Istanbul Hagia Sophia & Basilica Cistern Guided Tour with Tickets

4.8(4)2 hoursGerman, EnglishIstanbul, Turkey

From

$153

Enjoy included admission tickets for Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern. Visit two major highlights of Istanbul on a small-group tour led by an expert guide. Explore the world-famous Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern with tickets. Learn about the history and culture of the Ottoman and Byzantine Empires. Get tips from your guide at the end of the tour to explore Istanbul. Benefit from convenient pickup at Galata Port or meeting point in Sultanahmet.

Included

Professional and local guide with a license
Priority entry tickets for Hagia Sophia
Priority entry tickets for Basilica Cistern
Starting from Galata Port (If this option is selected)
Headsets to hear the guide better
2 hours guided tour

Not included

Transport to the meeting spot

Choose your option

3 options

Check availability on Viator

What you'll do

Sultanahmet Square
Istanbul, Turkiye
Enjoy our priority admission with the tickets and join a 2-hour guided group tour in the heart of Istanbul’s old town Sultanahmet to see the Hagia Sophia and Basilica Cistern. Discover the history of the Ottoman and Byzantine Empires with entry tickets.
Basilica Cistern
Yerebatan Caddesi, No:1/3, Istanbul, Turkiye
Follow your guide, and he will help you pass with priority tickets. Start your journey with the Basilica Cistern, also known as the "Subterranean Palace." Discover its history, see the underground pillars, and learn about Byzantine architecture. Walk on wooden walkways over the water and view the famous upside-down Medusa heads.
40 minAdmission included
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
Sultan Ahmet, Ayasofya MeydanI No:1, Istanbul, Turkiye
Next, visit the Hagia Sophia with pre-reserved tickets and witness the most significant site of the Greek Orthodox religion in Istanbul. Listen from your guide as you explore the interior, learn how it was converted into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople. Marvel at the stunning monument and its mixed elements mosque and a church coexisting side by side. Admire the basilica’s stunning dome, minarets, countless mosaics, paintings, and Roman columns. Discover how the impressive İznik tiles were added over time in the Mosque, how the stunning Virgin Mary mosaic was created, and why the Ottomans chose to bury their sultans in the courtyard.
1 hourAdmission included
Hippodrome
At MeydanI Cd No:21, Istanbul, Turkiye
Walk the length of the Hippodrome and enjoy a scenic stroll around Sultanahmet as local life goes on around you. Ask about the obelisks that adorn the square. Pause for a last glance at these two important monuments while you learn the significance of the Hippodrome to Istanbul during the Byzantine era.
15 min
Sultanahmet Square
Istanbul, Turkiye
Concluding in Sultanahmet Square, our tour leaves you equipped with ample knowledge and insights to navigate the enchanting streets of Istanbul independently. Join us for an unforgettable journey through the heart of this historic city.

Meeting and pickup

4 locations

Pickup details

We will meet at Galataport Clock Tower Square, next to the clock tower. Your guide will be holding a sign that says "Walks In Europe." Address: Kılıçali Paşa, Gümrük Muhafaza Kısım Amirliği No:5, 34433 Beyoğlu/İstanbul

We meet at Ersoy Bufe. This is a small food kiosk just by the side of the Hippodrome in Sultanahmet Square. It is across the German Fountain. Your guide will be in front of the Ersoy Bufe with a sign that says, “Walks in Europe.”

Good to know

Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
You will have to pass through airport-style security.
Hagia Sophia may be closed unannounced due to high-level state visits.
If Basilica Cistern is closed we visit Şerefiye (cistern of Theodosius) or Binbirdirek (Cistern of Philoxenos).
Expect long lines to enter the Hagia Sophia, especially during holidays.