Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Basilica Cistern Tour with Audio Guide

Designed for travellers who want to see Istanbul's three most iconic sights in one programme, this Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Basilica Cistern tour starts with your guide in the heart of the old city and ends with you exploring Hagia Sophia at your own pace.

The Blue Mosque

Your first stop is the Blue Mosque. Inside, you admire its famous blue Iznik tiles and architecture while your guide explains Byzantine and Ottoman heritage, Islam and the history of Istanbul. Skip-the-line entry to the mosque is not included, and there may be a short wait around prayer times.

The Basilica Cistern

Next, you skip the ticket line at the Basilica Cistern. In this ancient reservoir beneath the city, you walk among the columns and see its impressive architecture and the Medusa heads from Greek mythology.

The Hippodrome and Hagia Sophia

The tour continues to the Hippodrome, once the social and sporting centre of Constantinople, and the Milion stone. Outside Hagia Sophia your guide tells the story of the building; at the end of the tour you receive your skip-the-line Hagia Sophia ticket and audio guide and explore the interior at your own pace.

Good to know

The audio guide covers Hagia Sophia only; at the mosque, the cistern and on the walk, commentary comes from your guide. Headscarves and suitable clothing are needed in the mosques and are not provided. Restoration work is ongoing inside and outside Hagia Sophia. Latecomers cannot join the guided part, so please be at the meeting point on time.

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