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Istanbul: Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, and Basilica Cistern Tour

Istanbul: Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, and Basilica Cistern Tour

4 hours

Easy

Discover Istanbul's Iconic Landmarks: Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and Basilica Cistern. Enjoy entry tickets and explore the historic Sultanahmet district, seeing all the major highlights.

Join a guided tour to discover Istanbul's top landmarks: Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, and the Basilica Cistern. Benefit from priority admission led by an efficient guide.

Meet your guide in the Sultanahmet neighborhood and start with the Basilica Cistern. Explore the "Subterranean Palace," its underground pillars, and the famous upside-down Medusa heads.

Next, visit the Hagia Sophia with pre-reserved tickets. Learn about its significance in the Greek Orthodox religion and its conversion to a mosque after the Ottoman conquest. Admire the stunning dome, minarets, mosaics, paintings, and Roman columns. Discover the history of İznik tiles and the Virgin Mary mosaic.

Continue to Topkapi Palace to explore the splendor of the Ottoman Empire. With priority admission, explore the palace's buildings, pavilions, and courtyards, and enjoy views over the Golden Horn. Optionally, visit the Harem to see inlaid cupboard doors and İznik tiles. End your tour with a visit to the holy relics and imperial kitchens.

What's included?
    • Tour guide
    • Shared walking tour
    • Entry tickets for Hagia Sophia
    • Entry tickets for tickets for Basilica Cistern
    • Entry tickets for tickets for Topkapi Palace
    • Entry tickets for tickets for the Harem
    Exclusions

      Pickup & Drop off
      Drinks

      Meal

      Please note
        • You will have to pass through airport-style security which may be long in high season and during holidays.
        • Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace may be closed unannounced due to high-level state visits.
        • Basilica Cistern has 50 steps going down and then up. There is no lift.
        • Harem visit is not included in the guided tour but you can choose to visit at your leisure with your included tickets
        • Topkapi Palace is a vast complex with multiple sections open for visit. During our tour, we’ll visit the most magnificent masterpieces. However, if you wish to explore all sections at your leisure, we recommend allocating the afternoon to explore the rest of the Palace grounds.
        • Tickets are timed and expire within 5 to 10 minutes.
        • It is not possible to join the tour after it has commenced.
        • If Basilica Cistern is closed we visit Şerefiye (cistern of Theodosius) or Binbirdirek (Cistern of Philoxenos).
        • Please note that women should be required to wear a headscarf when entering the mosque.
        What to bring