Basilica Cistern Tickets 2025
Fast track entry | Audio guide | Free cancellation
Basilica Cistern Tickets
Visit Basilica Cistern, one of the most interesting attractions in Istanbul. See the stone Medusa heads in the cistern and learn all about the history of the Basilica Cistern from your local guide.
DESCRIPTION
Basilica Cistern Tickets
Save time and money by booking your Basilica Cistern tickets online. You can skip the line with these fast-track tickets that also include a Basilica Cistern guided tour. Explore the largest ancient water storage structure beneath the city of Istanbul.
The Basilica Cistern was built during the rule of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I. You’ll be able to see the famous two medusa heads, which are believed to reside in the cistern from the 6th century. It has a capacity of 80,000 cubic meters of water, and it could hold and provide huge amounts of water to both the Great Palace and the city.
Built in a very sophisticated way, the Basilica Cistern solved a very annoying problem for people at that time. The Basilica Cistern has been standing strong for over two thousand years, despite wars and earthquakes. It is a symbol of the Byzantine Empire’s innovative solutions and an important symbolic and historical landmark.
Your local licensed guide will share secrets and stories of these subterranean wonders with a museum tour, after which you can explore the Basilica Cistern at your own pace.
The Basilica Cistern is the closest neighbor to Hagia Sophia, and the two were once connected by an underground water system built during the reign of Emperor Justinian I. Water from the cistern supplied Hagia Sophia for both ceremonies and daily use. A natural next step after visiting the cistern is to explore this hidden connection with a Hagia Sophia tour guide, or secure your tickets for Hagia Sophia to uncover the full story and explore as you like.
- Fast track entry to Basilica Cistern
- Guided tour
- Entry fee ( if group option selected)
Meeting Point
Meet your guide at the exit gate of Basilica Cistern. Look for the Istanbul Welcome Card flag. Entry is not possible without a guide. Before entering the Basilica Cistern, guests must go through a security check that may take up to 30 minutes.
Basilica Cistern, Alemdar, Yerebatan Cd. 1/3, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
WE DID THE HARD WORK AND FOUND THE BEST BASILICA CISTERN TICKET FOR YOU!
Best skip-the-line tickets deal available online
Skip the line with fast-track tickets to the Basilica Cistern in the heart of Istanbul.
With the assistance of an expert guide, discover the secrets of these ancient underground structures.
Stay after the tour and explore one of the biggest cisterns in the world at your own pace.
FAQ - Basilica Cistern Tickets
Do you need tickets for the Basilica Cistern?
Yes, you need to buy tickets in order to enter the Basilica Cistern. Although you can buy your tickets on-site, we highly recommend buying your tickets online and in advance so you can skip the line and save time.How much is the Basilica Cistern ticket?
The cost of a Basilica Cistern ticket can vary depending on the type of ticket you purchase. However, you can get the best deal by booking your ticket with us. We offer a variety of options to suit your needs and budget, so you can enjoy this incredible attraction without overpaying.Is Basilica Cistern open every day?
Basilica Cistern was closed up until July 2022 due to renovations, but it’s once again open for visits. During summer season Basilica Cistern can be visited between 9:00 am to 22:00 pm every day.The last entrance to the Cistern is at 21:00 h. During winter season Basilica Cistern can be visited between 09:00 am to 17:30 pm, with the last entrance at 16:00h. These seasonal changes are worth keeping in mind when deciding on the best time to visit Istanbul.How long does it take to see the Basilica Cistern?
On average, it is enough to spend 1 hour visiting and seeing the entire place. It is advisable to visit before 12 pm to avoid crowds.What else should I visit with the Basilica Cistern?
After visiting the Basilica Cistern, you’re in the perfect spot to explore more of Istanbul’s rich history and culture. We recommend continuing with Topkapi Palace Museum tickets or joining a Topkapi Palace tour to discover the life of Ottoman sultans just a short walk away. To continue the quiet and atmospheric feeling of the cistern, consider booking an Istanbul Whirling Dervish ticket and experience a spiritual side of Turkish tradition in a peaceful setting. To experience the opposite, try a Bosphorus dinner cruise with Turkish shows, which is a great way to enjoy local food, have fun, dance, and listen to live Turkish music, all while taking in the sparkling city views from the water. If you have extra time the day after, take advantage of one of the best day trips from Istanbul, such as the Istanbul to Cappadocia day trip for surreal landscapes, or the Ephesus day trip from Istanbul to explore one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world.ENJOY YOUR BASILICA CISTERN VISIT TO THE FULLEST!
Fast & Easy Online Booking Process!
Fun Facts
- Basilica Cistern receives more than 2.2 million visitors annually.
- The authorities feared that the Basilica Cistern could be damaged by earthquakes. Therefore, it was closed in 2017 and reopened five years later.
- The Basilica Cistern looks like an underground palace. In order to support the small domes above, the cistern contains 336 columns, each about 9 meters high.
- Designed to serve the Great Palace and surrounding buildings, Basilica Cisterna was abandoned when the Byzantine Emperors relocated and was used as a dumping site.
- In several movies, the Basilica Cistern has been used as a location.
An Istanbul Must-Visit!
I stayed in Istanbul for almost a full week, and I visited all of the tourist attractions everyone recommends, from Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, Taksim Square, and Hagia Sophia, but Cistern Basilica was by far my favorite. I highly recommend booking these tickets if you’re traveling to Istanbul.
Basilica Cistern Skip The Line Ticket
Our visit to Basilica Cistern Yerebatan was amazing, our tour guide was fantastic and very knowledgeable about history and architecture. The guided visit to this majestic underground attraction is one of my favorite activities we went on in Istanbul.
Absolutely Worth It!
We are not the type of people who buy tickets with a guided tour, but this one is worth every cent! The regular line was an entire block long. We meet our guide at the meeting point and walk right inside the cistern! In addition, our guide was great and told us a lot of interesting facts about the cisterns in Istanbul. Highly recommended!!
Book your Basilica Cistern Skip the Line tickets Online!