Basilica Cistern Guided Tour
Basilica Cistern – Hidden Marvels Beneath Istanbul
Venture below Istanbul’s streets to discover:
💧 Skip the long ticket lines and enter Basilica Cistern with priority access
🏛️ The haunting beauty of 336 ancient columns reflected in still waters
🐍 The enigmatic Medusa heads – one sideways, one upside down!
🎶 Perfect acoustics that amplify every whisper (try it!)
Your expert guide will reveal:
💡 How this 6th-century marvel quenched Byzantine Istanbul’s thirst
🧐 Why the Medusa heads were placed this way (3 competing theories!)
🎬 Its secret role in modern pop culture (James Bond filmed here!)
📍 Location: Sultanahmet, Istanbul
✨ Highlights / Key Points:
💧 Priority access to Basilica Cistern
🏛️ Explore 336 columns & Medusa heads
🎤 Expert guide sharing secrets, history, and fun facts
🎶 Unique acoustic experience
✅ What’s Included:
• Guided tour of Basilica Cistern
• Priority entry tickets
• Stories and historical insights from a local expert
❌ What’s Not Included:
• Transportation to the meeting point
• Additional entrance fees beyond priority access
🕒 Full Timetable:
| Day | Available Times |
|---|---|
| Monday | 10:00 • 12:00 • 14:00 • 16:45 |
| Tuesday | 09:00 • 10:30 • 12:00 • 14:00 • 15:00 • 16:00 |
| Wednesday | 09:00 • 10:00 • 11:00 • 12:00 • 14:00 • 15:00 • 16:00 • 16:45 |
| Thursday | 09:00 • 10:00 • 11:00 • 12:00 • 12:30 • 14:00 • 15:15 • 16:30 |
| Friday | 09:00 • 10:00 • 11:00 • 11:30 • 12:00 • 12:30 • 13:30 • 14:30 • 15:45 • 16:30 |
| Saturday | 09:00 • 10:00 • 11:00 • 12:00 • 13:30 • 14:00 • 15:00 • 15:30 • 16:30 |
| Sunday | 09:00 • 10:00 • 11:00 • 12:00 • 13:30 • 14:15 • 15:00 • 15:30 • 16:00 • 16:30 |
⏱ Important Times:
- Arrive: 5 minutes before your tour
- Duration: 45-60 minutes
- Last Entry: 16:30 daily
👟 What to Wear:
- Comfortable shoes (humid stone floors)
- Light jacket (constant 18°C/64°F underground)