Combos

Combo (Save 16%): Whirling Dervishes Ceremony & Mevlevi Sema Show + Basilica Cistern with Multilingual Audio Guide Tickets

Whirling Dervishes performing in Istanbul with musicians in the background.

Whirling Dervishes performing in a ceremony with an audience in Turkey.

Pillars inside the Basilica Cistern in Istanbul with reflections on the water.

Medusa head column in Basilica Cistern, Istanbul, part of Blue Mosque & Basilica Cistern tour.

Open today

09:00am - 10:00pm

Explore at your pace

Choose your entry time, stay as long as you like

Audio guide

Enhance your experience with multilingual audio guide

Guided tour

Instant confirmation

Mobile ticket

4.2/5

(2,670)

Charles

Jun 2025

Verified booking

We had misread the instructions and entered the palace. We were directed to the ticket office and the clerk told us where to find our guide. Once there, he accompanied us to join a group who were already going through the entrances, so we didn't have to wait 30 minutes for the next departure (very nice of him). The fast pass allowed us to do all 3 activities without a hitch, although you need to allow quite a bit of time for the palace and less for the cistern and Saint Sophia. It was really great

Willem

Jun 2025

Verified booking

Obtaining the ticket at the meeting point went smoothly and the guide was clear and helpful. He took us to the entrance of the harem and then left us free. he also explained the order in which we should go around. the whole visit and to see all took about 4 hours including taking pictures and listening to the audioguide. couldn't do all the sound clips because at the end the cell phone was almost flat.

Angelina

Jun 2025

Verified booking

Both the Hagia Sophia and the sunken palace were beautiful! It is very worthwhile. And especially for the Hagia Sophia, it's worth buying tickets online in advance to avoid the queue at the ticket office. It's also worth it for the Basilica Cistern, as there are 2 different queues here and the one for the e-tickets was quicker in our case.

Experience Istanbul’s spiritual and historic wonders with one combo ticket, Whirling Dervish show and Basilica Cistern entry.

Both spots are just a 3-minute walk or quick drive apart, making it easy to visit in one day. Booking together saves time and ensures a smooth Budapest experience.

Witness the mesmerizing Mevlevi Sema ceremony, a centuries-old Sufi ritual performed with live music in Sultanahmet.

Skip the long lines at the Basilica Cistern and explore with a guided tour or a multilingual audio guide app.

Whirling Dervishes

Whirling Dervishes show tickets

Mevlevi Sema ceremony

Basilica Cistern

Skip-the-line entry to Basilica Cistern

Self-guided audio tour in English, Spanish, French, German & Italian

Instant mobile ticket

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

How do we collect reviews?
4.2
2,670 ratings
5/5
1.4K
4/5
812
3/5
210
2/5
108
1/5
122
Guests from United States, Spain, Italy and over 86 countries have loved this experience
Juliana
Jul, 2025Verified booking
5/5
Well-organized tour, with the site very well preserved and with lighting changes that make the experience even more incredible
Peter
Jun, 2025Verified booking
5/5
Headout helped to make the visit for all locations seamless, for a first-time visitor. The App came with very clear directions for all sites along with online pdf (QR codes) tickets. This saved considerable time.
Angelina
Jun, 2025Verified booking
5/5
Both the Hagia Sophia and the sunken palace were beautiful! It is very worthwhile. And especially for the Hagia Sophia, it's worth buying tickets online in advance to avoid the queue at the ticket office. It's also worth it for the Basilica Cistern, as there are 2 different queues here and the one for the e-tickets was quicker in our case.
Juan
Jun, 2025Verified booking
5/5
The architecture of the basilica cistern is amazingly beautiful, very well lit and with a well organized traffic. It has generously met my expectations. But the number of visitors per shift or hour should be reduced.
Gianni
May, 2025Verified booking
4/5
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Whirling Dervish

Step into a serene 550-year-old cultural venue in the heart of Sultanahmet to witness the mesmerizing Mevlevi Sema ceremony, performed by the Whirling Dervishes. This spiritual performance, recognized by UNESCO, is rooted in the teachings of Rumi and offers a deeply moving insight into Sufi mysticism. As the dervishes whirl in flowing white robes, accompanied by traditional instruments like the ney (reed flute) and kudüm (drum), feel a sense of stillness and connection. The meditative atmosphere invites you to reflect on the themes of unity, love, and devotion that define this centuries-old practice.

Basilica Cistern

Discover one of Istanbul’s most intriguing historical sites with fast-track access to the Basilica Cistern, a subterranean marvel built in the 6th century during Emperor Justinian’s reign. Skip the long queues and step straight into this atmospheric structure, supported by hundreds of ancient columns and mysterious Medusa heads that capture the imagination.The included audio guide app, available in multiple languages, provides fascinating insights into the cistern’s engineering feats and its vital role in the ancient city’s water supply system. Explore at your own pace as you walk over wooden platforms suspended above still waters, soaking in the dimly lit, almost cinematic ambience.

Basilica Cistern

Monday	09:00am - 10:00pm	last entry 06:30pm
Tuesday	09:00am - 10:00pm	last entry 06:30pm
Wednesday	09:00am - 10:00pm	last entry 06:30pm
Thursday	09:00am - 10:00pm	last entry 06:30pm
Friday	09:00am - 10:00pm	last entry 06:30pm
Saturday	09:00am - 10:00pm	last entry 06:30pm
Sunday	09:00am - 10:00pm	last entry 06:30pm

What to bring

Whirling Dervish

It is allowed to bring baggage to the venue.

Basilica Cistern

Don’t forget your trusty earphones for an immersive audio guide experience.

Wear comfortable shoes with a good grip—the stone floor can be damp and slightly slippery.

Bring a light jacket or shawl; it stays cool underground even in warm weather.

What’s not allowed

Basilica Cistern

Flash photography is not permitted.

Tripods and selfie sticks are not allowed due to space and safety concerns.

Eating, drinking, and smoking are strictly prohibited inside the cistern.

Accessibility

Whirling Dervish

This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.

Basilica Cistern

The site is partially accessible; there is a lift near the exit on Alemdar Street near the tram line, but the walking path inside may be uneven in places.

Wheelchair users may need assistance, especially around corners or where the lighting is low.

There are no elevators inside the cistern, and seating is extremely limited.

Additional information

Whirling Dervish

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

Basilica Cistern

Your ticket allows you to skip the ticket queue, but all visitors must go through a security check.

Arrive early in the morning or visit in the evening to avoid crowds from cruise ship tours.

Don’t miss the Medusa heads tucked into the far corner. Walk around them to see both angles.

The exit leads out to a different street than the entrance; take note of your location before entering.

The lighting is intentionally dim—give your eyes a moment to adjust for better visibility and photos

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

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

Ticket redemption point

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