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Skip the Line: Whirling Dervish Ceremony Ticket in Istanbul

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Istanbul, Turkey
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Skip the Line: Whirling Dervish Ceremony Ticket in Istanbul
Whirling Dervish Show in Istanbul #IstanbulWalks
#IstanbulWalks
#IstanbulWalks
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From $49.56

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up to 24 hours in advance
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icon1 hour  (Approx.)
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Keeping you safe during COVID-19
What you can expect during your visit
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Regular temperature checks for staff
Temperature checks for travelers upon arrival
Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
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Safety precautions are provided by the tour operator and are not checked by Viator for accuracy
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More questions?
(888) 651-9785

Overview

Marvel at the mystique of whirling dervishes as they gracefully dance the ceremonial ‘sema’ Mevlevi at the emblematic Hodjapasha Dance Theater in Istanbul. Enjoy a cultural evening in Istanbul during this age-old performance of choreographed spiritual dancing accompanied by traditional music and Persian chanting. Before the show, set the mood with Turkish delight and a drink at the bar. Then, admire the dervishes as they elegantly twist and turn in their white flowing gowns.
  • 1.5-hour whirling dervish performance in Istanbul
  • Enjoy a drink and some Turkish delight as the show starts
  • Watch the UNESCO-listed ceremonial dance inside the Hodjapasha Dance Theater
  • Be captivated as the semazens dance and chant their way around the stage
  • Listen to traditional Persian and Turkish music from a live orchestra
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Whirling Dervishes Ceremony (SEMA)
Sufi Music Concert
Hotel pickup and drop-off

Departure Point

Hodjapasha Cultural Center, Hoca Pasa Mh. Hocapasa Hamami Sokak No: 3/B Sirkeci, Istanbul 34410 Turkey

Departure Time

7:00 PM
Arrive in the neighborhood of Sirkeci and step into the Hodjapasha Dance Theater for your Istanbul Whirling Dervish Show. Enjoy the architecture of this 15th century building, originally used for Turkish baths and now home to ceremonial performances and traditional Turkish dance. Head to the bar and indulge in a few pieces of Turkish delight and a drink (own expense) before taking your seat in the main hall for your 1-hour show.

Kick-off the show with 15 minutes of wonderful traditional Turkish music. Then, witness a company of semazens (or whirling dervishes) perform the Mevleviye sema dance. Watch as this 800 year-old ritualistic dance is performed over 45 minutes. Observe these expressive Dervish’s whirl and glide along and see why this dance is included on UNESCO’s Intangible World Heritage List.

Feel the passion of the dance as each Dervish spins in a choreographed motion like a white top to Persian and classical Turkish music. Hear the kettledrum, flute, and cymbal conducted by the theater’s musicians and enjoy ancient Persian prayers and poetic songs.

Once the performance concludes, feel free to remain at the venue to relax with a drink or a snack at your own expense.
Itinerary
Stop At:  
Hodjapasha Cultural Center
The Sema Ceremony is a spiritual journey of Dervishes Whirling for Divine Love
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Admission Ticket Included
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Minimum age is 7 years
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Near public transportation
  • Most travelers can participate
  • Photography is not allowed
  • Please be available at the theater 30 minutes before the show time
  • OPERATED BY Istanbul Walks

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

  • This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Learn more about cancellations.

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Q:
What is the policy on face masks and attendee health during Skip the Line: Whirling Dervish Ceremony Ticket in Istanbul?
A:
The policies on face masks and attendee health are:

  • Face masks required for travelers in public areas
  • Face masks required for guides in public areas
  • Face masks provided for travelers
  • Temperature checks for travelers upon arrival
See all safety measures taken by Skip the Line: Whirling Dervish Ceremony Ticket in Istanbul.
Q:
What is the policy on sanitization during Skip the Line: Whirling Dervish Ceremony Ticket in Istanbul?
A:
The policies on sanitization are:

  • Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
  • Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
See all safety measures taken by Skip the Line: Whirling Dervish Ceremony Ticket in Istanbul.
Q:
What is the social distancing policy during Skip the Line: Whirling Dervish Ceremony Ticket in Istanbul?
A:
The policies on social distancing are:

  • Social distancing enforced throughout experience
  • Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
See all safety measures taken by Skip the Line: Whirling Dervish Ceremony Ticket in Istanbul.
Q:
What measures are being taken to ensure staff health & safety during Skip the Line: Whirling Dervish Ceremony Ticket in Istanbul?
A:
The policies on staff health & safety are:

  • Regular temperature checks for staff
  • Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
See all safety measures taken by Skip the Line: Whirling Dervish Ceremony Ticket in Istanbul.

