Basilica Cistern: Istanbul's Underground Palace
Address
Alemdar, Yerebatan Cd. 1/3, 34110 Fatih/Istanbul, Turkey
Suggested Duration
30-45 minutes
From
20 EUR
Skip the Line
Fast-track entry, included with the Museum Pass
This page contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Free cancellation up to 24h before
Reserve now, pay later
Go down a narrow stone stairwell and the noise of Sultanahmet disappears. Below you, a forest of 336 marble columns rising from still, torch-lit water: the “Sunken Palace” that once supplied the Great Palace of Constantinople.
Highlights
- Walk an elevated boardwalk over 336 columns salvaged from ruined Roman temples
- Look for the two Medusa heads carved sideways in the back corner of the cistern
- Escape the chaos of Sultanahmet Square with a 10-degree drop in temperature
Included / Excluded
- Coverage of all 336 columns via the raised boardwalk
- Access to both Medusa head sculptures
- Live guide (self-guided unless booked as a guided tour)
- Fast-track skip-the-line access (included only with the Istanbul Museum Pass)
Good to Know
- The air feels noticeably cooler and more humid than street level, bring a light layer
- The boardwalk is flat and stroller and wheelchair friendly, the only tight point is the entrance stairwell
- Visits in the evening after 19:00 are much less busy than during the day
Available languages: Turkish, English, German, Russian
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are the Medusa heads carved sideways and upside down?
Historians tend to believe the orientation was chosen simply to make the column height fit, though legend prefers to say it neutralized Medusa's gaze.
How long does a visit to the Basilica Cistern take?
Most visitors spend 30 to 45 minutes, so it's an easy add-on to a visit to Hagia Sophia or Topkapi Palace.
Is the Basilica Cistern stroller and wheelchair accessible?
The main boardwalk is flat and wheelchair friendly, although the entrance stairwell can be tight during peak hours.
