When are you traveling?
Art & Culture Classes
Art Classes
Craft Classes
Painting Classes
Pottery Classes
Arts & Design
Architecture Tours
Art Galleries
Art Tours
Museums
Culture
Ancient Ruins
Archaeology Tours
Costume Dress Up Experiences
Cultural Tours
Fashion Tours
Historical Tours
Literary Tours
Museums
Music Tours
Photography Tours
Religious Tours
Underground Tours
Pop Culture
Ghost & Vampire Tours
Street Art Tour
Shows & Performances
Belly Dance Shows
Classical Concerts
Classical Music
Concerts
Dinner and Show
Family-friendly Shows
Fashion Shows
Festivals
Nightlife
Shows
Sufi Whirling Shows
Theaters
Traditional Wellness
Arab Baths
Day Spas
Hammams & Turkish Baths
Art & Culture Classes
Art Classes
Craft Classes
Painting Classes
Pottery Classes
Food & Drink Classes
Cooking Classes
Olive Oil Tasting
Coffee & Tea
Coffee & Tea Tours
Coffee Cruises
Desserts & Sweets
Dessert Tours
Dining Experiences
Breakfast
Breakfast Cruises
Brunch
Brunch Cruises
Dinner
Dinner Cruises
Dinner and Show
Lunch
Lunch Cruises
Restaurants
Food & Drink Classes
Cooking Classes
Olive Oil Tasting
Food Tours
Culinary & Gourmet Tour
Markets
Street Food Tours
Wine Tastings
Wine, Beer & Spirits
Beer & Brewery Tours
Pub Tours
Wine Tastings
Wine Tours
Extreme
4WD Tours
ATV Tours
Fun & Games
Escape the Room
In the Air
Air Tours
Helicopter Tours
Hot Air Balloon Rides
Paragliding
Specialty Plane Tours
Motor Sports
4WD Tours
ATV Tours
Nature and Wildlife
Aquariums
Eco Tours
Horseback Riding
Nature Walks
Pack Animal Tours
Safaris
Wildlife Encounters
Wildlife Watching
Zoos & Wildlife Parks
On the Ground
Hiking
Mountain Bike Tours
Outback Tours
Scavenger Hunts
On the Water
Boat Rentals
Breakfast Cruises
Brunch Cruises
Catamaran Cruises
Coffee Cruises
Dinner Cruises
Jet Boating
Kayaking
Lunch Cruises
Multi-day Cruises
Night Cruises
Power Boats
Sailing
Sightseeing Cruises
Speed Boats
Water Equipment Rentals
Holidays
New Years
Valentine's Day
Weddings & Celebrations
Honeymoon
Romantic Tours
Amusement Parks
Theme Parks
Water Parks
Attractions & Museums
Ancient Ruins
Aquariums
Art Galleries
Monuments and Memorials
Museum Tickets & Passes
Parks
Religious Sites
Zoo Tickets & Passes
Packages & Special Events
Super Savers
Shows & Performances
Belly Dance Shows
Classical Concerts
Classical Music
Concerts
Dinner and Show
Family-friendly Shows
Fashion Shows
Festivals
Nightlife
Shows
Sufi Whirling Shows
Theaters
Sporting Events
Motor Sports
Cruises & Sailing
Breakfast Cruises
Brunch Cruises
Catamaran Cruises
Coffee Cruises
Day Cruises
Dinner Cruises
Lunch Cruises
Multi-day Cruises
Night Cruises
Ports of Call Tours
Sailing
Shore Excursions
Sightseeing Cruises
Sunset Cruises
How to Get Around
Air Tours
Bike Tours
Buggy Rentals
Bus Tours
Cable Car Tours
Car Tours
Classic Car Tours
Helicopter Tours
Hot Air Balloon Rides
Limousine Tours
Luxury Car Tours
Mountain Bike Tours
Power Boats
Public Transportation Tours
Rail Tours
Rentals
Segway Tours
Self-guided Tours & Rentals
Specialty Plane Tours
Speed Boats
Trikke Tours
Trolley Tours
Vespa Rentals
Walking Tours
Water Tours
Private and Luxury
Viator Exclusive Tours
Sightseeing Tours
Adventure Tours
City Tours
Hop on Hop Off
Night Tours
Observation Decks
Private Sightseeing Tours
Sightseeing Cruises
Sightseeing Passes
Skip-the-Line Tours
Skyscrapers & Towers
Tours by Duration
Day Trips
Full-day Tours
Half-day Tours
Layover Tours
Multi-day Tours
Overnight Tours
Services
Airport Lounges
Discount Cards
Photo Shoots
SIM Cards
Shopping Passes & Offers
Shopping Tours
Wi-Fi Cards
Transfers
Airport & Hotel Transfers
Port Transfers
Water Transfers
Transportation
Bus Services
Ferry Services
Private Drivers
Transportation Passes
Transportation Rentals
Transportation Services
Volunteer Tours
Price
Duration
Time of Day
RatingClear
Specials
Whirling Dervishes Shows in Istanbul
There are few sights as mesmerizing as Turkey’s inimitable whirling dervishes—troupes of performers from the Mevlevi order dressed in striking white robes, twirling in a meditative trance. Here’s where to see whirling dervish shows in Istanbul.