Traveler Photos

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See all 24

Traveler Tips

  • "Understanding the ceremony prior to the performance makes it easier to appreciate the show, however the "reception" room prior to entering the theatre itself was very crowded which made reading all of the background material / exhibits difficult." See review
  • "If you know anything about this tradition, going to a Whirling Dervish experience is a great way to spend one hour in the evening during your trip to Istanbul." See review
  • "The show is done in a very respectful way- no photos, filming or clapping allowed." See review

Reviews

4.0
star-4
135 Reviews
5 stars
58
4 stars
34
3 stars
18
2 stars
9
1 star
16
Reviews by Viator travelers
Showing 1-10 of 135 reviews
star-5
Loved it!
John_D
, Nov 2020
The music was just as impressive as the whirlers. I enjoyed every moment of the show. I felt like I was walking through history!
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icon Response from Host , Nov 2020
Dear John, Thank you for your good review.See you again. Regards
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star-2
Boring
Marie
, Feb 2020
Boring to Death. repetitive show for a the same movement for a whole one hour. I do not recommend at all
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icon Response from Host , Mar 2020
Dear Guest Thank you very much for your valuable thoughts that you wrote for us. Our aim is to offer you the best quality service. So your valuable comments will always guide us. The complaints you mentioned are important to increase Guest Satisfaction by our Institution. All necessary warnings will be given to both management and teammates in order not to experience these complaints again. Thank you for your informative reviews and we hope to see you again in Istanbul for discover other parts of this magnificent city. Regards, Damla Baştürk
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star-5
Authentic Sufi ceremony
X1528MMmichaelh
, Sep 2019
This is an authentic Sufi ceremony. There is no razz-ma-tazz here but you do get an excellent idea of what a whirling dervish is all about. Just fascinating.
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icon Response from Host , Jan 2020
Thank you for you good comments, hope to see you again in İstanbul. Kind Regards, Bilal Uğur
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star-4
Something special
Road621422
, Sep 2019
I have never seen something similiar. It was very interesting. It would have only be great when they had told us a little bit more about the life of them today,...
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icon Response from Host , Jan 2020
Thank you for your positive comments. We would like to see you again in the near future. Kind Regards, Bilal Uğur
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star-2
Sleepy Time
Robert S
, Sep 2019
As my neck snapped up having dozed for a moment, I glanced around and saw others openly sleeping (in the front row) and several surfing the net. Yes, now I can say that I saw the whirling dervishes, but never again. Not unless I need an expensive sleeping potion.
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star-5
Dervishly entertaining
AllisonC1952
, Aug 2019
Thoroughly enjoyed the spiritual experience. Only two things would have made a better experience: raising the height between rows of stadium seating and a lower temperature in the venue.
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star-5
So deep, so clear, so much love.
IonBucur
, Aug 2019
Much much love shared. Clarity and deep spiritual ritual. Absolutely wonderful. No words can describe. Only one problem. No taxi driver knew where to find the center. Fix this please. For the whole visit in Istambul is definitory to have this contact easier.
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star-5
Mesmerizing!
GreeceHelena
, Jul 2019
The spiritual and symbolic Dervish Experience is well worth visiting when you are visiting Istanbul. I thoroughly enjoyed the show and now want to learn more of the history.
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star-4
Good experience
usman604
, Jul 2019
Good experience .. one time only.. it becomes a little repetitive.. but performances are good.. not for younger ones
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star-1
Disappointing
Sherpa43575329264
, Jul 2019
I am very sorry to say this, but this was very slow and disappointing. Not dramatic or exciting as we hoped it for.
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Product code: 5744ISTDERVISH

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