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 subway space, known as "the submerged palace" or Yerebatan Sarayı, has captivated 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, among which the heads of Medusa stand out, and its mystical atmosphere make it an unparalleled visit for those who wish to immerse themselves in the hidden history of Istanbul. In this article you will find prices, discounts, opening hours, tips and even movie references to give you the complete guide to visit the Istanbul Cistern Basilica.

The most complete option

Istanbul Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Guided Tour

No-queue guided tour of the Cistern Basilica of 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 heads and a dozen other sculptures that change perspective with the permanent play of light.

From $37 at Hellotickets

The skip-the-line guided tour of the Istanbul Cistern Basilica is the best way to explore this fascinating place without wasting time in long lines. The tour lasts approximately 90 minutes, during which you can walk through this majestic subway 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 Byzantium era, a space of almost 10,000 sqm underground in the heart of Istanbul.

The cost of tickets to the Istanbul Cistern Basilica varies depending on the type of visit you prefer. Standard tickets have an average price 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 ticket without queues without audio guide from 21 euros per person.
• Standard ticket without queuing with audio guide from 31 euros 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 by:

• Buying your Istanbul E-pass from 151 €, which will allow you to enjoy more than 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 more than 100 attractions, in addition to the one mentioned above. Ideal for longer trips and, in general, more spontaneous travelers, thanks to the possibility of choosing between 1,2,3,4,5, 7 days in Istanbul, or even 10, to go deeper into the city.

In both cases, savings can reach 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 center 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 tour of about 20-30 minutes to this monument, then you can stay to continue exploring 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, tickets are included; however, another alternative is to book your private guided tour of Istanbul, which, from 159 € and with the possibility of choosing between 1, 2 or 3 days in Istanbul, allows you to enjoy the most flexible tour of all, because the agenda of activities is adjusted to your liking.

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

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

Yes, the Istanbul Cistern Basilica offers discounted tickets for domestic and foreign children under the age of 7, making this destination an accessible option for families wishing to explore the city's subway 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 the policies in place before your visit because this monument is not affiliated with the Ministry of Culture.

I recommend buying tickets online instead of at the box office to avoid long queues, especially during peak tourist seasons in Istanbul, as here you need to go through two checkpoints, access and security, so you can spend around 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 organized experience. In addition, some platforms also offer discounts and promotions that are not available at the box 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 a subway monument, you can approach the Submerged Palace at any time of the year. As for the best time of day to do so, it is early in the morning or late afternoon, when the flow of tourists is less.

If you can, try to go to the Cistern Basilica between Monday and Wednesday, as these weekdays, outside of high season, school vacations and public vacations, are usually 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 a visit is at 8:45 a.m., a little before the doors open to enter with the first group. At that time the lines are usually short, which enhances your experience.

To get to the Istanbul Cistern Basilica, you have several transportation 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 comfortable option, you can also hop on the Istanbul tourist bus that stops next to the Cistern Basilica.
• By metro: the M2 metro line connects well with other areas. You should get off at Vezneciler station and walk a few minutes to reach the cistern.
• By streetcar: the T1 line is the most practical; get off at the Sultanahmet stop, a few steps from the cistern.
• By car: this is the least recommended option because traffic in Sultanahmet is heavy; however, if you choose this alternative, exit through Sultanahmet and connect to Kennedy Cadeci.

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

• Medusa's heads: the refuge of Medusa, two mysterious sculptures of Medusa are located 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 meters high, are an architectural marvel from the Byzantine era, creating a unique atmosphere.
• The Sacred Fish: the water under the cistern is populated by fish that the locals consider sacred.
• The lighting: The softly lit dimly lit environment highlights the magnificence of the place, creating a mystical air. In addition, every 5 minutes the lighting changes to highlight different angles of the sculptures.

There are many monuments and mosques around this Submerged Palace, already within a radius of 1 kilometer, 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 Byzantium era is still debating the faith that governs it. The only certainty is that it is an unmissable architectural spectacle and temple of encounter between the faithful of different religions.
• Strolling through the Hippodrome of Constantinople. Here I must make a personal caveat, since I expected to see horses and I found a sublime square named Sultanahmet Meydanı (Sultanahmet Square), flanked by a pair of obelisks, the ruins of the Tripod of Delphi, currently composed of the Column of the Serpents and several other emblematic points that are worth the tour, 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 color. Here you can also enter the inner courtyard for free, but if you are interested in seeing its tiles, other works of art, worship space and, ultimately, the jewel in the crown, I advise you to book a guided tour for the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, both with interesting stories (and kilometer-long queues that you can skip with this type of visit).
• The Cistern of Theodosius, almost overlooked due to its modest size, is another of Istanbul's hidden millenary jewels.

• 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 access to the cistern is preceded by 52 steps, and the platforms that lead you through the maze of columns are made of micro-perforated aluminum, so I recommend wearing comfortable shoes without heels.
• Visit early or late: to avoid crowds, try to go early in the morning or late afternoon; the rest of the day, the lines are constant and usually 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 says: "the heads of Medusa, the Greek gorgon, are inverted to annul 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, through the popular Hippodrome with its obelisks and ruins of the palace of Antiochus, to take the best pictures of ancient Constantinople on the terrace of one of the restaurants like Seven Hills or on the benches located 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 subway place, 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.