What is a Whirling Dervish?
Whirling dervishes are followers of the Mevlevi order and the teachings of Sufi mystic Rumi. The whirling dervish ceremony—also known as a sema ceremony—is a spiritual practice that dates back to the 10th century. The whirling dance serves as a dhikr, a prayer or meditation carried out in devotion and worship of God. The ancient rituals are so integral to Turkey’s spiritual history that they’ve been inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Heritage of Humanity list.
Night Shows
Watching a performance of the whirling dervishes can be both a moving and entertaining experience for visitors to Istanbul. It’s possible to see whirling dervishes perform in a number of venues in Istanbul, including some bars and restaurants, but one of the best places to attend an authentic mevlevi sema ceremony is at the Hodjapasha Cultural Center, where the captivating choreography is accompanied by Persian chanting, live music, and 360-degree video special effects.
Dinner Cruises
For a taste of the Sufi whirling dervishes without attending a full show, opt for a scenic dinner cruise along the Bosphorus, with on-board entertainment. Admire the illuminated Istanbul skyline from the water as you glide along the Bosphorus Strait, tuck into delicious mezes and Turkish cuisine, and enjoy live entertainment including traditional Turkish dances and a whirling dance accompanied by traditional Sufi music.
6 Tours and Activities
Sort by: Featured
All Inclusive Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show from Istanbul
133
Make the most of an evening in Istanbul with a sparkling 5-hour dinner cruise experience on the Bosphorus Strait. Admire spectacular views of Istanbul’s beautifully illuminated palaces, mosques and Bosphorus bridges, and enjoy a delicious 3-course dinner with select drinks. Glittering entertainment from belly dancers, whirling dervishes and other artistes is included, along with hotel pickup and drop-off. Upgrade to an unlimited alcoholic drinks package if you wish.
…More
From
$37.04
From
$37.04
Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show
78
Get a taste of Turkish culture and see the city from the water on this night time dinner cruise. Depart from your European-side hotel and sail down Istanbul’s Bosphorus Strait. Admire the views of Ottoman palaces and two transcontinental bridges. Enjoy a three-course dinner and watch a Turkish Night Show with belly dancing, folk dancing, a henna ceremony, and more.
…More
From
$41.27
From
$41.27
Whirling Dervishes at Hodjapasha
140
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 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.
…More
From
$30.00
From
$30.00
Whirling Dervish Ceremony: Go on a Spiritual Journey
138
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.
…More
From
$42.33
From
$42.33
Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Entertaintment with Private Tables
24
See the glittering lights along the Bosphorus Strait on a 3-hour cruise with dinner and a cultural show in Istanbul. Kick off the night with a welcome cocktail on deck, and enjoy panoramic views of the city skyline. Relax over Turkish appetizers and grilled entrees as belly dancers and folk dancers take the stage to the haunting sounds of traditional music. Sip a cup of Turkish coffee or a drink from the open bar, listen to music from a live DJ and soak up stunning nighttime views of Istanbul.
…More
From
$42.33
From
$42.33
Orient House Dinner Cruise Istanbul
5
Experience the majesty of Istanbul at night on an atmospheric 4-hour cruise along the iconic Bosphorus Strait. Gaze at panoramic vistas of the famous waterway as you gently cruise past glittering silhouettes of famous monuments like the Blue Mosque and Lender’s Tower. Pleasure your palate with a selection of Turkish specialties served onboard, feasting upon grilled meat and flavorsome mezze items. Indulge in unlimited onboard drinks as you become mesmerized by the enchanting moves of a Turkish belly dancer and a traditional folkloric show.
…More
From
$52.91
From
$52.91