One of my favorite things we did! Definitely worth seeing. Take your time! It's also nice and cool down there so it's a nice break from the sun. read more

See all

Basilica Cistern is so stunning! I had NO idea what to expect, but had heard this was a must-see in Istanbul. LOCATION It has a prime location right in the square near Hagia Sofia and Blue Mosque. It's underground so you won't see much above ground/a huge building, but you'll see the line forming. PRICE Tickets are NOT cheap at around 30 euro, but for us, it was a highlight so was worth it. The line was quite scary, but it moved rather quickly! You can also buy skip the line tickets if you've got a busy day. HISTORY This is a large underground water resovoir with huge vaulted ceilings and hundreds of Roman-style columns. It still holds a bit of water inside, and learning about the history with the plaques onsite and the audioguide was seriously impressive! INSIDE It's just magnificent walking on the platforms through the space, admiring the sheer magnitude of the columns. They've done a great job of uplighting, and the lighting changes every few minutes to give different perspectives and ambiance. They also have some cool art installations here that add to the space! This is a photo op heaven, and we never felt crowded inside as there was plenty of walkway and you cover a lot of ground inside. A must do in IST! read more

See all

Yelp Review 2025 #227: The line here gets really wild! It wraps around the building and to neighboring businesses. The good thing is I got a skip-the-like ticket so, I zipped right in. From outside, it looks like a basic building but once you enter and take the stairs to go down to the cistern, it's like a different world and a different time. Cisterns like this were constructed hundreds of years ago to collect rainwater which can be used for cooking/ drinking or flushing the toilet. This one was built in 6th century. It has about 300+ marble columns. Keep an eye out for the more ornate columns and the 2 upside down Medusa heads. It's quite cool but slightly muggy down in the cistern. Be prepared to wait for clear shots as it is crowded and everyone wants to take pictures (some take hundreds of selfies). They did a good job with the lighting creating a dramatic effect. It costs under $25 for a tourist ticket and it's much cheaper for locals. I was able to finish my visit in 30 minutes. It's worth a visit. read more

See all

Pretty amazing engineering task getting the water to the city via an underground cistern. Reusing old columns to support the inside arches, made it both cool and the smart. However, The ticket price is insane at $65 per person but seems like all the local attractions are overpriced here In Istanbul anyway. Knowing in advance the cost, at least would of reduce the initial shock factor. It's one of those sites where you just do it and chalk it up to , probably not going to back here for some time. Do it, spend the money and check it off your list of Istanbul sites. read more

Yerebatan Sarnıcı - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Istanbul, 34

Friends that had recently traveled to Istanbul told us to skip the Hagia Sophia but definitely visit the cistern. Off season, but still popular and busy. We decided to pay an extra 30€ and go with a private tour guide - money well spent. The entire tour took about 40 minutes and the Medusas were the highlight for me. read more

See all

The Basilica Cistern is a must see experience! It was quite crowded during the off season so I can only imagine how packed it gets in the summer. I recommend booking g a tour ahead of time so you can skip the long lines. It's unbelievable that something so beautiful claws made for water storage. During the Roman Empire, this was key to a city being overtaken because armies would often intercept the water and food supply. This ensured water was still available...ahem...for the royals at least. read more

Yerebatan Sarnıcı - Medusa - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Istanbul, 34

See all

My celebratory #2200 Yelp review goes to... Basilica Cistern, our favorite place we visited in Istanbul! We had high hopes for this spot because we have seen it in many travel shows, documentaries and as a location in the Bond movie, "From Russia with Love". So, we had to check it out in our first day in town! Basilica Cistern is located near the Sultahnamet Square, there are some signs, and a bit of searching and asking staff. The actual line is a tad confusing (divided into a few for those who bought tickets online or for those who needed to get them on the spot!), but after asking a few people working for the Cistern, we figured out the right line, since we were buying tickets on the spot. We just got to Istanbul a few hours ago and felt nervous buying online! The line is long, it does move quickly! Before 6:30 pm (they open daily at 9 am) is 1,300 Turkish Lira for non-residents. After 7:30-10 pm they charge 2,000 Turkish Lira. Pricey, but visitors have flexibility and time to check it out. Despite the line, it wasn't crowded inside and you can spend as much as you like! The place is fascinating with its old arches, columns and sculptured lighted by various sources with changeable colors. I wouldn't call it a spectacle, more like a quiet procession through the undergrounds of Istanbul. The Basilica is the largest cistern the city hides underneath, dating from the 6th century. It functioned as a water filtration system for the near by Topkapi Palace and also to provide drinking water for Hagia Sophia. I loved the Medusa sculpture, some contemporary art and unique columns, besides the genius way of lighting all the parts within this underground unique place! A breathtaking vision of other times! A place like no other! A must when you visit Istanbul! read more

