Istanbul Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern with Tickets

Duration3h

Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before

Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away

TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted

LanguagesGerman, English

Group sizeUp to 20 travelers

Overview

Explore the rich history of Istanbul with a 3-hour guided tour visiting the iconic Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Basilica Cistern. Benefit from pre-reserved admission tickets that allow for seamless entry, avoiding long waits.

This small-group experience, limited to a personal setting, makes for a more engaging exploration of Ottoman and Byzantine heritage.

- Visit iconic landmarks: Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Basilica Cistern.
- Enjoy expert guidance in a small-group setting for a more personalized experience.
- Pre-reserved tickets ensure effortless entry to each site.
- Discover fascinating histories and architectural wonders of Istanbul's past.

Options

English Tour from Sultanahmet

Small-Group Tour
Meeting point is Sultanahmet: Choose this option to meet your guide at Ersoy Bufe kiosk in Sultanahmet Square (Old Town).
Starting point:
Ersoy Bufe, Binbirdirek, At Meydanı Cd No:40, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye

German Tour from Sultanahmet

Small-Group Tour
Meeting Point is Sultanahmet: Choose this option to meet your guide at Ersoy Bufe kiosk in Sultanahmet Square (Old Town).
Starting point:
Ersoy Bufe, Binbirdirek, At Meydanı Cd No:40, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye

English Tour from Galataport

Small-Group Tour
Meeting point is Galataport: If you are on a cruise ship, choose this option to meet your guide at Galataport Clock Tower Square.
Starting point:
Galataport Saat Kulesi Meydanı, Kılıçali Paşa, Gümrük Muhafaza Kısım Amirliği No:5, 34433 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye

German Tour from Galataport

Small-Group Tour
Meeting Point is Galataport: If you are on a cruise ship, choose this option to meet your guide at Galataport Clock Tower Square.
Starting point:
Galataport Saat Kulesi Meydanı, Kılıçali Paşa, Gümrük Muhafaza Kısım Amirliği No:5, 34433 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye

What's included

Small-group tour for a more personal experience
Professional licensed tour guide
Pre-reserved tickets for Basilica Cistern
Headsets to hear the guide better
Guided visits to Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque & Basilica Cistern
Pre-reserved tickets for the Hagia Sophia

Transportation to the meeting spot

What to expect

Blue Mosque
1h · Admission ticket included

Discover the Blue Mosque, one of Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks. Admire its elegant domes, hand-painted İznik blue tiles, and peaceful courtyard. Your expert guide shares the story of Sultan Ahmet I and the mosque’s place in Ottoman history while you explore its impressive interior.
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
1h · Admission ticket included

Explore the majestic Hagia Sophia with pre-reserved tickets and uncover centuries of religious and architectural history. Take in the massive dome and the blend of Byzantine mosaics with Ottoman details. See famous artworks like the Deesis Mosaic, the Imperial Gate, and the Virgin Mary with Child as your guide brings their stories to life.
Basilica Cistern
30m · Admission ticket included

Descend into the Basilica Cistern, one of Istanbul’s most atmospheric underground sites. Built in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian, it features a forest of marble columns and the mysterious Medusa heads. Enjoy the cool, quiet surroundings as your guide explains the cistern’s role in the city’s past.
Hippodrome
30m · Admission ticket included

Walk through the ancient Hippodrome, once the center of Byzantine civic life. Learn the history behind key monuments like the Serpent Column, the Obelisk of Theodosius, and the German Fountain—gifted by Kaiser Wilhelm II as a symbol of Ottoman–German friendship.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Choose this option only if you are on a cruise ship!
We will meet at Galataport Clock Tower Square, next to the clock tower. Your guide will be holding a sign that says "Walks In Europe." Address: Kılıçali Paşa, Gümrük Muhafaza Kısım Amirliği No:5, 34433 Beyoğlu/İstanbul

Meeting point

We meet at Ersoy Bufe. This is a small food kiosk located just beside the Hippodrome in Sultanahmet Square. It is across the German Fountain. Your guide will be in front of the Ersoy Bufe with a sign that says, “Walks in Europe.”

End point

Choose this option only if you are on a cruise ship!
We will meet at Galataport Clock Tower Square, next to the clock tower. Your guide will be holding a sign that says "Walks In Europe." Address: Kılıçali Paşa, Gümrük Muhafaza Kısım Amirliği No:5, 34433 Beyoğlu/İstanbul

End point

We meet at Ersoy Bufe. This is a small food kiosk located just beside the Hippodrome in Sultanahmet Square. It is across the German Fountain. Your guide will be in front of the Ersoy Bufe with a sign that says, “Walks in Europe.”

Additional information

Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia are functioning mosques and they can be closed to visitors for any reason, even without pre-notice (for a high-level state visit, for example)
Nobody can skip the line at either of the mosques although our guides make it easier and more efficient because they do it every day.
Clients must arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before the start of the tour. This is due to the timed entry of the tickets.
Please be advised that it is not possible to join the tour after it has commenced.
Please note that women are required to wear a headscarf when entering the mosque.
Please note that both men and women should wear clothing that covers their shoulders and knees. Shorts, sleeveless tops, and other revealing attire are not permitted inside.
You are not allowed to bring signs, symbols, banners, flags, documents, drawings, or any materials representing political, ideological, or religious beliefs inside the Hagia Sophia.
Please note that skip-the-line access is available for adults only. Children under the age of 7 do not benefit from this access.
Please note that children under 7 are not permitted on this tour.
If Basilica Cistern is closed, we visit Şerefiye (cistern of Theodosius) or Binbirdirek (Cistern of Philoxenos).
Tips/gratuities (for your guide) are always appreciated.
Please note that Hagia Sophia is currently undergoing restoration, which may temporarily affect visibility in some areas. These works are carried out independently of the tour.

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

4.9 (170)