Whirling Dervish Ceremony: Istanbul's Mystical Dance

Experience the mesmerizing Whirling Dervish ceremony in Istanbul, a captivating spiritual practice that has been going on for centuries. Immerse yourself in the ancient Sufi ritual and witness the profound mystical experience that unfolds in a beautiful tekke hall.

Duration: 1 hour
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Hodjapasha Cultural Center - Uncover the sacred practice of the mystical Sufis at an authentic Mevlevi Sema Ceremony held at Istanbul’s Hodjapasha and witness the 800-year-old tradition that has been preserved on UNESCO’s list of the Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Be mesmerized by the bizarre yet beautiful sight of the Whirling Dervishes as they…
What's Included
  • Entry/Admission to Hodjapasha Cultural Center
  • Complimentary bottled water
  • Multi-language tour booklet
What's Not Included
  • Food
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
Additional Information

The Whirling Dervish ceremony in Istanbul is a mesmerizing and captivating spiritual practice that has been going on for centuries. It is an ancient Sufi ritual that originated in the 13th century with the founding of the Mevlevi Order by the Persian poet Rumi.
The ceremony takes place in a mystical setting, usually in a beautiful and ornate hall known…

Location
Hodjapasha Cultural Center
Hoca Pasa Mh. Hocapasa Hamami Sokak No: 3/B, Sirkeci
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.6
(82 Ratings)
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Galeiforms
Jun 3, 2025
beautiful and moving - This is a beautiful show and a must-see. It is a very spiritual experience and even if you are not religious it is quite moving. This show has explanations projected onto the screen for people who are not familiar.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Irginia_b
May 6, 2025
We found the ceremony... - We found the ceremony very inspiring and moving. We learned a lot of what this dancing means. We really enjoyed it.
Review provided by Viator
Pioneer66761902369
May 4, 2025
Amazing show!!! - I enjoyed the show so much, my mum has always wanted to go see the dance and we knew we had to go while we were in town.. she still talks about the show until the next day ✨
Review provided by Tripadvisor
181jinh
May 4, 2025
Amazing - Amazing show. Will definitely come back again. Staff were also really helpful and lovely. Everyone should watch it atleast once
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Stephanie_m
May 2, 2025
Don’t Miss This! - This was a fascinating experience and I am so glad we went. It’s a cross between a religious ritual and a music and dance performance.
Review provided by Viator
Elenami4016vh
Apr 18, 2025
We really enjoyed it! - The show was really impressive! The köçek dancer brought great energy, and the girl with the mask had such a unique and captivating performance. Great value for money – a wonderful one-hour experience the whole family can enjoy!”
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Melissa_a
Apr 17, 2025
It was a beautiful... - It was a beautiful cerimony. I highly recommend it for those who are seekers of the inner path towards unity.
Review provided by Viator
Aaaaaaaaaajjjjdjjbhd
Apr 10, 2025
Nice event! - The atmosphere and environment are well created. This event gave me a glimpse into the culture of whirling dance. If you are culturally curious like me, this seems to be the only whirling dance you can watch in Istanbul.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lbhouston11
Apr 23, 2025
So interesting! - We were lucky to get front row—a lot of prayer before whirling but good explanation on the wall as each phase went on. No photos—-
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nadja
Apr 18, 2025
Nice experience - A nice introduction to the Sufi mysticism. Great with live music and that there was a ban on photography/video recording. Recommended
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $37
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).