Basilica Cistern Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Entry

Hearing the Basilica Cistern's unusual story from an expert turns your visit into a completely different experience. This Basilica Cistern guided tour lets you skip the ticket line with a professional licensed guide and discover the cistern's history and architecture on the spot.

What you will see

As you walk along the raised wooden platforms above the water, the water dripping from the vaulted ceiling and the forest of columns take you back centuries. Your guide explains why the cistern was built in Byzantine times, where its columns came from and how it was rediscovered after being forgotten for a long time.

The Medusa heads

The most photographed spot on the tour is the pair of Medusa heads carved into two column bases. The story of these heads, one placed on its side and the other upside down, and the legends around them become even more fascinating with your guide's commentary. For photography lovers, the cistern is one of the most impressive interiors in the city.

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The tour is offered as suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs and for all fitness levels. The cistern is close to public transport, a few minutes' walk from the Sultanahmet tram stop.

Practical tips

It is cool inside and the floor can be damp in places, so wear comfortable shoes. Transport and meals are not included. After the tour you can visit Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque to round off your day in the old city.

To round off your trip, browse more experiences on our Istanbul tours page, and find somewhere to stay among our hotels in Istanbul.