See all

So I'm telling you sixth-century engineers built an underground palace to store drinking water and decided let's make them bring their selfie sticks in 1500 years. Throw in a few hundred marble columns and some dramatic lighting and maybe they'll bring tripods too. Overachievers for influencers if you ask me. Originally constructed during the reign of Emperor Justinian I, because clearly, the man didn't know how to chill. But let's not pretend he came up with this on his own. No, this genius-level plumbing extravaganza was built on the brains of the Romans before him, like Emperor Hadrian, who was out here building aqueducts like they were moodboards. The whole Roman Empire really had a thing for water. Baths, fountains, cisterns, hydration and aesthetics? We love a multitasking empire. Inside, it's cold, it's echoey, and it is, without exaggeration, one of the most mysterious and beautiful places you can stand in. There are 336 columns, many of which were recycled from other ancient ruins, because sustainability and recycling is timeless, apparently. Just your average Roman-Byzantine engineering miracle, really. I'm becoming unsurprised and expecting. read more

Yerebatan Sarnıcı - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Istanbul, 34

See all

This is a really cool place. Definitely one of the more unique old places to walk through. The only reason why I can rate higher is the price to value ratio is way off. The entry fee is north of $45 USD / per person, including for my 9 year old. Entry not included with any pass (Turkey or Istanbul). You could maybe spend a couple of hours there max if you were really slow playing it. Not a ton of interpretive content onsite (so get a guide book or download app). Worth checking out but not at top of my Istanbul list.. read more

One of my favorite sights from my visit to Istanbul. Beautiful underground cistern with colored lights inside. I recommend entering with a guide if you can, as it permits you to skip the line. Be prepared for lots of steps, too! My guide mentioned they occasionally host concerts inside and I bet the acoustics are amazing. There is some water on the ground of the cistern with little grated walkways over them. Only a small portion of the cistern is open to the public, so just imagine how big the rest of it is! read more

See all

This is a must see tourist spot, however, it might be worth doing it on a tour that costs less than $40. I went here with my boyfriend and we got here at 6:30 at night and while the cost for a local in Turkey is under 400 TL for foreigners it is 1900 TL. It is very cool to see something so historical and really put into perspective the amazing architectural work Romans could do, but I do think that the attendance were not friendly and the entry fee being so much higher as a tourist did leave a little bit of a bad taste in my mouth If you are not Turkish and if you go at night. There is also very little areas that explain what you're looking at in any languages at all not just English, but they didn't have any plaques or anything so it might be useful to do this as part of a tour or with a guide. All in all, it was very cool to see read more

See all

We collect ancient Roman ruins and I don't know if this well preserved cistern counts as a ruin since it still holds water. One of the most incredible sights we've ever experienced. Put this on your must-visit list for Istanbul, well really for Asia Minor and the Mediterranean. Built on order of Justinian I in the 6th Century, this is really plumbing the depths of history, so to speak. I think too many of us try to ignore the social stratification required to construct something this vast and amazing, Justinian I didn't "build" this, about 7,000 Roman slaves did. The cistern was one of many that served Constantinople for a literal millennia, but by 1453, like a metaphor for the Byzantine Empire itself, the so called underground basilica was crumbling, weak, and dysfunctional. In its day it held 20 million gallons of fresh water. Renovated with the addition of some modern art, there is an air of mystery and wonder that made me feel like a time traveler. There are 336 columns, I've been told, but rather than try to count them, look how different they are. Some are made of one piece of stone, others are combinations, some have the Corinthian capitals, some Doric, and one has a spooky sculpture of Medusa holding it up. After contemplating that one for a while, it took a while to wait out the very annoying guide and his idiot group who kept touching things, I decided this was like ancient shim work. Ever seen a carpenter, mason, or other subcontractor shim up a pole or other support structure to make it even? I think the column that has the Medusa was exactly one Medusa too short to be level and the addition of the frightening sculpture finished off the job. Anyway, don't miss this and you do not need a tour guide, instead the Basilica Cistern Istanbul Guidebook, Lonely Planet Istanbul, DK Eyewitness Guide to Istanbul, or Peter Sommer Travels will give you all the information your need. Their own application delivers a good walking tour (bring your own ear pods please). Even in the off season this place is busy, I hear a lot of misinformation from the hired tour guides plus they add to the crowd. read more

