Day trip

Istanbul: Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, & Basilica Cistern Tour

4.4  / 5156 reviews
Activity provider:Katalay Turizm
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Day trip
Istanbul: Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, & Basilica Cistern Tour
Activity provider:Katalay Turizm
4.4  / 5156 reviews
Likely to sell out

Discover Istanbul's most iconic landmarks on a tour of the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sophia, and the Basilica Cistern. Benefit from skip-the-line access and uncover their histories with your guide.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Reserve now & pay later
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Duration 1 day
Check availability to see starting times.
Skip the ticket line
Live tour guide
English

Experience

Highlights

  • Travel through time as you uncover the secrets of Istanbul's great landmarks
  • Delve into the history of the city's heritage and Islam at the Blue Mosque
  • Enjoy fast-track entry into the Basilica Cistern and face the Medusa heads
  • Explore the Hagia Sophia at your own pace with an informative audio guide
  • Be in awe of architectural feats that reflect the ever changing pace of Istanbul

Full description

Meet your guide in the heart of the Old City for a stress-free sightseeing experience on this tour of 3 of Istanbul's most emblematic landmarks. Step inside the Blue Mosque to admire its architecture and renowned blue Iznik tiles while learning about Byzantine and Ottoman heritage, Islam, and Istanbul's rich history. Next, at the Basilica Cistern, skip the ticket lines and uncover the subterranean marvels beneath Istanbul's streets. Wander through the ancient water cistern, checking out its architecture and the Medusa heads from Greek mythology. Then explore Istanbul's Old City, seeing treasures such as the Million Stone and the Hippodrome, a circus that once served as the social and sporting center of Constantinople. Admire the exterior of the Hagia Sophia and gain fascinating insights into this 2,000-year-old landmark. Before concluding the tour, your guide will provide you with skip-the-line tickets and an audio guide for Hagia Sophia, allowing you to explore the interior of this world-famous structure at your own pace.

Includes

  • English-speaking guide
  • Blue Mosque tour
  • Basilica Cistern skip-the-line entry ticket
  • Basilica Cistern tour
  • Old City highlights tour
  • Hagia Sophia skip-the-line ticket
  • Hagia Sophia audio guide
  • Skip-the-line entry to the Blue Mosque
  • Scarf and body cover at the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Meeting point

Our meeting point is below the trees across from Design Café and the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum at the Hippodrome in Sultanahmet. You can view the location on Google Maps using this link. https://maps.app.goo.gl/P6mCcvd2SYJ3mdEL8

Open in Google Maps ⟶

Important information

What to bring

  • Scarf
  • Headscarf

Not allowed

  • Shorts
  • Short skirts
  • Sleeveless shirts

Know before you go

  • Guides are currently not allowed inside the Hagia Sophia, you will learn the history from your guide from outside. Afterward, you can head inside with the ticket and included audio guide app
  • The included tickets allow you to skip the ticket line of both Hagia Sophia and Basilica Cistern, but it is not possible to skip the security line. The security line at Hagia Sophia can take up to 60 minutes in high season. The security check at Basilica Cistern can take up to 30 minutes
  • This Hagia Sophia ticket gives you access to the Visiting Area and Upper Gallery, not the prayer area
  • Men and women must cover their knees. If you wear shorts, you can buy a body cover for 100 TRY
  • Due do maintance work the Basilica Cistern will be closed at the 29th, 30th and 31st July.
  • Instead of the Basilica Cistern you will visit the Theodosius Cistern.

Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.4 /5

based on 156 reviews

Review summary

  • Transportation
    4.5/5
  • Value for money
    4.1/5

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S
Sara – United StatesSeptember 11, 2024  – Verified booking
Our guide, Hussein, was knowledge and very helpful when system glitches affected my Ayasofya ticket. He resolved the issue quickly and kindly, and I appreciated it. We had understood that guides weren't allowed in Ayasofya anymore, but there were plenty of them in there. I would have benefitted from a guide inside. Overall, I very much enjoyed this tour and found our guide to be very professional. Thank you!
Helpful?
Z
Zain – United KingdomSeptember 5, 2024  – Verified booking
Samet Akbulut was an excellent host. He was extremely knowledgeable is both local and religious history and very articulate in English. Samet was very considerate and allowed guests time to take photos, visit the restroom inbetween landmarks and recommended eateries for us to try. He was accommodating, approachable and has excellent interpersonal skills making him the perfect tour guide. I will definitely be recommending Samet to friends and family who will visit Istanbul in the future. Thank you Samet! Zain
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J
Justina – LithuaniaSeptember 1, 2024  – Verified booking
The tour was amazing! Our guide Hal was very knowledgeable. He guided us through all three buildings, gave us some very interesting insights and pointed out the best spots to take photos. He also gave us some tips about the best spots to eat nearby and some other things to visit in Turkey. Overall, we were very happy with the tour!
Helpful?

Product ID: 737942

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