Basilica Cistern Tickets and Tours in Istanbul

If you're wondering what to see and do in Istanbul, a visit to the Cistern Basilica is a must. This incredible underground space, known as 'the submerged palace' or Yerebatan Sarayı, has been captivating tourists for centuries.

Built in the 6th century on the orders of Emperor Justinian, it is one of the largest cisterns that served as a water reservoir for the city. Its iconic 336 marble columns, including the heads of Medusa, and its mystical atmosphere make it an unrivalled visit for those wishing to immerse themselves in Istanbul's hidden history. In this article you will find prices, discounts, opening times, tips and even film references to give you the complete guide to visiting the Istanbul Cistern Basilica.

The most complete option

Istanbul Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Guided Tour

No-queue guided tour of the Cistern Basilica in Istanbul

For 90 minutes you can explore this fascinating monument without waiting. With an expert guide, you will discover the history, secrets and legends of the cistern, including the iconic Medusa's heads and a dozen other sculptures that change perspective with the permanent play of light.

From £30 at Hellotickets

The skip-the-line guided tour of the Istanbul Cistern Basilica is the best way to explore this fascinating site without wasting time in long queues. The tour lasts approximately 90 minutes, during which you can explore this majestic underground space full of history and legends.

The guide will explain the secrets behind the 336 columns, the heads of Medusa and the original purpose of the cistern in the 6th century during the Byzantine Empire. The most attractive aspect of the visit is the feeling of being in an**"underwater palace**", with the mystical atmosphere created by the sound of the water and the dim lighting.

Recommended if... you feel like strolling through one of the architectural icons of the Byzantine era, a space of almost 10,000 square metres underground in the heart of Istanbul.

The cost of tickets to the Istanbul Cistern Basilica varies according to the type of visit you prefer. Standard tickets cost an average of 190 Turkish Lira (TL), equivalent to about 7 Euros per person.

There are different types of tickets to visit the Istanbul Cistern Basilica, namely:

• Standard ticket with an approximate cost of 7 euros per person.
• Standard skip-the-line ticket without audio guide from 21 euros per person.
• Standard skip-the-line ticket with audio guide from €31 per person.

Yes, tickets to the Istanbul Cistern Bas ilica are included in some of the city's best sightseeing passes, you can enjoy this attraction at:

• Buy your Istanbul E-pass from €151, which will allow you to enjoy over 75 attractions in addition to the Cistern Basilica. This is the ideal pass for short trips, as you can tour Istanbul in 1, 3, 5 or 7 days.
• Buy your Istanbul Tourist Pass from €181, which allows you to enjoy over 100 attractions in addition to the one mentioned above. Ideal for longer trips and, in general, more spontaneous travellers, thanks to the possibility of choosing between 1,2,3,4,5, 7 days in Istanbul, or even 10, to delve deeper into the city.

In both cases, the savings can be up to 50%, depending on the number of attractions you visit. As you will see, these passes are a convenient option to save time and money. I particularly recommend it for long stays and start using it from your arrival at the airport, as the transfer from the airport to the city centre is included.

Yes, you have several options, you can:

• Book your quick guided tour with priority entrance to the Cistern Basilica. From €36 you will receive a 20-30 minute tour of this monument, after which you can stay and explore on your own.
• Book your full private guided tour of the Cistern Basilica. From €139 you can visit this legendary landmark while listening to commentary, anecdotes and legends for 90 minutes, after which you can continue exploring at your leisure.

In the cases mentioned above, entrance fees are included; however, another alternative is to book your private guided tour of Istanbul, which, from €159 and with a choice of 1, 2 or 3 days in Istanbul, allows you to enjoy the most flexible tour of all, because the schedule of activities is tailored to your liking.

During the days you choose, a guide will be at your service to take you to the best monuments in Istanbul, as well as offering recommendations and advice so that you can enjoy this ancient city as you wish. However, it is important to note that the cost quoted refers to the guide's fee, the cost of entrance fees to the monuments is not included.

Yes, it is possible to find discounted tickets for the Istanbul Cistern Bas ilica if you are a Turkish citizen over 65 years of age.

Yes, the Istanbul Cistern Basilica offers discounted tickets for domestic and foreign children under the age of 7, making it an accessible option for families wishing to explore the city's underground mysteries.

Moreover, students with a valid International Student Identity Card (ISIC) can also take advantage of a discount, but it is always advisable to check current policies before your visit as this monument is not affiliated with the Ministry of Culture.

I recommend buying tickets online rather than at the ticket office to avoid long queues, especially during peak tourist seasons in Istanbul, as here you need to go through two checkpoints, the entrance and the security checkpoint, so you can spend about an hour waiting to get in while watching the queue at the Topkapi Palace move forward.

By buying tickets online, you can opt to book your skip-the-line guided tour of the Cistern Basilica, which ensures a more convenient and organised experience. In addition, some platforms also offer discounts and promotions that are not available at the ticket office.

The Istanbul Cistern Basilica is open every day of the week, normally from 9:00 am to 11:00 pm. However, during national holidays or special events, opening hours may vary, so it is advisable to check in advance before planning your visit.

