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Book Sardinia Nearby Cities Tour | Explore the Surrounding Gems
4.4/5
(8,282)
Steve
Aug 2025Verified booking
5/5
Really cool and atmospheric spot...definitely worth a visit if you’re into history. It’s an underground cavern that once stored the city’s water supply, and walking through it feels like stepping into another world. The lighting and reflections make it a great place for photos. It’s a relatively quick walkthrough, but the space is impressive and packed with historical weight. A quiet, moody break from the busy streets above.
Maria
Aug 2025Verified booking
4/5
The monument is spectacular, it is the second time I go to see the Cistern, it is one of the places I repeat when I go to Istanbul.
The experience with the purchase without queue, very good, easy access to the monument by a specific row with very little queue.
The only drawback is that not being able to download the audio guide to save, if you do not have data, you can not hear it.
Diane
Aug 2025Verified booking
4/5
The tour started on time, we quickly got through the guided tour line and security, and the guide was very informative with pictures and anecdotal stories as well.
I would add that it was unclear for us to look for a guide with a flag at the EXIT of the Cistern. That extra information would have saved us some drama.
Bypass the long ticket lines and explore Basilica Cistern with an expert guide or a self-guided audio tour.
- Everything you get: Choose between a 1-hour guided tour with a local expert or a self-guided experience using a multilingual audio app. Enjoy skip-the-line access and in-depth commentary that brings the history of this underground marvel to life.
- Why choose this: This tour reveals the history and hidden secrets of the Basilica Cistern, offering a unique look at the ancient water reservoir that once supplied water to Constantinople. Whether you choose to explore with an expert guide or at your own pace, this experience will leave you with a greater appreciation of Istanbul's rich past.
- Upgrades: Make your visit even more memorable by adding a guided tour of Hagia Sophia. This option includes skip-the-line access and expert commentary, allowing you to explore two of Istanbul's most iconic landmarks in one seamless experience!
Bypass the long ticket lines and explore Basilica Cistern with an expert guide or a self-guided audio tour.
- Everything you get: Choose between a 1-hour guided tour with a local expert or a self-guided experience using a multilingual audio app. Enjoy skip-the-line access and in-depth commentary that brings the history of this underground marvel to life.
- Why choose this: This tour reveals the history and hidden secrets of the Basilica Cistern, offering a unique look at the ancient water reservoir that once supplied water to Constantinople. Whether you choose to explore with an expert guide or at your own pace, this experience will leave you with a greater appreciation of Istanbul's rich past.
- Upgrades: Make your visit even more memorable by adding a guided tour of Hagia Sophia. This option includes skip-the-line access and expert commentary, allowing you to explore two of Istanbul's most iconic landmarks in one seamless experience!
Inclusions
- Skip-the-line entry to Basilica Cistern
- Instant mobile tickets with all-day validity
- 1-hour guided tour of Basilica Cistern (based on option selected)
- Self-guided audio tour of Basilica Cistern (based on option selected)
- 1-hour guided tour of Hagia Sophia (based on option selected)
- Expert English-speaking local guide (based on option selected)
- Audio app for iOS and Android in English, Spanish, French, German & Italian
- Tip: It’s cooler underground, so bring a light jacket even in summer.
- Your ticket lets you skip the long lines, but you’ll still need to go through the security check.
- Weekends and mid-afternoons can get packed, especially when cruise ship groups arrive—plan around them if you want a quieter experience.
- Bring wired headphones if you’re using an audio guide app; signal is limited, and Bluetooth can cut out.
- Wear shoes with grip—some areas can be damp and slightly slippery.
- Stand still and listen; you’ll hear dripping water echoing through the columns, adding to the eerie vibe.
- The lighting is dim on purpose, so let your eyes adjust before taking photos.
- Flash photography is not allowed; use night mode or steady your phone on a railing.
- The Medusa heads are tucked into a far corner—don’t miss them, and walk around both to see the positioning.
