Istanbul: Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia & Basilica Cistern Tour Tour without Basilica

Visit Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Basilica Cistern on a 3-hour guided tour. Explore in small groups with skip the line tickets included. Learn about Istanbul’s rich Ottoman and Byzantine history.
Join an exclusive small group tour of Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern in Istanbul, led by an expert local guide. Enjoy priority admission to skip the longest lines at the ticket office and start learning about the fascinating lives of the Ottomans sooner.

Meet your guide in the Sultanahmet neighborhood at an easy spot for a walking tour of Istanbul's greatest monuments. Begin your journey with the Basilica Cistern, also known as the "Subterranean Palace." Discover its history, see the underground pillars, and learn about Byzantine architecture. Walk on wooden walkways over the water and view the famous upside-down Medusa heads.

Next, visit the Hagia Sophia with pre-reserved tickets and witness the most significant site of the Greek Orthodox religion in Istanbul. As you explore the interior, learn how it was converted into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople. Marvel at the stunning monument and its mixed elements mosque and a church coexisting side by side. Admire the basilica’s stunning dome, minarets, countless mosaics, paintings, and Roman columns.

Discover how the impressive İznik tiles were added over time in the Mosque, how the stunning Virgin Mary mosaic was created, and why the Ottomans chose to bury their sultans in the courtyard.

Walk the famous Byzantine Hippodrome learning about the obelisks and its importance in the daily life of the city.

Concluding in Sultanahmet Square, your tour leaves you equipped with ample knowledge and insights to navigate the enchanting streets of Istanbul independently.

To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.

This excursion you can cancel with no cost up to 24 hours before the start of the trip. If you cancel it after 24 hours or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity. Being late on pick-up or departure will be considered as not showing up.