See all

The basilica cistern is an old Roman site underground where they had irrigation. It's an interesting and unique place to visit I never saw anything like it. They have different lights illuminating the inside and the audio tour is through your smartphone. I recommend the audio guide for some information. read more

Yerebatan Sarnıcı - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Istanbul, 34

See all

The Basilica Cistern is a really old and super unique attraction in Turkey. Built underground in the year 532 as a water filtration system. Ticket required for entry. Upon entry, instant rise in humidity, which makes sense. The entire underground structure is quite astounding. It's a little eerie but also very cool. Lighting is set up so it's easy to navigate. The space itself is actually quite large and you can spend an easy 30-60 min here depending on if you're reading all the informationals. There are also a few pieces or unique art scattered through worth checking out. I would consider it a must see! read more

See all

There are a few cisterns in Istanbul, this one is the one to visit. Massive in size, well preserved and lit, with a slight hint of creepiness. Probably won't need more than an hour here, including standing in line for tickets. read more

See all

The Basilica Cistern is truly mesmerizing. The moment you step inside, you're greeted by a mystical atmosphere. The dim lighting, the reflections of the columns in the water, and the echoing sound of dripping water make you feel like you've entered another world. The Medusa heads, in particular, are incredibly fascinating. Combined with their history and legends, the cistern becomes more than just a structure--it feels like a journey through time. I can confidently say it's one of the most captivating places in Istanbul. If you haven't visited yet, you should definitely add it to your list! Fun fact: The Basilica Cistern was featured in the James Bond movie From Russia with Love (1963), where Sean Connery's Bond rows through the underground waterway in one of the film's most iconic scenes! read more

See all

An absolute tourist trap ! Paid 900 TL , stood in line for over an hour to just see some gutters, pillars with lights. There is absolutely nothing inside. Most of areas were under construction and majority of sculptures that we saw on website and in pictures online were missing . Most areas there wasn't even water inside area. If the place is being restored and most of your sculptures are missing why even charge public to go in. Just keep the place closed. Pretty much everyone came out disappointed . Even when we were buying tickets and standing in line there were few people yelling to not buy tickets. This was by far the most expensive tourist attraction and the worst one on the list. Please do not waste your money and time read more

The Cisterna Basilica, one of and the largest underground cistern is Istanbul. Built between the third and forth Centuries it could hold up to 80,000 cubic metres of water at capacity. It was used for well over a millennia. It is no longer used as a cistern. There are numerous different column styles evideced throught the portion that is accessible to the public. In addition there are two deusa heads carved sideways so as to negate her stare at the base of two. The lights cycle in intensity and color and there are multiple art installations throughout the area/ The walkways are perforated so heels may be a challenge. Also for you photogs out there they were not allowing tripods so I used my iPhone mostly as the DSLR (well me really) with slow shutter and crazy high ISO's THe cistern was a feature in the classic Bond movie "From Russia With Love" and recently "Inferno". The line was crazy but we had hired a guide for the day so were able to skip it and enter immediately. read more

See all

I thought it was okay. Long queues and not well directed. So eventually 2 huge lines on opposite ends formed and the security had to just usher them at random to form into 1 single line. read more

We came here on the first night of arriving to Istanbul. Got in line at 8:05 pm and got inside by 8:30pm as the line went fast. Such a novel experience, incredible history and a good stroll in the evening to set the tone for the rest of the trip. There's a corn and chestnut stand outside which we bought from, only 25 lira per corn. I still haven't figured out why it does not have a stench underground even when all the still water is stored down there, I'd think it would smell over time but it doesn't. 1000 lira per person for our admission. Stairs to take to go underground. Fun and a must see! read more

