Istanbul Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern with Tickets
Overview
Explore the rich history of Istanbul with a 3-hour guided tour visiting the iconic Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Basilica Cistern. Benefit from pre-reserved admission tickets that allow for seamless entry, avoiding long waits.
This small-group experience, limited to a personal setting, makes for a more engaging exploration of Ottoman and Byzantine heritage.
- Visit iconic landmarks: Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Basilica Cistern.
- Enjoy expert guidance in a small-group setting for a more personalized experience.
- Pre-reserved tickets ensure effortless entry to each site.
- Discover fascinating histories and architectural wonders of Istanbul's past.
What's Included
- Small-group tour for a more personal experience
- Pre-reserved tickets for Basilica Cistern
- Pre-reserved tickets for the Hagia Sophia
- 'Starting from Galata Port' option is available for cruise guests
- Guided visits to Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque & Basilica Cistern
- Headsets to hear the guide better
- Professional licensed tour guide
- Starting from Galata Port, includes a tram ride with your guide
Meeting Location
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
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Blue Mosque
1 hour Admission Ticket Free
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
1 hour Admission Ticket Included
Basilica Cistern
30 minutes Admission Ticket Included
Hippodrome
30 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia are functioning mosques and they can be closed to visitors for any reason, even without pre-notice (for a high-level state visit, for example)
- It is not possible to join the tour after it has started due to strict admission rules of the sites
- Women are required to wear a headscarf when entering the mosque.
- BOTH men and women should wear clothing that covers their shoulders and knees. Shorts, sleeveless tops, and other revealing attire are not permitted inside.
- You are not allowed to bring signs, symbols, banners, flags, documents, drawings, or any materials representing political, ideological, or religious beliefs inside the Hagia Sophia.
- Please note that skip-the-line access is available for adults only. Children under the age of 7 do not benefit from this access.
- Please note that children under 7 are not permitted on this tour.
- If Basilica Cistern is closed, we visit Şerefiye (cistern of Theodosius) or Binbirdirek (Cistern of Philoxenos).
- Tips/gratuities (for your guide) are always appreciated.
- Please note that Hagia Sophia is currently undergoing restoration, which may temporarily affect visibility in some areas. These works are carried out independently of the tour.
- Istanbul notoriously has bad traffic. Give more time to get to the meeting point than you may have planned
- Admission tickets for the sites are timed and expire within 5 to 10 minutes.
- 'Starting from Galata Port' option is available for cruise guests
- Starting from Galata Port, includes a tram ride with your guide
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions (7)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Istanbul Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern with Tickets?
Cancellation Policy
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Activity code: C-51192P216
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Reviews
Average 4.94 out of 5 stars based on 174 traveler reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (7)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from City Balloon Tours customers.
Filter by:
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (+03).
- Small-group tour for a more personal experience.
- Pre-reserved tickets for Basilica Cistern.
- Pre-reserved tickets for the Hagia Sophia.
- 'Starting from Galata Port' option is available for cruise guests.
- Guided visits to Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque & Basilica Cistern.
- Headsets to hear the guide better.
- Professional licensed tour guide.
- Starting from Galata Port, includes a tram ride with your guide.
The minimum age to participate is 7. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Istanbul Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern with Tickets is as follows:
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Istanbul Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern with Tickets will be included in your confirmation email from City Balloon Tours. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- Small-group tour for a more personal experience
- Pre-reserved tickets for Basilica Cistern
- Pre-reserved tickets for the Hagia Sophia
- 'Starting from Galata Port' option is available for cruise guests
- Guided visits to Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque & Basilica Cistern
- Headsets to hear the guide better
- Professional licensed tour guide
- Starting from Galata Port, includes a tram ride with your guide
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia are functioning mosques and they can be closed to visitors for any reason, even without pre-notice (for a high-level state visit, for example)
- It is not possible to join the tour after it has started due to strict admission rules of the sites
- Women are required to wear a headscarf when entering the mosque.
- BOTH men and women should wear clothing that covers their shoulders and knees. Shorts, sleeveless tops, and other revealing attire are not permitted inside.
- You are not allowed to bring signs, symbols, banners, flags, documents, drawings, or any materials representing political, ideological, or religious beliefs inside the Hagia Sophia.
- Please note that skip-the-line access is available for adults only. Children under the age of 7 do not benefit from this access.
- Please note that children under 7 are not permitted on this tour.
- If Basilica Cistern is closed, we visit Şerefiye (cistern of Theodosius) or Binbirdirek (Cistern of Philoxenos).
- Tips/gratuities (for your guide) are always appreciated.
- Please note that Hagia Sophia is currently undergoing restoration, which may temporarily affect visibility in some areas. These works are carried out independently of the tour.
- Istanbul notoriously has bad traffic. Give more time to get to the meeting point than you may have planned
- Admission tickets for the sites are timed and expire within 5 to 10 minutes.
- 'Starting from Galata Port' option is available for cruise guests
- Starting from Galata Port, includes a tram ride with your guide
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers
