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Attraction · Fatih · Updated on 1 November 2026.

Basilica Cistern (Exit) in Fatih

Basilica Cistern (Exit) is an attraction in Fatih, Istanbul. This place has an audio tour of about 2 minutes, in English or Dutch. 21 of the 50 well-known points of interest nearby are within 1 km. Within 120 m you'll find a water point, a public toilet and a bench.

Directions in Google Maps
Basilica Cistern (Exit) in Fatih
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Photo: Diego Delso · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0View the photo on Wikimedia Commons
Basilica Cistern (Exit) in Fatih, photo 2
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Photo: Kurmanbek · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0View the photo on Wikimedia Commons
Basilica Cistern (Exit) in Fatih, photo 3
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Photo: G.dallorto · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.5View the photo on Wikimedia Commons

The story

Wikipedia ↗Official website ↗

Audio tour · Basilica Cistern (Exit)

2:22

  • en
  • nl

You're standing at the entrance to the Basilica Cistern, in Turkish Yerebatan Sarnıcı, the Subterranean Palace. From the street there's almost nothing to see, and that's exactly the charm. Right beneath your feet lies the largest of the several hundred ancient cisterns under Istanbul. The Hagia Sophia is only about 150 metres away.

Read and hear the whole story in the Outdoor Pitstop app: check in at this place and it is yours (with Pro; new users are Pro for the first 4 weeks).

Opening hours and admission

Opening hours
Every day 09:00-19:00
Wheelchair
Not accessible

Source: OpenStreetMap and Wikidata.

Photos

10 photos from Wikimedia Commons. In the app you add your own photo when you are there.

Basilica Cistern (Exit) in Fatih
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Photo: Diego Delso · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0View the photo on Wikimedia Commons

Facilities near Basilica Cistern (Exit)

The nearest pitstop of each kind within 1 km, as the crow flies.

Well-known points of interest nearby

50 well-known points of interest nearby, those with an audio tour first. 21 of the 50 well-known points of interest nearby are within 1 km.

Hagia Sophia
AttractionAudio story · 2 min

Hagia Sophia · 130 m

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Photo: Arild Vågen · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0View the photo on Wikimedia Commons
Blue Mosque
AttractionAudio story · 2 min

Blue Mosque · 370 m

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Photo: Moonik · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0View the photo on Wikimedia Commons
Topkapı Palace
AttractionAudio story · 2 min

Topkapı Palace · 680 m

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Photo: Bjørn Christian Tørrissen · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0View the photo on Wikimedia Commons
Grand Bazaar
AttractionAudio story · 2 min

Grand Bazaar · 890 m

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Photo: Masygreen · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0View the photo on Wikimedia Commons
Galata Tower
AttractionAudio story · 2 min

Galata Tower · 1.9 km

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Photo: A.Savin · Wikimedia Commons · FALView the photo on Wikimedia Commons

Hear the story of Hagia Sophia on the spot with the app

All 73 points of interest in Fatih →

Also within walking distance

The 10 nearest points of interest with a story, within 2 km.

  1. 1MilionMonument · 60 m away
  2. 2Haseki Hürrem HammamAttraction · 180 m away
  3. 3Sultan Ahmed III FountainAttraction · 240 m away
  4. 4Hagia IreneMuseum · 260 m away
  5. 5Sultan Ahmed SquareAttraction · 300 m away
  6. 6Cistern of PhiloxenosMuseum · 350 m away
  7. 7Obelisk of TheodosiusMonument · 380 m away
  8. 8Turkish and Islamic Arts MuseumMuseum · 380 m away
  9. 9Serpent ColumnAttraction · 420 m away
  10. 10İstanbul Arkeoloji MüzeleriMuseum · 430 m away
All 73 points of interest in Fatih →

Explore further

More in Fatih

More points of interest

Frequently asked questions

When is Basilica Cistern (Exit) open?

Every day 09:00-19:00 (according to OpenStreetMap). Check the official website for public holidays.

Is Basilica Cistern (Exit) wheelchair accessible?

No, according to OpenStreetMap it is not wheelchair accessible.

Is there a toilet or drinking water nearby?

Yes: a water point at 40 m and a public toilet at 100 m.

How does the audio tour work?

When you stand at Basilica Cistern (Exit), the Outdoor Pitstop app tells the story of the place in about 2 minutes, in English or Dutch.

Nearby

More well-known points of interest nearby

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