Religious Sites

Istanbul: Hodjapasha Whirling Dervishes Show & Exhibition

Name: Istanbul: Hodjapasha Whirling Dervishes Show & Exhibition
Start: 2026-09-06T19:00:00
End: 2026-09-06T20:00:00
Location: Hodjapasha

4.5/5(147)

Mascia A

Solo

Verified booking

Last week

Easy booking for the show of your choice. Even if not specified in the reservation, you will be assigned a numbered seat in the audience area, which consists of 3–4 rows arranged in a circle around the performance area.

Manoj M

Couple

Verified booking

Jun 2026

Seamless booking and great pricing via Headout set the stage for a mesmerizing evening. The "Hodjapasha Whirling Dervishes Show" is a profoundly peaceful, spiritual journey. Thank you Team. We loved the experience. > Pro-Tip: Grab a brochure at the ticket office to understand the ritual’s sequence. > Note: To honor its sacred history, no photos/videos are allowed during the performance. Save your snaps for the stunning venue displays, put your phone away, and simply soak in the pure tranquility!

Joelle I

Solo

Verified booking

May 2026

I had, however, already attended this type of spiritual ceremony in France, but those hadn’t moved me to this extent. Moved to tears, I would have liked a moment of quiet reflection at the end to prolong that state of grace and let that vibration linger, but the tourists didn’t seem to have had the same experience, since as soon as it was over, they got up to leave. I loved the phrases displayed on the wall during the whirling dervishes’ dance, the venue, the exhibition, the hospitality, and the overall atmosphere. Thank you for sharing and keeping Rumi’s wisdom alive across the centuries. If you enjoyed this performance, I recommend reading *My Love, the Sufi* by Elif Shafak.

Han K

Couple

Verified booking

May 2026

Unique experience of a sufi ceremony with dancers and accompanying music, meditative atmosphere. Audience quiet and attentive. Had read about Rumi and sufi, but not the ceremony. Therefore it would have been nice if they had allowed us in before the start which was not the case.

Enjoy an immersive Sema ceremony featuring a 5-min intro video, 10-min Sufi concert, and the full 45-min whirling ritual.

Explore the exhibition showcasing dervish clothing, instruments, historic books, hyperrealist statues, and interactive Rumi poems.

Watch the UNESCO-recognized Mevlevi ritual that traces the dervishes’ spiritual journey toward divine love.

Watch the Whirling Dervishes perform their spiritual dance, accompanied by traditional music in an atmospheric setting.

Choose your preferred entry time with either a 5pm ticket or a 7pm Prime Time ticket to best suit your schedule.

1-hour Whirling Dervish show at 5pm or 7pm (as per option selected)

Entry to HodjaPasha Culture Center

Entry to the exhibition with dervish artifacts

Children under 7 years

Wheelchair users

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

147 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 United States, France, Australia and over 17 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Mascia A
Solo
Verified booking
Last week
Easy booking for the show of your choice. Even if not specified in the reservation, you will be assigned a numbered seat in the audience area, which consists of 3–4 rows arranged in a circle around the performance area.
Hilary L
Group
Verified booking
3 days ago
The dancing, which is not a performance but a religious ceremony, was very good, but starts slow and then overly long.
Mohamadou D
Family
Verified booking
Yesterday
It's a must-attend performance show . Very spiritual , intimate and relaxing
Haifa A
Group
Verified booking
Jun 2026
The dervishes were so dedicated. Great music, voice, and performance.
Daniella W
Group
Verified booking
Jun 2026
An insight into this genuine practice carried out with respect

A spiritual journey through Sufi music and whirling ritual in Istanbul.

Getting started

Arrive at Hodjapasha Cultural Center at least 30 minutes before your selected showtime. Present your ticket at the entrance and proceed inside. Seating is allocated on a first-booked, first-served basis, so arriving early helps you secure better seats. Once seated, settle into the calm atmosphere as the experience begins.

What to expect

The experience begins with a short introductory video that explains the origins and symbolism of the Mevlevi Sema ceremony, helping you understand the deeper meaning behind the ritual. This is followed by a live Sufi music performance, where traditional instruments set a meditative tone for the evening.

Features

UNESCO-recognized ritual: Experience the authentic Mevlevi Sema ceremony, a spiritual tradition with deep cultural significance.

Live Sufi music: Enjoy traditional music performed with classical instruments that enhance the immersive atmosphere.

Whirling dervish performance: Witness a 45-minute meditative dance symbolizing the journey toward spiritual enlightenment.

Cultural exhibition access: Explore displays of dervish artifacts, costumes, and Rumi-inspired installations.

Flexible showtimes: Choose between 5pm and 7pm slots to fit your schedule.

What to bring

Bring your mobile ticket and arrive early for better seating.

Wear comfortable and respectful attire.

What’s not allowed

No photography or recording during the performance.

Silence must be maintained throughout the ceremony.

Entry is not permitted for children under 7.

Accessibility

Not suitable for wheelchair users due to venue limitations.

Additional information

Choose between 5pm and 7pm showtimes.

The ceremony is a spiritual event, not a theatrical performance.