Basilica Cistern Tours

Best of Istanbul: 1, 2, or 3-Day Private Guided Tour

• 122 Reviews
• Prepare to be awed by Istanbul’s magnificent architecture, rich history and eclectic bazaars as you discover the unmissable highlights of the Old City on this full-day, 2-day, or 3-day private tour. Marvel over the glorious Hagia Sophia, learn how the Blue Mosque earned its famous nickname and see the ancient Basilica Cistern. You’ll also tour Topkapi Palace, where you’ll gain an insight into the lavish lifestyles of the Ottoman sultans and their harem, and browse the legendary Grand Bazaar, where you’ll find everything from carpets to Turkish delight.
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Imperial Istanbul Half-Day Tour: Hagia Sophia, Basillica Cistern and Grand Bazaar

• 67 Reviews
• Venture to imperial monuments rich with history and discover the Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern and the Grand Bazaar during this half-day guided tour in Istanbul. Gaze at the Hagia Sophia’s massive columns and dome during a visit to one of the world’s largest basilicas and most popular museums in Turkey. This tour will take you underground to Basilica Cistern which was once the backbone of the Great Palace of Constantinople. Enjoy a trip to the Grand Bazaar where you can barter for souvenirs and feel the pulse of one of the oldest and largest covered markets on the planet.
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Afternoon Tour of Topkapi Palace With Skip The Line Admission

• Follow in the footsteps of Ottoman sultans, Islamic scholars and Byzantine emperors on a half-day Istanbul tour that takes in three fascinating destinations. Explore the 15th-century Topkapi Palace, where you’ll discover a trove of art and artifacts from around the world, and architecture that evokes a dramatic era of court and harem intrigues in the seraglio. Browse handicrafts at a onetime madrasa, then take in the Roman, Egyptian and Ottoman monuments at Hippodrome Square, once the site of Byzantine games and chariot races.
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Istanbul Half-Day Afternoon Tour

• 2 Reviews
• This whistle stop tour of Istanbul makes it possible to visit four top attraction in only four hours. Travel with ease in an air-conditioned coach and receive a historical overview of the city from your guide. Cover the distance between landmarks such as the Blue Mosque, the Basilica Cistern and Hagia Sophia efficiently, and enjoy the convenience of hotel pickup and drop-off. This small-group tour, limited to 15 people, is ideal for travelers with limited time in Istanbul.  
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Best of Istanbul Tour

• 5 Reviews
• Discover some of Istanbul’s finest views on a full-day, small-group tour of the city by cable car, cruise ship, underground tunnel and air-conditioned minivan. Get high above the Golden Horn at Pierre Loti café, and spot minarets, domes and waterside palaces on a scenic Bosphorus cruise. Link Istanbul’s Asian and European sides on the Marmaray Train, then explore historic fortresses, a pair of iconic mosques, an ancient cistern, Hagia Sophia and the monuments of Hippodrome Square.
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Private Half-day Tour: Imperial Istanbul - Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern and Grand Bazaar

• 22 Reviews
• Explore the fascinating history of Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern and Grand Bazaar during this half-day privately guided tour of imperial Istanbul. Discover the ancient church, former mosque and now internationally famous museum, the Hagia Sophia. This tour will wind you through the Grand Bazaar where you can haggle for Turkish treasures and then take you 500 feet below ground into the historic Basilica Cistern where a James Bond once thwarted evil plans.
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Top Sites Of Istanbul: Half Day Small-Group tour

• Get the perfect introduction to Istanbul’s most iconic places with a 6-hour, small-group tour of the old city with an experienced guide. Step into the world of Ottoman sultans and Byzantine emperors as you make your way from the Hippodrome to the Blue Mosque and the underground Basilica Cistern. Explore the gleaming mosaics at Hagia Sophia, then immerse yourself in the bright colors, vivid scents and bustling aisles of the Grand Bazaar. Enjoy the personal experience of a small-group tour, with inside tips and advice from a local.
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Small-Group Full-Day Istanbul City Tour

