Istanbul: Whirling Dervishes Ceremony and Mevlevi Sema
Badge of Excellence
Istanbul, Turkey
- 50 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
Experience the history and mysticism of the Mevlevi Order during a Whirling Dervishes live performance in Istanbul. This UNESCO-listed ceremony is ideal for travelers of all ages looking for an authentic and immersive cultural activity. Conveniently located in the Kizlaraga Medresesi, the historic Sultanahmet district, it’s easy to fit this experience into any vacation schedule.
- Watch an authentic cultural performance in Istanbul
- Enjoy a traditional experience with the whole family
- See a UNESCO-listed Intangible Heritage of Humanity
- Discover an 800-year-old tradition in Turkey
What's Included
- Whirling Dervishes Ceremony
- Pick up and drop off
Meeting and Pickup
Operating hours.7:00 pm
Departure Point
- Kızlarağa Medresesi, Alemdar, Hoca Rüstem Sk. No:6, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
What To Expect
1
Kızlarağa Medresesi
Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Most travelers can participate
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.3
based on 135 reviews
Andy_M, Apr 2026
This is a moving and genuine experience with great musicians and a historic setting. I would recommend reading up a little bit so you under understand the ceremony
JaNel_W, Mar 2026
This experience was outstanding. My daughter and I enjoyed every minute of it. Please dress warm we came in March and it was cold, plus all the whirling made it colder.
Dawn_V, Mar 2026
Intimate venue, authentic experience , convenient location . Good value for money. Free water for money
Amit_T, Dec 2025
It was fantastic. The venue was centrally located on the T1 tram line in Sultanhamet and was easy to find.
Peter_E, Nov 2025
It was an interesting and enjoyable experience. Visitors need to understand the religious and cultural significance of the ceremony, and watch it in that context - if you do then it is high on our list of recommended things to do.
Anahita_Z, Oct 2025
Research should be done before seeing the show .it would have been better for there was some kind of explanation before the show
Hassan_A, Oct 2025
If you are in Istanbul, the Whirling Dervishes ceremony is something you MUST definitely experience. From the time of booking this, the experience had been wonderful. The venue was great, nice ambience and the performance was mesmerizing.
We arrived 20 minutes ahead of time, and got pretty good seats…it’s a small place and 3 rows of seats, so the view is good from anywhere. But, if you want prime seats up front, do arrive early.
The host welcomed us, showed us to our seats, and generally did a great job at managing the arrivals and getting them seated.
I went with my kids…and this was a new experience for them. Do take the time to go through the audioguide and get some more info about the Sufi especially the Mevlevi tradition…it will make the experience all the more better.
Michael_S, Oct 2025
Very well done. It was very different than what we were expecting. In a good way. It was interesting to see how long they could twirl around in a meditated state. Music was very intriguing and beautiful.
Definitely worth going.
Tracy_A, Oct 2025
Great cultural experience, but would have really enjoyed some explanation about the ceremony to fully appreciate what was happening. Had to research it later to fully understand it.
Margarita_S, Sep 2025
Really enjoyed it! Would like to go again. The first half of the performance is singing/live music and the second is whirling dervishes. They also provide free tea and water before the performance.
AhmedHosny_Z, Sep 2025
Spiritual and religious traditional music, songs and dancing ( rotating dancers )
You are too close to musicians and performers which is very sensational
Olatz_A, Aug 2025
It was amassing seeing the derviches dances. We liked it very much. They found a place for our little girl so she could see from the front row and gave there a gift.
Vipin_V, Apr 2025
Have seen similar whirling dervish shows in Istanbul earlier. As a show it was fine. What was very poor were the arrangements. Overbooked and with inadequate space and seating, me, my wife and son spent an hour standing, a lot of the time on one foot and being jostled around. The performance was often hidden behind pillars. Unlike some better performances and venues this didn’t have any commentary or set any expectations or provide background to people who had no idea what they were seeing
Stuti_R, Apr 2025
Come as early as possible. The organizer oversells tickets. So the number of people far exceeds the seats available, which caused arguments to break out among other people that were attending. The person responsible for logistics at the venue-specifically dealing with the chairs was incredibly aggressive. This was incongruous for an event devoted to sufi mysticism which is rooted in peace and calm and harmony. But if you overlook all of that-the music and the dervishes are absolutely amazing. It's spellbinding to witness. You are blown away.
Laura_F, Mar 2025
It's a very moving experience. It's worth reading up about it beforehand to understand what you're watching.
cimonpouliot, Feb 2025
Cultural tour that make you want to know more about this religions dance. Hypnotic show of dance and music.
yussifkhassan, Feb 2025
My wife and I felt honoured to be able to witness this meditative religious practice and found the whole experience to be powerful. It was approximately an hour long, beginning with live instruments and chanting before moving onto the whirling practice. Maybe something has changed in the structure of this display because we saw more than just 15 minutes of whirling and thoroughly appreciated the music beforehand in any case.
The only thing that marred the experience was some of the other people in the small crowd, who in various ways didn't show the utmost respect to the space and the religious practice (laughing, chatting, moving seats and blocking others' views, taking lots of photos and videos, trying to cross the central space that was blocked for the dervishes, etc). However, I won't dock a star as this is of course not the fault of the organisers who are graciously inviting us to witness their practice of worship and it didn't hamper our ability to appreciate this spiritual experience.
