Religious Sites

Istanbul: Whirling Dervishes Ceremony & Mevlevi Sema Show Tickets

Name: Istanbul: Whirling Dervishes Ceremony & Mevlevi Sema Show Tickets
Start: 2025-11-01T18:30:00
End: 2025-11-01T23:00:00
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.

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Free cancellation

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

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

Audio guide

Enhance your experience with multilingual audio guide

4.4/5

(315)

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!!

Ximena

May 2025

Verified booking

5/5

The atmosphere of the ceremony, the excellent musicians who brought spirituality to our hearts, the explanation of Sufism by the speaker and the beautiful dance to God by the monks who transported us in their dance. We will treasure it in our hearts as something unique and unforgettable. Thank you very much

Immerse in the traditions of the Whirling Dervishes as they showcase the divine connection between the universe and the soul.

Lose yourself in the heavenly prayers and spellbinding Sufi music and bask in this unique spiritual experience.

The graceful movement of the Whirling Dervishes as they reach their hands out and whirl with the motion of the universe will mesmerize you.

Witness the Mevlevi Sema ceremony, a profound Sufi ritual rich in tradition and spiritual depth.

Did you know? The whirling dancer mirrors the rotation of the planets around the sun, spinning from the left side, the heart side, to achieve harmony with the Universe itself.

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)

Skip-the-line access at the pier (as per option selected)

Bosphorus cruise plan/map (as per option selected)

Food & drinks

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

4.4
315 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.
204
69
25
7
10
Guests from Spain, Italy, France and over 10 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Veronique
Oct 2025
Verified booking
5/5
Very fine performance, both musically and physically. I recommend it. The only downside may be the room, which lacks a more intimate decor.
Jacobo
Oct 2025
Verified booking
5/5
On time and everything as expected. Highly recommended.
Gian
Oct 2025
Verified booking
5/5
Beautiful show, exciting
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.
Javed
Sep 2025
Verified booking
5/5
Whirling Darvesh ceremony was awesome, it was a spiritual experience

Somewhere in the heart of Istanbul, a centuries-old school of theology preserves the practice of the Whirling Dervishes, a unique form of prayer in the Sufi tradition. The architecture and the ambience will wrap you in a spiritual trance. Learn about the Mevlevi Order, founded by the followers of Rumi, the renowned medieval poet from Konya.

As the traditional Sufi instrumentals commence, lose yourself in the enchanting music and watch the Dervishes taking the stage after the prayer citation. Gracefully turning with their hands extended towards the skies, the whirling movement facilitates their connection with the universe. Watch them immerse in devotional prayers as they whirl to feel the motion and creation of the world around them. The spiritual and historical value of the Mevlevi Order traditions is highly significant to the country’s culture. Be a part of this poetic spiritual experience, which showcases the religious heritage of Istanbul.

Witness the mesmerizing Mevlevi Sema ceremony. Delve into the mystical world of Sufi tradition as skilled semazens perform this sacred ritual, accompanied by enchanting Mevlevi music. Experience the profound symbolism and spiritual journey of the ceremony, a truly unforgettable encounter with centuries-old mysticism and devotion.

Accessibility

This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.

Additional information

It is allowed to bring baggage to the venue.

It is allowed to take photographs at the venue without flash or tripods.

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.