• See Istanbul from all different angles on this full-day city tour, with a knowledgeable guide. Take a cable car up Pierre Loti Hill, ride the Marmaray rail system under the Bosphorus, and enjoy a Bosphorus cruise, gliding past Ottoman-era mansions, the Rumeli Fortress and more. Learn about the city’s Ottoman sultans at the lovely Rustem Pasha Mosque, and finish in Sultanahmet, touring highlights including the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Basilica Cistern. Lunch at a quaint local restaurant is included. Numbers are limited to 15 for a more intimate experience.
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Heart of Historical Istanbul with St Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Underground Cistern Grand Covered Bazaar

• If you’re visiting Istanbul for the first time, check all of the city’s top attractions off your list on this 7-hour historical Istanbul tour. In an air-conditioned vehicle, you’ll travel between the world-famous Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and the Basilica Cistern, a subterranean sanctuary dating back to the 6th century. See, too, the magnificent Topkapi Palace and learn about Istanbul’s rich culture and heritage from your guide. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included on this small-group tour, limited to 14 people.
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Dan Brown 'Inferno' Tour of Istanbul

• Go sightseeing in Istanbul's Old City, following in the footsteps of the character Robert Langdon from Dan Brown's best-selling mystery 'Inferno.' See the Hagia Sophia — a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and imagine the Roman chariots that once clattered around the Hippodrome. Soak in the otherworldly ambiance of the Basilica Cistern, walk through the Spice Market and view the Galata Bridge. Upgrade for a full-day tour that includes a boat trip on the Bosphorous River and a visit to the Grand Bazaar.
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Istanbul Old City Private Walking Tour

• 1 Review
• Discover Sultanahmet, the Old City of Istanbul, on a private full-day walking tour with an informative local guide. Visit Istanbul’s many architectural treasures including the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace. Stroll around the Hippodrome, explore the Grand Bazaar and go underground to check out the Basilica Cistern, an atmospheric gem. You’ll gain insight into the history and importance of these sites, which date back to the Byzantine and Ottoman eras, on a private tour that includes lunch, entrance fees, and pickup and drop-off at select hotels.
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Small-Group Afternoon Tour of the Hippodrome and Hagia Sophia in Istanbul

• 2 Reviews
• Explore the glorious legacy of the Byzantine Empire and learn about the fall of Constantinople on this 3.5-hour small-group tour, combining three of Istanbul’s most captivating historic sights. Start by strolling around the former Hippodrome, where you’ll see the Column of Constantine, the Egyptian Obelisk and the Serpentine Column. Enjoy a tour of the awe-inspiring Hagia Sophia mosque, then take a peek at the hauntingly beautiful Basilica Cistern, a remarkable underground aqueduct that dates back to Byzantine times.
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Istanbul Old City Private Tour - Sultanahmet Tour

• Discover the great sights of Istanbul’s historical Sultanahmet quarter on this private 7-hour tour. With your own professional guide beside you, listen to intriguing tales of Istanbul’s Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman past as you visit the must-see attractions of the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace. Be dazzled by the still-luminous treasures of these three great empires, and intersperse the major sights with lunch (own expense) at a local restaurant, and explorations of the Hippodrome, Basilica Cistern and dizzying Grand Bazaar.
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Full-Day Istanbul Culture and Food Tour

• Discover the cultural melting pot of Istanbul on a tour that includes historic marvels, mouth-watering gastronomy and famous landmarks. This private full-day tour visits attractions like Hagia Sophia, the Galata Tower and the Basilica Cistern, taking you on a thrilling journey from Europe to Asia and back again. Along the way, fill up on an array of delicious Turkish delicacies from hearty kebabs to sugary Turkish delights.
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Private Tour: Glory of the Two Empires Tour From Istanbul

• Take a journey through Istanbul’s history, from the glory of Byzantine Empire to the power and prestige of the Ottoman era on this private full-day tour. Visit the Hippodrome, used for chariot races during Byzantine times and discover why the Blue Mosque was given its famous nickname. Venture underground to discover the 6th-century Basilica Cistern and tour the breath-taking Hagia Sophia, built by Constantine the Great. Finally, explore the Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s oldest covered markets.
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Small-Group Istanbul in One Day Tour Including Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia

