Istanbul
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Istanbul: Whirling Dervishes Ceremony and Mevlevi Sema

Badge of ExcellenceIstanbul, Turkey
Whirling Dervishes Ceremony in Istanbul
  • 50 minutes (approx.)
  • Mobile ticket

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

    Meeting and Pickup

    Departure Point

    • Kızlarağa Medresesi, Alemdar, Hoca Rüstem Sk. No:6, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye

    What To Expect

    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
    Operated by Istanbul E-pass

    Cancellation Policy

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

    • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
    • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
    • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
    • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

    Traveler Photos

    See more

    Reviews

    4.5
    56 reviews
    Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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    Reviews by Viator travelers.
    Showing 1-10 of 56 reviews
    Excellent show
    IgorBondar, May 2024
    Great experience, must see. If you want to understand Turkish culture better visit this show and enjoy.
    Am I missing something?
    Kelsii_D, May 2024
    It was a little strange and I felt like there was a context or a story for the dances and motions that we were missing. I feel like if they explained what was going on it would have been better. The music was good. The dancers are talented and it was a cool experience but if you have a limited time in Istanbul, you can probably skip it without missing much.
    Great Show Go Early
    R_B, May 2024
    We went an hour early and were glad we did because we got the last front row seats. Great show, got lots of good photos.
    Great experience!
    tom_l, May 2024
    We thoroughly enjoyed the ceremony / performance. My one suggestion would be that 5 to 10 minutes be spent at the start of the ceremony, describing what will be heard and seen. I think it would give the audience more context and a greater appreciation for the significance of the ceremony.
    SCAM - Stay away and save your money!!
    sivirani, Apr 2024
    This is a big scam where they oversell the show, and you end up standing in a corner in a hot steamy room. The show itself is not what you expect not to mention they oversell and don't have enough seats to offer to everyone. We bought this through Viator knowing we were paying more compared to buying directly from the vendor in the hopes that if this was a scam, we would get our money back. Viator didn't do anything when we told them how bad this show and service is from this vendor. Very disappointed!!!
    MONEY MAKING SCAM
    PRITZ_G, Mar 2024
    Firstly. Istanbul being a tourist city ,every tourist wants to explore the culture and heritage Istanbul offers. Having said that,it is quite sad that in this time and age,people do not know ,speak or understand english. Reg thw whirling dervish experience- there was no introduction about thw reason this dance form is performed,no insight into thw matter,no 2 lines about qhat is being presented to thw audiwnce. We saq 3 morbid looking men,taking turns in looking at each other and then moving onto the floor is circles- supposedly a trance... so all this is my assumption. Had there been an explanation of what to expect,it would have been an memorable experience. During performance,other staff around we busy feeding some person in 1 of rhe rooms,and it was a distraction for me.. No sense of DND ,i felt these people were just doing this to make money,nothing authentic.
    A mesmerising experience
    Ewa_D, Feb 2024
    Witnessing the Whirling Dervishes Ceremony and Mevlevi Sema in Istanbul wasn't just a performance; it was a mesmerising journey into the depths of spirituality and cultural beauty. The dervishes, clad in their symbolic white, moved with an otherworldly grace as they began their mystical rotation. The haunting melodies of the flute and the rhythmic chanting transported me beyond the physical realm, creating a sense of profound peace and introspection. If our are seeking a unique cultural experience, witnessing the Whirling Dervishes Ceremony is an unforgettable glimpse into the heart of Turkish history and tradition. It's a must-do for any traveler seeking to be touched by the soul of Istanbul.
    The MUST in Istanbul
    HungYi_L, Feb 2024
    Definitely a great experience, can feel the spirit and respect of the religion. Stunning performance.
    Something new and unique
    Maryna_A, Feb 2024
    It's a great experience. Definitely learned something new, and saw something very unique. I recommend it
    Fantastic Experience
    Simon_O, Jan 2024
    The Whirling Dervishes Ceremony was fantastic to see. The staff were very welcoming, and the ceremony was wonderful. It was a good length too. Kadir also gave us a lot of advice about other things to see in Istanbul too. This is definitely something you should do when visiting Istanbul.
    Fantastic way to see the whirling dervishes!
    Romsil_C, Jan 2024
    I have always wanted to see the whirling dervishes live, and this one gave me that experience. It's in a smaller venue compared to the other sites. The ceremony can be broken down into: 15 minutes of musicians playing, then the dervishes come in to do their thing. The whirling happens for a total of 18-20 minutes. The whole thing felt genuine - just the music and the dervishes whirling, no lights show, etc.
    Logistics were terrible. No address provided.
    Andrew_P, Jan 2024
    These clowns sell you a ticket and you have to contact viator customer support directly to get the address because it's not listed on the ticket after you buy it. What a joke!
    Great time!
    RolandMio_F, Nov 2023
    Great experience to witness the dance. Very intimate setting. Gave us some tea as welcome drink. Great price for the hour long show!
    Inspiring performance
    Susan_F, Nov 2023
    The performance was beautiful. Since only an address was provided ane the streets are small and meandering a map would have been helpful
    Excellent Experience
    Erickson_C, Nov 2023
    It was indeed an experience to witness Whirling Dervishes while in Turkey. Don't miss this out. I hope that the venue was a little bigger and toddlers/infants were not allowed because they cause distractions but all in all an excellent experience.
    Fascinating show
    Grant_O, Oct 2023
    The lead up to the actual show was a bit slow (about half an hour of just music & singing) but the whirling dervishes were excellent when they finally started
    A must see while in Istanbul.
    ROSEMARIE_L, Oct 2023
    The devotion on the faces of the whrirlers and the music. The place lacked atmosphere, maybe a bit more emphasis on the surroundings to make the experience more traditional. The tea and water on arrival was a nice touch.
    A slower pace than I was expecting
    Lorraine_R, Sep 2023
    This performance was very good but I was expecting a faster pace of whirling as I had seen in Egypt. This was far more of a spiritual performance which was very nice and worth a visit.
    Pretty interesting, but...
    Elena_K, Aug 2023
    Pretty interesting, but we could not find the address for a long time and no one called us back, they came just before the start.
    Lovely, interesting experience
    Elliot_D, Aug 2023
    Really cool experience. It is fascinating to see the whirling dervish ritual. Would highly recommend for any visitor to Istanbul. This experience was well-run.

    From $22.05

    up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

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