ADRIANA_P, Feb 2025
Excellent show. just the right amount of time. very cultural.
If you like to immerse yourself in something Turkish, and authentic then this is it!
Teresita_S, Jan 2025
Amazing experience! The performers were awesome, a mystical experience. You have to come early since the place is small and it’s usually full.
RedRose, Dec 2024
We enjoyed the experience from the beginning to the end. Only arrived 15 minutes early, got the seats at the back. However, we could stand up as needed. Also, we got a cushion for the child so he could see better- very kind gesture of the gentleman working there.
Ana_N, Dec 2024
There was no explanation of what the performance was about. Moreover, it took almost 40 minutes of music until the dance which was 10 mins maximum
Oriane_B, Nov 2024
We were placed just behind the musiciens : impossible for us to see anything. The man who placed us was rude to everyone.. did not seem to enjoy working there. Since we were just behind we also got our picture taken by all the tourists who were there, how great to have your face all over the internet without being asked. The show wasn't that great or spectacular. Would definitly not recommend.
Terrie_M, Nov 2024
Amazing !! Loved it ! I have been to the ceremony 2 times now and would go back again ! But would have liked to have some explaination of what the meaning of the movements were.
jairus_h, Oct 2024
It was a legitimate show that was a form of worship but still fascinating. No Hollywood. Manipulation or fake dazzle. Absolutely loved it
Michael_N, Oct 2024
When the dervishes started whirling, it was great and very interesting to see. They only danced the last 15 minutes of the 50 minute show, so 35 minutes of the three piece band playing music and singing before they started.
Ashley_R, Oct 2024
This was an hour long music and religious worship experience. It was very nice to see a piece of their culture this way. It was very beautiful. I do recommend doing a little google research before you go as nothing is explained there. We still enjoyed it very much. Well worth the money.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Dear Guest,
Thank you so much for taking the time to review us. We are happy you enjoyed your trip and the experience with Istanbul E-pass. We look forward to participating in your next adventure in Turkey again!
Best Regards
Dan
Istanbul E-pass
Jennifer_D, Sep 2024
This was a very short show and it took us almost as long to Uber to the show as the show was long. Our Uber dropped us off a couple blocks away and a kind English speaking gentleman, Faruk, walked us to the show. As we were walking, all of the shop and restauranteurs tried to get us to come in. Faruk said he was friend of the presenters of Whirling Dervishes and made sure we had tickets. I got tickets ahead of time.
The show was interesting. The musicians used only 3 instruments and chanted some music. There were 3 Dervishes and it was mesmerizing once they started spinning. One of them looked like he was ill and having trouble keeping it together. He made it through. I’m glad we experienced this show.
Janet_B, Sep 2024
Whirling dervishes were magnificent and the musicians accompanying were brilliant, s must see wvent if visiting Istanbul
Isam_J, Sep 2024
Very mesmerising, couldnt take our eyes or ear off the performers the entire time. A must try experience if in Istanbul. Location is central and absolutely worth the price you pay for
Angela_J, Aug 2024
Lovely ceremony. The music was melodious and powerful. The Sufi performers were clearly dedicated to this ancient ritual. I’m so grateful that they were willing to share it with us. The experience was one of the highlights of my trip. I got there early and got a good seat. We received tea and water, which I did not expect. The staff were very kind and welcoming. Some of us were annoyed by late-comers because they interrupted the quiet beauty of the ceremony. Please get there on time or even early, out of respect for this ancient tradition.
From $23.87
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
Istanbul: Whirling Dervishes Ceremony and Mevlevi Sema
135
50 minutes
Free Cancellation
From
$23.87
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Attractions in Istanbul, Turkey
- Istanbul City Walls (Walls of Constantinople) Tours & Tickets
- Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus (Kücük Ayasofya Camii) Tours & Tickets
- Military Museum and Cultural Center Command (Askeri Müze) Tours & Tickets
- Eminӧnü Square (Eminönü Meydani) Tours & Tickets
- Isfanbul (Vialand) Tours & Tickets
- Istanbul Aquarium (Istanbul Akvaryum) Tours & Tickets
- Viaport Marina Tours & Tickets
- Arasta Bazaar Tours & Tickets
- Istanbul Sapphire Tours & Tickets
- Venezia Mega Outlet Tours & Tickets
- Ortaköy Tours & Tickets
- Belgrad Forest (Belgrad Ormani) Tours & Tickets
- Sultanahmet Square Tours & Tickets
- Green Mosque (Yeşil Cami) Tours & Tickets
- Zeyrek Mosque (Zeyrek Camii) Tours & Tickets
- Eyup Sultan Mosque Tours & Tickets
More attractions near Istanbul, Turkey
- Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya) Tours & Tickets
- Bosphorus Tours & Tickets
- Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii) Tours & Tickets
- Topkapi Palace (Topkapi Sarayi) Tours & Tickets
- Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarayi) Tours & Tickets
- Hippodrome (Sultanahmet Meydani) Tours & Tickets
- Dolmabahce Palace (Dolmabahce Sarayi) Tours & Tickets