Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan)

The Basilica Cistern is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Istanbul. It is a large underground cistern that was built in the 6th century by the Byzantine emperor Justinian I. The cistern is located near the Hagia Sophia and the Sultanahmet Mosque, and it is open to the public for tours. The Basilica Cistern is a vast underground chamber that is supported by 336 marble columns.

The columns are arranged in 12 rows of 28 columns, and they are each about 9 meters high. The cistern is filled with water, and it is said to be able to hold up to 80,000 cubic meters of water.

The Basilica Cistern is a popular tourist destination because of its unique architecture and its historical significance. It is a great place to learn about the Byzantine Empire and to see one of the most impressive engineering feats of the Middle Ages.

The Basilica Cistern is a great place to visit if you are interested in Byzantine history, architecture, or simply want to see a unique and interesting place in Istanbul.


Basilica Cistern Location:

Eyüp Sultan Mosque

After Mecca and Medina, the Eyüp Sultan Mosque in Turkey is one of the most revered places among Muslims.

The mosque is titled after Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari, whose tomb is located in the same place. He was one of the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Companions. The Place of the Grave was determined by Akşemsettin, the master and mentor of Mehmed the Conqueror, in 1453, right after the conquest of Istanbul and five years later, the mosque was built there.

Since its build, the mosque has maintained its significance. In the Ottoman era, the coronation ceremony took place here, and most sultans visited the Eyüp Sultan tomb as their final stop before engaging in combat. Today, both locals and tourists frequently visit the mosque.

Eyüp Sultan Tomb Visiting Hours and Days: The tomb is open to visitors between 09:30 and 16:00 every day.
 
Pierre Loti Hill:
During your visit to Eyüp Sultan Mosque, there is a cable car and stairs that run from the Golden Horn’s shore to the top of the Pierre Loti Hill, and also by drinking a Turkish coffee and Golden Horn view you can get rid of your tiredness.

How to get to Eyüp Sultan Mosque using public transportation:

  • You can use 99A and 33ES bus lines (Eyüpsultan Stop) or T5 tram line from Eminönü.
  • You can take 55T bus line (Eyüpsultan Stop) from Taksim or 55 (Eyüpsultan Stop) bus line from Şişli.

Eyup Sultan Mosque Location:


Pierre Loti Cable Car Location:

Istanbul Museums – Entry Fees & Visiting Hours & Location Information – Asian Side Museums (UPDATED: June 2025)

1- Beylerbeyi Palace
Location:Beylerbeyi, Üsküdar
Closed Days:Mondays
Visiting Hours:09:00 – 17:00 (9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Valid
Entrance Fee:700 TL

2- Küçüksu Pavilion
Location:Göksu, Beykoz
Closed Days:Mondays
Visiting Hours:09:00 – 17:00 (9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Valid
Entrance Fee:250 TL

3- Beykoz Mecidiye Pavilion
Location:Beykoz
Closed Days:Mondays
Visiting Hours:09:00 – 17:00 (9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Valid
Entrance Fee:250 TL


5- Çamlıca Tower
Location:Çamlıca
Closed Days:Open everyday
Visiting Hours:10:00 – 22:00 (10:00 A.M. – 10:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Not Valid
Entrance Fee:900 TL

Istanbul Museums – Entry Fees & Visiting Hours & Location Information – Beyoglu, Taksim Museums (UPDATED: June 2025)

1- Galata Mevlevi House Museum
Location:Şişhane
Closed Days:Mondays
Visiting Hours:09:00 – 17:00
Museum Pass Card:Valid
Entrance Fee:7 Euro

2- Museum of Illusions
Location:Istiklal Avenue
Closed Days:Open everyday
Visiting Hours:11:00 – 20:00 (11:00 A.M. – 8:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Not Valid
Entrance Fee:690 TL

3- Madame Tussauds
Location:Istiklal Avenue
Closed Days:CLOSED
Visiting Hours:*
Museum Pass Card:*
Entrance Fee:*

4- Galata Tower
Location:Galata, Beyoğlu
Closed Days:Open everyday
Visiting Hours:08:00 – 23:00 (8:00 A.M. – 11:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Valid
Entrance Fee:30 Euro

Istanbul Museums – Entry Fees & Visiting Hours & Location Information – Golden Horn Museums (UPDATED: June 2025)

1- Rahmi Koç Museum
Location:Hasköy, Golden Horn
Closed Days:Mondays
Visiting Hours:09:30 – 17:00 (09:30 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Not Valid
Entrance Fee:700 TL

2- Aynalıkavak Pavilion
Location:Hasköy, Golden Horn
Closed Days:Mondays
Visiting Hours:09:00 – 17:00 (9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Valid
Entrance Fee:250 TL

