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  5. Skip-the-line Basilica Cistern, Hagia Sophia, Istanbul Tour｜Turkey
Product #589063
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Skip-the-line Basilica Cistern, Hagia Sophia, Istanbul Tour｜Turkey
Skip-the-line Basilica Cistern, Hagia Sophia, Istanbul Tour｜Turkey
Skip-the-line Basilica Cistern, Hagia Sophia, Istanbul Tour｜Turkey
Skip-the-line Basilica Cistern, Hagia Sophia, Istanbul Tour｜Turkey
Skip-the-line Basilica Cistern, Hagia Sophia, Istanbul Tour｜Turkey

Skip-the-line Basilica Cistern, Hagia Sophia, Istanbul Tour｜Turkey

Turkey-Istanbul
Free cancellation 3 day(s) prior to experience date
Please present the e-voucher on-site
  • Explore the ancient Basilica Cistern with a 5-Star Licensed Guide
  • Save time with skip-the-line tickets to this popular tourist attraction
  • Discover secrets of Constantinople, the former capital of the Byzantine Empire
  • Visit the Hagia Sophia Mosque, a top 1 UNESCO Site (3 and 4,5-hour options only)
  • Private pickup and drop-off service (3,5- and 4,5-hour options only)
[5% App discount] Code: APP5OFF , HK: APP15HK
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Sightseeing Tours

Minimum participant requirement1 traveler

Product Info

Did you know about the several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the Old City of Istanbul? On this private tour you will visit the largest of them, the Basilica Cistern, and learn about ancient engineering. Save time with skip-the-line tickets and dicover Istanbul’s hidden underground structures!

Book a 2-hour guided tour of the Basilica Cistern in Istanbul. Your Private Guide will meet you in the Sultanahmet Old City, near the site where the Hippodrome of Constantinople once stood. Explore Istanbul's Historic Areas and hear fascinating stories from the time of the Byzantine Empire. The Basilica Cistern was built in the 6th century under an early Roman basilica facing the Hagia Sophia. Today it is kept with little water, so visitors can access the underground chamber. It is one of Istanbul's most popular attractions, but with fast-track tickets, the queue to get in won’t take that long.

Inside the cathedral-sized Basilica Cistern you will explore a space of approximately 138 meters (453 ft) by 65 meters (213 ft). The calling is supported by 336 marble columns, the majority of which appear to have been recycled from the ruins of older buildings. Two of the columns reuse old blocks carved with the face of Medusa, and there are also several modern art pieces installed in the cistern. Combined with intimate lighting and music, they create a unique experience that will make you appreciate the skills of ancient engineering. It is a must-see!

Choose the 3,5-hour option to book private transfers with a 2-hour private tour of the Basilica Cistern and nearby attractions. This option includes a 1,5-hour round-trip transfer with pickup and drop-off at your accommodation in Istanbul. We will arrange a Professional Driver and a clean, air-conditioned private car, van or bus for this service.

Book a longer 3-hour tour to visit Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern - 2 of the most important heritage sites of Byzantium in Istanbul. You must visit them both to fully appreciate ancient Constantinople. For your convience, we provide fast track tickets to both attractions. Discover the historical, cultural and architectural significance of the Hagia Sophia Mosque. Mmarvel at the stunning architecture and art that blends Christian and Islamic elements and learn how and why this 6th-century basilica was converted into a mosque. Visit a top 1 UNESCO Wolrd Heritage Site in Istanbul!

Choose the 4,5-hour tour option to book private transfers with a 3-hour private tour of the Basilica Cistern and Hagia Sophia Mosque. Thanks to private transfers with the convenient pickup and drop-off service you can sit back and relax without worrying about anyone and anything. Travel in comfort in a clean, air conditioned car instead of a coach, and easily reach the meeting point in the Old City.

Important Info

Reminders

  • If your package requires a pickup address, the supplier will reconfirm the address you provided. If the address cannot be accepted, we will contact you to confirm an alternative pickup location.

  • Know Before You Go: Check your email the day before the tour for important information

  • Know Before You Go: Please note that the number of attractions depends on the selected option.

  • Know Before You Go: Skip-the-line tickets allow you to enter faster without purchasing tickets on the spot, but you will have to wait in line for ticket validation and mandatory security checks.

  • Know Before You Go: All visitors to Hagia Sophia must follow mosque etiquette, which includes modest attire (headscarves for women). Some areas are closed to non-Muslims during prayer hours, and women are only allowed in the visitors area.

  • Know Before You Go: For the best experience, we limit your group size to 1-25 guests per guide. The price of the tour will be higher if you need more guides.

  • Know Before You Go: The 3,5 and 5,5-hour options include an estimated 1,5-hour round-trip transfer from your accommodation, depending on the distance and traffic. We offer a standard car (sedan) for 1-4 people, or a larger van for groups of 5+ people. You can book a 5-people tour for a larger vehicle.

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