Skip the Line: Discover Istanbuls Basilica Cistern with a Guide

Skip the lines and delve into the mysteries of Istanbul’s Basilica Cistern, an architectural marvel of the Byzantine Empire, guided by an expert who will bring its fascinating history to life.

Skip the Line: Discover Istanbuls Basilica Cistern with a Guide | ®ExcursionMania
Skip the Line: Discover Istanbuls Basilica Cistern with a Guide | ®ExcursionMania
Skip the Line: Discover Istanbuls Basilica Cistern with a Guide | ®ExcursionMania
Skip the Line: Discover Istanbuls Basilica Cistern with a Guide | ®ExcursionMania
Skip the Line: Discover Istanbuls Basilica Cistern with a Guide | ®ExcursionMania
Skip the Line: Discover Istanbuls Basilica Cistern with a Guide | ®ExcursionMania
Skip the Line: Discover Istanbuls Basilica Cistern with a Guide | ®ExcursionMania
Skip the Line: Discover Istanbuls Basilica Cistern with a Guide | ®ExcursionMania
Skip the Line: Discover Istanbuls Basilica Cistern with a Guide | ®ExcursionMania
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Skip the Line: Discover Istanbuls Basilica Cistern with a Guide | ®ExcursionMania

Overview

Step into the cool, atmospheric depths of the Basilica Cistern, a subterranean structure that has captured imaginations for centuries. Originally constructed by Emperor Justinian I in the 6th century, this ancient water reservoir is a testament to Byzantine engineering genius. As you descend into this hidden world, your guide will share captivating stories about its construction, historical use, and rediscovery, immersing you in the fascinating history of the Byzantine and Ottoman eras.

Walking through the dimly lit arches and rows of stone columns, you’ll be awestruck by the symmetry and craftsmanship of this underground masterpiece. The Cistern features 336 marble columns, many adorned with intricate carvings. Among these, the mysterious Medusa heads stand out as iconic highlights. Their origins and purpose continue to intrigue historians and visitors alike, making them perfect subjects for photography and discussion.

The ingenious engineering of the Basilica Cistern is another aspect to marvel at. Designed to store and supply water to the city’s palaces and residents, this vast system showcases the brilliance of ancient architects and engineers. Your guide will detail the techniques used to build and maintain the structure over centuries, as well as its rediscovery and preservation as one of Istanbul’s most intriguing historical sites.

Adding to its allure, the Basilica Cistern offers a unique ambience. The reflective pools, dim lighting, and the soft sound of dripping water create an almost magical atmosphere, providing a serene escape from the bustling city above. It’s a place where history and tranquility merge seamlessly, offering visitors a rare opportunity to experience Istanbul from a different perspective.

With skip-the-line access, you can bypass the often long queues and dive straight into your exploration. Your professional guide will ensure you uncover all the hidden gems of the cistern, answering questions and sharing insights along the way. This efficient and thoughtfully designed tour is ideal for travelers with tight schedules or those looking to maximize their time in Istanbul.

Select date, participants and language

Adult x 1, Child x 0

Adult

Age 7-25+

Child

Age 0-6

Highlights

  • Explore the Basilica Cistern, a hidden gem of Byzantine engineering.
  • Admire the mysterious Medusa heads and intricate column designs.
  • Learn about the history, architecture, and purpose of this ancient reservoir.
  • Experience the serene and mystical atmosphere of this underground marvel.
  • Benefit from skip-the-line access and expert guidance.

What's Included and What's Not?

Included

  • Professional Tour Guide
  • Skip-the-line entry
  • Unlimited stay inside after the tour

Not Included

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off

Not Suitable For This Activities

  • Wheelchair users

Not Allowed This Activities

  • High-heeled shoes

Important Information

What to Bring

Camera
Cash
Charged Smartphone
Credit card

Information Before Booking

  • The Basilica Cistern can be dimly lit and slightly cool; dress appropriately.
  • This tour involves walking and navigating stairs, so moderate physical fitness is recommended.
  • The site may be busy during peak hours, but your guide will help you navigate efficiently.

Know Before You Go

  • Ensure you arrive at the meeting point on time to avoid missing the tour.
  • Additional fees for transportation, meals, or gratuities are not included.
  • All details regarding the meeting point and schedule will be provided on your voucher.
  • The Basilica Cistern is a historical site; please respect the rules and preserve its beauty for future visitors.

4.3/5

417
Reviews

About This Activity

Free Cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund

Reserve Now & Pay Later

Keep your travel plans flexible - book your spot and pay nothing today

Duration 1 Hours

Check availability to see starting times.

Live Tour Guide

English

Pickup Optional

Please arrive at the starting point 15 minutes before the program begins to ensure a smooth and timely start to your experience.

Location

Istanbul Türkiye

Book Today

From

€39.00

per person

Reserve now & pay later to book your spot and pay nothing today

Highlighted reviews from other travelers

Nikolay Dimitrov - Bulgaria
10 March

Skipping the line was really beneficial since the queue was quite long when we visited. Having a guide explain the history made the experience even better. Our guide, who I believe was Mehmet, was friendly and shared plenty of information. I’d recommend this, especially during the busy season, to ...

Read More

Ellie Watson - Australia
21 March

Very well organized, the guide spoke interestingly about the history. We recommend it.

See More Reviews

Customer Reviews

All reviews are from verified customers who purchased the activity. Reviews can only be submitted after the activity takes place.

Overall Rating

4.3/5

Based on 417 Reviews

Guide

4.3/5

Transportation

4.3/5

Value for Money

4.3/5

By Traveler Types
By star rating
N
Nikolay Dimitrov - Bulgaria
10 March

Skipping the line was really beneficial since the queue was quite long when we visited. Having a guide explain the history made the experience even better. Our guide, who I believe was Mehmet, was friendly and shared plenty of information. I’d recommend this, especially during the busy season, to save time.

Helpful? Yes

K
Karen Simpson - United Kingdom
15 March

It would have been a better experience with a guide who had a stronger command of English.

Helpful? Yes

E
Ellie Watson - Australia
21 March

Very well organized, the guide spoke interestingly about the history. We recommend it.

Helpful? Yes

P
Paulina Feliciano - Brazil
22 March

Everything went smoothly, and the group was small, with just five of us in total.

Helpful? Yes

J
Jacob Müller - Sweden
25 March

The guide wasn't at the meeting point until 15 minutes before the scheduled start time, which made me nervous. However, the guide arrived 10 minutes before the start time with his flag, and everything went smoothly from there. It's a beautiful cistern, a must see. The guide provided us with some helpful explanations and answered our questions perfectly. I would definitely spend the extra money for a guide again, as he shared stories and tips on the best photo spots.

Helpful? Yes

H
Hanne Lindgren - Denmark
30 March

Mehmet was an excellent and well informed guide. Entering the cistern was an easy and seamless experience.

Helpful? Yes

J
Justine Degée - France
02 April

The organization was top notch. Given the long line at the entrance, the priority access ticket was well worth it. We saved around 20 minutes waiting. The guide's 30 minute presentation was clear and informative.

Helpful? Yes

D
Debra Davies - United Kingdom
03 April

Larger than I anticipated, and the dramatic lighting added a great touch. İt wasn’t too crowded. The layout was well designed and easy to navigate.

Helpful? Yes

A
Aroha Te Rangi - New Zealand
05 April

The tour was brief, with the guide hurrying through the information in about 10 minutes. However, it was still a good choice since the entry line was extremely long skipping it saved a lot of time, which made it well worth it.

Helpful? Yes

B
Bailey Morales - United States of America
07 April

Our guide, Ceker, was fantastic. His English was very good, and he did a great job keeping everyone engaged and explaining things throughout the tour. At times, it was a bit hard to hear him due to the noise and crowds.

Helpful? Yes

L
Lucía Pérez - Spain
09 April

There was no guide. My scheduled tour was no longer available. I was given tickets to the cistern instead, but I had originally booked a guided tour. Unfortunately, I didn’t bring headphones, so I couldn’t use the alternative pre-recorded audio option.

Helpful? Yes

T
Tania Leclerc - Canada
11 April

The guide provided a helpful 30 minute overview of the Cisterns and their historical background. He was very supportive throughout. After the introduction, we had unlimited time to explore the site on our own. This tour offered an ideal mix of guided insight and independent exploration.

Helpful? Yes

F
Fabienne Kohler - Switzerland
15 April

It was an effective way to bypass the long line and enter quickly. However, the guide appeared disengaged and shared the information in a dull, impersonal manner. He mentioned being very tired that day, which clearly impacted his delivery. Still, I believe a tour guide is like a performer and should bring energy and presence to every tour.

Helpful? Yes

A
Aigerim Nursultan - Kazakhstan
21 April

The experience was good. The guide spent around ten to fifteen minutes providing an overview, after which we were free to explore on our own.

Helpful? Yes

D
Diane Royer - France
22 April

Although we had a skip the line pass, we still waited over 30 minutes. Aside from that, the place was beautiful, and our guide was excellent. However, it felt somewhat pricey compared to what it offered.

Helpful? Yes

A
Alondra Torres - Colombia
25 April

A thorough explanation covering the full history of the site.

Helpful? Yes

M
Martin Schneider - Germany
27 April

This is a must see attraction. The guide was very well-informed. The only downside was that the tour felt rushed due to the large number of visitors. I ended up pausing halfway through to take some photos with my wife and enjoy the moment.

Helpful? Yes

L
Luiz Santos - Brazil
29 April

Our guide, Buse, was very well informed. The tour was enjoyable and lasted about 45 minutes. If you opt for the early tour, it’s less crowded and offers great opportunities for photos.

Helpful? Yes

R
Roberta Mayer - Germany
30 April

The tour was excellent, particularly the skip the line feature since the queue was very long. The guide was fantastic, and overall, I have no complaints.

Helpful? Yes

R
Riley Moore - Canada
02 May

We appreciated that the guide provided a full explanation to the group first, then allowed us to explore at our own pace. Plus, we avoided waiting in the long queue, which was a big bonus.

Helpful? Yes

C
Carmen Garrido - Colombia
06 May

The Basilica Cistern is stunning and absolutely worth seeing. The guided portion lasted just half an hour, during which the guide provided a lot of clear and easy to follow information. Afterward, we were free to explore the site at our own pace.

Helpful? Yes

E
Emma Hill - Australia
08 May

The Basilica Cistern is stunning and absolutely worth seeing. The guided portion lasted just half an hour, during which the guide provided a lot of clear and easy to follow information. Afterward, we were free to explore the site at our own pace.

