Private Tour
Private Guided Basilica Cistern Tour with Skip the Line Access
Overview
Available languages
1 hour
Mobile ticket
I want to pass on my knowledge and passion to my guests, ensuring +25 year of experience and offer a tour in safety and comfort; with friendly personal touches.
We will visit the Basilica Cistern.
Avoid the lengthy queues and explore the largest ancient water cistern housing two Medusa heads.
Enhance your understanding of this cathedral-sized cistern by joining a guided tour conducted in English.
Be captivated by the submerged palace and uncover an expansive man-made freshwater lake equivalent in size to two football fields.
Experience elements of the cistern that played a prominent role in beloved James Bond film and Dan Brown movie.
I will arrange the tour according to all guest’s needs and interests and use their time as efficient as possible.
I will be designing program itineraries according to highlights and not waiting the ques, skiping the lines.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Not recommended for travelers with claustrophobia, and can be quite high humid
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Basilica Cistern
Explore the striking must-see place Basilica Cistern during your visit to Istanbul. Journey beneath the earth's surface and admire the distinctive architecture while listening to your guide who will give you insights into the history of this place. Medusa heads' mythology, movies made in here, Istanbul's water infrastructure history with aqueducts. The included admission fee is :The Entry ticket is 800 TL /per person( approx. 23 EUR, 25.00 USD) over 6 year old is charged.
What‘s Included
Skip-the-line entry to the Basilica Cistern
Options
Private Guided Basilica Cistern Tour with Skip the Line Access
Reviews
36 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Best Cistern Tour Guide!
Catherine J,Oct 17, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Hassan Review We had three different guides for touring Istanbul. Hassan was far and away the best. He provided great historic information about Basilica Cistern, as well as impressive details about the design and construction of the site. He had a knack for finding great photo ops and was also quite charming. We highly recommend him!
Lots of history !
irynastor,Sep 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great tour of Hagia Sophia !!! Lots of history and attention to details ! We had a great time! Thank you Hasan! Best tour guide !
Wonderful! Thanks
Chantelle M,Sep 19, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Absolutely fantastic, skip the line was also great! Learnt alot from our guide, Hasan. He was very informative!
Hasan is the best!
Cassy G,Jul 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Hasan was brilliant. We went to the Hagia Sofia Mosque with him as our guide. He was knowledgeable, personable and made it fun, educational and interesting. Couldn’t recommend him highly enough. He was simply great.
Just a lot of fun.
vincentv980,Jun 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic tour led by Hassan Alicia. Aya Sofia was built in the year 400 AD. Hassan knows an incredible amount about the history, religion and culture around the Aya Sofia. And he's got a lot of humor, too. Look him up. Highly recommended!
A Magical Experience Beneath the City – Hassan Made It Unforgettable!
Voyager66070614237,Jun 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The Basilica Cistern was one of the most mesmerizing places we visited in Istanbul, and having Hassan as our private guide made it even more incredible. His storytelling, attention to detail, and deep knowledge of the site’s history truly brought the space to life. From skipping the long lines to pointing out hidden details — like the Medusa heads and the engineering marvels of the cistern — Hassan made the entire experience seamless, informative, and engaging. You can tell he genuinely loves what he does, and it shows in the way he shares the history with passion and clarity. We can’t recommend this tour — and Hassan — highly enough. If you’re visiting Istanbul, don’t miss this!
Feel the history
havvaebrub,May 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00He took very good care of us and explained every detail with incredible pleasure. We felt the whole history. Thank you so much Hasan 🙃🙃
Hagia Sophia private tour
491maiyap,May 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour guide service was excellent! Our guide was Hasan. He was extremely knowledgeable and catered our tour to fit our needs. He was friendly, kind and caring. We would recommend him to anyone, and of course to our own family! He is also very kind and caring. He facilitated every moment so we can efficiently get through everything to see; including finding last minute items to cover up my daughter according to proper Muslim attire prior to entering the mosque. Also we did not have enough money on hand and he said we can proceed to an atm after the tour for added convenience. He would set us up for the best positions for picture taking, and he would take the picture for our group. This tour was honestly MORE than what we expected. We are more than satisfied.
Wonderful tour of Hagia Sophia
William D,May 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Hasan gave us a wonderful tour of Hagia Sophia. He is very knowledgeable and provides a lot of detailed information if you want it. His English is excellent. And his subtle sense of humor made the afternoon very enjoyable.
Great guide for the old city is Istanbul!
EBfromHolland,Apr 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Hasan is a great guide. Extensive knowledge, clear explanations and humorous. Fluent in English! The perfect guide for the old city.
Related Experiences
Operated by Istanbul Old City tour