Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern and Topkapi Palace Tour 2026
Available in English and German | Optional pick-up at Galata Port | Reserve now & pay later
About the Hagia Sophia and Basilica Cistern and Topkapi Palace Tour
Skip the lines at Istanbul's three top attractions with an expert guide! See the city's rich architecture, learn about its Ottoman past, and save time with skip-the-line access. Choose between a shared or private tour experience. The tour also includes entry to the Harem at the Topkapi Palace.
On this guided tour, you'll visit:
- Hagia Sophia - a 6th-century structure that was originally a church and is now a mosque
- Basilica Cistern - dating from Byzantine times
- Topkapi Palace and its Harem - a place where the Ottoman imperial family lived
The tour includes priority access to all included sites. Save time by skipping all the long lines at the attraction entrances.
This tour is available in English and German. Your guide will explain how the Hagia Sophia you see today is actually the third version, as the previous buildings were destroyed by fire. You’ll also learn about Hürrem and her important role at Topkapi Palace.
You can choose to visit these 3 attractions on a shared or private walking tour. By selecting a private tour, you can enjoy a more personalized itinerary, as the guide can change it according to your interests.
Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance. This will allow you to easily reschedule the Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern and Topkapi Palace Tour.
RESERVE NOW & PAY LATER!
Keep your travel plans flexible - book your spot without any upfront payment!
I highly recommend this tour because of the guide! Lydia shared many interesting stories and facts about the landmarks. She told us how the imperial family lived in the Harem, how the Basilica Cistern was built, and how Hagia Sophia was rebuilt three times. She was very interesting and engaging! Being able to skip the line everywhere was a great benefit, so we didn’t have to wait in line.
This was a great tour because I was able to see Istanbul’s highlights at once. The guide was very knowledgeable and professional. My favorite was visiting the Topkapi Palace, as there were so many rooms to see. The Harem was the best part because you could really see how people lived there, and it was nicely decorated.
DESCRIPTION
Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern and Topkapi Palace Tour
- Skip-the-line access to Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace and its Harem
- Expert guide
- Headsets
- Private walking tour available
- Self-guided tour of the Topkapi Palace Harem
- English, German
HAGIA SOPHIA
Visit the Hagia Sophia, the symbol of Istanbul. It was originally built as a Christian church in the 4th century, but it burned down in the 5th century. A new structure was built, and it was burned down again in the 6th century. The Hagia Sophia we see today was completed in 537 under the rule of Emperor Justinian I. He ordered all provinces of the Byzantine Empire to contribute so that it would represent the whole empire. Some parts were brought from Anatolia, Syria, and North Africa, while the columns came from Ephesus and Egypt. The Ottomans conquered Constantinople in 1453 and renamed it Istanbul. Some elements of the Hagia Sophia were changed. For example, many of the original mosaics were covered and Islamic calligraphy was added. From 1935, the Hagia Sophia was a museum until 2020, when it became a mosque again.
BASILICA CISTERN
Basilica Cistern, or the Sunken Palace, is Byzantine Constantinople's largest underground cistern. It was named after the Basilica Stoa, also known as the Basilica of Illus, which was located above. The cistern's capacity was about 80,000 cubic meters, and the structure is known for its 336 columns that are about 9 m tall and make for a dramatic sight. The basilica that once stood above it was destroyed by fire twice and rebuilt in the 6th century, with the Basilica Cistern beneath it.
TOPKAPI PALACE WITH HAREM
Step into the royal residence of the Ottoman imperial family! The Topkapi Palace was the residence of Ottoman sultans for almost four centuries. It was the center of the Ottoman Empire, and the Harem was the private part of the palace, where the royal family spent their time. Not only that, but the sultans’ concubines also lived there. Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent and his wife Hurrem called the palace their home. Hurrem was captured as a slave and later married the sultan. She was smart and gained considerable power. She was the one who arranged for the harem to be moved to the palace. Join our Hagia Sophia and Basilica Cistern and Topkapi Palace Tour to find out more about life at the Ottoman court!
FREE CANCELLATION UP TO 24H IN ADVANCE!
Receive a complete refund if you cancel your booking 24 hours before the selected date!
Interesting facts about the Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern and Topkapi Palace
- The name Hagia Sophia means “Holy Wisdom” in Greek.
- The Library of Constantinople used to be located near the Basilica Cistern, and it may have contained 120,000 books in the 5th century.
- Between one and four thousand people could live in Topkapi Palace, and around 300 in the Harem.
- The queen mother or the “valide sultan” had a lot of power in the harem. She was the mother of the sultan, who would visit her in her apartments every morning to discuss matters of state.
GOOD TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
- You can make this tour a private experience and enjoy a personalized itinerary!
- You will have a skip-the-line entry at all of the listed attractions.
- Free cancellations and reservations are available for this tour.
- Wear comfortable shoes to fully enjoy your visit.
Meeting Point
Meet your guide at Ersoy Bufe, a food kiosk close to the Hippodrome in Sultanahmet Square. Depending on the option you select, you can also meet your guide under the clock tower at Galataport Clock Tower Square.
FAQ - Hagia Sophia and Basilica Cistern and Topkapi Palace Tour
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Don't wait! Book now!
- Expert tour guide
- Skip-the-line access
- Private tour available
- Headsets
- Reserve now & pay later
- Free cancellation
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