Helpful? Yes

J
Jørgen Rasmussen - Denmark
09 May

The guide was fantastic very engaging and informative. It was a really fun experience overall.

Helpful? Yes

B
Beatriz González - Spain
11 May

The guide did an excellent job explaining the history and legends of the Basilica Cistern, along with helpful tips on where to go and the best spots for photos. Truly a great guide!

Helpful? Yes

H
Haruto Shimizu - Japan
13 May

It was a fascinating experience. Ozzy is highly knowledgeable and brings a contagious energy to the tour. The visit doesn’t take too long, and while the entrance fee may seem a bit high, it’s still a must see. The restoration work, design, and lighting really enhance the overall experience.

Helpful? Yes

C
Clara Baumgartner - Australia
15 May

The guide provided an excellent explanation of the Basilica Cistern’s history and legends, along with clear directions on where to go and the best spots for taking photos. A truly great guide!

Helpful? Yes

C
Carolyn King - United Kingdom
17 May

Everything was just fine.

Helpful? Yes

V
Vasilis Papadopoulos - Greece
20 May

The guide didn’t present the information in a very engaging way. He spoke for around 10 minutes and then left us on our own.

Helpful? Yes

E
Emily Watson - United States of America
21 May

The tour was very informative, and the skip-the-line tickets were definitely worth it!

Helpful? Yes

A
Alexey Vinogradov - Russia
25 May

Ibrahim was an outstanding guide. Everything about the experience was excellent.

Helpful? Yes

D
Daniela Cruz - Mexico
26 May

The skip the line ticket was very helpful. Our guide provided a 10 minute overview, and after that, we were free to explore the cistern on our own. Definitely worth it.

Helpful? Yes

S
Sean McCarthy - Ireland
30 May

The basilica was stunning and a joy to visit. However, the "guided tour" involved the guide speaking for less than five minutes at the start. We then spent the remainder of the time exploring on our own. It would have been better if the guide had walked with us and explained things throughout the tour.

Helpful? Yes

A
Annika Schulz - Germany
01 June

I gained a lot of insight into the cistern and its various roles throughout history. The tour guide was very well informed.

Helpful? Yes

O
Olivia Scott - New Zealand
03 June

It was a fascinating experience. We appreciated hearing the stories about the construction of the cistern and enjoyed the artwork on display.

Helpful? Yes

F
Felix Schneider - Switzerland
05 June

I enjoyed it.

Helpful? Yes

T
Tülay Yıldırım - Türkiye
07 June

We really enjoyed the tour. The Basilica Cistern is stunning and definitely worth seeing! Our guide, Cem, was knowledgeable and friendly, answering all our questions. He also suggested some other great places to visit. Many thanks!

Helpful? Yes

A
Arturo Gómez - Colombia
11 June

Helpful? Yes

M
Michal Wójcik - Poland
12 June

The guide was both friendly and very knowledgeable!

Helpful? Yes

V
Valentin Dupont - France
14 June

The guide was quite unprofessional. Thankfully, I found him at the last moment since he had already gone inside. There was no communication beforehand, so you’re left guessing if he’s actually your guide. During the tour, he appeared very lazy and uninterested, which was disappointing because it was clear he didn’t enjoy the job. Honestly, the audio guide provided more information. He ended the tour abruptly, saying we were free to explore but that he couldn’t stay all day. He literally left after just 10–15 minutes. It was frustrating.

Helpful? Yes

M
Maxime Fontaine - Belgium
16 June

Mehmet was warm and thorough, sharing many stories about both the Cistern and the city. We really appreciated the small group size.

Helpful? Yes

E
Emanuela Rossi - Italy
18 June

The site itself is truly incredible. Our guide wasn’t very friendly, and I had higher expectations for him. The audio tour, however, was quite good. Despite that, we had a wonderful time. It’s definitely a must see, and skipping the lines was a big plus.

Helpful? Yes

S
Sandra Walker - United Kingdom
20 June

Beso, our tour guide, was excellent at explaining things clearly and looking after us. His explanations were very easy to understand.

Helpful? Yes

K
Katerina Dimitriou - Greece
23 June

A surprisingly beautiful place.

Helpful? Yes

B
Blanca Herrera - Mexico
25 June

The guide was competent, but with our group of 17 and the acoustics inside, it was hard to hear him. The company should consider providing headsets or limiting group sizes to around 10. The tour consists of standing in a line while the guide talks about the history for about 30 minutes, then you explore the Cistern on your own. It’s best to book a skip-the-line ticket and bring headphones for the audio guide.

Helpful? Yes

T
Tomi Adeyemi - United States of America
26 June

The price felt too high considering the short duration of the activity, but overall, the attraction was enjoyable.

Helpful? Yes

J
Jón Gunnarsson - Iceland
29 June

Our tour guide maintained a good pace and demonstrated strong knowledge. He even showed us illustrations and pictures during his presentation. A very pleasant person.

Helpful? Yes

M
Marcelo Dias - Brazil
30 June

A fascinating visit, but unfortunately very crowded.

Helpful? Yes

A
Aarav Sharma - India
02 July

We were really happy to have skip the line tickets once we saw how long the queue was.

Helpful? Yes

L
Lucas Dupuis - France
03 July

The guide performed excellently, and skipping the line made the visit much quicker. The Cistern itself is very impressive.

Helpful? Yes

K
Karen Taylor - United Kingdom
06 July

It was amazing to witness such an ancient construction. The tour was brief, about 30 to 40 minutes, but definitely worth taking.

Helpful? Yes

N
Nargiza Karimova - Uzbekistan
08 June

It was helpful that the guide gave an introduction to the cistern. Mostly, you’re paying to skip the line, and in our view, it was worth it. A pleasant visit to a must-see historical site when in Istanbul.

Helpful? Yes

S
Sofia Dragunova - Russia
12 July

This tour was well worth the admission price, if only for skipping the extremely long lines and getting direct access to this must see attraction in Istanbul. The guide was friendly and well informed, making the experience enjoyable.

Helpful? Yes

P
Pranav Desai - India
15 July

The visit was very interesting. However, the guide spoke quite fast, which made it hard for those who aren’t native English speakers to follow along.

Helpful? Yes

M
Marta Zielinska - Poland
22 July

The Basilica Cistern is absolutely worth visiting and stands out as a highlight. However, the tour guide delivered information for about 25 minutes while standing in one corner of the cistern, speaking quickly and at times unclearly. Compared to other tours we took the day before, this one didn’t feel worth the price.

Helpful? Yes

B
Bekzat Nurkhan - Kazakhstan
23 July

The only real advantage was avoiding the long wait in the regular line. Once inside, the guide took us to a corner to explain the history of the Basilica, but it was difficult to hear him. Had the audio been clearer, the experience might have been better.

Helpful? Yes

C
Chloe Tremblay - Canada
25 July

The Basilica itself was incredible, and our guide shared some interesting facts. However, the tour felt quite rushed.

Helpful? Yes

L
Lara Schneider - Germany
27 July

The guide was fantastic and provided a lot of valuable information.

Helpful? Yes

S
Sara Nordin - Sweden
28 July

It was a very informative experience. Ibrahim was patient and took the time to answer all the curious travelers' questions.

Helpful? Yes

M
Maya Petrov - Bulgaria
30 July

Our guide seemed more focused on checking the time and hurrying through the tour. At times, he had to be reminded to face the group, as he would speak with his back turned while explaining parts of the stone pillars. His English pronunciation was also difficult to understand. It's unfortunate, especially given how impressive the cistern itself is.

Helpful? Yes

L
Linda Jones - United Kingdom
03 August

The cistern is truly impressive, but using headphones would have made the experience better. Due to the large number of people, it was quite noisy, and it was sometimes difficult to hear or understand the guide.

Helpful? Yes

O
Octavia Morris - United States of America
04 August

The guide provided valuable insights, and her explanations were clear and informative.

Helpful? Yes

L
Lize Verhoeven - Netherlands
05 August

It was fantastic to be able to skip the line!

Helpful? Yes

E
Edith Löfgren - Denmark
06 August

Ozzie was an excellent guide!

Helpful? Yes

L
Lise Carpentier - France
08 August

The guide seemed reluctant during the visit and kept his sunglasses on inside the cistern. It felt disrespectful not to maintain eye contact while speaking. If there was a reason for it, a simple apology would have been appreciated.

Helpful? Yes

L
Lore Neumann - Germany
10 August

The audio guide link provided more useful information than the brief few minutes our tour guide spent explaining. It was an okay experience but didn’t feel like great value for the price.

Helpful? Yes

M
Mila Johnson - Australia
11 August

Everything was beautiful; the Basilica Cistern is truly an incredible place. Definitely worth a visit, and the whole experience was well organized.

Helpful? Yes

R
Rosa Zimmermann - Germany
13 August

The price felt too steep for the short visit, especially since the guide seemed inexperienced and gave vague, confusing information. He also didn’t offer satisfactory answers to our questions. Overall, the guide appeared unprepared.

Helpful? Yes

A
Ashley Schultz - United States of America
15 August

The guide was knowledgeable, took time to answer questions, and provided explanations when needed. He demonstrated a strong understanding of history.

Helpful? Yes

M
Matilde Piras - Italy
16 August

The tour was good, but the echo and noise made it difficult to hear the guide clearly. Using headphones would improve the experience.

Helpful? Yes

S
Sofia Rossi - Italy
18 August

The quick check in process was convenient and efficient.

Helpful? Yes

L
Lukas Müller - Germany
20 August

The guide was very thorough during our walk together.

Helpful? Yes

A
Alexander Ivanov - Russia
21 August

A magnificent historic basilica, famously featured in international films like James Bond 007. It’s an essential masterpiece to see while visiting Istanbul. Make sure to experience it and be impressed.

Helpful? Yes

A
Anna Schmidt - Germany
25 August

The guide was excellent, and the location itself was very interesting.

Helpful? Yes

M
Marie Dubois - France
26 August

Walking through the cisterns was interesting, though the activity was quite short.

Helpful? Yes

L
Luca Bianchi - Italy
28 August

Check in was easy, and since our guide had our tickets, we were able to skip the long queue, which was great given the warm weather. Mehmet was very informative and gave an excellent talk about the cistern’s history before letting us explore on our own. Definitely a thumbs up experience!

Helpful? Yes

T
Thomas Brown - United Kingdom
30 August

Wonderful experience. I really loved the Basilica Cistern.