Definitely worth the visit. Lines are extremely long in the sun to get tickets so suggest you go online to book tickets in advance and use a guide so you can skip the line. Don't wait until the last minute like we did! We got lucky on our last day in town and squeezed this in just an hour or two before we left! This is the most famous underground Roman cistern where city water was collected and it's beautiful. Recently renovated, it has beautiful lights and a light show every hour on the back wall. You'll find sculptures inside and be dripped on from above. I think this was my husbands favorite thing we saw. He's not one for museums and old houses really. A must see if you're here. Don't skip it. read more

The Basilica Cistern is a quick visit and an interesting one. The architecture is beautiful. It's the largest of the cisterns around Istanbul (it's amazing that there were so many of them!). This is a greats to make when you're visiting the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, as it's just across the plaza from them. It's a site that would take you 15-30 minutes to visit, depending upon how much time you wish to spend here. DO NOT visit if you have any fear of underground spaces, and you might be a little nervous if you have any fears of being buried alive... I think that's highly unlikely since it's been around 15 centuries or so but I know folks who wouldn't visit this if for that reason, so it's a little odd but worth a mention. When I was there the cost was somewhere around $5 USD to get in. This site isn't accessible, since that wasn't really a concern in the time of emperor Justinian. There are several dozen steps to get to the cistern itself. Although there isn't a lot of water inside so that it can be visited by people, it's still wet, which is probably obvious but the point is that it can be slick so be careful. I was worried I'd slip in one area so my awesome, fearless mom ventured over to take some photos of the medusa columns whilst I stayed put. Be careful but definitely take a trip underground. read more

This is an amazing architectural feat. Built in 532 by Justinian, it supplied water to the residents of the Great Palace and people in Constantinople. Since the water was not purified, unfortunately it may have also led to outbreaks of water borne illnesses. After the conquest of the city by the Ottomans, it remained undiscovered for over a century until people were found to collect water and fish via lowering buckets into their basements. The 336 pillars were recycled from other building projects. Interesting to see the peacock column and the set of Medusa heads. Nice to walk on elevated platforms to the sounds of classical museum mixed with dripping water. read more

See all

Known in English as the Basilica Cistern, this underground structure was built in the 6th century to catch and store rainwater for the city's residents. This particular one was the largest one out of hundreds and has been turned into a museum. The place has been drained of water with a walkway constructed for tourists to wander inside it. It does not take very long to walk through everything, but we were glad that we visited. It is definitely one of the most unique attractions in Istanbul, and being so close to the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, is definitely worth a look. One of the more interesting sights to keep an eye on is that some of the columns have medusa heads on them. read more

Yerebatan Sarnıcı - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Istanbul, 34

See all

The Basilica Cistern was built in the 6th century and is one of hundreds of ancient water-filtration systems beneath Istanbul. Now kept with only a few meters of water for tourist access guests can visit the historical space and learn about Constantinople's unique history including a former Roman Basilica that stood directly overhead while walking the premises. An architectural marvel considering its age the space was reportedly built by 7000 slaves and continued to supply water to "the First Hill" and Topkapı Palace into modern times. Do yourself a favor and buy tickets online to skip the lines. read more

See all

Love love love it ... amazing job mixing with modern art! You must go and see! It's just breathtaking makes you think ... read about it before you visit! read more

See all

I did a walking tour while I was in Istanbul. Let's just say that I did a ton of walking that my legs were in the best shape in ages. It was all worth it. The tour was fabulous! One of the stops was at a cistern. It's typically not at the top of anyone's list of tourist attractions. However, stopping at Yerebatan Sarnici was incredible. I love how impressive the underground reservoir was meticulously designed. It is well-lit and detailed. There are lots of columns with a ton of history attached to them, including Medusa as a column. In our tourist group, one person slipped on the stairs. They are narrow and it is kind of dark, so take care going up and down them. I had a great time here. My boyfriend was impressed that my tour had this site as a stop. He had visited this cistern on his own. (97) read more

