Private Guided Basilica Cistern and Topkapi Palace with Skip Line
Recommended by 100% of travelers
Istanbul, Turkey
- 3 hours (approx.)
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Topkapi Palace, home of sultans for almost four centuries, and the Basilica Cistern, a subterranean marvel, are two of Istanbul’s top sights with often long lines. Enjoy skip-the-line entry (at your own expense) on this private tour. Your private guide tailors explanations to your interests, ensuring a fully personalized experience.
- Your private guide ensures you don’t miss a thing at the vast Topkapi Palace
- Capture gorgeous photos of lush gardens and reflected columns
- Save hours of waiting time with skip-the-line entry (own expense)
- Choose between morning or afternoon visits to suit your schedule
What's Included
- Basilica Cistern Guided Tour
- Topkapi Palace Guided Tour
- Professional Licensed Tour Guide Fee
- Hotel pickup
- Entrance fee - Topkapi PalaceTRY2,750.00 per person
- Entrance fee - Basilica CisternTRY1,950.00 per person
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Basilica CisternAlemdar, Yerebatan Cd. 1/3, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
Meet your tour guide at the entrance of Basilica Cistern ( We will contact to you before your starts for more information )
End point
- Topkapi Palace MuseumCankurtaran, Babı Hümayun Cad No: 1, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
The 4th courtyard of The Topkapi Palace is end of the tour.
Itinerary
1
Basilica Cistern
1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included
2
TopkapI Palace
2 hours • Admission Ticket Not Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Most travelers can participate
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
5.0
based on 222 reviews
Scott_C, Apr 2026
Murat was very knowledgeable about every place we went. You can tell he really enjoys doing it to. He also took his time explaining everything so I could understand it. I would request him on my next tour.
Thomas_n, Mar 2026
Had a private tour with Murat of the Cistern and the Palace. The morning of the tour Murat contact us to give more details about the upcoming tour which was nice. He meet us early and the agreed time and gave us an excellent tour. Would highly recommend anyone coming to Istanbul to book him for a private tour.
Armand_v, Dec 2025
We had an awesome day with Murat. He has excellent knowledge on both sites but also beyond that when we asked more questions on other historical sites and the history of Turkey to the finest of details. He was very kind and friendly. He made it so interesting as if we were reliving the past moments of these beautiful historical sites. Would highly recommend this travel tour group. Thanks Murat you are a phenomenal tour guide!
Grace_K, Dec 2025
We had a wonderful experience with Murat as our tour guide. He was extremely knowledgeable and shared detailed information that was very helpful for our visit. He was thorough in his explanations and very attentive to our interests and questions throughout the tour. His professionalism and passion made the experience both seamless and enjoyable. Plus, the entire booking and meeting point experience was extremely easy and smooth. I would highly recommend Murat to anyone looking for an engaging and informative tour.
WolfRudiger_S, Nov 2025
Topkapi Palace and Basilica Cistern are the Highlights of Istanbul //
Marathon, the personal guide was tremendius! He took care of everything and explained clearly.
Tania_W, Nov 2025
Very interesting and beautiful palace. The cistern was truly amazing. All your of us had a good time and learned a lot.
MARTIN_A, Oct 2025
Great experience with a very informative guide With our skip the line tickets it meant we had little waiting
Peter_J, Oct 2025
You have to buy your tickets on the day of the visit - cistern by credit but Topaki with cash.
Murat was an excellent guide. Knowledgeable, organized and happy to answer questions.
Donna_G, Oct 2025
It was a very interesting tour. Heusian was an excellent tour guide. He let you set the pace and was very knowledgeable.
Christoph_L, Oct 2025
We had a great experience with our tour guide, Erdem. Our situation was very unusual in that my mother fell five minutes into our tour and had to be driven to the hospital for stitches. Erdem stayed with us the entire time, securing a taxi to follow the ambulance to the hospital, and acting as translator and advocate with clinic staff to get updates on Mom's condition. When Mom was released from the ER, Erdem helped is at the pharmacy and then found another taxi to drive us back tour hotel. (He had to run up the street, asking no fewer than three taxi drivers before he found someone willing to take us!) After we got Mom back to the hotel to rest, Erdem worked hard to salvage the remainder of the day. He joined us for lunch and then modified the planned tour so the rest of us were still able to see the Tokpapi Palace. Erdem's English is excellent and his knowledge of Istanbul/Turkish history is exceptional. He took time to answer our many questions and gave an enjoyable and informative tour of the entire palace complex. We are all so grateful for his patience, professionalism, and assistance with a very stressful day. He really turned it around for us!!