Helpful? Yes

M
Maëlle Renaud - France
02 September

The visit went without any issues. We were asked to meet the guide at the exit, and he was there as planned. Everything matched our expectations. The area is beautiful and definitely worth visiting. If you take your time, the tour lasts about 45 minutes.

Helpful? Yes

F
Filippo Gallo - Italy
05 September

An absolute must see when visiting Istanbul.

Helpful? Yes

B
Benedikt Hofer - Australia
07 September

Our guide was well informed and led the tour professionally, maintaining a comfortable pace throughout.

Helpful? Yes

Z
Zoé Lemoine - France
08 September

The Basilica Cistern is stunning. However, we struggled to hear our guide. The entire visit lasted about 40 minutes, which was shorter than I expected. The guide gave a brief introduction at the start but then left us to explore on our own, only returning for questions. I would have preferred a full guided tour with explanations throughout. The audio guide is helpful but there’s no signal inside, so it’s best to access it before entering.

Helpful? Yes

R
Róża Malinowska - Poland
09 September

It was a beautiful venue with an ideal location. The guide was knowledgeable and answered all our questions. Overall, we had a wonderful time!

Helpful? Yes

H
Harald Kristoffersen - Norway
11 September

Absolutely amazing experience.

Helpful? Yes

P
Paula Vazquez - Spain
13 September

I purchased a tour in Spanish, but it was actually conducted in English. The guide’s only response was to offer a refund, which we accepted.

Helpful? Yes

R
Renata Almeida - Portugal
15 September

Paying a bit extra to skip the line was definitely worthwhile. The guide showed us around the building, shared some explanations, and pointed out the best spots for photos. There’s also an audio tour, but we didn’t feel it was needed. Truly an incredible experience.

Helpful? Yes

O
Otto Baumgartner - Switzerland
16 September

A fantastic tour led by an outstanding guide.

Helpful? Yes

S
Sinead O’Leary - Ireland
21 September

The guide was very friendly.

Helpful? Yes

E
Elvin Azizov - Azerbaijan
25 September

Buse was a wonderful guide. However, I’ve visited the cistern before, and the lighting was much better then. It seems like they might be trying to save electricity now. Also, some of the artwork has been taken down.

Helpful? Yes

G
Giulia Ventresca - Italy
26 September

The guide was friendly and knowledgeable. I learned a lot about the history of the cistern that I wouldn’t have known without a guide.

Helpful? Yes

M
Marcin Pawlak - Poland
28 September

The Basilica Cistern was truly incredible. However, the guide provided very little information. He pointed out where to see the Medusa’s Head, but once we finished, he left without telling us the tour was over. It felt like we could have done the visit just as well without a guide.

Helpful? Yes

L
Lena Kraus - Germany
30 September

It was perfect! The guide led us through all the history, showed us different areas of the basilica, and explained the details thoroughly. He was very knowledgeable and had a great sense of humor. I highly recommend this to everyone!

Helpful? Yes

S
Solveig Nyström - Sweden
02 October

A stunning location with plenty of great photo opportunities.

Helpful? Yes

D
Dimitrios Kalogeropoulos - Greece
03 October

Be cautious upon arrival, as people outside will try to approach you pretending to help but are not connected to the tour.

Helpful? Yes

A
Aneta Zima - Poland
08 October

An amazing tour that was very informative throughout.

Helpful? Yes

B
Bastian Vogt - Germany
11 October

Initially, I didn’t like that she delivered all the information within 15-20 minutes and then didn’t guide us around to show the details of the cistern.

Helpful? Yes

N
Nanna Mikkelsen - Denmark
13 October

You can skip the line and pay less than this tour. When we visited, there were no crowds. We didn’t have a tour guide just tickets and we read the information displayed around the basilica ourselves.

Helpful? Yes

L
Luca Ferraro - Italy
15 October

A pleasant trip with an excellent guide.

Helpful? Yes

R
Roel Janssens - Belgium
17 October

Before the tour started, the guides seemed quite disorganized, sending people in different directions. You’d expect better coordination since this happens daily. However, the tour itself was very good.

Helpful? Yes

A
Artem Baranov - Ukraine
19 October

Excellent explanation and a fantastic female guide!

Helpful? Yes

E
Emelie Holmström - Sweden
22 October

The Basilica Cistern is definitely worth visiting, especially with skip the line tickets since it’s a popular spot. One issue was that it was sometimes hard to hear the guide in the noisy, crowded space, even though she used a microphone system. It was great to be able to stay and explore as long as we wanted after the tour ended.

Helpful? Yes

K
Kaan Yalçın - Türkiye
25 October

The directions to the meeting point were a bit confusing. While waiting for our guide, we were approached a few times by people trying to get us to visit their shops something to watch out for. Aside from that, the tour was good.

Helpful? Yes

J
Juliane Fröhlich - Germany
28 October

The experience was positive because useful information was provided throughout.

Helpful? Yes

Álvaro Gil - Spain
30 October

I wasn’t impressed by the experience at all.

Helpful? Yes

S
Sofia Liljeström - Sweden
03 November

The visit was somewhat pricey, but the interior is truly amazing.

Helpful? Yes

B
Bernd Schäfer - Germany
05 November

This was a self guided tour using skip the line tickets, but the instructions were unclear. While the skip the line access was convenient, the price felt high for what was provided.

Helpful? Yes

I
Isabella Duarte - Portugal
12 October

It was nice to skip the line, but our “guide” only showed up to hand us tickets. We were told that guided tours now only happen at 4 pm. After some insistence from me and another couple, he gave us a brief 10 minute explanation once inside and then left us to explore on our own.

Helpful? Yes

I
Ioannis Tsakalidis - Greece
13 November

The place itself is fascinating like an underground labyrinth but the overall experience was underwhelming. It’s relatively expensive for what you get. Our guide spoke only in English and gave a quick 10 to 20 minute explanation, which wasn’t very engaging or detailed. If you’re not fluent in English, it’s hard to follow. Sure, you skip the long lines, but the content doesn’t really match the price.

Helpful? Yes

M
Margaret Thompson - United Kingdom
18 November

It was overcrowded, and after the initial stop, our guide disappeared and barely interacted with us. It felt more like a ticket hand off than an actual guided tour. For the price, I expected more engagement and guidance throughout.

Helpful? Yes

F
Fenna Hulskes - Netherlands
21 November

Excellent tour! Everything was super easy.

Helpful? Yes

H
Helma Roth - Germany
22 November

It was nice that we had unlimited time to explore the cistern after the tour.

Helpful? Yes

R
Rasmus Laursen - Denmark
28 November

The site itself was fantastic. Considering the long lines at the entrance, having skip the line access is definitely essential.

Helpful? Yes

A
Aksel Berglund - Sweden
01 December

The guide showed up about 10 minutes late, and in the end, the ticket line wasn’t very long either.

Helpful? Yes

S
Sandrine Delacroix - France
03 December

It was a truly one of a kind experience.

Helpful? Yes

H
Hanne Thomsen - Denmark
09 December

The skip the line feature worked perfectly, and everything was managed efficiently. The only downside was that the guide's loud voice made it a bit difficult to hear properly. With the crowd size, this is understandable and not a criticism of the guide just something to keep in mind.

Helpful? Yes

V
Valeria Schulze - Germany
10 December

We got through the line and received a short overview from the guide once we reached the main platform below. After that, we were free to look around independently. There's a free audio guide available via an app (you just need to register with IstanbulWifi). The audio commentary really added to the visit! All in all, it’s a wonderful site to explore.

Helpful? Yes

J
June Newman - United States of America
16 October

The guide arrived late. We entered the cistern with the group, and he shared a few details but then moved through the cistern without pausing, leaving everyone unsure about where the key sights were. After that, we never saw him again.

Helpful? Yes

K
Konstantin Frolov - Russia
19 December

The Basilica Cistern is truly magnificent! However, our guide stayed with us for only about 10 minutes. I wouldn’t suggest taking a guided tour here since you can experience everything just as well with a regular entrance ticket.

Helpful? Yes

V
Virginia Brown - United Kingdom
23 December

The tour provided good information and the explanations were clear and well delivered.

Helpful? Yes

L
Lukas Trevisan - Italy
28 December

The tour guide mostly ignored me and was difficult to hear inside, so I ended up exploring by myself. Still, I’m glad I was able to skip the line.

Helpful? Yes

I
Ingrid Zimmermann - Germany
03 January

It was difficult to hear the guide at times due to limited space and the large group. If you got stuck behind slower visitors, it was hard to catch what was being said. An audio system or microphone with earplugs for the group would improve the experience.

Helpful? Yes

J
Júlia Batista - Portugal
04 January

The guide was competent but provided only limited information; I wish there had been more detail. The basilica itself is truly magnificent. However, the entrance fee felt somewhat pricey.

Helpful? Yes

L
Lotte van der Meer - Netherlands
11 January

We purchased skip the line tickets with a guide, but ended up waiting over 30 minutes in line, while many other groups went ahead of us. So, it didn’t really feel like we skipped the line. The worst part was that once we got inside, our guide vanished without saying anything, leaving us without any actual guided tour. It was quite frustrating!

Helpful? Yes

T
Trude Pfeiffer - Germany
13 January

Many thanks to our guide today! Although he was very busy, he delivered a genuinely engaging tour. My three children, including our 8 year old, were captivated by his stories and never found them dull. The only suggestion for improvement would be to provide headphones, as even with a loud and clear voice, some people in the group might miss important details.

Helpful? Yes

A
Artem Lysak - Ukraine
15 January

There were many people waiting at the meeting spot before the guide arrived. When we asked other guides, they mentioned this is a common issue with this particular tour and guide. Fortunately, he showed up about 10 minutes before the tour started. My booking instructions advised arriving at least 15 minutes early, but the guide wasn’t there at that time.

Helpful? Yes

N
Nina Schneider - Germany
18 January

A wonderful basilica, a must see if you are in Istanbul. There were too many people, the guide had a hard time keeping the group together until the entrance. The ticket was expensive like all tickets in Istanbul, but worth the expense.

Helpful? Yes

Øystein Haugen - Norway
21 January

We weren’t informed that the basilica was closed.

Helpful? Yes

C
Carla Martín - Spain
23 January

Our guide was friendly, but at times it was difficult to hear her. Perhaps using a low volume microphone, so as not to disturb other visitors, could improve the experience.

