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Whirling Dervish Ceremony in Istanbul | 1 hour

62 Reviews | Istanbul
Skip The Line
From $47.29 per person Lowest Price Guarantee
Select Date and Travelers
You can select up to 15 travelers in total.
Adult (12-99) Minimum: 1, Maximum: 15
2
Child (7-11) Minimum: 0, Maximum: 15
0
Free Cancellation For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Whirling Dervish Ceremony in Istanbul
2 Adults x $46.73
$93.46
Approx Total
$93.46

Inclusions / Exclusions

  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: German, English
  • Entry/Admission - Hodjapasha Cultural Center
  • Bottled water
  • Multi National Booklet
  • Food
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off

Overview

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 as a tekke. The tekke is adorned with carpets, candles, and other symbolic objects that set the ambiance for the event. The audience gathers in anticipation, eager to witness the profound and mystical experience that is about to unfold. The Whirling Dervishes, also known as semazen, are dressed in traditional white robes, symbolizing purity and detachment from material belongings. They wear tall felt hats called sikkes, representing the tombstones of the ego, which they remove before performing the dance. The dervishes enter the hall in a procession, creating an ethereal atmosphere as they slowly take their places.

Meeting points

Hodjapasha Cultural Center
Hocapasa HamamI Sk. No:3 D:B, Istanbul, Turkiye, TR, 34410

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

  • 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 perform their unique spiritual rituals during an hour-long show, including a live orchestra and 360-video projections.

Sample Menu

Additional Info

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Children under 7 years of age are not allowed

Free Cancellation

October 26100% refund
October 27No refund

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.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews

4.7

62 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
  • 5 stars
    51
  • 4 stars
    6
  • 3 stars
    2
  • 2 stars
    1
  • 1 star
    2

Reviews by TravelOne travelers

Showing 1-5 of 51 reviews with 5 stars

Amazing

Published on Jan, 2025

Such a wonderful experiences Deep touch the heart and soul Really every body need it to heal and clear his mind , soul and heart

Wonderful experience

Published on Jan, 2025

This is a wonderful one hour religious experience for learning more about Turkish culture . Now we know that whirling is not a dance . Recommended!

Captivating

Published on Nov, 2024

Excellent, thoroughly enjoyed the experience the booking system and communication and charging was very smooth. It was a feature of our holiday in Türkiye.

Dervish whirling performance

Published on Nov, 2024

Highly recommended if you have not seem a ceremony like this before. No photos and videos, and no applause required. Totally mesmerizing experience!

Good

Published on Oct, 2024

Very good viewing experience. I recommend it to others. The dancing is enchanting and engaging. Music also very good.

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