• 1,229 Reviews
• Immerse yourself in Istanbul’s six best sights on this guided full-day tour. Fit all of the attractions at the top of your bucket list into one packed day, with the help of an expert local guide. Stroll Istanbul’s historic Sultanahmet neighborhood, brimming with iconic buildings and storied streets. Tour the Blue Mosque, one of the most important sites in the Muslim world. Delve into history of the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and Istanbul Hippodrome as well as the sunken palace of Basilica Cistern. And you won’t want to miss the and the bustling Grand Bazaar or savory 3-course lunch. This tour is limited to 14 people to ensure a quality tour experience.
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Private Tour: Istanbul in One Day Sightseeing Tour including Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace

• 193 Reviews
• Experience the finest attractions in Istanbul’s Sultanahmet district during this private, guided day tour of the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace. Marvel at these famous monuments alongside your expert guide who will give you individual attention on this private voyage.
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Full-Day City Tour with Private Tour Guide and Red Carpet Treatment with Luxury Minibus

• 8 Reviews
• Enjoy a royal welcome to Istanbul as you’re picked up by a private guide, escorted around the sights in a luxurious Mercedes-Benz minibus and whisked to the front of the queue at the city’s most popular attractions. A great introduction to Istanbul for first-time visitors, this full-day tour includes visits to the historic Hippodrome, the exquisite Blue Mosque and iconic Hagia Sophia. You’ll also experience the lavish lifestyles of the Ottoman Sultans with a tour of Topkapi Palace and spend time browsing the colorful stalls of the Grand Bazaar.
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Istanbul Highlights Half-Day Tour

• When visiting Istanbul, see four of the ancient capitol's top attractions on a guided half-day tour of the old city of Sultanahmet. Enjoy skip-the-line access to the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and the Basilica Cistern, and time to browse the shops at the Grand Bazaar. Your guide shares the history of Istanbul and Constantinople throughout your tour.
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Small-Group Istanbul Old City Sightseeing Tour

• 2 Reviews
• See the unforgettable landmarks of Istanbul’s old city on a full-day, small-group sightseeing tour with a professional art historian. Enjoy a comfortable seat on a luxury coach as you make your way to Hagia Sophia, descend into a stunning below-ground cistern system and explore a Roman-era hippodrome. Pause for a 3-course lunch before continuing to the Blue Mosque, the Ottoman Topkapi Palace and the bustling stalls of the Grand Bazaar, and get an insider’s perspective on the back stories and secrets of each place.
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Istanbul Layover Tour from Ataturk Airport

• 2 Reviews
• Get out of the airport and see Istanbul’s Old City during your layover on this tour. Meet your guide at the airport travel in an air-conditioned vehicle to the center of Istanbul. Maximize your time and skip the lines at the Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace. You can choose to visit the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, the Basilica Cistern, Taksim Square, and other places of interest.
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Istanbul Sightseeing Tour Including Süleymaniye Mosque and Lunch

• 6 Reviews
• Take in two of Istanbul’s most iconic sights and two of its lesser-known gems on this unique full-day sightseeing tour, including hotel transfers and a delicious 3-course lunch. Marvel over the spectacular Süleymaniye Mosque, the biggest in the city, then venture underground to explore the eerily beautiful Basilica Cistern, which dates back to Roman times. Spend time browsing the myriad stalls of Istanbul’s legendary Grand Bazaar, then prepare to be dazzled as you tour Topkapi Palace, the lavish former residence of the Ottoman sultans.
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SPECIAL OFFER

Istanbul Super Saver: Small-Group City Sightseeing Tour plus Turkish Dinner and Show

• 63 Reviews
• Discover the enchanting city of Istanbul on this convenient two-in-one tour that saves you 10% off the normal price. By combining two of Istanbul’s best-selling tours, you’re guaranteed to see the best of this historic city in one convenient trip. Don’t miss sites like the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. Take advantage of some time on your own to explore, then savor a 4-course Turkish dinner and with belly dancing and live traditional Turkish folk music.
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Small Group: Best of Istanbul Tour

• Get a comprehensive overview of Istanbul with a guide on this full-day tour. Depart from you hotel in Taksim or Sultanahmet in an air-conditioned vehicle and the Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern, the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, and more. Take a cable car to the top of Pierre Loti Hill and admire the view of the city. Hop on a Bosphorus Cruise and view Istanbul’s historic Ottoman mansions from the water. Enjoy a break for lunch.
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