Religious Sites

Tickets for Whirling Dervishes Show & Mevlevi Sema in Istanbul

Whirling Dervish performer at Kizlaragasi Medrese

Enlighten your senses by witnessing the Mevlevi Sema ceremony and the UNESCO-listed ceremonial dance ritual performance by the Whirling Dervishes at Istanbul’s Kizlaragasi Medrese.

Immerse yourself in the mysticism of the Mevlevi Sema ceremony with a breathtaking performance at Istanbul’s Kizlaragasi Medrese while enjoying a welcome drink.

Experience the magic of the Whirling Dervishes as they perform their dance ritual dating back 800 years and leave you utterly mesmerized.

Admire the Sufi-inspired traditions and rituals of the Mevlevi Order and surrender to the spiritual ambiance created by the performers.

Did you know? The Mevlevi Order was founded by the followers of the world-renowned poet Jalaluddin Muhammad Balkhi Rumi after his death in the 13th century.

Entry to Kizlaragasi Medrese

Complimentary drinks

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

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Guests from France, Italy, United Kingdom and over 8 countries have loved this experience
Manuel
4/5
Feb, 2025
Mystic-religious ceremony, carried out with great seriousness, in a propitious environment for it. Many centuries behind him.
View original review in Spanish
Armando
5/5
Dec, 2024
Journey to an enchanted corner of the world rich in history and worship. Truly exceptional cultural experience...Recommended
View original review in Italian
Hugo
4/5
Jul, 2024
Beautiful spectacle, quite private. The music is truly beautiful, so is the dance. The venue is great but you should pay attention to arrive in advance in order to choose your place and have an clear view of the dancers.
Leila
4/5
Apr, 2024
The location instructions were easy to follow, and we arrived at 6:40pm, and the place was already absolutely jam packed. We luckily got the last 2 seats that allowed a fairly good view. If you want front row, or second row seats, get there around 6.15pm (45 minutes before the show starts). A lot of people had to stand around the perimeter, so it was definitely over-sold, and the venue appeared to not have fire sprinklers, which was a bit concerning given the number of people in attendance. Unfortunately, the amazing performance of the musicians and the dervishes was slightly tarnished by the obvious commercial aspect. Also not a show suitable for pre-school aged children!
Silvana
4/5
Mar, 2025
All very convenient and simple
View original review in Italian
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Watch The Whirling Dervishes Twirl Their Way Into Your Hearts

Head to the historic Kizlaragasi Medrese in Istanbul’s Old City for a cultural evening replete with an enthralling performance by the Whirling Dervishes. These mystical performers of the Mevlevi Order will take you on a spiritual journey over the next 60 minutes. You will get to witness their seven-part Sema ceremony symbolizing the birth of humanity. The Dervishes dress in white flowing gowns and twirl elegantly as a way of answering a higher call to the Almighty. Their soulful choreography is accompanied by a live orchestra playing traditional Persian and Turkish music. As the semazens create an enchanting atmosphere by whirling around in a trance-like state, they help you reach a state of nirvana.

A Closer Look Into the Centuries-Old Traditions of the Mevlevi Order

The venerable tradition of the Mevlevi Order believes in connecting with the Almighty through music and meditation, much like its founder Rumi did some 800 years ago. Their religious dance ritual known as ‘sema’ is only performed by dervishes as a prayer offering to Allah. Each and every aspect of the ascetic dance ritual holds spiritual relevance. For instance, their white and black costumes signify the inevitability of birth and death respectively. While the conical felt hats, called sikke, represent the ego.

Important Information

Photography is allowed during this experience.

Restrictions

This experience is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the redemption point.

Please arrive at the redemption point 15 mins before the scheduled time of your visit to avoid any delays.

Ticket Redemption Point

Show your ticket at Kızlarağa Medresesi.

Address: Alemdar, Hoca Rüstem Sk. No:6, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye.

Get Directions to the Redemption Point

Getting There

By Tram

The closest tram stop is Sultanahmet. It is a quick 1- minute walk to the redemption point.

Board tram #T1 and more to get you there.

By Bus

The closest bus stop is Sultanahmet Square. It is a quick 8-minute walk to the redemption point.

Board bus #TB2 to get you there.