Entry ticket

Istanbul: Live Whirling Dervishes Experience

Activity provider: Istanbul Welcome Card
Entry ticket

Istanbul: Live Whirling Dervishes Experience

Activity provider: Istanbul Welcome Card
Likely to sell out

From US$ 37.72 per person

Likely to sell out

Watch the mystical ritual of the Mevlevi Order in Hodjapasha. Experience music and motion through a Sema ceremony which represents the journey of man’s spiritual ascent to perfection through love.

About this ticket

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Covid-19 precautions
Special health and safety measures are in place. Check your activity voucher once you book for full details.
Duration 1 hour
Check availability to see starting times.
Wheelchair accessible

Experience

Highlights
  • Witness a performance containing 800-year-old mystical roots
  • Enjoy the live musical introduction of Mevlevi music
  • Watch a performance in the famous old city
Full description

Witness the Sema ceremony unfold at the Hodjapasha Center in Istanbul. Watch the Whirling Dervishes perform this 800-year-old spiritual ritual complete with traditional music. Embark on a spiritual journey and watch the mystical ritual of the Mevlevi Order, whose whirling dance has been declared a UNESCO Heritage of Humanity. See the Sema ceremony with its roots in 800-year-old mysticism.

Watch the ceremony unfold with a live musical introduction of Mevlevi music. A Dervish is a Sufi and member of the Mevlevi Order who seeks to find divine truth and love directly with God.

Observe this masterful cultural performance as the Dervishes portray the journey of man’s spiritual ascent to perfection through mind and love.

The community of Sufism developed religious practices focusing on self-control that enable both mental and mystical insights as well as a loss of self, with the ultimate goal of mystical union with God.

Includes
  • Entrance ticket for the ceremony

    Select participants and date

    Participants

    Date

    Meeting point

    Start your experience at Hodjapasha Cultural Center in Fatih, Istanbul.

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    Important information

    Know before you go

    • Complete silence is expected during the ceremony
    Customer reviews

    Overall rating

    4.2 /5

    based on 242 reviews

    Review summary

    • Value for money
      4.1/5
    • Service
      4.4/5
    • Organization
      4.2/5

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    Star rating:

    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.

    March 25, 2023

    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.

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    March 25, 2023

    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.

    March 25, 2023

    Product ID: 207636