Religious Sites

Istanbul: Whirling Dervishes & Sufi Dance Tickets

4.7/5(254)

Eve T

Group

Verified booking

3 weeks ago

Zeynep our guide was fantastic!!! She has enthusiasm and passion that comes through in her showing off her country's culture. We highly recommend this guide and the whirling dervish ceremony is a spiritual journey that makes me want to delve more into the history and to read Rumi. The food at the historic restaurant was awesome! Loved it all!!

Vivian S

Couple

Verified booking

5 days ago

The whole evening was fun and educational, from sampling of local street treats, to the cultural/spiritual experience of witnessing the Dervish ceremony, to a final dinner of authentic Turkish food at a family owned restaurant. Highly recommended.

Marshall M

Couple

Verified booking

Last week

This was one of our highlights of our visit to Istanbul. The shows venue was easy to find and the staff were great. The history of the Whirling Dervishes was very informative. But the best part was watching them wirling.

Peter C

Couple

Verified booking

Last week

I knew a little of the Sufi/Whirling Dervish traditons, but not much. The MC who introduced and explaned the show was first class. The performacne itself was stunnng

Lucyna L

Couple

Verified booking

Last week

A very beautiful show, and the price was super attractive. After the performance, a small refreshment was included in the ticket price. I immediately searched for attractions for the coming days.

Irina M

Solo

Verified booking

Sep 2026

A wonderful performance! A deep dive into Turkish culture in general and the culture of the dervish in particular. It was great that there was a 15-minute workshop before the performance, where we were thoroughly explained the spiritual essence and meaning of the performance. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to experience spiritual Turkey.

Witness the UNESCO-recognized Mevlevi Sema ceremony, a spiritual ritual blending music, meditation, and whirling dance.

Begin your evening in the Sultahmet or Hagia Sophia area; present your ticket and settle in for the spiritual Mevlevi Sema ceremony.

Your ticket grants access to the full Whirling Dervish ritual, with live Sufi music and mesmerizing dance in a central Old Town venue.

Witness the 1-hour Mevlevi Sema, a moving display of devotion and artistry, as dervishes whirl in authentic tradition before your eyes.

Upgrade your experience with a traditional Turkish dinner including a variety of kebabs, meze, salads, tea, coffee, and künefe.

Whirling Dervishes show

1 hour Mevlevi Sema ritual

Authentic Turkish dinner (as per option selected)

Traditional dessert künefe (as per option selected)

Hotel pickup and drop-off

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

254 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, United States and over 26 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Eve T
Group
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
Zeynep our guide was fantastic!!! She has enthusiasm and passion that comes through in her showing off her country's culture. We highly recommend this guide and the whirling dervish ceremony is a spiritual journey that makes me want to delve more into the history and to read Rumi. The food at the historic restaurant was awesome! Loved it all!!
Vivian S
Couple
Verified booking
5 days ago
The whole evening was fun and educational, from sampling of local street treats, to the cultural/spiritual experience of witnessing the Dervish ceremony, to a final dinner of authentic Turkish food at a family owned restaurant. Highly recommended.
Marshall M
Couple
Verified booking
Last week
This was one of our highlights of our visit to Istanbul. The shows venue was easy to find and the staff were great. The history of the Whirling Dervishes was very informative. But the best part was watching them wirling.
Peter C
Couple
Verified booking
Last week
I knew a little of the Sufi/Whirling Dervish traditons, but not much. The MC who introduced and explaned the show was first class. The performacne itself was stunnng
Lucyna L
Couple
Verified booking
Last week
A very beautiful show, and the price was super attractive. After the performance, a small refreshment was included in the ticket price. I immediately searched for attractions for the coming days.

Experience the Whirling Dervishes & Sufi Dance in Istanbul, with options for a traditional Turkish dinner or an authentic Mevlevi Sema ritual.

Getting started

Arrive at your selected venue in the Sultanahmet or Hagia Sophia area and present your ticket for entry. Depending on your chosen option, you may begin with a traditional Turkish dinner at a nearby restaurant or proceed directly to the performance venue. Seating is arranged upon arrival, so reaching early is recommended.

What to expect

The experience centers around the Mevlevi Sema ceremony, a centuries-old spiritual ritual that represents a dervish’s journey toward divine connection through music and movement. The evening begins with traditional Sufi music, setting a meditative tone before the whirling ritual unfolds. As the dervishes spin in synchronized motion, their performance symbolizes spiritual ascent and inner harmony. Depending on your selected option, your experience may also include a traditional Turkish dinner with regional dishes.

Features

Authentic Sema ceremony: Experience a UNESCO-recognized spiritual ritual performed by trained dervishes

Live Sufi music: Enjoy traditional music that enhances the ceremonial atmosphere

Central Old Town venue: Attend the show near Istanbul’s iconic landmarks

Optional Turkish dinner: Savor kebabs, meze, salads, tea, coffee, and künefe (as per option selected)

What to bring

Carry your mobile ticket and arrive early for smooth entry.

Dress modestly to respect the cultural and spiritual setting.

What’s not allowed

Flash photography is not permitted during the ceremony.

Guests are expected to remain quiet and respectful throughout the performance.

Accessibility

This experience is wheelchair and stroller accessible.

Additional information

Seating is arranged upon arrival; early arrival is recommended.

Dinner depends on the option selected.

You may carry small bags or personal belongings to the venue.

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

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

Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.