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Hagia Sophia MosquevsBasilica Cistern
Both are rated highly by professionals. On balance, Hagia Sophia ranks significantly better than Basilica Cistern. Hagia Sophia ranks #8 in Istanbul with positive reviews from 7 publications such as Michelin Guide, Afar Magazine and Frommer's.
Hagia Sophia Mosque
Fodor's
Concierge
Frommer's
Lonely Planet
Travel + Leisure
Michelin Guide
Let's Go
Afar Magazine
Time Out Lonely Planet Show All Reviews
Sultanahmet, Eminonu District, Istanbul, Turkey
From $0/night
Fodor's "This soaring edifice is perhaps the greatest work of Byzantine architecture and for almost a thousand years... it was the world's largest and most important religious monument. " Full review
Concierge "Don't even dream of leaving Istanbul without visiting this holy trinity of sights."
Frommer's "For almost a thousand years, the Ayasofya was a triumph of Christianity and the symbol of Byzantium." Full review
Lonely PlanetTop choice
"Sophia in Latin, Haghia Sofia in Greek and the Church of the Divine Wisdom in English, this extraordinary building is İstanbul's most famous monument." Full review
Travel + Leisure "Hagia Sophia reigned as the greatest church in Christendom from the fourth century to the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453." Full review
Michelin Guide 3 Stars
"An almost mystical sense of awe... a quite memorable visit!" Full review
Let's Go "The Hagia Sophia (or the more beautiful way of saying it, Aya Sofya) is Istanbul in one building." Full review
Afar Magazine "Hagia Sophia is a museum, welcoming visitors from all around the world, representing the integration of Islam and Christianity in Istanbul. " Full review
Time Out "The Hagia Sophia is among Istanbul's most popular and iconic historic sites – and for good reason: its massive, transcendent interior is breathtaking and can easily be gazed at for hours." Full review
Lonely PlanetTop choice
"Standing in walled gardens amid symphonies of birdsong, 4km west of centre, is this fine 13th-century church-turned-mosque retaining some carved reliefs and colourful Christian-era murals" Full review
Basilica Cistern Fodor's Lonely Planet Travel + Leisure Let's Go Time Out Afar Magazine Michelin Guide Travel + Leisure
Imran Oktem Cad. No:4 D:5 Sultanahmet, Fatih, Istanbul, Turkey
From $0/night
Fodor's "A journey through this ancient underground waterway takes you along dimly lit walkways that weave around 336 marble columns rising 26 feet to support Byzantine arches and domes." Full review
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Come early to avoid the long lines and have a more peaceful visit.
Lonely PlanetTop choice
"When those Byzantine emperors built something, they certainly did it properly!" Full review
Travel + Leisure "Eighty-two feet below Istanbul is a 450-foot-long, 213-foot-wide former royal reservoir." Full review
Let's Go "Built more than 1400 years ago under the direction of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian—the same guy responsible for the Hagia Sophia—this underground cistern once stored water for the whole city." Full review
Time Out "One of Istanbul's most intriguing attractions." Full review
Afar Magazine "A city as ancient as Istanbul has many layers of history, and you’ll have to go below the surface to see the Basilica Cistern, the largest of the underground cisterns." Full review
Michelin Guide 2 Stars
"What the Ottomans called Yerebatan Sarayi (Sunken Palace) is in fact a 6C Byzantine underground cistern that supplied water to the palace of Emperor Justinian." Full review
Travel + Leisure "The primary water reservoir for Constantinople, the Basilica Cistern is cathedral-esque and a sight to see...it is supported by 336 columns and can hold up to 17.5 million gallons of water."
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