Helpful? Yes

S
Silvija Ivanova - Bulgaria
25 January

The tour was well organized, and the guide was both helpful and friendly. The interesting facts shared really enhanced the overall experience.

Helpful? Yes

S
Stefan Gruber - Australia
28 January

It was fantastic to skip the long queue and enter once everyone had gathered. The guide shared some interesting details, but with so many people and other tours speaking loudly on the platform, it was sometimes difficult to hear or understand everything. The audio guide was much clearer and provided a helpful summary as we explored.

Helpful? Yes

E
Evgeny Smirnov - Russia
26 January

Everything went smoothly and the experience was very good overall.

Helpful? Yes

B
Bruna Varela - Portugal
01 February

Fantastic guide and an excellent tour overall.

Helpful? Yes

A
Anna Morris - United Kingdom
02 February

The tour was fantastic! Our guide was very knowledgeable and made the history of the Basilica Cistern come alive. Skipping the long lines was a huge plus. Highly recommended!

Helpful? Yes

U
Ulrike Hoffmann - Germany
05 February

Loved every moment of the tour. The guide was friendly and informative. It was a great way to avoid the crowds and get detailed insights into the cistern’s history

Helpful? Yes

L
Lucia Pellegrini - Italy
06 February

Amazing experience! The skip the line ticket saved us so much time, and the guide’s stories were captivating. The cistern itself is breathtaking.

Helpful? Yes

A
Aristeidis Papas - Greece
12 January

Well organized tour with a passionate guide. I learned so much and really enjoyed the atmosphere. Would do it again!

Helpful? Yes

A
Armand Lefèvre - France
16 February

Great way to explore a historic site without waiting forever. Our guide was patient and answered all questions thoroughly.

Helpful? Yes

V
Victoria Clark - United Kingdom
19 February

The guide gave a perfect balance of history and fun facts. Perfect for history lovers.

Helpful? Yes

T
Tobias Lindström - Sweden
22 February

We had a small group which made the tour feel personal. The guide was enthusiastic and very knowledgeable. Highly recommend this tour.

Helpful? Yes

S
Sylvie Moreau - France
25 February

A memorable experience with detailed explanations and plenty of time to explore after the guided part. Skip the line is worth every penny.

Helpful? Yes

B
Björn Andersen - Denmark
26 February

The guide was very professional and the tour was well paced. Getting in quickly with the skip the line ticket made the visit stress free.

Helpful? Yes

F
Francesca Corsi - Italy
03 March

The tour was very informative and the skip the line ticket was helpful. The guide spoke clearly but sometimes it was hard to hear because of the crowd.

Helpful? Yes

A
Ana María Ibáñez - Spain
05 March

Good tour overall, though the group was a bit large which made it harder to hear the guide at times. Still a great experience.

Helpful? Yes

O
Oğuz Demir - Türkiye
06 March

The guide was knowledgeable and friendly.Would recommend with a small group.

Helpful? Yes

D
Daria Petrova - Russia
10 March

Very enjoyable visit.

Helpful? Yes

C
Casper Møller - Denmark
13 March

The guide gave good explanations, though sometimes rushed a bit.

Helpful? Yes

I
Isabella Kaufmann - Germany
15 March

The tour covered the main highlights well. I wish the guide had spent a bit more time on some sections.

Helpful? Yes

D
Daan Verhoeven - Netherlands
17 March

A good tour with interesting information, but the group was quite noisy at times making it hard to hear.

Helpful? Yes

K
Katarzyna Wisniewska - Poland
21 March

We enjoyed the tour, but some parts felt a little rushed. Still worth it to skip the line though.

Helpful? Yes

H
Hugo Caron - France
23 March

The guide was friendly and shared a lot of facts. The skip the line ticket was definitely worth it.

Helpful? Yes

A
Aris Theodorou - Greece
25 March

Well organized tour and the guide was helpful. Would recommend for a first visit.

Helpful? Yes

E
Eda Sezer - Türkiye
26 March

The guide was polite but didn’t offer much detail. The site is beautiful though

Helpful? Yes

B
Barbara Król - Poland
28 March

It was okay but felt rushed and a bit chaotic at times.

Helpful? Yes

M
Mary Hill - United Kingdom
01 April

The guide barely spoke during the tour.

Helpful? Yes

H
Helena Fuchs - Germany
03 April

The tour was average, nothing special.

Helpful? Yes

I
Ines Duarte - Portugal
05 April

Good tour but the guide seemed uninterested.

Helpful? Yes

M
Margarita Belova - Bulgaria
06 April

The information was very basic and left me wanting more.

Helpful? Yes

L
Luis Herrera - Spain
10 April

It was fine but not worth the price paid.

Helpful? Yes

P
Pascal Lefebvre - France
13 April

The group was too large to hear the guide properly.

Helpful? Yes

S
Sergio Ricci - Italy
15 April

The guide was friendly but the tour felt rushed.

Helpful? Yes

M
Myroslav Shevchenko - Ukraine
16 April

A decent way to see the cistern but the experience was underwhelming.

Helpful? Yes

N
Neli Ivanova - Burkina Faso
20 April

The location is stunning, and the guide really knew the history well. We saved so much time thanks to the skip the line ticket.

Helpful? Yes

S
Severin Müller - Switzerland
21 April

Excellent tour! The guide was friendly and engaging. Would recommend to anyone visiting Istanbul for the first time.

Helpful? Yes

J
Jakob Kristensen - Denmark
22 April

The skip the line ticket made the whole experience so much easier, and our guide was excellent in answering all questions.

Helpful? Yes

K
Kalina Stoyanova - Bulgaria
24 April

Great storytelling and fascinating history. The tour was informative and enjoyable throughout.

Helpful? Yes

L
Lucia Barbieri - Italy
25 April

Very well organized, and the guide was great at keeping everyone interested. Loved the detailed background about the cistern.

Helpful? Yes

P
Peter Schmidt - Germany
26 April

A beautiful and mysterious place. The guide’s explanations helped us appreciate it even more.

Helpful? Yes

C
Christos Alexiou - Greece
27 April

The best way to visit the Basilica Cistern without wasting time in queues. Our guide was knowledgeable and very friendly

Helpful? Yes

H
Henrik Larsen - Norway
28 April

The tour was rich in historical facts and the skip the line ticket made the visit smooth and enjoyable.

Helpful? Yes

I
Isabelle Martens - Belgium
29 April

The guide was clear and enthusiastic. The skip the line ticket saved us a lot of time and stress. Highly recommend.

Helpful? Yes

I
Igor Pavlenko - Ukraine
30 April

I loved how the guide explained the legends and facts. The cistern is amazing, and skipping the line is definitely worth it.

Helpful? Yes

K
Kevin Dubois - France
02 May

Good pace and informative guide, though the crowds made it a bit challenging to follow at times.

Helpful? Yes

L
Luciana Faria - Portugal
03 May

The skip the line ticket worked well and the guide was knowledgeable. Could have been a bit more engaging.

Helpful? Yes

A
Anna Lindahl - Sweden
06 May

A solid tour with useful information. The entrance was quick and easy with the ticket.

Helpful? Yes

L
Lauren Moore - United Kingdom
13 May

Interesting tour, but the guide’s voice sometimes didn’t carry well in the echoes of the cistern.

Helpful? Yes

R
Remington Wood - United States of America
14 May

The guide provided a good overview but didn’t spend much time on details. Still enjoyed the visit.

Helpful? Yes

A
Anna Holm - Denmark
17 May

It was a nice experience, though the group size made it hard to hear everything.

Helpful? Yes

H
Hortense Bourhis - France
21 August

The skip the line ticket saved time, but the guide could have been more enthusiastic.

Helpful? Yes

F
Fenne Hermans - Netherlands
23 May

Enjoyed the tour and the history shared, but it felt a bit rushed in places.

Helpful? Yes

T
Théo Marchand - France
24 May

Good tour with clear explanations. The cistern itself is beautiful.

Helpful? Yes

P
Petar Nikolov - Bulgaria
29 May

The guide was friendly but spoke quietly, so it was sometimes difficult to hear.

Helpful? Yes

E
Ewelina Zielińska - Poland
01 June

A pleasant tour and skip the line ticket made it hassle free.

Helpful? Yes

N
Noel Schmid - Switzerland
03 June

The information was good but could have been delivered with more energy

Helpful? Yes

B
Benjamin Grünwald - Australia
07 June

The tour was informative, but the group size affected the experience slightly.

Helpful? Yes

M
Miguel Varela - Portugal
08 June

The guide was knowledgeable, though a bit formal.

Helpful? Yes

A
Aleksej Ivanov - Russia
10 June

A well planned tour, but the guide could have been more engaging.

Helpful? Yes

M
Mateusz Lis - Poland
11 June

The tour was enjoyable and the skip the line ticket was definitely worth it.

Helpful? Yes

S
Stefaniya Boyko - Ukraine
15 June

Good explanations, but the acoustics inside made it hard to hear at times.

Helpful? Yes

J
Jakob Steiner - Australia
16 June

The guide gave a good overview but wasn’t very interactive.

Helpful? Yes

K
Klara Nielsen - Denmark
20 June

A solid tour, just wish there was more time for questions

Helpful? Yes

L
Luca De Santis - Italy
23 June

Overall a positive experience, though some parts felt a bit rushed.

Helpful? Yes

J
Josephine Kuiper - Netherlands
24 April

The tour lacked depth and detail.

Helpful? Yes

J
Janet King - United Kingdom
28 June

The guide didn’t seem very enthusiastic.

Helpful? Yes

P
Patrícia Silva - Portugal
30 June

The skip the line ticket was useful.

Helpful? Yes

J
Jorrit Meijer - Netherlands
01 July

Not much explained, mostly just walking through.

Helpful? Yes

H
Hugo Nordin - Sweden
03 July

The guide was okay but the group was noisy.

Helpful? Yes

P
Paolo Mancini - Italy
05 July

The tour felt disorganized at times.

Helpful? Yes

Y
Yannick Dubois - France
06 July

The guide was hard to hear with the echoes inside

Helpful? Yes

C
Carolyn Jones - United Kingdom
08 July

Super

Helpful? Yes

V
Vladislav Ivanov - Bulgaria
10 June

Nice historical site and smooth entry. The guide gave some good facts.

Helpful? Yes

M
Matteo Galli - Italy
11 June

The guide gave limited information and left us to explore alone quickly.

Helpful? Yes

Łukasz Nowak - Poland
12 June

The experience was just okay.