The tour of the Istanbul Cistern Basilica usually takes between 45 minutes and 60 minutes if you just want to take a quick walk. However, if you decide to book your skip-the-line guided tour of the Cistern Basilica, the time is extended to 90 minutes, as the guide will provide detailed explanations about the history and legends of the site.

As it is an underground monument, you can visit the Submerged Palace at any time of the year. The best time of day to visit is early in the morning or late afternoon, when the flow of tourists is less.

If you can, try to visit the Cistern Basilica between Monday and Wednesday, as these weekdays, off peak seasons, school holidays and public holidays, tend to be less crowded. On the other hand, Saturdays and Sundays are the days with the most visitors. On the other hand, the best time to plan your visit is at 8:45 am, just before the doors open for the first group to enter. At that time the queues are usually short, which enhances your experience.

To get to the Istanbul Cistern Basilica, you have several transport options:

• By bus: several city bus lines take you close to the cistern. Look for routes to Sultanahmet Square or use the T1 line which drops you off at the nearest stop. If you prefer a more convenient option, you can also hop on the Istanbul tourist bus which stops next to the Cistern Basilica.
• By Metro: The M2 metro line connects well with other areas. Get off at Vezneciler station and walk a few minutes to the Cistern.
• By tram: the T1 line is the most convenient; get off at the Sultanahmet stop, just a few steps from the Cistern.
• By car: This is the least recommended option as traffic in Sultanahmet is heavy; however, if you choose this alternative, exit at Sultanahmet and connect with Kennedy Cadeci.

When you visit Istanbul's Cistern Basilica, there are several points you can't miss:

• Medusa's heads: Medusa's refuge, two mysterious sculptures of Medusa stand at the base of the columns. No one knows for sure why they are there or why one is upside down.
• The submerged columns: The 336 columns, each 9 metres high, are an architectural marvel from the Byzantine era, creating a unique atmosphere.
• The Sacred Fish: the water beneath the cistern is populated by fish that the locals consider sacred.
• The lighting: The softly lit dimly lit atmosphere highlights the magnificence of the place, creating a mystical air. In addition, every 5 minutes the lighting changes so that different angles of the sculptures are highlighted.

There are many monuments and mosques around this Submerged Palace, already within a radius of 1 kilometre, which I leave you on this map, you find 5 recommendations including the Cistern Basilica. You can:

• Enter Hagia Sophia, the cathedral mosque that since the Byzantine era continues to debate the faith that governs it. The only thing that is certain is that it is an unmissable architectural spectacle and a meeting place for the faithful of different religions.
• Strolling through the Hippodrome of Constantinople. Here I must make a personal caveat, as I was expecting to see horses and I found a sublime square called Sultanahmet Meydanı (Sultanahmet Square), flanked by a pair of obelisks, the ruins of the Tripod of Delphi, nowadays composed of the Column of the Serpents and several other emblematic points that are well worth the walk, which is also free!
• Enter the Blue Mosque, which you will surely have seen from afar because it is easily distinguishable thanks to its particular number of domes and its colour. Here you can also enter the inner courtyard for free, but if you're interested in seeing its tiles, other works of art, worship space and, ultimately, the jewel in the crown, I recommend booking a guided tour of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, both of which have interesting histories (and kilometre-long queues that you can skip with this type of visit).
• Theodosius Cistern, almost overlooked due to its modest size, is another of Istanbul's hidden ancient gems.

• Buy your tickets in advance: opt to book your skip-the-line guided tour of the Istanbul Cistern Basilica to get the most out of your visit.
• Wear comfortable clothes: although it is underground, it can be cold or damp, so it is advisable to bring a light jacket. Also, the entrance to the cistern is preceded by 52 steps, and the platforms that lead you through the maze of columns are made of micro-perforated aluminium, so I recommend wearing comfortable, non-heeled shoes.
• Visit early or late: to avoid crowds, try to go early in the morning or late in the afternoon; the rest of the day, the queues are constant and tend to move very slowly because the capacity is controlled.
• Don't miss the Medusa heads: these iconic sculptures are one of the cistern's greatest mysteries. Many legends have been woven around them; however, the one that goes: "the heads of Medusa, the Greek gorgon, are inverted to nullify the powers of her gaze". Others point out that, even so, the mystery of the Cistern's centuries-long disuse was due to the fear that Medusa would turn her visitors to stone even in this position.
• Explore the surrounding area: there is plenty to see in Istanbul in 1 day if you spend it in the vicinity of Sultanahmet. From taking a tour of the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and the Grand Bazaar, to the popular Hippodrome with its obelisks and ruins of Antiochus' palace, to taking the best photos of ancient Constantinople on the terrace of one of the restaurants such as Seven Hills or on the benches in the central square.

To date it has appeared in at least three internationally known films, namely:

• "From Russia With Love" (1963): in this James Bond film, the cistern appears as a strategic location for spying on the activities of villains.
• "The International" (2009): the action scenes take place in this underground location, increasing the tension, thanks to the dark and mysterious atmosphere.
• "Inferno" (2016): in the adaptation of Dan Brown's novel, the cistern is the backdrop where important clues are revealed to solve the central mystery.