3 hour(s)
English
Included
Discover Istanbul’s old town with a knowledgeable English-speaking guide
Visit iconic sites like the Basilica Cistern, Blue Mosque, and Hippodrome
Explore the Grand Bazaar, spice market, and a traditional carpet workshop
Enjoy a small-group experience with great photo opportunities
€ 65
€ 59.80
Free cancellation and unlimited rescheduling leads to total flexibility while you plan your travels
Lowest Price Guarantee — no other provider offers this tour for less
Step back in time as you explore the historic “old town” of Istanbul on this immersive cultural tour led by an English-speaking guide. Your journey begins in Sultanahmet, where magnificent monuments from Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman eras stand side by side. Marvel at the underground wonder of the Basilica Cistern, gaze up at the elegant domes of the Blue Mosque, and walk through the ancient Hippodrome as you uncover the stories and architecture that shaped this thriving metropolis over the centuries.
Continue your adventure through the vibrant heart of the city with a stroll into bustling bazaars and atmospheric backstreets. Sample traditional Turkish delights in the Grand Bazaar, browse artisan crafts in a local carpet workshop, and breathe in the fragrant aromas of the spice market. With a small group size that allows for a more personalized experience, this tour blends historic discovery with lively local culture — and offers plenty of photo-worthy moments along the way.
Small Group
Professional Guide
Basilica Cistern entry ticket
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Gratuities
Basilica Cistern
Comfortable shoes
Water bottle
Public transportation nearby
Not wheelchair accessible
Appropriate attire is recommended
Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Type in your hotel/accommodation to see how far the attraction or departure point is.
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Breathtaking place to visit. Light changing colours may seem a little awkward but nice. If you're a photo enthusiast you will find a good place to practice. Maybe the most iconic columns are guarded by a not-so-nice guy who's hurrying people with an annoying whistle. Entrance is around 3.000 TL per person. But it's worth the price.
Very beautiful. It can be a bit crowded but you can still get high quality photos. Lots of attention needing Instagram folks there but you can get around that. Love the lights that light up the waterways. Gives you a great of how vast this was even though it’s just a small section. Really makes you appreciate the pure knowledge and dedication of the Roman Empire. Definitely a must do experience in Istanbul. Get your tickets in advance!
Must go when in Turkey. There’s 2 other cisterns nearby that is less popular with cheaper entry too to visit. But this one is quite spectacular. The way the walkway is laid out is good too as you make your way above the water level to the exit. Keep a lookout for Medusa and try not to stare into her eyes, less you become one with the cistern. In stone. It is recommended to buy tickets before hand to skip the line which could take more than an hour to enter. The only line you have to do is the security check and it is even more cheaper if you buy the combo skip the line tickets with Topkapi and Hagia Sophia. The walkway is dry so no special shoes needed. There’s also a ramp for wheelchair access.
Hasan was a wealth of information!! The bazar was overwhelming but enjoyable. We enjoyed the cistern basilica the most.
Basilica Cistern is a large underground water reservoir constructed in the 6th century under Emperor Justinian to supply water for the city of Constantinople (now Istanbul) near Sultanahmet. It was forgotten and lost in history for several centuries until being rediscovered in the 16th century. Now it is a major sightseeing attraction in the city that can be visited daily from 9am to 6.30pm and then again from 7.30pm to 10pm for night visits and events. We purchased tickets online before visiting using the PASSO website recommended on the TA Istanbul forums. Ticket price is 350 TRY for locals and 1500 TRY for foreign visitors. Importantly, online purchase doesn't require a tour or any sort. You book and use the QR code sent for direct and independent visits. On the day, we visited there was a pretty long queue of tourists in the ticket purchase queue. We walked straight in with the online ticket purchase. What you find is a large cavernous underground reservoir with shallow clear waters occasionally lit up with colourful lights that help make for neat photographs. The cistern's vaulted ceiling is held up by 336 columns many of which were repurposed from other Roman buildings. Two in particular are quite famous having based carved to resemble the head of Medusa. You walk on wooden platforms around the cistern in a counter clockwise direction. In addition to the columns, you will see a handful of installations with in the cistern. The air within is cool and you will occasionally be hit with falling water drops, all part of the dreamy, somewhat magical like experience of walking through the Basilica Cistern. Allow 20-45 minutes depending on how much you are enjoying your time during your visit.
Fabulous experience. The space underground is cool but not cold (September). It wasn’t crowded and queues weren’t long. There were maybe 20 people in front of us in the queue at 9:30am. The queue moves very fast so we barely had to wait. You can purchase entry tickets at the kiosk at the entrance or pre-purchase online and use a QR code to enter like what we did. It takes about 30 minutes to leisurely walk through and time for pictures.
I had a wonderful tour with Erol. He was extremely knowledgeable and his English was excellent. I would recommend Erol to any person wanting to use a guide.
Very informative. We could only stay for the first part of the tour.