Helpful? Yes

M
Merve Yalçın - Türkiye
15 June

Good skip the line but the tour lacked engagement

Helpful? Yes

E
Emma Dubois - France
14 March

The site was impressive but the tour was disappointing.

Helpful? Yes

E
Everly Mccarty - United States of America
18 June

The guide didn’t explain much, and it felt rushed.

Helpful? Yes

S
Stefano Romano - Italy
19 June

The audio guide might have been better than the live guide.

Helpful? Yes

R
Raúl González - Spain
20 June

It was okay.

Helpful? Yes

P
Polina Smirnova - Russia
22 June

Some parts were interesting.

Helpful? Yes

E
Eirik Haugland - Norway
25 June

The guide was polite.

Helpful? Yes

K
Klaudia Baran - Poland
26 June

I expected more detailed explanations.

Helpful? Yes

T
Tomás Ferreira - Portugal
28 June

The tour was very brief and left me wanting more information.

Helpful? Yes

F
Fabian Keller - Switzerland
30 June

The tour was okay but felt a bit rushed and the guide didn’t provide much detail. Still, skipping the line was convenient.

Helpful? Yes

E
Eva Reiter - Australia
06 July

I expected more from the guide; he seemed distracted and the explanations were quite short. The place itself is impressive though.

Helpful? Yes

A
Antonia Mertens - Germany
02 July

Good experience overall, but the group was quite large and it was sometimes hard to hear the guide. Worth the skip the line ticket.

Helpful? Yes

A
Aurélie Garnier - France
03 July

The site is beautiful, but the guide wasn’t very engaging and the tour felt too brief.

Helpful? Yes

C
Carmen Aguilar - Spain
09 July

Helpful guide and smooth organization, but I wish the tour had lasted longer and covered more details.

Helpful? Yes

N
Naomi Carter - United States of America
12 July

Interesting place, but I felt the guide didn’t explain enough. Audio guide might be better here

Helpful? Yes

C
Christine Davies - United Kingdom
15 July

The tour was fine, but our guide arrived late and rushed through the explanations. Still, skipping the queue was great.

Helpful? Yes

P
Panagiotis Karalis - Greece
17 July

Well organized entry and the cistern is amazing, but the guide lacked enthusiasm. Could have been more informative.

Helpful? Yes

C
Caroline Lefèvre - France
18 July

A good tour but the group size was too big for me to hear everything clearly. Skip the line was definitely worth it.

Helpful? Yes

F
Felix Baumgartner - Australia
20 July

The tour was a bit disappointing . We got a brief intro then were left alone. The cistern is beautiful but deserves a better guide.

Helpful? Yes

H
Hristo Todorov - Bulgaria
23 July

The tour was informative but could be improved with better sound equipment or smaller groups.

Helpful? Yes

E
Elin Andersson - Sweden
25 July

The meeting location was perfect and easy to find. Our guide was knowledgeable and shared plenty of interesting facts about the basilica and the legend of Medusa. I really valued the introduction given before we entered. İt added context and made the visit more meaningful.

Helpful? Yes

Z
Zion Larson - United States of America
26 July

A mix of positives and negatives. Great to skip the queue, but the tour guide was less than enthusiastic and the explanations felt rushed.

Helpful? Yes

M
Manuela Lazzari - Italy
29 July

The guide gave basic info but didn’t seem prepared. The skip the line ticket was the best part.

Helpful? Yes

S
Sophie Schuster - Germany
01 August

I enjoyed the visit, but the guide’s voice was low and it was difficult to understand him at times.

Helpful? Yes

E
Emilia Górska - Poland
06 August

The ticket was useful, but the tour itself was quite short and the guide didn’t engage much with the group.

Helpful? Yes

T
Tiago Almeida - Portugal
03 August

Good overview but the group was noisy and it was hard to follow the guide’s explanations. Still, worth it for the skip the line.

Helpful? Yes

M
Mariya Stoyanova - Bulgaria
05 August

The tour started late and the guide seemed distracted. The cistern is worth seeing, but the tour left something to be desired.

Helpful? Yes

I
Ilaria Bianchi - Italy
09 August

The guide was excellent, providing clear and engaging information. Overall, it was a wonderful and memorable experience.

Helpful? Yes

A
Anton Fedorov - Russia
11 August

The tour itself was excellent, and our guide was very well informed. The only issue was the noise level it's quite crowded and loud inside. Providing guides with a headset and microphone would really improve the experience, as it would make it much easier for everyone to hear what’s being said. Equipping the staff with this gear would definitely enhance the overall service.

Helpful? Yes

K
Katerina Douka - Greece
13 August

I initially planned to either purchase tickets online or get them at the entrance. However, I discovered that the queue for both online and on site ticket purchases was equally long, stretching around the corner with about an hour’s wait in the sun. I noticed that the line for guided tours allowed for immediate access, which made a huge difference.

Helpful? Yes

G
Gabin Colin - France
15 August

The guide was outstanding.

Helpful? Yes

B
Brandon Thomas - United Kingdom
18 August

Our guide was excellent very knowledgeable and spoke perfect English. After the guided portion ended, we spent a bit more time exploring on our own. The Cistern is truly impressive and absolutely worth seeing.

Helpful? Yes

M
Mark Thomas - United Kingdom
20 August

I arrived late, but the tour guide was still waiting for me at the meeting point and made sure I didn’t miss the tour.

Helpful? Yes

L
Lucía Ramos - Spain
22 August

The guide shared a lot of valuable information throughout the tour.

Helpful? Yes

H
Henrik Schumacher - Germany
23 August

Really enjoyed it.

Helpful? Yes

J
Jensen Douglas - United States of America
25 August

I had an amazing time. The whole experience was truly outstanding!

Helpful? Yes

J
James Morgan - United Kingdom
26 August

The tour was very informative and provided great insights.

Helpful? Yes

M
Manuel Rossi - Italy
27 August

The site itself was impressive. Our guide shared plenty of information at the start, and afterward, we were free to explore the facility independently. I chose not to use the audio guide during the visit.

Helpful? Yes

M
Markus Weber - Germany
28 August

The tour went well overall, but it was difficult to understand much because of the noise level. Despite that, our guide was friendly and pleasant throughout.

Helpful? Yes

C
Calvin Hall - United States of America
30 August

We had an amazing tour. Our guide, Denis, was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about sharing his expertise. He was friendly and patient, and his English was excellent.

Helpful? Yes

S
Stephen Baker - United Kingdom
03 September

The tour provided plenty of useful information and gave us the opportunity to explore independently afterward. I would definitely recommend it.

Helpful? Yes

L
Lucas Scholten - Netherlands
04 September

Absolutely unmatched experience.

Helpful? Yes

O
Oliver Jonsson - Denmark
05 September

Really good experience.

Helpful? Yes

N
Niklas Frank - Germany
08 September

The site was fascinating, well preserved, and clearly of significant importance. Our guide was well prepared and managed to keep everyone engaged throughout the visit.

Helpful? Yes

W
William Welch - New Zealand
09 September

Truly an incredible experience.

Helpful? Yes

M
Mark Neumann - Germany
11 September

The place was magical and mysterious. The guide Busra was sweet and knowledgeable, we were only two and we really enjoyed her company.

Helpful? Yes

J
Jesper Bergström - Denmark
13 September

Mohammed was an outstanding guide with extensive knowledge about Istanbul’s cisterns. His insights revealed a fascinating history. Thank you for such an educational and truly magical experience!

Helpful? Yes

B
Benjamin Williams - Canada
15 September

The guide was easy to spot, and the meeting point was straightforward to locate. We spent about 30 minutes with the guide learning about the history, followed by time to explore the site on our own.

Helpful? Yes

Ζήσης Μελετόπουλος - Greece
18 September

Our guide provided detailed explanations and patiently listened to all of our questions, answering each one thoughtfully. It was amazing to learn that this place holds small but valuable pieces of history worth discovering.

Helpful? Yes

A
Arthur Kiselev - Russia
20 September

Our tour guide was excellent friendly, knowledgeable, and very engaging. The basilica itself was truly stunning.

Helpful? Yes

P
Pascal Dubois - France
21 September

The guide was fantastic and the location was incredible. Everything ran smoothly, and I would definitely recommend this experience.

Helpful? Yes

E
Emilio Costa - Italy
23 September

I was truly impressed by the Basilica Cistern tour! I went with my husband, mother in law, and brother in law. Since my mother in law uses a wheelchair, it was great that they had a lift to take her downstairs, and the new pathways made it easy to navigate. Our guide was very accommodating.

Helpful? Yes

A
Adam Nowakowski - Poland
25 September

This is a one of a kind place you shouldn’t skip.

Helpful? Yes

H
Henrik Olsen - Denmark
26 September

The skip the line ticket was great, and the guide was very well informed. However, she didn’t accompany us throughout the entire visit, so we might have learned more if she had continued with us. Still, it was an excellent experience overall!

Helpful? Yes

I
Igor Dimitrov - Bulgaria
29 September

Had a great time on the tour! The guide was really good and made the experience enjoyable.

Helpful? Yes

V
Valeria Watkins - United States of America
30 September

The guide was excellent. Truly made the experience stand out.

Helpful? Yes

C
Camille Lefevre - France
01 October

This tour turned out to be a surprisingly enriching experience, with impressive lighting effects that added to the atmosphere. The guide was highly informative and provided a detailed explanation before allowing us plenty of time to explore the area independently and take photos. I fully recommend this experience.

Helpful? Yes

R
Rebeca Méndez - Mexico
06 October

It would be helpful if the guide or staff were easier to spot at the meeting location.

Helpful? Yes

B
Bianca Reis - Brazil
07 October

Amazing experience overall. The guide was exceptionally kind and welcoming.

Helpful? Yes

C
Chloe Robinson - Australia
05 September

If you're visiting Istanbul, the Cistern is an absolute must see. It’s truly a one of-a kind experience. Although we went during a busy hour and missed some of the ambiance that comes with a quieter moment, it was still completely worth it.

Helpful? Yes

E
Emma Vitale - Italy
12 October

Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and shared the historical background with impressive detail and clarity. We were very pleased with the experience.

Helpful? Yes

T
Thomas Andersen - Denmark
10 October

The guide was excellent, punctual, and clearly well informed. The tour was engaging, and I appreciated his expertise thank you!

Helpful? Yes

A
Aleksandr Kuznetsov - Russia
12 October

Our guide was highly knowledgeable and shared a lot of interesting information. Throughout the tour, they remained exceptionally professional, which made the experience even more enjoyable.

