Basilica Cistern, Istanbul

Must SeeCulture

Basilica Cistern

Sultanahmet, Istanbul 45 min ~£12

About

An atmospheric underground Roman water reservoir of 336 columns and two Medusa heads.

Good to know

  • Book a timed slot
  • Quieter first thing

Nearby while you’re here

Combine Basilica Cistern with Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Topkapı Palace for a full day around Sultanahmet.

Hagia Sophia

~£221h 30m

200 m · 3 min walk

Blue Mosque

Free45 min

300 m · 5 min walk

Topkapı Palace

~£223 hrs

600 m · 9 min walk
600 m · 9 min walk

Grand Bazaar

Free2 hrs

900 m · 14 min walk

Eat and drink nearby

Spice Bazaar

Free1h 15m

1.1 km · 17 min walk
4.5 km · ~22 min by metro/taxi

Distances are straight-line estimates from sample coordinates.

Sample hotels nearby