FAQ

Cisterns were widely used in the Byzantine times as water supply and filtration systems. Basilica Cistern is the city’s oldest water reservoir.

You can buy skip-the-line tickets online. If you buy your tickets online, you will be given a certain time to go. You can skip the line and get into the cistern at the time you were given.

The Mesmerising Basilica Cistern was built by Emperor Justinian in 532 A.C. So now it is more than 1400 years old!

Yes, Basilica Cistern has an entrance fee. You can buy your tickets on-site or online.
Also, audio guides (7 languages) and guided tour tickets are available (EN-ES) for purchase. You can also enjoy priority access to the attraction with these guided tour tickets.

The cost of visiting the Basilica Cistern 
International Visitor: 600 TL
Local Visitors: 80 
This price is for only entrance; it does not cover skip-the-line tickets or a guided tour.

The Basilica Cistern is open 7 days a week between 09.00 and 22.00 for visits. Every day of the week, you can visit the Basilica Cistern in Istanbul.

The Basilica Cistern is best visited during the months of March and May, and September and October. The weather is nice and comfortable, making it ideal for walking through Istanbul's streets. However, these months attract the most people to the city, so make sure that you book your online Basilica Cistern tickets far in advance. 

The Basilica Cistern is located on Sultanahmet's Historic Peninsula, a few steps before Hagia Sophia and Sultanahmet Square. 

Take in the architectural splendour of the Basilica Cistern within around 1 hour to 1.5 hours. You can stroll around the long colonnades, look at the Medusa Heads, and observe the Weeping Column.

Yes, you are allowed to take photographs inside the Basilica Cistern, with the exception of the staircase area and with tripods and other professional photographic equipment, which may cause disturbance to other visitors.

The best way to get to Basilica Cistern is by taking the tram - it's cheap and easy, and you'll get to see some of the city as you ride. The nearest tram station is Sultanahmet and Gülhane station. Both are a 7-minutes walk away.

The Basilica Cistern has two entrances: one near the Hagia Sophia and one near the southwest corner of the space, near the Cistern of Serefiye.

Wheelchairs are accessible at the Basilica Cistern, although getting there is difficult because there is only one lift. If there are two wheelchairs arriving at the same time, the process can take up to 30 minutes.

Yes, strollers are allowed in the Basilica Cistern.

One Medusa head is lying on its side at the base of a column, while the other is turned upside down; this, according to several myths, is meant to neutralise the creature's power. Myth has it that whoever Medusa looks upon becomes a stone statue. The builders may be looking for a way to avoid Medusa's curse.

The Basilica Cistern is the largest cistern in all of the world. There are several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of Istanbul, Turkey.

Istanbul is home to numerous cisterns, among which the Basilica Cistern stands out for its notable architectural features, including expansive constructions, antique columns, and the presence of Medusa heads.

There is no dress code while visiting the Basilica Cistern, although the cistern lies below ground, where it is chilly, wet, and humid. When visiting the cistern, it is advised to bring a light sweater. The steel pathway can be challenging, so wear your most comfortable, closed shoes when exploring this unique place.