- The exit leads you into a different street from the entrance, so make note of your bearings before heading in.
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Reviews
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Guests from United States, Spain, Italy and over 91 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Hannah
Jul 2025Verified booking
The Cistern is truly beautiful. Well worth a visit and the ability to just walk straight in was ideal. We went late morning/early afternoon and were not swamped by the crowds.
JULIANA
Jul 2025Verified booking
Well-organized tour, with the site very well preserved and with lighting changes that make the experience even more incredible
View original review in Portuguese
Diana
Jul 2025Verified booking
There was really no line at all. We were immediately inside. The place is awesome. The lights changing colours are beautiful. The shadows of Medusa were great. Wonderful experience
Brett
Jun 2025Verified booking
The group was small and we had plenty of time to wander on our own. I would have liked more history though it was difficult to hear our guide as the others in the group didn't move closer and I was in the back.
Peter
Jun 2025Verified booking
Headout helped to make the visit for all locations seamless, for a first-time visitor. The App came with very clear directions for all sites along with online pdf (QR codes) tickets. This saved considerable time.
Gianni
May 2025Verified booking
❤️❤️❤️ ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Fareez
May 2025Verified booking
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Amazing experience in 3 main attractions, Hagia Sophia / Topkapi Palace / Basilica Cistern!
MARCO
Jul 2025Verified booking
Awesome Location, good audioguide, suggestions and indications had been detailed and useful.
Richard
Jul 2025Verified booking
Getting passed the long lines. The ingenuity of how they solved their water problems.
Barbara
Jul 2025Verified booking
Beautiful!!! Everything -- I recommend the skip-the-line ticket
View original review in Italian
Colin
Jul 2025Verified booking
So quick to enter the tour which was amazing!!! Would definitely recommend for the price 👌🏻☺️
Somaya
Jun 2025Verified booking
The atmosphere and the quick entry.
Miguel
Jun 2025Verified booking
Quick and easy. Saved me from waiting in line under a scorching heat.
María
Jun 2025Verified booking
It has been a unique experience with the convenience of not having to wait in line.
View original review in Spanish
Tim
Jun 2025Verified booking
Everything. Simply everything. Totally breathtaking.
View original review in German
Frans
Jun 2025Verified booking
Beautiful place Nice cool place in a hot day
Ferencz
Jun 2025Verified booking
It is something uniqie, worth to see
Craig
Jun 2025Verified booking
Spectacular, nice lighting, and with pre purchased tickets, no line. Not too crowded and nice and cool.
Rosmund
Jun 2025Verified booking
Simply amazing. It was one of our higlights in our first Turkey experience.
Justin
Aug 2025Verified booking
Great experience from start to finish. The hosts, the captains and the staff were all very accommodating and knowledgeable about Istanbul. Highly recommend for any world travellers. Justin & Jessica - Vancouver, Canada
Maite
Aug 2025Verified booking
I bought the super combo to visit Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and the cistern and it was a success. We have entered without queuing practically in the middle of August. I recommend it
View original review in Spanish
Laura
Aug 2025Verified booking
The time it took to figure out where to pick up the tickets for the Topkapi Palace and waiting for the guide who was to take us inside exceeded the time it would have taken us to buy the regular ticket. The "skip the line" only works well for Hagia Sophia and the Cistern. No for the palace
View original review in Italian
María
Aug 2025Verified booking
A place you can not miss if you go to Istanbul. Unique and unrepeatable. With the tickets taken out, we did not queue at all and we saw it very quietly.
View original review in Spanish
MARIA
Aug 2025Verified booking
Hello, I loved it. As we had bought the tickets we did not queue and inside the Basilica Cistern we found it beautiful.
View original review in Spanish
Fabio
Aug 2025Verified booking
The Cistern is fascinating, distinctive and well maintained. The line hopping was a boon. The audio guide from the iphone was excellent. Very positive experience
View original review in Italian