Quick Details
Guided Tour In Istanbul: Hagia Sophia and Basilica Cistern
Join a 2-hour small group tour of Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern in Istanbul, led by an expert local guide. Enjoy priority admission to skip the longest lines at the ticket office and start learning about the fascinating lives of the Ottomans sooner.
Meet your guide in the Sultanahmet neighborhood at an easy spot for a walking tour of Istanbul’s greatest monuments. Begin your journey with the Basilica Cistern, also known as the “Subterranean Palace.” Discover its history, see the underground pillars, and learn about Byzantine architecture. Walk on wooden walkways over the water and view the famous upside-down Medusa heads.
Next, visit the Hagia Sophia with pre-reserved tickets and witness the most significant site of the Greek Orthodox religion in Istanbul. As you explore the interior, learn how it was converted into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople.
Marvel at the stunning monument and its mixed elements mosque and a church coexisting side by side. Admire the basilica’s stunning dome, minarets, countless mosaics, paintings, and Roman columns.
Discover how the impressive İznik tiles were added over time in the Mosque, how the stunning Virgin Mary mosaic was created, and why the Ottomans chose to bury their sultans in the courtyard.
Concluding in Sultanahmet Square, our tour leaves you equipped with ample knowledge and insights to navigate the enchanting streets of Istanbul independently. Join us for an unforgettable journey through the heart of this historic city.
-
- Visit two major highlights of Istanbul on a small-group tour led by an expert guide.
- Explore the world-famous Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern with tickets.
- Learn about the history and culture of the Ottoman and Byzantine Empires.
- Enjoy included admission tickets for Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern.
- Get tips from your guide at the end of the tour to explore Istanbul.
-
- Priority admission tickets for Hagia Sophia and Basilica Cistern
- Professional and local guide with a license
- 2-hour small group tour
- Headsets to hear the guide better
-
- Transport to the meeting spot
-
- Please note that women should be required to wear a headscarf when entering the mosque.
- Please note that both men and women should wear clothing that covers their shoulders and knees. Shorts, sleeveless tops, and other revealing attire are not permitted inside.
- The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users and people with reduced mobility.
- This tour is not suitable for strollers.
- If Basilica Cistern is closed we visit Şerefiye (cistern of Theodosius) or Binbirdirek (Cistern of Philoxenos).
- Hagia Sophia may be closed unannounced due to high-level state visits.
- Please note that wearing or displaying any specific religious symbols or attire is not permitted.
- You are not allowed to bring signs, symbols, banners, flags, documents, drawings, or any materials representing political, ideological, or religious beliefs inside the Hagia Sophia.
-
- You will have to pass through airport-style security
- Expect long lines to enter the Hagia Sophia, especially during local holidays.
- Basilica Cistern has 50 steps going down and then up. There is no lift.
- Clients must arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before the start of the tour. This is due to the timed entry of the tickets.
- Tickets are timed and expire within 5 to 10 minutes.
- Please be advised that it is not possible to join the tour after it has commenced.
- Tips/gratuities (for your guide) are always appreciated.
-
We meet at Ersoy Bufe. This is a small food kiosk just by the side of the Hippodrome in Sultanahmet Square. It is across the German Fountain. Your guide will be in front of the Ersoy Bufe with a sign that says, “Walks in Europe.” Here is the Google Maps link