Basilica Cistern Skip the Line Tickets & Guided Tour (Megapass)
+8
About this tour
Head underground into the Basilica Cistern, the 6th-century water reservoir built under Emperor Justinian I to supply the Great Palace of Constantinople. Skip-the-line tickets get you past the queue at the entrance, and you can add a guided tour or audio guide to learn the stories behind the columns and the famous Medusa heads. The cistern holds around 80,000 cubic meters of water, and its dim lighting and rows of marble columns make for a cool, quiet break from the streets of Istanbul above.
Highlights
- Walk among rows of marble columns, each carved differently and salvaged from older buildings.
- See the two Medusa heads set at the base of columns, still tied to old legends.
- Take in the mix of still water, low light, and ancient stone that gives the cistern its mood.
- Learn how the cistern once fed water to the Great Palace of Constantinople.
- Cool off and step away from the crowds of central Istanbul underground.
Opening Hours & What to Wear
The Basilica Cistern is open every day in two separate sessions. The daytime session runs from 09:00 to 18:30, then the site closes for an hour. It reopens for an evening session from 19:30 to 22:00, when the lighting is turned up for a different feel. Note that the cistern is closed from 18:30 to 19:30, and a daytime ticket won't get you in during the evening session.
There's no dress code for the cistern itself, but if you're pairing it with Hagia Sophia or the Blue Mosque nearby, both call for modest dress, so plan your clothes with that in mind. Comfortable clothing and supportive shoes are a good idea either way, since the floor is damp and uneven underfoot.
Available Days / Times
- Monday : 10:00, 12:00, 15:00
- Tuesday : 14:00
- Wednesday : 10:00, 12:00, 15:00
- Thursday : 10:00, 12:00, 15:00
- Friday : 10:00, 12:00, 13:00, 15:00
- Saturday : 10:00, 12:00, 15:00
- Sunday : 10:00, 12:00, 15:00
Important Information
- Book online to skip the long lines that build up at the ticket office.
- Wear comfortable, non-slip shoes; the floors and walkways stay wet and slippery.
- Humidity runs near 96%, and water drips from the ceiling in places.
- Lighting is kept low on purpose, so watch your step on stairs and narrow paths.
- Photography is allowed, but please skip the flash.
- The night session (19:30 to 22:00) needs a separate ticket and is quieter.
- It's cooler underground, so bring a layer.
- Combo tickets save time and money if you're also visiting Hagia Sophia or Topkapi Palace.
- Large luggage and suitcases aren't allowed inside.
- No food or drinks inside; tripods need prior authorization.
- No smoking, including e-cigarettes.
- Pets aren't allowed inside the cistern.
- Payment in Turkish Lira or by credit card only; no foreign currency.