Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarayi) Tours and Tickets - page 3
What are people saying about Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarayi)
Stephanie_B, Oct 2026
Communication from the...
Communication from the tour group was excellent and it was easy to find their flag to meet our guide. The Basilica Cistern itself is absolutely gorgeous and well worth visiting. Our guide did share some information, but it felt very rushed and was hard to hear over the crowds. Honestly, the best part of the tour was the skip-the-line access.
Meg_F, Nov 2026
Big 3 with Kaan
We thoroughly enjoyed the tour and our guide Kaan. The pace was perfect for us and Kaan’s depth of the history and cultural significance was impressive.
Maria_V, Oct 2026
This tour was totally...
This tour was totally worth it. Our guide gave us great information and no lines to go in. I highly recommend it!
Tina_W, Oct 2026
Easy entrance
Once you locate the person with the white flag it is so easy to follow him into the cistern. He may be escorting someone inside when you arrive so don’t panic. Wait a few minutes and he’ll be back!
RYAN_D, Oct 2026
This was a well organized...
This was a well organized and informative tour led by our excellent guide Murat…highly recommend him!
Emily_B, Oct 2026
Great Guide
Great guide. Very knowledgeable. Had a very easy way about him.
Great knowledge about Cistern and Istanbul.
shashin_p, Oct 2026
Basilica Cistern Istanbul
Well worth the visit including the history which the guide told us about. And it's the place where the James Bond From Russia with Love was part filmed
Patrick_L, Oct 2026
This Is The Tour To See Istanbul's Highlights
Comprehensive and informative, this tour gave me a outstanding overview of Istanbul's history and the factors which influenced its evolution over time. Lufti was an exceptional guide whose guiding enabled me to experience numerous sites that I would not otherwise independently visit in one day, let alone understand its fascinating history. It was a long day with lots of walking but one I thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated.
Sam_F, Oct 2026
Amazing place to visit but consider if a skip the line ticket is worth the extra cost.
Stunnng place to visit, so atmospheric and the architecture is incredible. However, disappointed with the skip the line booking. I booked the night before, but when I got there the next morning, it wasn’t busy, so would have just walked in anyway. However, I appreciate visitor queues are unpredictable. It also mentioned an audio guide which I never received. Therefore felt I’d spent extra money on nothing, so wish I had taken a risk with the queues and paid on the day.
Yusnita_B, Oct 2026
Muhammet was an...
Muhammet was an insightful and engaging guide, generous with sharing knowledge beyond Basilica Cistern. His storytelling gave great context to our tour and his warmth will be remembered. Thank you Muhammet!
Sharon_S, Oct 2026
Great Tour of the Top Attractions
Lutfi was our guide and he was fabulous! He was extremely knowledgeable about all of the sites sharing history, legends and answered all of our questions. He had recommendations for restaurants and other activities. Also, he was very capable in herding our little group through crowded areas ensuring that we had the best spots for photo opportunities.
James_M, Oct 2026
As Advertised
This tour was as advertised from meeting point to skip-the-line access. Once inside, we were given a good 15 minute explanation on the history of the cistern and then free to walk through it at our own pace.
Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarayi)
5.0
(30,806)
Know before you go
Ways to explore
How to get there
When to visit

Wear comfortable, nonslip shoes to traverse the steps and the often-wet ground.
The entrance for wheelchair users and other visitors with mobility challenges is at the cistern’s exit.
As the cistern is underground, the setting is damp and cool. Take a layer if you don’t want to feel the chill.
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