Istanbul Hodjapasha Whirling Dervishes Show & Exhibition

Istanbul, Turkey

High interest

Booked 5+ times today.

1 hour (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.0

· Larissa_C ·

Oct 2025

Trustworthy and efficient with self directed features and customer support . Thank you, I will use it again.

· John_G ·

Nov 2025

Very interesting experience. Our first time to see this. It apears to be a form of spiritual practice / meditation so also cross-cultural. Very small venue, maybe 75 people, and has live traditional music.

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Overview

Uncover the sacred practice of the mystical Sufis at a Mevlevi Sema ceremony, held at Istanbul’s Hodjapasha Culture Center. Have the special chance to witness the 750-year-old tradition, which has been preserved on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Be mesmerized by the sight of the whirling dervishes as they perform their unique rituals during a show with a live orchestra.

Prebook your admission tickets to guarantee your entry
Learn about Sufi traditions, Rumi poetry, and more at the exhibition
Enjoy a one-of-a-kind evening out at this whirling dervish show
Check off one of Istanbul's essential cultural experiences

What's Included

Multi National Booklet
Bottled water

Food
Hotel pickup and drop-off

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Hodjapasha
Hoca Paşa Mahallesi Ankara Caddesi, Hoca Paşa, Hocapaşa Hamamı Sk. No:3 D:B, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
Meeting Point is the the center where the show takes place

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Hodjapasha

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Minimum age is 7 years
Not wheelchair accessible

Near public transportation
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 170 travelers

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.0

based on 507 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Not a must do experience

Imtiaz_K, Apr 2026

I didn't know what to expect. But the show felt half baked and commercialized. The venue is pretty nice. It's a 10-15 mins walk from the blue mosque/hagia sofia zone.

A unique and enjoyable experience

Zeeshan_E, Mar 2026

Very unique! The venue itself is nicely curated and thought out. It does not at all feel like a gimmicky tourist trap. Its a meaningful true production. Seating doesn't need to be so cramped and there is no intermission so definitely stretch and use the facilities before but totally worth it!

Beautiful and mystical. I...

Jill_H, Mar 2026

Beautiful and mystical. I am curious about Sufism and Remi. We learned so much beauty from the whirling dervishes and the gorgeous music that accompanies their dance.

Just Ok!

Mike_s, Nov 2025

We went to the Istanbul Dervish “whirling” show last night. It was well organized with good lighting and a solid sound system, so production-wise it was done well. But the ceremony itself isn’t authentic, and it can get boring, especially for younger people. It’s fine if you’re curious like we were and just want to see it once, but don’t expect anything too exciting.

Interesting experience

Riina_T, Nov 2025

Interesting experience. Even though not real, it gives you a good idea what it looks like in real life.

Rumi and dervishes

Daina_K, Nov 2025

Fascinating. Don't miss visiting the exhibits before the show. Taxis stop on the main street not the little alley of the venue.

Very interesting...

John_G, Nov 2025

Special Spirtual Experience

JalalGreene, Nov 2025

A wonderful and unique spiritual experience. I have studied Sufi's and their teaching so this was a once in a life time experience.

A great experience

Dena_P, Nov 2025

This show, for me, was grounding and humbling, captivating and unique. It was a religious ceremony that didn't allow photography or applause. I think this made it more thought-provoking. Prior to the show in the foyer area, you can read about the ceremony and its origin. This information was very insightful. The venue was comfortable. Seat numbers were assigned prior to the show. The whole experience was organized. I highly recommend it. The venue area is in a great area full of restaurants and cafés.

Very spiritual and unique...

MUTIU_V, Oct 2025

Very spiritual and unique experience. We have seen it the second time now, after 17 years, but it is still as beautiful and surprising as the first time.

So-so

Duella_R, Oct 2025

It was so-so. The dancing/whirling didn't start until it was half over. A mysticism of Islam and how it progressed in understanding God's ways. Interesting, but only somewhat.

Trustworthy and efficient...

Larissa_C, Oct 2025

Trustworthy and efficient with self directed features and customer support . Thank you, I will use it again.

Good place to go if one...

Madhu_T, Oct 2025

Good place to go if one needs to check off the box. Clean. Well organized. Informative display in the gallery.

