Istanbul Whirling Dervishes Show

4.8
(689 Reviews)

About this activity

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Duration: 1 hour
This activity has EXCEPTIONAL reviews
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  • Istanbul Whirling Dervishes Show
  • Istanbul Whirling Dervishes Show

Experience Highlights

Immerse yourself in the mystical Mevlevi Sema ceremony in Istanbul and witness first-hand the fascinating dance of the Whirling Dervishes, declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. For approximately one hour, you will witness this ancient ritual representing man’s spiritual ascent towards perfection through the mind and love.

The performance takes place at the Hodjapasha Cultural Centre (located in the city centre, near the Sirkeci tram stop), a venue that will envelop you with a live Turkish orchestra and video projections, creating a unique immersive experience.

Before the ceremony, you’ll be able to explore an exhibition featuring information about the dervishes, their traditions, personal artefacts, musical instruments and hyper-realistic statues. To learn more, a leaflet in several languages will be available, containing everything you need to know.

Please note that children under the age of 7 are not permitted and that photography is prohibited to preserve the sacred atmosphere of the event. Seats are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so we recommend arriving at the theatre 30 minutes before the show begins.

  • Experience the authentic Mevlevi Sema ceremony and let yourself be mesmerised by the dance of the Whirling Dervishes.
  • Enjoy a live Turkish orchestra and video projections that enhance the performance.
  • Explore a unique exhibition on Sufi traditions, the poetry of Rumi and historical artefacts.
  • Immerse yourself in a 750-year-old tradition, recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

What’s included

  • Whirling Dervishes show in Istanbul
  • Bottled water
  • Multilingual information leaflet

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Step by Step

Come along to this show where you’ll see the Whirling Dervishes dance live. This is a traditional dance where you’ll see the Dervishes spinning like whirlwinds whilst their robes fly through the air. It is so ancient that it has even been declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

This ticket grants you access to the Mevlevi Sema ceremony, where, in addition to the dancers, there will also be a live Turkish orchestra. To help you learn about this culture and the origins of this dance, a multilingual leaflet is provided at the start of the show.

The origins of this dance are spiritual, so the Dervishes perform a mystical and spiritual ritual during the dance, which lasts approximately one hour. Alongside the dancers, various videos will be shown to make the experience even more immersive.

Food is not included; however, to ensure that no audience member goes thirsty during the show, a bottle of water is provided.

Reviews

4.8
· 689 Reviews
  • O
    O.
    5
    I recommend reading about the dervishes, SEMA, rituals, etc. beforehand. It made us understand the reason for the show and we enjoyed it very much.
  • R
    R.
    4
    Impeccable way of representing spirituality and culture in Turkey.
  • A
    A.
    5
    The order was very well maintained from the moment we started. I went with a group of friends, all of different nationalities, and to see how each of us was drawn to the show in a different way was great.
  • D
    D.
    5
    A unique show in Istanbul. Highly recommended.

Other Things You Should Know

  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Arrive at the theatre 30 minutes early

Cancellation Policy

If you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund

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