Highlights

Discover the Basilica Cistern, an ancient infrastructure that has served Istanbul's water needs for centuries.
Witness Byzantine artworks, including the iconic Medusa heads and hundreds of illuminated columns.
Learn about the secrets of these subterranean structures as you navigate the underground site.

About this activity

Dating back to 532 AD, the Basilica Cistern is the city's largest covered cistern, originally supplying water to the Great Palace, home to emperors. Walk along the raised platforms and soak up the sights while standing safe and dry among 336 illuminated marble and granite columns. See the Byzantine architecture and the famous Medusa heads at the base of the columns. This historic site has appeared in films like Dan B…

What's included

Included

Admission

Location

Good to know

Child policy:
Children under 6 years are free of charge.
Good to know:
Please note that this skip-the-line admission allows you to bypass the ticket counter queue and proceed directly to the Basilica Cistern entrance. However, you will still need to wait in line for security checks.
The admission ticket includes an audio guide available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French, German, Romanian, Croatian, and Arabic. A download link will be provided upon booking confirmation, and the audio guide must be downloaded in advance.
Last admission is one hour before closing. Check the official website for the daily opening hours prior to your visit.

Categories & locations

Museum

Other attractions

Regions

Istanbul · Istanbul Province · Turkey

Basilica Cistern Skip the Line Ticket

Included