We loved it

Irina_S, Oct 2025

That was amazing! It’s not a show-show but rather a ritual just in the presence of public. Educational and really beautiful.

Authentic Whirling Dirvish

Ann_C, Oct 2025

The show is very powerful and mesmerizing. The audience is asked not to take photos, videos or to applaud as it is a spiritual experience. We chose to come to this performance as it was more authentic than some others that are out there.

Not meant to be entertaining

Joey_R, Oct 2025

Not really a show like i was expecting. It’s the same movement for 1hr. Very boring. Although it was impressive how they were able to turn in a circle for so long and keep their arms up.

Mesmerising spiritual ceremony

Susan_S, Sep 2025

A wonderful experience watching a spiritual ceremony unfold. It was mesmerising. Explanation of each stage was lit up on a wall. Musicians and singers were wonderful to listen to

I had great trouble...

Brigitte_B, Sep 2025

I had great trouble finding the place. The spectacle was fabulous, especially the songs and music. Something unique and unforgettable.

Beautiful experience for your soul

Martha_N, Sep 2025

This was a beautiful experience - I had no idea this dance was based on prayer. Be respectful when you go, and know no pictures. I'm a devout Catholic and my friend is not religious - we both loved this experience. It is truly beautiful to see a look into this style of worship and devotion - and to learn more about the Sufi Islam beliefs. Truly filled my heart.

Interesting. Only if you need to kill some time.

Venus_S, Sep 2025

Interesting Religious dance. The only thing they do is twirling into a meditative state and a lot of bowing.

A unique experience

Katarina_P, Sep 2025

This was such a unique and great experience on our trip to Istanbul. We enjoyed learning about the culture and history of Dervishes, and getting a chance to observe their traditional prayer in person was amazing. Would definitely recommend adding this to a list of must do’s when in Istanbul!

This is a very moving...

Kim_S, Aug 2025

This is a very moving religious ceremony. The venue is small and intimate. If you are interested in other cultures and religions it is worth checking this out.

A cool cultural experience

Sonia_N, Aug 2025

This was a Unique and Educational cultural opportunity! Booking a ticket was fast & easy and the location is central and walkable. The music & movement was mesmerizing, peaceful and spiritual!

Good show.

Shigetsu_S, Aug 2025

Was a great show and very interesting to watch. It can be tedious if you bring children so dont really recommend for families but really great for people who love culture.

Religious ceremony.

Mark_D, Jul 2025

This is a religious ceremony and not a dance show. Surreal for an outsider but totally entrancing - definitely a must see.

Whirling Dervishes

Ashish_P, Jul 2025

It's a religious kind of ceremony. Very pious. No photography no videos, no claps allowed. Sombre. Nice for once. Location is good. After the show, have amazing food outside in a food street. Spice market is close by. Walk or take tram. Don't take taxi ...ever. The show is for 1 hour. O found some people dozing off...not because of the show, but because of the atmosphere...low light, soft string music, soothing vocals and a trance like dance performance.

An experience to learn more about the religious aspect of Turkey

Kirstie_R, Jul 2025

The hour long ritual was enlightening. This is not a show as it is a religious event. I thought the dancing was more cultural than religious when I booked it. That was my fault for not doing further research. That being said, they are mesmerizing to watch as they twirl for an hour.

Super Otherworldly Experience

Richard_W, Jul 2025

I'm a massive music fan of a huge range of styles including "World Music" going back to the early 80s. I think I may have learned of the Dervishes first at university where you could listen to records like theirs at my dorm's libary. Their music & dance is cosmically psychonautic & otherworldly-love it. So when in "Rome" as they say, in Istanbul since this was available near where I was staying in Sultanahmet, I was all in. Overall, a great one hour performance. Yes, it's a regular staged event embedded in this location but you take what you can get & this was a strong representation of what they & the setting inside helped w/the overall ambience. Great stuff-I was mesmerized.

Mesmerizing and impressive!

Nisse_W, Jul 2025

The information provided in the exhibits outside the ceremony space and in the video and slides throughout were helpful to better understand what we were witnessing. It is not something that I would recommend to people who are easily bored with repetitive movements. For me that was part of what made it so impressive. The discipline, commitment and dedication to that level of focus and physical activity was inspiring.