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Group size
- Up to 40 travellers
- Operated by
- Travelgroup
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
How it compares in Istanbul
- Its from-price is 56% below the median of the 3649 experiences we list in Istanbul.
- It is shorter than most of them.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Istanbul
Istanbul straddles Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus, with Byzantine and Ottoman monuments, busy bazaars and ferries crossing between continents.
The historic peninsula holds the greatest landmarks. Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome face each other in Sultanahmet, the Basilica Cistern lies beneath the streets, and Topkapı Palace spreads across the hill above the Golden Horn. A short walk away, the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar have traded for centuries, and Süleymaniye Mosque, built by the great Ottoman architect Sinan, crowns one of the city's seven hills.
Top-ranked sights in Istanbul: Dolmabahce Palace (Dolmabahce Sarayi), Bosphorus, Bosphorus Bridge (Bogazici Koprusu).
Special offers in Istanbul
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
