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Offered languages
- English
With fast-track entry, skip the long queues and step straight inside. On your guided tour, hear the fascinating stories of Byzantine engineering brilliance and learn how the cistern remained vital throughout Ottoman times.
One of the highlights lies at the far end, the mysterious Medusa heads, steeped in myth and legend. Your guide will reveal the secrets behind these iconic sculptures and the symbolism hidden in their unique placement.
This is not just a monument, it’s a journey through centuries of history and imagination. After the guided tour ends, you’re free to stay inside as long as you wish, immersing yourself in the otherworldly beauty of this underground palace.
As an added bonus, receive Basilica Cistern and Blue Mosque audio guides, giving you the freedom to explore one of Istanbul’s most famous landmarks at your own pace.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Meet your guide in front of Dsign Café and the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum, located directly on the Hippodrome, next to the Egyptian Obelisk. At the meeting point, look for the guide holding a white MegaPass flag.
Tour finishes at Basilica Cistern and you will have free time to explore more by yourself.
Itinerary
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1Basilica Cistern
Skip the Lines and Explore the mystical Basilica Cistern with a Guided Tour. Discover the secrets of the Medusa heads, uncover hidden stories, and enjoy a bonus Blue Mosque Audio Guide. Descend below the heart of Istanbul and discover the Basilica Cistern, a hidden underground world of marble columns, rippling waters, and ancient legends. Built in the 6th century during the Byzantine Empire, this vast subterranean reservoir once supplied water to palaces and public baths. Today, it stuns visitors with its haunting atmosphere: hundreds of marble columns reflecting in the still waters under soft, mysterious light.
Admission ticket included
Additional info
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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