Peter_E, Sep 2025
The experience was personal & wonderful…our guide Murat was fluent, knowledgeable & left us with a great understanding of both the sites visited .
Michael_T, Sep 2025
Highly recommended. Erdem was an excellent guide, with plentiful knowledge of both places. His insight and stories made the tour really special. He was also friendly and punctual. Ask for Erdem when you make the booking-- you won't regret it.
Andrew_S, Sep 2025
Huseyin was very informative on our tours of Basilica Cistern & Topkapi palace. Kept a great pace getting ahead of the lines. Wonderful time!
cyril_w, Sep 2025
Very nice experience. Hussain was a great guide. He was very knowledgeable and gave us great insight into both locations. He answered all our questions. We learned a lot. The intrigues of palace life were explained in detail. He expertly moved us to the front of the line saving us a lot of time. We had time to wander around the palace on our own afterwards. Thank you for a great tour.
brennan_g, Sep 2025
His run was an Amazing guide and so good! Skip the line was awesome. I knew a decent amount of info but learn tons from him and took us to the best parts.
DORAM_T, Aug 2025
A must see. This is the oldest cisterns in the world. Is impeccably condition's. It’s just beautiful
Steve_S, Aug 2025
Hussein was an absolutely wonderful guide. He is full of knowledge about our 2 locations. And was a very good communicator. Because of his work, we skipped the line of hundreds of people. When we come back, we will ask for him by name.
Rolando_J, Aug 2025
Murat gave us a great summary of relevant historic facts of the Basílica cistern and the Topkapi palace. He was courteous and accommodating and answered all our questions, even sharing additional details through WhatsApp. I recommend Murat for anyone that wants a personalized experience.
Michelle_B, Aug 2025
Well worth seeing especially with an experienced guide, we had Erdem, very informative and patient with us during the many questions asked from our group. Would highly recommend him for any history buffs
Angela_A, Aug 2025
Marvellous tour with excellent guide who located us having breakfast near the meeting point and had tea with us. Our trio had no wait entry and we enjoyed very informative historic accounts delivered by the guide.
Diana_I, Jul 2025
Having a guide for the basilica cistern and Topkapi palace was great! Both are must see sights in Istanbul. My only complaint is that although the guide helped navigate through the crowds for most sights the Topkapi palace treasury was too crowded to be able to enjoy this fantastic collection.
Meighan_G, Jul 2025
The tour with Murat was excellent ! Made the visits so much more interesting. He’s so knowledgeable! And skipping the lines was a huge win. I would recommend this tour any day.
Sanjay_S, Jun 2025
Huseyin was a great guide. Very polite and with good knowledge. Spent sufficient time to explain and show us everything. Enjoyed the tour. Very highly recommended
Rajesh_J, Jun 2025
Erdem was a great tour guide. Enjoyed our time with him while he explained about the Basilica cistern and the intricate details of the Topikapi Palace.
Arianna_G, May 2025
Great private tour if you like a customized experience and lots of history. Learned new information that I haven’t on previous tours.
Kamlesh_D, May 2025
I had limited time so signed up for a combo tour of Basilica and Topkapi Palace I paid for a tour guide and the skip the line tickets but seems I could have done Basilica myself . Our guide was great and his knowledge was definitely valuable especially for Topkapi .
Elena_V, May 2025
A visit to Istanbul's Basilica Cistern and Topkapi Palace is greatly enhanced by a knowledgeable guide. Our experience with Erdem was exceptional. His engaging commentary brought the history of both sites vividly to life, offering insightful context and highlighting key details we would have otherwise missed. Erdem's guidance made our exploration both informative and memorable, proving invaluable in truly appreciating these historical treasures. Highly recommended, especially with Erdem.
Nick_A, May 2025
Huseyin is an excellent tour guide. He was very communicative, friendly, and knowledgeable. 100% would recommend.
Ann_E, Apr 2025
Wonderful tour with Erdem and cannot recommend enough! He had wonderful stories at both sites, answered our many questions, pointed out the best photo spots and the tour was well organised with our tickets and clear instructions on our meeting point.
Vinod_S, Apr 2025
Our private tour of Basilica Cistern and Topkapi Palace in Istanbul with Erdem was excellent. He explained all of the history in great detail and answered all our questions! We wouldn't have had as great an experience without the assistance of a knowledgeable tour guide. Thank you Erdem!!
From $58.83
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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