Religious Sites

Istanbul: Whirling Dervishes & Sufi Dance Tickets

Name: Istanbul: Whirling Dervishes & Sufi Dance Tickets
Start: 2026-01-04T18:30:00
End: 2026-01-04T21:30:00
Location: Istanbul

Whirling Dervishes performing in Istanbul with musicians in the background.

Whirling Dervishes performing traditional dance in Turkey with musicians in the background.

Whirling Dervish in traditional attire performing in a dimly lit setting.

Whirling Dervishes performing in a cultural ceremony.

Duration

1 hr - 3 hr

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

Audio guide

Enhance your experience with multilingual audio guide

4.5/5

(341)

Ramnik

Nov 2025

Verified booking

5/5

Amazing authentic show with the explanation before the performance really enhancing the experience. The music and visuals were also stunning. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Also it was fantastic that this was a not for profit NGO dedicated to providing scholarships for students. Can't recommend this highly enough.

Heike

Sep 2025

Verified booking

4/5

The musicians and dancers were really excellent. The staff were unfriendly, especially at the end of the performance. We were literally driven out of the room. My wife's chair was taken away so that she could quickly go out into the street. This is no way to treat guests.

Thomas

Aug 2025

Verified booking

5/5

I loved the live music and the absence of microphones! It was a fantastic and intimate experience. I would only suggest perhaps that the lighting be slightly dimmed for the dances, helping achieve a meditative experience for the audience. Breathtaking!! Thank you!!

Experience the spiritual Mevlevi Sema ritual as whirling dervishes perform their centuries-old meditation through music and movement.

Immerse yourself in Turkish culture with live traditional music accompanying this UNESCO-recognized ceremony.

Watch the ritual in a historic setting near Istanbul’s iconic landmarks like Hagia Sophia and Sultanahmet.

Upgrade your ticker to include a traditional Turkish dinner or even a Bosphorus cruise showcasing the city's famed shoreline.

Fun fact: The dervishes’ continuous turning symbolizes a journey from the earthly world toward divine love and inner harmony.

Whirling Dervishes show in Sultahmet Area/Hagia Sophia Area(as per option selected)

Mevlevi Sema ceremony

90-minute Bosphorus cruise (as per option selected)

Audio guide in 10 languages (as per option selected)

Local traditional drink (tea or sherbet) and water (as per option selected)

Food & drinks

Hotel pickup and drop-off

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

4.5
341 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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Guests from Spain, Italy, France and over 10 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Catherine
Jan 2026
Verified booking
5/5
nothing to say, the address was well indicated, it would have been desirable to indicate that the road is pedestrianised
Barbusca
Dec 2025
Verified booking
4/5
It was a performance of the Sema. 4 Musicians and 4 rotating Dervishes. For those who have never attended a Sema, it is also a good approach because there is a short presentation that anticipates the ceremony.
Marta
Dec 2025
Verified booking
5/5
Wonderful experience! It allows you to immerse yourself in the culture and savor the mysticism that permeates Sufism. I recommend that you experience it!
Rustam
Dec 2025
Verified booking
5/5
Today witnessing the dervish show in Istanbul felt spiritual and hypnotic, a beautiful blend of tradition, music, and calm that will stay with me long after
Angela
Dec 2025
Verified booking
5/5
Memorable experience, good lighting and acoustics. And also with your ticket you finance scholarships for students. Highly recommended

Experience the Mevlevi Sema ritual, a spiritual whirling ceremony enriched with live Turkish music and deep cultural tradition.

Getting started

Arrive at the venue early to secure your spot and complete any entry checks smoothly. Keep your ticket ready and note that large bags aren’t permitted. Depending on the venue, seating may fill quickly, so early arrival helps ensure a clear view of the ceremony.

What to expect

Mevlevi Sema ritual

The Sema is a centuries-old ritual of the Mevlevi Order, rooted deeply in Turkey’s spiritual and artistic heritage. It reflects the dervish’s journey toward inner harmony and divine love, expressed through a mix of prayer, poetry, movement, and traditional Turkish music.

Duration

Expect a 1–3 hour experience, depending on your ticket type.

Accessibility

This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.

Additional information

It is allowed to bring baggage to the venue.

Photography is allowed, but skip the flash to respect the dervishes’ spiritual practice.

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the meeting point.

Please arrive at the meeting point 30 minutes before the scheduled time of your tour to avoid any delays

Meeting point

Please check your final voucher for the meeting point details and specific instructions.