Basilica Cistern Skip the Line Ticket + Galata Tower Combo
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About this tour
This combo ticket gets you into two of Istanbul's landmarks: the Basilica Cistern, the vast Byzantine reservoir with its illuminated columns and famous upside-down Medusa heads, and the Galata Tower, a 14th-century stone tower whose top platform gives you a 360-degree look over the city, the Golden Horn, and the Bosphorus. Inside the tower you'll also find museum exhibits, including the story of Hezarfen Ahmed Celebi's legendary flight. Admission to both sites is included.
Highlights
- 360-degree views over Istanbul, the Golden Horn, and the Bosphorus from the top of Galata Tower
- A tower that's anchored Istanbul's skyline since the 14th century
- One of Istanbul's most photographed and recognizable landmarks
- Museum exhibits inside the tower, including the legend of Hezarfen Ahmed Celebi's flight
- The Basilica Cistern, the underground reservoir that supplied Istanbul's water for centuries
- Byzantine features underground, including the two Medusa-head column bases and rows of lit columns
- Byzantine, Genoese, and Ottoman architecture across both sites
- View the 360-degree panorama of Istanbul's skyline and landscape.
- Delve into the complex history of the city while taking in its modern charm.
- See a unique blend of Byzantine, Genoese, and Ottoman architectural styles.
Included / Excluded
- Admission to both sites
Galata Tower Visiting Hours
The Galata Tower runs two separate visiting periods each day, so you can plan your ticket around when you'd rather go. Daytime hours are 08:30 to 18:14, with the last tickets sold at 17:45.
In the evening the tower reopens as a Night Museum from 19:00 to 23:00, with the final ticket sold at 22:00. This later session is a good option if you want the city lit up from the observation deck.
Available Days / Times
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Important Information
- The tower gets busy in peak season; a morning slot booked ahead is your best bet.
- An elevator covers most of the climb, but the final flights are a narrow spiral staircase not ideal for limited mobility.
- Photography is allowed inside the tower, though flash may be restricted near the exhibits.
- The tower complex has a cafe and a souvenir shop.
- The observation deck is open-air and can be windy in cooler months, so bring a light jacket.
- Easy to pair with a walk across Galata Bridge, coffee in Karakoy, or a stroll down Istiklal Avenue.
- Follow staff instructions at all times.
- Do not lean out of the windows or climb on any structures.
- Do not touch or damage the exhibits.
- No smoking inside the tower.