Really insightful and exciting - make sure you book a few days in advance because the seating area is small, and you don't want to miss out! The information provided on the Mevlevi (Sufi) culture and the sema ceremony was very detailed. My father has been wanting to come to this for a long time, and found it amazing.

I saw the whirling dervishes on tv when I was young and when I decided to visit Istanbul I knew this was something I really wanted to do. The performance is set in a beautiful subterranean space aglow in soft blue lighting that also serves as a restaurant. Also, due to COVID, the restaurant is temporarily closed. The show itself is mesmerizing and I was amazed that the dancers could spin so fast and for so long while staying in one place. The music accompanying the dancer’s routine is quite beautiful. One thing I would have enjoyed is a bit of commentary before the performance on the history of the dervishes.

It was an excellent experience. The location was cool for it's historical background. The arrangements were simple but that did not affect the performance at all. We were served tea before the event started. From starting to the end, the ritual was captivating. Highly recommend.