Istanbul: Basilica Cistern Entry Ticket with Tour Guide
- 1 hour
- Skip the line
- Guided in English
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
Explore the hidden history of the Basilica Cistern in Istanbul. With this guided entry, you can skip the long lines and step right into the cool, underground world beneath the city. This ancient water room was built long ago to hold water for the city. As you walk inside, you will see hundreds of tall stone columns perfectly lined up in the calm water. The soft lights bouncing off the water create a very peaceful and beautiful setting. A professional English-speaking guide will walk with you to share stories about the history and design of this special place. They will also show you the famous stone Medusa Heads at the bottom of two columns, which add a fun sense of mystery to your visit.
Inclusions
What's included
- Entry ticket to Basilica Cistern
- Expert Guide Service
What's not
- All Personal Expenses
Itinerary
Arrive at the entrance of the Basilica Cistern, where your expert English-speaking guide welcomes you. Get ready for a brief yet captivating exploration of this ancient marvel. Descend into the depths of history as you enter the Basilica Cistern. Follow your guide through its dimly lit corridors, as they share intriguing stories of its past. Marvel at the symmetrical rows of towering columns submerged in reflective waters that create an otherworldly ambiance. Pause at significant points within the cistern as your guide provides insights into its architecture, historical significance, and legends. Feel free to ask questions to deepen your understanding of this mysterious underground world. As your 30-minute guided tour concludes, emerge from the depths of the cistern with a newfound appreciation for its hidden tales. Bid farewell to your guide and consider continuing your exploration of Istanbul's historical treasures.
Cancellation
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Reviews
5.0
- 51
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- 10
Ratings come from 1 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- Meet your guide at the exit gate of the Basilica Cistern. Please have your ticket ready when arriving at the departure. You must show your ticket at the entrance before entering the museum.
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Group size
- Up to 100 travellers
- Operated by
- TripVentura
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
How it compares in Istanbul
- Its from-price is 89% above the median of the 118 attraction tickets we list in Istanbul.
- It is shorter than most of them.
- By number of reviews it ranks 53 of 118.
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.
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