Istanbul: Original Whirling Dervish Ceremony
Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul: Original Whirling Dervish Ceremony
Istanbul, Turkey
- 1 hour (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Overview
As a cultural practice honored by the UNESCO Heritage of Humanity designation, the Mevlevi Semah ceremony offers a transfixing, centuries-old cultural experience. Don't miss this singular dance form with a whirling dervish show in the heart of Istanbul. Just sit down for your experience to watch the Sufi dancers spin and rotate in twisting movements, enjoy the accompanying music, and encounter one of the most popular and beautiful experiences in Turkey.
- Marvel at a centuries-old ceremony with tickets to a whirling dervish show
- Learn about cultural practices of the Mevleviye, a 13th-century Sufi order
- Easily add this evening event to any itinerary, with shows six nights a week
- See the show at Kızlarağası Medresesi in Cağaloğlu, just across to the McDonalds restaurant.
What's Included
Meeting and Pickup
What To Expect
Additional Info
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
3.5
based on 25 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Atilla_S, Feb 2025
It was an amazing experience,
I was surprised with the mystic athmosphere of the rituel (not show)...
Osman_i, Dec 2024
It’s a very spiritual cultural experience that we greatly enjoy as a family. Excellent space with a great view
aika_l, Jun 2024
not bad,i
got bored actually,
but i do understsnd its ceremony ....
so i respect that,but still a grest experience..........
Rupa_P, May 2024
The show itself was good but there was no one to meet us at the meeting point - I even messaged the provider on viator through text message - we had to figure it out ourselves - we finally went to the counter and showed them my voucher for the show and even then it took us some time to get the tickets as they didn’t have them
Elaine_A, Mar 2023
Highly recommend this event for folks wanting to understand the meaning and practice. Mesmerizing and informative. If wanting something more culturally specific and not “touristy,” this is most appropriate. There are also many restaurants near the venue, literally 10 ft. . Grab dinner beforehand and then the hour show. Limited seating and intimate venue. One is just 1-4 ft away from the Dervish. Not for ignorant tourists trying to check off the boxes of an Istanbul trip. The event is spiritual and requires
respect from audience.
No photography or video.
Response from Host, May 2023
Thank you very much.
Zhongwei_L, Dec 2021
I like the the peaceful Dancing and beautiful music, they will become the most memorable part of my experience.
Vladimir_K, Sep 2021
I had two major issues with this tour. It got cancelled last minute. The operator sent me an email at 5:15pm (start time was at 7pm) and I obviously didn’t see it. So I went there and only after I arrived I learned that it is cancelled. They should have called me or texted me. The second issue is that it is nearly impossible to find. The description doesn’t specify exact location, so we ended up running around several blocks and asking many people for help until we found it. Operator should do better job describing where the show is. We had terrible experience. I don’t recommend.
Response from Host, Oct 2021
Dear Vladimir, I am very sorry for this. Yes we changed the location and now are close by Blue Mosque. I am very sorry nobody informed you. Have you received your payment back? If not please write an email so you get the refund. With Regards, Deniz
Patricio_S, Jan 2020
Biggest waste of money on any experience I have booked in my travels. I got to the station at the time specified, and not a single person could direct me to the show. One person even told me it was the next day when the ticket clearly said it was the day that I arrived. I would love a refund but I am not expecting much from this sorry excuse of a travel company. Go book the alternative but similar experience offered from TripAdvisor at the Hodjepasha cultural center. DON’T WASTE YOUR MONEY LIKE I DID YOH WILL REGRET IT.
Pamela F, Jan 2020
Wow, this ceremony was beyond anything i could have expected! It stirred my soul, no exaggeration. The location was beautiful and the perfect match to the event. The staff was kind and friendly and they even served us tea because it was quite chilly in the station. Being able to see this ceremony from start to finish felt so special and this was definitely one of the highlights of my trip to Istanbul. Now, that being said, I would HIGHLY suggest management to ban flash from being used during the ceremony. It took so much away from the moment and was a huge distraction to have some selfish dummy with a big fancy camera using a burst flash over and over and over and over again like he was the professional photographer and it was Harry and Meghan's wedding.
Vera_C, Jan 2025
Sinceramente, a pior experiência da viagem à Istambul. Longe de ser uma dança sagrada, o que assistimos foi 4 homens apresentando movimentos giratórios, nada concentrados no sagrado que representavam, dentro de um espaço ladeado por letreiros luminosos e com uma projeção de tela ao fundo, acima, totalmente contrário ao espírito da própria dança. Uma decepção e uma afronta ao espírito da Dança Dervishe.
Lili, May 2024
Es un espectáculo que VALE MUCHO LA PENA.
Tom en cuenta que está en un área con mucho tráfico y no es fácil ubicar el lugar.
Masayoshi_O, Nov 2019
会場が何故シルケシ駅(オリエントエキスプレスの終着駅)の古い建物を利用しているのか、それなりの理由が有ったと思われる。トルコの伝統音楽が演奏されたが、音響効果がその歴史を語るように素晴らしかった。深夜便の出発を待つ時間潰しのつもりが、最後のイスタンブールを思い出深いものにしてくれた。
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