Helpful? Yes

P
Pablo Fernández - Spain
14 October

Excellent tour. We were able to bypass the long line, which alone made the price worthwhile. The guide was engaging and clearly knew a lot about the site.

Helpful? Yes

K
Karolina Nowak - Poland
15 October

Everything was great. The guide was easy to locate, and the site itself was truly impressive.

Helpful? Yes

M
Monica Drăgan - Romania
17 October

One of the biggest advantages of booking this tour online is being able to bypass the regular line while still receiving some basic insights. It worked exactly as intended.

Helpful? Yes

Z
Zoé Lambrecq - France
20 October

It was an excellent experience overall. However, because of the large number of visitors and the noise, it was difficult to hear the guide clearly.

Helpful? Yes

S
Samuel Larsen - Denmark
26 October

The guide was really pleasant, and we didn’t have to wait in line at all.

Helpful? Yes

E
Emilie Laurent - France
30 October

The tour was enjoyable and well organized.

Helpful? Yes

D
Dario Rossi - Italy
02 November

Everything about the experience was flawless.

Helpful? Yes

K
Karin Becker - Germany
05 November

The experience exceeded all my expectations in every aspect!

Helpful? Yes

A
Allison Briggs - United States of America
07 November

The cistern is truly remarkable and should be on the itinerary for anyone visiting Istanbul. Our guide was friendly and pleasant.

Helpful? Yes

E
Elisa Conti - Italy
11 November

The tour was enjoyable, but despite purchasing the skip the line ticket, we still had to wait before it began.

Helpful? Yes

N
Nikolay Petrov - Bulgaria
19 November

I was very pleased with the tour; the guide provided clear and accurate information in easy to understand English. My only recommendation would be to allow some time at the end for questions. Once the guide finished, he left immediately without giving us a chance to tip him. I noticed a couple of people still holding their tips.

Helpful? Yes

P
Patricia Williams - United Kingdom
20 November

The tour was okay overall. The guide knew a lot but seemed a bit rushed throughout the experience.

Helpful? Yes

M
Martin Kowalski - Poland
23 November

Those who purchased tickets online had a priority line, which we didn’t have access to. Despite that, the tour itself was beautiful.

Helpful? Yes

C
Camille Dubois - France
26 November

For first-time visitors to Istanbul, the Basilica Cistern is definitely a must see at least once. It offers a unique walking experience. Be sure to download the full guide beforehand, as there is no 4G reception inside the cistern.

Helpful? Yes

M
Margaret Martin - United Kingdom
30 November

The tour was conducted in English, but the guide only gave us a brief 5 minute explanation before leaving. The site itself is highly recommended and stands out as very different from other places we've seen. It’s also an excellent spot for photography.

Helpful? Yes

E
Elias Jensen - Denmark
01 December

The guide provided an excellent explanation and clearly had a strong knowledge of the subject.

Helpful? Yes

S
Silvia Moretti - Italy
16 December

The tour felt a bit short. I think it could have lasted 45 minutes instead of the listed 30.

Helpful? Yes

K
Katherine White - United Kingdom
21 December

The tour was both informative and the guide was very friendly.

Helpful? Yes

V
Vincent Martin - France
23 December

The site itself is impressive, and the main benefit is avoiding the long queues. The tour includes a short introduction and history of the place in English, after which you can explore inside at your own pace without a guide. It would be helpful if they made it clear that the visit is only partially guided and entirely in English. Our guide was very pleasant.

Helpful? Yes

A
Anna Nilsson - Denmark
27 December

Our guide provided a lot of useful information and responded thoroughly to all our questions. It turned out to be a really engaging and memorable experience.

Helpful? Yes

R
Raegan Porter - United States of America
03 January

The site was fascinating with impressive architecture. However, it was challenging to hear our guide clearly due to the presence of several other tours happening at the same time.

Helpful? Yes

D
Dominik Schmidt - Germany
15 January

It was satisfactory.

Helpful? Yes

L
Laura Delgado - Spain
23 January

If the line is long, the price is definitely justified.

Helpful? Yes

S
Sander Vestergaard - Denmark
18 January

The tour was good, although it was quite noisy inside. Having the skip the line option was definitely a great advantage.

Helpful? Yes

F
Filipa Matias - Portugal
09 January

The tour offered good value for the price. While the guide wasn’t very expressive, they completed their job adequately.

Helpful? Yes

P
Paolo Romano - Italy
13 January

The guide was helpful, though the site mainly consists of columns inside and wasn’t very captivating.

Helpful? Yes

S
Sara Silva - Portugal
22 January

It was okay, but nothing too special. The tour was basic and didn’t stand out much.

Helpful? Yes

T
Tomasz Lewandowski - Poland
26 January

The visit was somewhat interesting, but not as engaging as expected. It felt a bit rushed and lacked depth in the explanations.

Helpful? Yes

F
Frederik Hansen - Denmark
30 January

The Cistern itself is definitely worth seeing, especially as a break from the summer heat. However, the tour felt a bit underwhelming. The guide barely scratched the surface with historical context. We expected more depth. Booking in advance is necessary because of the long queues, but the tour itself didn’t add much beyond basic facts. An average experience overall.

Helpful? Yes

D
Daniel Schmidt - Germany
05 February

The organization was smooth, and skipping the line was definitely convenient. However, the guide’s explanation was quite short, and after a few minutes we were left to explore on our own. It felt more like an audio introduction than a proper guided tour. While the place itself is fascinating, I expected more interaction and depth during the visit.

Helpful? Yes

J
Jan Kowalczyk - Poland
11 February

While the skip the line access and easy booking process were definite advantages, the overall tour experience was somewhat underwhelming. It was difficult to hear the guide properly, especially since we were a group of four only one of us could get close enough to catch what was being said. We managed by repeating the info among ourselves, but it felt like we were missing out. The site is impressive, but the guiding part could have been better organized.

Helpful? Yes

J
Jakob Larsen - Norway
15 February

Our tour guide Buse was great and did a very good job explaining everything. However, I have to say the "skip the line" ticket felt unnecessary for a morning visit. There were barely any queues at that time, so paying extra didn’t really make a difference. It might be worth it later in the day, but for early tours, it seems a bit overpriced.

Helpful? Yes

S
Sebastian Dubois - France
20 February

The place itself was impressive and worth seeing, no doubt. However, the group size was a real issue there were about 30 of us, and that was just too many. It felt crowded and rushed, making it hard to enjoy the experience fully. It’s getting very busy overall, so I wish the tour groups were kept smaller.

Helpful? Yes

R
Robert Weber - Switzerland
17 February

While I appreciated learning about the history of the cistern, the explanations were far too brief. It felt more like an introduction than a proper tour. The guide was friendly, but I was expecting a deeper dive into the site’s rich history. Honestly, it left me wanting more.

Helpful? Yes

A
Anja Rasmussen - Denmark
24 February

The experience could have been much better if we were actually able to hear the guide. Because of the echo inside the cistern, most of what was said was lost unless you were standing right next to them. It’s a real shame for such a fascinating place. A simple solution like providing headsets or earplugs with receivers would make a huge difference.

Helpful? Yes

M
Marley Wilson - United States of America
01 March

Unfortunately, the guide was quite underwhelming. He seemed to be rushing through his script without really engaging the group. He had some photos on his phone to illustrate the points, but barely made the effort to show them around, which felt careless. Given the large group size, he didn’t adapt his presentation style at all, making it hard to follow or feel involved. Definitely expected more professionalism.

Helpful? Yes

A
Ainsley Stewart - United States of America
02 March

We ended up waiting longer than we thought we would kind of defeated the purpose of booking in advance. Not a bad experience overall, but definitely not as smooth or timely as advertised.

Helpful? Yes

K
Kristina Ivanova - Bulgaria
05 March

It was short and sweet maybe a little too short. I would’ve liked a bit more detail or time with the guide. Still, the site itself is fascinating.

Helpful? Yes

T
Tobias Meier - Switzerland
10 March

Over too quickly. The place is amazing, but I expected a bit more depth from the tour. Still worth seeing once.

Helpful? Yes

J
Janine Müller - Germany
14 March

The guide was nice and gave us good information, but it would’ve been much easier to find the group if the company had shared the flag or logo in the app beforehand. It was a bit confusing at the meeting point. Overall a decent experience, but could be better organized.

Helpful? Yes

L
Laura Brooks - United States of America
15 March

The guide was kind and knew a lot, but the actual guided portion was quite short only about 10 minutes. After that, we were left on our own, which felt a bit underwhelming for a paid tour. The Basilica Cistern itself is stunning, no doubt, but I expected more from the tour experience. Skipping the long line was definitely the best part.

Helpful? Yes

C
Catherine Davies - United Kingdom
17 March

The site was very beautiful, and the guide provided sufficient information. The most important thing was that we were able to skip the line and enter quickly.

Helpful? Yes

L
Lea Schneider - Germany
22 March

Amid the busy atmosphere, locating the tour guide was a bit challenging because he arrived later than the scheduled time. Nonetheless, the tour was straightforward fast entry, quick walkthrough, and a prompt exit as expected. The information shared was solid, and all questions were answered properly.

Helpful? Yes

M
Mikkel Jensen - Denmark
25 March

The tour was generally enjoyable, but our main concern was that it began 30 minutes later than the time given at booking. When we reached out to customer support, they informed us that the tour had been postponed. It would have been much better if we had been notified about this change ahead of time.

Helpful? Yes

S
Sofia Martelli - Italy
27 March

The tour was good overall, but the cistern was quite crowded. At one point, we lost track of our guide for a while.

Helpful? Yes

M
Miguel Carvalho - Portugal
30 March

My trip to Turkey was fantastic both informative and enjoyable. The guidebook proved very useful for discovering activities and key sights. However, I felt that too much of the content focused on restaurant and accommodation suggestions. Since I can find up-to-date reviews online easily, I think the guidebook could reduce this “advertising” as it’s not the main reason I purchase a guide.

Helpful? Yes

E
Eva Hahn - Germany
02 April

It was a pleasant tour, and our guide had a wealth of knowledge about the site.

Helpful? Yes

A
Anika Fischer - Germany
03 April

The tour was highly informative. Our guide, Hakan, shared details that you won’t easily find online.

Helpful? Yes

E
Enrico Russo - Italy
05 April

The tour went well, and being able to skip the line was a big advantage.

