Istanbul: Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Ticket Line Entry

Visit the Basilica Cistern, originally built in the 4th century and expanded in 532 AD, a vast underground reservoir from the Byzantine era. Discover the atmospheric chamber, its forest of marble columns, and the famous Medusa heads inspired by Greek mythology. An audio guide is available in 25 different languages for deeper insight during your visit.

Explore this cathedral-size cistern, built during the reign of Emperor Justinian I in 532 A.D. to supply water to the Great Palace. It stores up to 80,000 cubic meters of water, delivered via 20 kilometers of aqueducts from a reservoir near the Black Sea.

Descend the fifty-two stone steps into the entrance of the cistern. The cistern is surrounded by a firebrick wall with a thickness of 4 meters, coated with a waterproofing mortar. Hear how the Basilica Cistern's water comes from the Eğrikapı Water Distribution Center in the Belgrade Forest and travels through the 971-meter-long Valens Aqueduct and the 115-meter-long Mağlova Aqueduct, built by the Emperor Justinian.

You can visit the Basilica Cistern any day between 09:00 and 18:00. The cistern can be visited with a standard entry ticket, but those who prefer a guided experience should meet the guide at the scheduled tour time.

The Basilica Cistern guided tour is available every day except Friday at 10:30 AM, 1:30 PM, and 3:45 PM. Participants should meet their guide at Dsign Cafe at least 15 minutes before the tour begins, and the guide can be easily recognized by a purple and fuchsia umbrella.