See all

Commissioned by the Emperor Justinian in 532 AD, the Yerebatan Sarnici served the water requirements of the Stoa Basilica and surrounding buildings on the first hill in Istanbul for centuries. The cistern is an eerie place. The lighting casts shadows on the Medusa capitals sitting in water, carp swimming about and wooden boardwalks which navigate the tourist through this inner sanctum create the mystery and magical thinking. If you want photos be sure to bring a low light camera. Supported by 336 columns the water coming into this cistern derived from the Black Sea and held an estimated 80,000 cubic meters of water delivered by 20 km of aqueducts. At one time there were 80 cisterns in Istanbul but the Yerebatan Sarnici is the largest and most excavated. Seasonal hours from Nov.-Mid-April are 9-5:30 and Mid-April-Oct. 9-6:30. The cost for an adult is 20 Turkish Lira or $3.45 US. Children under 8 years old are free. A guided tour with skip the line privileges will cost you $9.63 US. The cistern is presently under restoration which makes me feel fortunate that I was able to see it when it was both undisturbed and water filled. Water drips from the ceiling and temperatures are cool with considerable humidity. The Turkish Museum pass can not be used here. The Theodorius Cistern which recently opened is free and is considerably more modern after it's restoration. It is located nearby and both cisterns can be reached by public transportation. read more

See all

Wow another wonderful Historical site in Istanbul. This is a must see. I joined a small tour group and it was worth the cost. The energy and the structure is amazing. If you ever find yourself in Istanbul check out the basilica cistern. read more

These are the cisterns inside the old city of Istanbul that were used to store water for use by the mosques and residents of the old ciry. They have been featured in many movies including the odd James Bond movie and so on. Go check it out when in town. Sometimes they have night concerts here and I can only imagine it would be divine. If you are claustrophobic you may not like it in here. It is underground and faintly lit. read more

See all

I think the underground cisterns was my favorite site in Istanbul. It's fairly quick to walk thru and there are no artifacts and what not. I think i liked it because it was built in 6th Century by the Roman empire as a water reservoir. To try to understand how Romans built these huge pillars underground and miles (19 Km) of aqua ducts to bring all this water here boggles my mind. Come to think of it how does it hold water? What made it cool for me was to understand how advanced they actually were in the 4th to 6th century. There are a few things to look for while there, the teardrop pillar and the pair of Medusa heads in the far corner. Im told the Medusa heads were actually from an earlier time period and area and brought here during the time of construction. There are a few myths about medusa; it seems very fitting to be placed here as its dark, damp and i could imagine the real medusa slithering around between the pillars warding off any intruders. It was only 10 TL ($5 US) to get in so i saved a bunch of money by not paying for the additional tour with my tour company, as well as many of the other tours that they offered in Istanbul. It was also very accessible from public transportation (3 TL each way from my hotel) read more

See all

The Basilica Cistern should be on every Istanbul visitor's list of places to see. At the front are normal columns (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/yerebatan-sarn%C4%B1c%C4%B1-istanbul?select=ujsYW96VJNYgUXN6McyDew#DAkZIZZQh5011nWmNRRy5Q) and people dressed up who you can pay to have your picture taken with (they have costumes for you to put on too http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/yerebatan-sarn%C4%B1c%C4%B1-istanbul?select=ujsYW96VJNYgUXN6McyDew#ufpns_woqCxb522cbxiGRw) Follow the catwalks back and you come to some fancier columns (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/yerebatan-sarn%C4%B1c%C4%B1-istanbul?select=ujsYW96VJNYgUXN6McyDew#YO-xiSwe3Lc9ih0nkxT5KQ) and a pair of Medusa heads, one is upside down (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/yerebatan-sarn%C4%B1c%C4%B1-istanbul?select=ujsYW96VJNYgUXN6McyDew#5zICLxqAmqwkQi3Wcb5GUw) and the other is on her side (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/yerebatan-sarn%C4%B1c%C4%B1-istanbul?select=ujsYW96VJNYgUXN6McyDew#ljESJwKMxmOfsZ7EpsPvnQ) Hide your cameras. It's across the street from the Tourism Police :) http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/yerebatan-sarn%C4%B1c%C4%B1-istanbul?select=ujsYW96VJNYgUXN6McyDew#SfzcPYIjdE1iC3mNcxZKNA read more

See all

Such an unexpected site here. This place is underground, so nice to get away from the hot sun. It's not part of the museum pass, so you will have to pay 20 lira for this one. It's some kind of old aqueduct from the Roman empire, the place has a cool vibe to it. I would highly recommend you walk fast all the way to the end to see the "attraction".. basically a big stone of Meduza's head. Once you see that then you can take your time walking back and checking it out. Honestly there isn't much to see, so after about 10-15 min you are ready to get outta there. Worth to visit, but don't plan on being here more than 30 min, it's a quick stop! read more

