A nice surprise in Istanbul - This was amazing. Well worth doing. Value for money as well. Skip the queue option was great as the lines could be very long.

Bellissima - Beautiful atmosphere. I had personal guide and I did not queue, beautiful experience, fantastic, you can only go around 1 time so photo immediately and calm

AN UNDERGROUND GEM OF THE BYZANTINE ERA - Although Istanbul’s most visited monuments are the Hagia Sophia and other mosques, apart from the Grand Bazaar, the Cistern Basilica, built in the 6th century, in Byzantine times, to provide water to the Grand Palace of Constantinople and other notable buildings in the city, is one of the places in this city that I like best. With its nearly 10,000 square meters and 336 marble columns, the Cistern received water from forests 19 km away through an aqueduct. Its interior is covered in walls and floor of refractory and impermeable bricks. I don’t know if its history will be its wonderful architecture, or how cool it is inside after having suffered the heats of the surface, but it is a place that I love, despite the number of people that are usually there. You shouldn't make this gem if you visit Istanbul, listen to me.

Great place, rude staff - Excellent place and well maintained, however the experience was soured by the rudeness of the staff. All three staff members we encountered were difficult. One at the entrance had no patience for us trying to find a qr code for the ticket, this in particular was riling.

Beautiful but expensive - Beautiful monument but very little explanation about the history of the site. 30 euros entry is a bit excessive for 30 minutes DE walk... It's not worth them.

Too expensive - As a family of 6, we found it too expensive for us to go in. So we went to see the free cistern in the park instead. We can't comment on how it compares.

This costs like 30 euro??? - It was beautiful but the picture is all you can see there is nothing else and the price of the ticket is exceeding it's worth

Cistern: an example of Turkish tourism speculation - Cisterna is a model of great speculation of Turkish tourism, as indeed many other sites. The visit after 6pm cost €52 excluding guide and audio guide, while before 6pm it costs €33. Both costs are completely disproportionate to what is offered. The structure used as a cistern during wars and famines is relatively very simple and repetitive with some scattered decoration and capital. The play of light highlights the interpenetration of arched structures and water, but the visit takes about 30-40 minutes and is definitely not worth what is required. Think that the Vatican museums plus the Sistine Chapel in Italy cost 26€ while the Colosseum with audio guide 25€. Before you decide just think about what model of access to cultural sites and tourism you are funding with your time and money.

Senseless price for families, don't go there if you have children - Cisterns are beautiful, entrsnce fee is high and senceless. A foreigner family is considered being an unlimited source of money at this place. Entrance fee is 1500 TL per person, children over 6 years pay the full price. Family with 3 children pays 7500 TL, or 150 EUR. Don't go there if you have children. For the same money you can have 5 dinners for 5 persons, or a one-way air ticket to Istanbul from several European cities.

VIIIMUCH too expensive - Yes you can take some great photos and it is basically interesting AEBER 32€ for tickets Children (7 years) FULL PRICE is a cheek. Turkish citizens come in by a fraction like the Galata Tower - if we did that in the EU you can imagine the outcry!