'The Sunken Palace' is the biggest of the hundreds of underground reservoirs underneath the streets of Istanbul, dating from Byzantine Constantinople.
Basilica Cistern
Visit Basilica Cistern
Spa & wellness
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Istanbul: Private Turkish Bath,Massage , Sauna & Swimming Pool
Activity duration is 2 hours and 30 minutes
9.8 out of 10 with 8 reviews
Free cancellation available
Shopping & fashion
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Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque & Grand Bazaar - Half-Day Small Group Tour
Activity duration is 4 hours and 15 minutes
6.4 out of 10 with 51 reviews
Free cancellation available
Tours & day trips
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Bosphorus Night Cruise with Dinner, Show and Private Table
Activity duration is 3 hours and 30 minutes
8.8 out of 10 with 106 reviews
Free cancellation available
Attractions
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Istanbul: Zipline Adventure with Bosphorus View
Activity duration is 15 minutes
Free cancellation available
Wildlife & nature
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Guided Sapanca Lake Mahmudiye and Masukiye Tour with Cable Car
Activity duration is 13 hours
2.0 out of 10 with 1 review
Free cancellation available
Reviews of Basilica Cistern
4.3
Top destination
4/5 - Good
Verified traveller
again, massively under repair. the Cistern of Philoxenos just round the corner was very good (and free) and no tourists as not really know
5/5 - Excellent
Verified traveller
Worth seeing
3/5 - Okay
Verified traveller
Under renovation and currently drained (no water or fish as seen on our previous visit). However, the price charged is the same. You can still walk around the entire site and still see the heads of Medusa but it lacks the magic and eeriness compared to when it's full of water.
4/5 - Good
Verified traveller
Go early or late afternoon to beat the crowds.
4/5 - Good
Verified traveller
Worth a look!
5/5 - Excellent
Verified traveller
Don't miss this hidden gem.
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Top Basilica Cistern Hotel Deals
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Sultanhan Hotel - Special Class
Piyer Loti Cad No:7, Istanbul, Istanbul
GLK PREMIER Regency Suites & Spa - Special Class
Akbiyik Cad No 46, Sultanahmet, Istanbul, Istanbul
Hotel Arcadia Blue Istanbul
Dr. Imran Oktem Cad. No:1, Sultanahmet, Istanbul
Sultanahmet Palace Hotel - Special Class
Sultanahmet mah. Torun Sokak, No:19, Istanbul, Istanbul
Carina Gold Hotel and Restaurant
Türbedar Sk. 20, Istanbul, Istanbul
Seven Hills Palace & Spa
Sultanahmet Mahallesi Kadi Cikmazi Sok., No 11 1 Fatih, Istanbul
Sura Hagia Sophia Hotel
Divanyolu Cd. Alemdar Mah., Ticarethane Sk. No 10 Sultanahmet, Istanbul, Istanbul
Hotel Amira Istanbul
Kucuk Ayasofya Mahallesi Mustafa, Pasa Sokak No: 43 Sultanahmet, Istanbul, Istanbul
Seven Hills Hotel - Special Class
Cankurtaran Mh., Tevkifhane Sokak 8, Istanbul, Istanbul
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
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