Helpful? Yes

K
Katarzyna Zielińska - Poland
07 April

The guide shared valuable information that you wouldn’t find elsewhere. Inside the cistern itself, there was no additional explanation provided.

Helpful? Yes

T
Thomas Schmidt - Germany
11 April

The Basilica Cistern is truly stunning and a must visit. However, I had hoped for more detailed information and a better presentation from the guide

Helpful? Yes

O
Oskar Nielsen - Denmark
15 April

Overall, it was an average experience just okay.

Helpful? Yes

L
Luca Romano - Italy
10 April

A must see! Absolutely wonderful experience. Unfortunately, there isn’t an audio guide available in Italian. The organization was excellent!

Helpful? Yes

N
Nils Berg - Sweden
21 April

Our guide was well-informed and engaging, keeping the tour interesting without ever feeling dull.

Helpful? Yes

S
Sebastian Dubois - France
25 April

The experience was enjoyable and met my expectations.

Helpful? Yes

A
Anja Rasmussen - Denmark
27 April

The site was incredible, and having a skip the line ticket made the entry much more convenient and time saving.

Helpful? Yes

D
Daniela Mitchell - United States of America
30 April

This tour was fantastic! Skipping the long lines saved us so much time, and our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and friendly. We learned so much about the history and legends of the Basilica Cistern. Highly recommended!

Helpful? Yes

K
Kristina Ivanova - Bulgaria
06 May

The best way to experience the Basilica Cistern! The guide was engaging and gave clear explanations throughout the tour. The skip the line ticket made everything so easy and stress free. A must do in Istanbul!

Helpful? Yes

T
Tobias Meier - Switzerland
10 May

Absolutely loved this tour! The guide was informative and patient, answering all our questions. The lighting inside the cistern created a magical atmosphere. Skipping the queue was a huge bonus.

Helpful? Yes

B
Betty Moore - United Kingdom
12 May

Excellent value for money! The skip the line ticket was worth every penny, and the guide’s storytelling brought the history to life. We enjoyed wandering around afterward at our own pace.

Helpful? Yes

L
Lisa Ward - United Kingdom
15 May

A wonderful experience! Our guide was passionate and detailed, making the visit memorable. The skip the line option made it convenient, especially during busy times. I highly recommend this tour.

Helpful? Yes

G
Grace Moore - Australia
21 May

The guide was very professional and made the history of the Basilica Cistern come alive with interesting facts and stories. Skipping the line really made the visit smoother. I would definitely do this again.

Helpful? Yes

M
Maitê Gomes - Brazil
23 May

What a stunning place! The guide’s explanations were clear and informative. A perfect combination for a great tour.

Helpful? Yes

A
Agustina Salazar - Brazil
25 May

I really appreciated the guide’s knowledge and friendly attitude. This tour exceeded my expectations.

Helpful? Yes

C
Carolina Diez - Colombia
29 May

Perfect tour for anyone wanting to explore the Basilica Cistern with a professional guide. The skip the line ticket was a lifesaver, and the guide gave us great photo tips as well. Highly recommended!

Helpful? Yes

V
Veena Bassi - India
30 May

This was a highlight of our Istanbul trip! The guide was engaging and provided fascinating insights. I would recommend this tour to everyone.

Helpful? Yes

O
Oskar Neumann - Germany
02 June

This was an enjoyable and brief tour led by an excellent guide who shared plenty of historical details. Our group had about 12 participants, and it was sometimes a bit difficult to catch everything clearly due to the crowds in the area. Still, we would definitely consider booking it again.

Helpful? Yes

L
Lilia Petrova - Bulgaria
03 June

This is a distinctive spot worth seeing. The guide’s explanation was quite short, offering only minimal details. The main benefit is the skip the line access, although it wasn’t really needed on the day we went. Luckily, you're free to spend as much time inside as you wish.

Helpful? Yes

P
Pamela Thompson - United Kingdom
12 June

We ended up quite bored listening to the man speak. He struggled to find the right words, and my teenager completely lost interest in continuing. In the end, we chose to explore on our own. It’s a pity, because the historical content could have been really engaging if he hadn’t stumbled over his words so often.

Helpful? Yes

A
Amy Kohler - Switzerland
19 June

Overall, it was a positive experience, even though locating the meeting spot was a bit tricky. Once we arrived, the guide was friendly and well informed. I would recommend that she slow down her speech slightly to ensure everyone can follow along more easily. The site itself is absolutely stunning and definitely deserves a visit.

Helpful? Yes

W
Wren Newman - United States of America
24 June

It took quite a while for us to locate our tour guide, but once we did, he brought the group together and led us to the Basilica Cistern.

Helpful? Yes

F
Florentine Brandt - Germany
30 June

The Basilica Cistern was definitely a highlight for us and is absolutely worth visiting.

Helpful? Yes

A
Aneta Grabowska - Poland
15 June

A uniquely beautiful place to see. The explanations were quite basic but enough for my needs. I would definitely recommend it!

Helpful? Yes

T
Theo Laurent - France
10 June

This is a must see location. The addition of contemporary art installations inside the Basilica Cistern has given it a fresh dimension, beautifully connecting the 6th and 21st centuries. It appeared that managing large groups was a challenge, as there was only one guide and it was difficult to hear him clearly due to the noise from the crowds. It might be better if the historical background were shared outside before entering. Our guide, Hussein, was excellent and did his best to answer all our questions thoroughly. Thank you!

Helpful? Yes

A
Aurora Nilsen - Norway
22 June

The guide provided a thorough overview, with the explanation lasting around 10 to 15 minutes. After that, we were free to walk through the cistern and explore the rest on our own.

Helpful? Yes

Z
Zoe Brown - Canada
26 June

It’s definitely worth using the skip the line option to avoid the long wait.

Helpful? Yes

E
Emilie Haugen - Denmark
27 September

The experience was quite enjoyable overall. I had trouble hearing the guide since I was at the back, and there were some children trying to catch his attention, which made it a bit distracting. Still, it was a very good tour.

Helpful? Yes

M
Milena Nowak - Poland
01 March

A fascinating location to visit.

Helpful? Yes

S
Siniša Kovačević - Bosnia and Herzegovina
11 August

Truly impressive experience. The guide was friendly and well informed.

Helpful? Yes

V
Valeria Romano - Italy
04 May

The place was very beautiful, but the explanations were lacking. The quality of the guides varied and wasn’t consistent.

Helpful? Yes

M
Matías Pereira - Portugal
03 February

A great way to skip the line, and we also learned about the history from a knowledgeable guide.

Helpful? Yes

Ángeles Soto - Spain
19 April

I agree that it’s better to get most of the information before entering the basilica because of the crowds and echo inside. The guides were knowledgeable and answered all our questions.

Helpful? Yes

M
Manjari Hayre - India
10 July

The basilica is stunning truly one of the most beautiful sights to experience.

Helpful? Yes

F
Frederique Molenaar - Netherlands
14 September

A half hour tour provides ample time to see everything.

Helpful? Yes

K
Kristoffer Berglund - Sweden
23 May

Having an introduction at the start of the visit is a nice touch.

Helpful? Yes

V
Victoria Woods - United States of America
11 April

The Cisterna is definitely a place worth seeing! Using the skip the line ticket saves you from the long and exhausting wait at the entrance, so I’d definitely recommend booking in advance. Unfortunately, the guide only provided a short 10 minute overview and then left us to explore on our own. He seemed quite irritated and wasn’t open to answering any additional questions, which was disappointing. Still, the visit itself was unforgettable.

Helpful? Yes

M
Manjari Dara - India
13 June

There’s a 15 minute historical overview, but the main benefit is skipping the line and getting inside quickly. Don’t forget to bring your phone there are plenty of great spots for photos.

Helpful? Yes

L
Ludovica Ricci - Italy
03 April

Definitely a service worth using, if only to avoid the extremely long wait at the ticket counter.

Helpful? Yes

A
Alexa Hopkins - United States of America
10 July

The atmosphere is quite captivating, and I’d recommend visiting.

Helpful? Yes

S
Samantha Cruz - Mexico
07 July

It’s a cool place to see, and we were happy to avoid the line. Unfortunately, the guide didn’t provide much information, and it was nearly impossible to hear her inside the cistern due to the noise. It would have been more effective to share some background details before going underground.

Helpful? Yes

V
Victoria Cook - United Kingdom
15 February

It’s decent value for the money. You’re paying about twice the cost of the regular ticket, and for that you get two things: 1) a guide who speaks for about five minutes before letting you explore on your own, and 2) the ability to skip the line which is definitely the biggest benefit, especially during the hot summer months.

Helpful? Yes

A
Artem Kovalenko - Ukraine
17 April

The Basilica Cistern is a stunning historical site, and we were glad to have the opportunity to see it. Inside the cistern, it was difficult to hear the guide due to the loud background noise, and she only spoke for about two minutes. In our group of 11, we had to show our proof of purchase to several different staff members before finally receiving our actual entry tickets.

Helpful? Yes

M
Milena Dobreva - Bulgaria
21 June

It’s helpful to know that all the tour guides carry tall red flags, making them easy to spot. You can go up to them for help and to be assigned to a guide. Ours was very friendly, but it was hard to hear what was being said once we were inside the Basilica.

Helpful? Yes

M
Martha Wagner - Germany
30 June

The Basilica Cistern is incredible definitely a place you shouldn’t miss. Getting your ticket online is a smart move, as it lets you skip the very long line. The guide was just okay; it was hard to hear him because the group was large and he wasn’t using a microphone or any kind of audio system. Providing earphones would really help. That said, if you have the chance, make sure to visit the Cistern.

Helpful? Yes

A
Aurora Marini - Italy
06 October

The cistern is absolutely one of the must see attractions, but the queue can be extremely long. If you have the chance to skip it by booking through a guided option like this, it’s definitely worth doing.

Helpful? Yes

E
Elisa Costantini - Italy
13 June

With this package, you can skip the line outside the Basilica, which is a great advantage. The Basilica itself is well worth visiting. The only downside was that the guide didn’t speak Italian.

Helpful? Yes

I
Inés Delgado - Spain
29 March

The audio guide is available in English. It would be wonderful if they could also offer one in Spanish. Thank you very much.

Helpful? Yes

N
Natalia Zielinska - Poland
04 August

Overall, the ticket was definitely worth it, particularly because it allowed us to bypass the very long queue.

Helpful? Yes

D
Dorothy Mitchell - United Kingdom
12 August

The guide was really friendly and well informed.

