Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Entry and Audio Guided Tour

Place: Istanbul

Duration: 1 hour

Language: English

Mobile voucher accepted

Instant confirmation

Skip the line

Entrance Fees Included

Guided Tour

Private Tour

Smaller Group Size

Tour with Audioguide

With audioguide

Why you’ll love this…

Discover the 4th-century Basilica Cistern, a Byzantine water storage facility
Hear the intriguing tales behind the Medusa heads from Greek mythology
Marvel at the cathedral-sized cistern's capacity of up to 80,000 cubic meters of water
Learn how the water supply originates from the Eğrikapı Water Distribution Centre
Descend fifty-two stone steps to enter this historical structure with a firebrick wall

What to expect

You can choose between the following options available in the order box: Audio-guided tour with Skip the ticket line entrance (Option 1), Guided tour with Skip-the-line entrance (Option 2), Small-group guided tour with Skip-the-line entrance (Option 3) that includes entrance with small-group tour for up to 8 people, or the Private tour with entrance (Option 4), for up to 8 people.

Option 1: Audio-guided tour with Skip the ticket line entrance

Option 2: Guided tour with Skip-the-line entrance

Option 3: Small-group guided tour with Skip-the-line entrance

Option 4: Private tour with Entrance

Visit the Basilica Cistern, an architectural wonder constructed in the 4th century and expanded in 532 AD.

Venture into this cathedral-sized cistern, established under Emperor Justinian I's reign in 532 A.D. Its purpose was to provide water to the Great Palace. The cistern boasts a capacity of up to 80,000 cubic meters of water, transported through an extensive network of aqueducts from a reservoir near the Black Sea.

Descend fifty-two stone steps leading to the entrance of this historical structure. Learn about how the water supply originates from the Eğrikapı Water Distribution Centre in the Belgrade Forest. It then journeys through the 971-meter-long Valens Aqueduct and the 115-meter-long Mağlova Aqueduct, both remarkable feats of engineering by Emperor Justinian.

Important to know

Know in advance:

After booking, you will receive your entry ticket QR ticket via separate e-mail from supplier
The QR ticket will only be visible when in proximity to the venue
You will need internet connection on your smartphone to retrieve your QR ticket
It is not possible to skip the security lines
There could be a line at the entrance and is mandatory for all visitors