The cistern and the aqueduct were places I just had to visit whilst we explored town. It was a hot day, so it was a perfect chance to check out the cistern. Sadly, it is not part of the Museum Pass and it was 20 lira pp. It's a very cool place that is dark and damp. Watch you step here as it is wet and crowded. We made a loop around and explored. Carp swim around lazily in the dimly lit waters. By the time we had seen Medusa's head on the columns in the back I was ready to jet. Claustrophobic squirrel. read more

See all

The Basilica Cistern would be just another watery cavern if it wasn't for the history of all the columns and the Medusa heads making it cool. You could see lots of fish swimming in the water, and coins thrown by people who wanted to part with their money and make lots of wishes. We went for the photo op near the front for 5 Euros to wear a funky hat and fancy robes, but I didn't like how my picture came out. Not quite the Turkish princess that I envisioned... :P The Medusa heads were just huge carvings covered in greenish lime or mold or whatever it was. I guess I was expecting some ornate carving with wriggling snakes. I must watch too much tv. :O Got some fresh pomegranate juice at the exit, so that was cool. Fun attraction, and pretty cool overall. read more

See all

Its Turkish name describes this place better than its English name of Basilica Cistern. Yerebatan Sarnici is indeed a sunken palace. Step below the ground level, and you will find yourself among the impressive rows of columns supporting the many arches of the ceiling. If you did not step down the descending stairs, you may think you were in an above-ground palace! However, thanks to its subterranean environment, Yerebatan Sarnici still gives an ambiance that no above-ground palace has. Maybe it's the Ottoman music that echoes resoundingly throughout. Maybe it's the mysterious darkness that is dimly lit only by subtle light that reflected from the columns. Maybe it's simply the cold dampness. As you stroll through the columns, take a closer look and you will notice that not all columns are the same. Intended to be permanently flooded as a water storage without any plan of exposing to the public, Yerebatan Sarnici was constructed with various random columns of various styles from different abandoned or destroyed places. This dumpster of forgotten columns ironically formed a beautiful and bizarre collection. For instance, next to ionic columns may be a peculiar column with eyes, and columns too short are supported by misaligned Medusa head bases. This conglomeration of variety further adds to the air of mystery. Unfortunately for me, Yerebatan Sarnici was not as magical as I had envisioned. Books described the fishes that swam among the columns for centuries, but now the columns are standing on dry ground and the fishes have diverted to a pathetic pool. Travel tales spoke of the interesting experience of sipping on coffee below ground level, but instead of a cafe, the only vendor is a tacky cosplay photo booth. Perhaps all these are temporary due to the ongoing restoration, but I was still slightly disappointed by what I saw. Nonetheless, Yerebatan Sarnici is an interesting sight to see, because I believe that this mysterious air in this place can be felt only in person so no photo can do this place justice. The entrance is literally across the street from the must-go Ayasoyfa and the whole palace can be finished within an hour, so unless you are against spending 20 TL cash for admission, I can't see any reason why you would skip this unique experience. Indeed I was somewhat disappointed by the few negative changes, but I still believe that standing among the underground columns is an essential Istanbul experience that should not be missed. read more

See all

A must see... It is definitely one of the most unique attractions in Istanbul, and being so close to the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, is definitely worth a look. One of the more interesting sights to keep an eye on is that some of the columns have medusa heads on them. read more

Yere batan sarnici is great place. Very peaceful pleace underground. Ever summer l visit there in Istanbul. Water on the base and cloumns are beautiful! Sometime you may have clasical consert. read more

Yerebatan Sarnıcı - YerebatanBaslica - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Istanbul, 34

This place is one of my favorite places in Istanbul. The underground cisterns. It's also knows as basilica cisterns. Located right next to Sophia. Very cheap. Only 20 Liras. Absolutely worth seeing if you are around the area. It was absolutely fascinating. Water everywhere, The architecture, the background music, lighting and darkness, the story behind it and the feeling you feel once you are down there..! It was very impressive for sure! I could have stayed over there the entire day just staring at it if I've had time! Must seen attraction! read more

See all

Absolutley amazing place, it is very magical and marvelling. I can imagine a visit/trip to Istanbul without seeing this place.