Helpful? Yes

S
Senta Winkler - Germany
07 March

The tour consisted of a brief 5 minute explanation given at the entrance to the cistern.

Helpful? Yes

B
Benjamin Dupuis - France
10 June

The term ‘guided’ is a bit misleading. The guide only spoke for about five minutes at the beginning, and that was the extent of it. It didn’t feel like good value for the money.

Helpful? Yes

R
Radu Ionescu - Romania
20 April

I found the tour to be a bit underwhelming. The guide rushed through the information and didn’t stay with us throughout the visit. In my opinion, it’s probably better to just buy a ticket and explore on your own.

Helpful? Yes

P
Parminder Rama - India
14 May

The guide didn’t use any audio equipment, and in the noisy environment of the Basilica, it was nearly impossible to hear anything he was saying.

Helpful? Yes

A
Anaïs Blanchet - France
03 June

The best part is that you don’t have to wait in line.

Helpful? Yes

K
Katerina Michalopoulou - Greece
02 October

It’s easier to just queue and buy a ticket might take a little longer, but getting there early helps. The guide only gave a 10 minute talk at the start, and then you’re left to explore the cistern on your own. The place itself is incredible, but there’s really no need for a guide. You can read about it on Wikipedia and enjoy the visit.

Helpful? Yes

D
Duarte Soares - Portugal
01 October

The only real benefit was skipping the line.

Helpful? Yes

M
Mary Hill - United Kingdom
05 October

The tour provided only basic information, but the group was small, which was nice. Skipping the line made it worthwhile, and the guide was pleasant.

Helpful? Yes

T
Tilde Sørensen - Denmark
23 September

The guided tour lasted around 15 minutes. Although the guide was very friendly, we had hoped she would stay with us longer. She shared all the information and then left after about 15 to 20 minutes. Since it was a skip the line ticket, we entered fairly quickly.

Helpful? Yes

K
Karla Meyer - Germany
21 October

Essentially, you’re paying just to skip the line.

Helpful? Yes

K
Kayleigh Koning - Netherlands
27 July

You have the option to explore the tour on your own as well.

Helpful? Yes

D
Daria Lămboiu - Romania
15 April

It’s fine if your main goal is just to skip the line, which was really important for us.

Helpful? Yes

G
Grete Walter - Ghana
13 March

There was hardly any waiting time in line.

Helpful? Yes

J
Julieta Cuellar - Argentina
01 June

This isn’t really a full tour, but more of a guide who walks with you for about 15 to 20 minutes inside the Cistern, sharing some historical facts. It’s worth it if you want to skip the queue, as it truly acts as a fast pass.

Helpful? Yes

B
Brenda Scott - United States of America
25 September

The Cistern itself was incredible and definitely a must see!

Helpful? Yes

R
River Johnson - United States of America
21 November

The main benefit was just skipping the line.

Helpful? Yes

A
Alexei Sidorov - Russia
23 July

It was alright overall. Definitely worth it for skipping the queue. However, I couldn’t hear much of what the guide was saying, and the group felt too large.

Helpful? Yes

F
Federica Greco - Italy
20 June

Since audio guide apps don’t work inside due to poor signal, as mentioned during booking, it would be helpful if the tour guide explained beforehand why it’s hard to hear inside because of the crowd and acoustics even when the group isn’t very large.

Helpful? Yes

K
Kimberly Parson - United States of America
13 May

We believed we had booked a private tour for our group of four, but it turned out to be much larger, making it hard to hear the guide. The guide did get us in ahead of the long line and was knowledgeable, but given the price, we expected more.

Helpful? Yes

S
Shirley Morgan - United Kingdom
03 November

The tour wasn’t very well organized. We waited at the meeting point, but the guide didn’t arrive on time, so we had to call. We didn’t get to hear the story because we were stuck in the queue. By the time we got inside, the guide had already finished the explanation. It could definitely have been better.

Helpful? Yes

I
Isla Allen - United Kingdom
27 June

The meeting point and entry process went smoothly, but once inside, it was nearly impossible to hear the guide because of the echoing acoustics of the cistern and the large groups of noisy schoolchildren. Still, the cistern itself was truly spectacular to see.

Helpful? Yes

C
Camille Hug - Switzerland
10 December

The timing and organization were good, with a short general introduction lasting about 5 to 8 minutes. After that, everyone was free to explore at their own pace.

Helpful? Yes

M
Maria Lombardi - Italy
22 March

This tour is mainly for skipping the line. You receive enough essential information upfront to explore independently afterward. The price is somewhat high compared to tours of other attractions that last longer. For me, saving time is important, so I purchased it knowing it costs about twice as much as the regular entrance ticket.

Helpful? Yes

A
Amalie Jung - Germany
03 July

The stunning lighting adds a truly magical ambiance to the place.

Helpful? Yes

N
Niko Lehtinen - Finland
18 September

At times, there were so many people packed in that I could barely move, with crowds pressing in from both sides. Being underground made it difficult to breathe, and I even had a panic attack.

Helpful? Yes

A
Adrián Gutiérrez - Spain
06 August

Finding the meeting point was simple, but the guides didn’t put in much effort. It’s a pity, as the site itself is truly magnificent.

Helpful? Yes

I
Isabelle Tremblay - Canada
28 June

Hearing the live guide was a bit challenging, but the cistern itself was stunning. I also struggled with the downloadable guide on my phone and ended up stopping after just a few minutes.

Helpful? Yes

J
Jonas Vestergaard - Denmark
30 May

The environment was too noisy.

Helpful? Yes

M
Mila Hristova - Bulgaria
16 September

It was alright.

Helpful? Yes

E
Enis Topalović - Bosnia and Herzegovina
30 March

The tour guide stayed with us only briefly, and for this kind of day trip, it really isn’t worth the extra cost.

Helpful? Yes

A
Alžbeta Horváthová - Slovakia
12 April

The guided portion of the visit was quite brief, and the cost felt too high for what was actually included.

Helpful? Yes

M
Maxime Leclerc - France
09 March

The cistern is a very impressive place to visit.

Helpful? Yes

L
Lara Santoro - Italy
01 April

It was a great experience.

Helpful? Yes

J
Jan Král - Czech Republic
02 March

Skipping the line and the overall tour experience were very good.

Helpful? Yes

I
Ingrid Madsen - Norway
14 May

Honestly, considering the guide’s low level of English and the fact that he barely raised his voice, making it hard to hear him, it would be better to just buy a regular ticket and explore on your own.

Helpful? Yes

T
Tomaž Mlakar - Slovenia
08 March

Visiting the Cisterns was an exciting and impressive experience. However, the meeting point was somewhat confusing, and the guide didn’t share much beyond a brief mention of Medusa.

Helpful? Yes

M
Matúš Blaho - Slovakia
12 March

The skip the line option didn’t really work we still waited about 30 minutes. The guide part wasn’t as described either, and the information provided was pretty underwhelming.

Helpful? Yes

V
Veronika Jandová - Czech Republic
02 January

The tour claims to help you skip a two hour line, but there really wasn’t a line at all. The guide didn’t provide much information either. If I were to go again, I’d just buy the tickets myself and visit independently it’s also more affordable that way.

Helpful? Yes

S
Stepan Popov - Ukraine
18 February

Skipping the line was definitely a big plus. The tour itself was short they gave a five minute overview at the entrance but didn’t walk through with us. I found the meeting point a bit hard to locate, but overall, it was worth it just for the skip the line access.

Helpful? Yes

E
Emilija Stanković - Serbia
03 April

It was helpful to skip the queue. The guide gave information inside the cistern.

Helpful? Yes

H
Helga Jónsdóttir - Iceland
04 December

The guide was nice.

Helpful? Yes

M
Marco Bühler - Switzerland
21 March

The place was too crowded for the guide to walk around with the group and provide a detailed explanation of this magnificent site. The main advantage of the tour is skipping the long line in favor of the shorter group and online ticket queue.

Helpful? Yes

S
Severin Meier - Austria
05 April

Absolutely loved the experience! The guide was knowledgeable and friendly, and skipping the line saved us so much time. The cistern itself is stunning. Highly recommend!

Helpful? Yes

I
Iliana Georgieva - Bulgaria
12 April

This was a fantastic way to see the Basilica Cistern without waiting forever in line. Our guide shared fascinating historical facts, making the visit even more memorable.

Helpful? Yes

V
Vilde Aas - Norway
17 February

A must do in Istanbul! The skip the line option really made a difference. Our guide was great and made the history come alive. The cistern’s atmosphere is incredible.

Helpful? Yes

K
Klemens Schwarz - Germany
19 May

Perfect tour for anyone wanting to explore the cistern efficiently. The guide was very informative and answered all our questions patiently. Highly recommend booking this!

Helpful? Yes

M
Manuela Rizzo - Italy
25 March

We enjoyed every minute! The group was small, the guide was engaging, and getting inside without waiting was a huge plus. The place is magical, don’t miss it!

Helpful? Yes

R
Raquel Figueira - Portugal
22 March

Great value for money and well organized. The guide explained everything clearly and the skip the line made the whole experience smooth and enjoyable.

Helpful? Yes

K
Kaarina Virtanen - Finland
11 May

The highlight of our Istanbul trip! The guide’s stories made the history fascinating, and the cistern is beautiful. Skip the line if you want to save time!

Helpful? Yes

E
Elias Stein - Austria
08 February

Very impressed with how smoothly the tour ran. The guide was friendly and knowledgeable, and the cistern’s atmosphere was breathtaking. Would definitely recommend.

Helpful? Yes

J
Jakob Halvorsen - Norway
04 January

Loved the skip the line access and the detailed explanations from our guide. The cistern was even more beautiful than I imagined. Great tour!

Helpful? Yes

T
Tanja Knežević - Serbia
09 February

Our guide made the history of the Basilica Cistern really interesting. The skip the line was well worth it, especially during peak season. A fantastic experience overall.

Helpful? Yes

I
Ilya Rogov - Russia
21 February

The tour was informative and well paced. Skipping the queue saved us hours! The guide was friendly and made sure we didn’t miss any highlights.

Helpful? Yes

A
Anze Zupan - Slovenia
05 March

Excellent tour! The guide was very knowledgeable and the group size was perfect. Getting in quickly with the skip the line was a big advantage.

Helpful? Yes

E
Edgars Ozols - Latvia
14 February

The guide was fantastic, full of interesting facts. The skip the line ticket was a lifesaver, especially on a busy day. The cistern itself is a must see.

Helpful? Yes

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