Basilica Cistern (Private Guide & No waiting) Ticket not included
Overview
Available languages
40 minutes
Mobile ticket
❌ The entrance fee is not included!
✅ This is a Private Guided Tour
✅ No waiting in the Line
✅ Travellers may purchase the tickets directly at the museum ticket office without waiting in line when accompanied by your licensed Tour Guide Nuri Erbay
Enjoy the flexibility of a private guided tour and fully immerse yourself in the Basilica Cistern.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Kids ages 6 and below free of charge for Basilica Cistern & for Guided Tour
What To Expect
Basilica Cistern
it was built during the rulership of Justinianus the first in 6 century in order to provide water and greatly enlarged by the emperor of justinian.There are more than 60 underground of cisterns underneath of the streets and underground of the istanbul houses. And you will be seeing a mythological belief of the Medusa statues from the 4th century in Basilica Cistern.
Options
Basilica Cistern Private Guide
What‘s Included
Private Tour Guide with Nuri Erbay
Tickets of The Basilica Cistern
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
102 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
TAKE THIS TOUR—You won’t regret it!!
Seaside57483046057,Jun 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I cannot say enough about how excellent Nuri was! He is very knowledgeable about the cistern (and Istanbul), very kind, and insists that you not feel rushed. He took several photos of me (traveling solo), pointed out countless cool things I would have missed, and made me so happy that I took this tour. There wasn’t a long line to get in, but even with no line at all, I recommend everyone book a time with Nuri. Thank you so much, Nuri!
Exceptional Tour
KH138,Jun 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Seeing the Basilica Cistern without a tour guide would be good but having a knowledgeable guide like Nuri made this visit exceptional. We bought our tickets, met up at the agreed meeting place and skipped the queue to enter. Nuri was quite exceptional....great knowledge, good historical background, his torch was used to highlight key features for us and his photos enhanced his explanations.There were 4 of us and this was a perfect group size. He took as much time as we needed and even took our photos. He also was very flexible in changing our tour date and time as I had double booked by mistake. Highly recommend Nuri for this tour.
Definitely worth it
kawitak2026,Jun 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The private tour was very interesting. It's really nice we didn't have to wait in line. Our guide Nuri Erbay had a lot of knowledge and spoke good English. He answered all our questions. Definitely worth it.
Istanbul, different
Mvm098,May 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The experience was good. The basilica was impressive. Although there is no line, there are a lot of people. For peace of mind, it is preferable to reserve the monuments you want to visit. Be cautious with taxis in the afternoon and at night. They do not use a meter and can charge whatever they want. Be careful when loading the Istanbul card. If someone approaches you, make sure they are from the company, otherwise, you will surely be scammed. It happened to us. It is a shame that a city with so many thousands of visitors does not take better care of these details.
Nuri is a very knowledgeable guide who gave us all info on Cistern.
JulieG3888,May 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Nuri was very knowledgable excellent day.
Good experience at Basilica Cistern
283botondt,May 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An excellent tour guide. Knowledgeable, up to date, and well prepared. No waiting in line you can go straight to the program! Don't hesitate to ask for recommendations on local attractions and restaurants he gives excellent suggestions.
Yerebatan Sarnıcı
b0ngtaek0,May 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Yerevan Sari Yerebatan Sarnıcı The entrance line was long, but thanks to the guide Mr. Nuri, it was fun to get in quickly and give detailed explanations.
Excellent
508xiangl,May 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Was a pleasured tour, good person and professional tour explanation
Honest and Knowledgeable Guide
Mandeep S,May 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Mr Noori is a very knowledgeable guide and very patiently explained everything about the basilica in Istanbul. I highly recommend his services
Wonderful cistern basilica
Francyjamaica2007,May 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We met Nuri outside the Basilica Cistern, and being a group of 14 friends he helped us for the entrance and as a guide within the site. Fortunately for us he is extremely patient and spoke simple and easily understandable English. It was much more than the time allotted answering all our questions and curiosities. He guided us by making us understand the history of the site, the value it represented and still represents for Istanbul. For every corner of the Cistern he reserved particular descriptions deepening details that can hardly be understood without a guide. Thanks again
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Operated by Tour Guide Nuri Erbay