3- Miniatürk (Miniature Turkey Museum)
Location:Sütlüce, Golden Horn
Closed Days:Open everyday
Visiting Hours:09:00 – 19:00 (9:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Not Valid
Entrance Fee:750 TL
4- Panorama 1453 History Museum
Location:Topkapı
Closed Days:Open everyday
Visiting Hours:08:00 – 18:30 (08:00 A.M. – 6:30 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Not Valid
Entrance Fee:700 TL


5- Pammakaristos Church / Fethiye Mosque
Location:Fatih, Çarşamba
Closed Days:Museum is closed for renovation
Visiting Hours:*
Museum Pass Card:Valid
Entrance Fee:*

7- Kariye Mosque / Chora Church
Location:Edirnekapı, Fatih
Closed Days:Friday
Visiting Hours:09:00 – 18:00 (09:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Not valid
Entrance Fee:20 Euro

8- Tekfur Palace
Location:Ayvansaray
Closed Days:Mondays
Visiting Hours (Winter):09:00 – 17:00 (9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Not Valid
Entrance Fee:300 TL

Istanbul Museums – Entry Fees & Visiting Hours & Location Information – Bosphorus Museums (UPDATED: June 2025)

1- Dolmabahçe Palace Museum
Location:Dolmabahçe
Closed Days:Mondays
Visiting Hours:09:00 – 17:00 (9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Not Valid
Entrance Fee:
Dolmabahçe Palace Selamlık + Harem + Painting Museum
(Combined Ticket)
1800 TL

2- National Palaces Painting Museum
Location:Beşiktaş
Closed Days:Mondays
Visiting Hours:09:00 – 17:00 (9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Not Valid
Entrance Fee:540 TL

3- Palace Collections Museum
Location:Beşiktaş
Closed Days:Mondays
Visiting Hours:09:00 – 17:00 (9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Valid
Entrance Fee:250 TL

4- Naval Museum
Location:Beşiktaş
Closed Days:Mondays
Visiting Hours:09:00 – 17:00 (9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Not Valid
Entrance Fee:*


6- Ihlamur Pavilions
Location:Teşvikiye, Şişli
Closed Days:Mondays
Visiting Hours:09:00 – 17:00 (9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Valid
Entrance Fee:250 TL

7- Military Museum
Location:Harbiye, Şişli
Closed Days:Mondays
Visiting Hours:09:00 – 16:00 (9:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Not Valid
Entrance Fee:*

8- Rumeli Fortress Museum
Location:Rumelihisarı, Bosphorus
Closed Days:Mondays
Visiting Hours:09:00 – 19:00 (9:00 A.M. – 7:00P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Valid
Entrance Fee:6 Euro

9- Maslak Pavilions
Location:Maslak
Closed Days:Mondays
Visiting Hours:09:00 – 17:00 (9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Valid
Entrance Fee:250 TL

Istanbul Museums – Entry Fees & Visiting Hours & Location Information – Old Town Museums (UPDATED: June 2025)

1- Topkapı Palace Museum
Location:Sultanahmet
Closed Days:Tuesdays
Visiting Hours:09:00 – 17:00 (9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Valid (Except Harem section)
Entrance Fees:
Topkapı Palace & Hagia Irene & Harem
(Combined Ticket)
2400 TL

2- Istanbul Archaeology Museums
Location:Sultanahmet, Gülhane Park
Closed Days:Open everyday
Visiting Hours:09:00 – 18:00 (9:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Valid
Entrance Fee:15 Euro

3- Museum of the History of
Science and Technology in Islam
Location:Sultanahmet, Gülhane Park
Closed Days:Open everyday
Visiting Hours:09:00 – 19:00 (9:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Valid
Entrance Fee:10 Euro

4- Basilica Cistern
Location:Sultanahmet
Closed Days:Open everyday
Visiting Hours:09:00 – 18:30 (9:00 A.M. – 6:30 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Not Valid
Entrance Fee:1300 TL

5- Şerefiye Cistern (Theodosius Cistern)
Location:Sultanahmet
Closed Days:Open everyday
Visiting Hours:09:00 – 19:00 (9:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Not Valid
Entrance Fee:825 TL

6- Museum Of Turkish And Islamic Arts
Location:Sultanahmet Square
Closed Days:Open everyday
Visiting Hours:09:00 – 18:00 (9:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Valid
Entrance Fee:17 Euro

7- Great Palace Mosaics Museum
Location:Sultanahmet, Arasta Bazaar
Closed Days:closedMuseum is closed for restoration
Visiting Hours:*
Museum Pass Card:Valid
Entrance Fee:*