Experiences
Price Without Pass: €25
Free with Istanbul Tourist Pass®
Your digital pass includes:
Witness the famous Whirling Dervishes ceremony near Hagia Sophia, in Istanbul's most beautiful wooden house. Experience the transcendental prayer ceremony, showcasing the city's rich cultural heritage in a centuries-old setting. Join the show at the modest garden to learn about the Mevlevi Order and the Sufi way of life, with free entrance for Istanbul Tourist Pass® holders. Feel the spiritual essence of Istanbul as the dervishes whirl to classic Sufi music, revealing the city's unique spiritual character. An experience not to miss in Istanbul!
Mobile ticketing - No need for printed voucher, we're digital!
Duration - 60 Minutes, The show starts at 18:30
Instant confirmation - Requires reservation.
Feel the spiritual essence of Istanbul while witnessing the Sufi Dervishes' ritual in the heart of the old town.
Learn about the Mevlevi Order, a centuries-old tradition of Rumi's followers.
Experience a mystical journey at one of the most original venues in Istanbul.
Entrance ticket Whirling Dervishes Show at Abud Efendi Mansion.
Come and witness the famous Whirling Dervishes ceremony at the most authentic location in Istanbul, just steps away from the iconic Hagia Sophia Mosque. Enter the famous beautiful wooden house of Sultanahmet, Istanbul, where the Sufi prayer ceremony offers a transcendental experience. Discover the spiritual side of Istanbul in a centuries-old setting that showcases the city's rich cultural heritage. The modest garden of Abud Efendi Mansion is open to all who wish to learn about the way of tolerance and unity.
For this amazing experience and more, Buy Your Pass Now! Istanbul Tourist Pass® is here to make your Istanbul trip an unforgettable experience!
Whirling Dervishes Show is available every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 18.30.
The gate opens at 18:00 please arrive the venue at least 20 minutes before the starting time.
Abud Efendi Mansion: Alemdar Mahallesi, Alemdar Cd. No: 3, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul
The Mansion is just at the heart of Istanbul's old town. Just next to Basilica Cistern and near Hagia Sophia Mosque.
Please arrive at least 20 minutes early to secure your spot and settle in.
Follow the photo rules; discreet photography is allowed, but please be respectful of the performers and other attendees.
Show respect to the performers and fellow attendees by maintaining a quiet and contemplative atmosphere.
Keep noise to a minimum to ensure a serene experience for everyone.
Mobile Phones: Ensure mobile phones are silenced or turned off during the ceremony.
No Food or Drink: Refrain from bringing food or drink into the ceremony area to maintain the cleanliness and sanctity of the space.
The Whirling Dervishes ceremony, known as "Sema," is a spiritual journey that showcases the rich cultural heritage of Istanbul. This centuries-old tradition of the Mevlevi Order, followers of the medieval poet Rumi, offers a unique and poetic experience. During the ceremony, dervishes whirl to connect with the universe, symbolizing the soul's ascent to perfection. The ritual includes classic Sufi music, which sets the emotional tone and enhances the mystical atmosphere.
Held in a beautiful wooden house near Hagia Sophia, the ceremony provides an authentic setting for visitors to immerse themselves in the spiritual essence of Istanbul. The modest garden, open to all, offers a serene environment to learn about the Sufi way of life, emphasizing tolerance, unity, and spiritual growth. As the dervishes whirl with their hands raised, they embody the connection between the heavens and the earth, creating an ecstatic moment full of love and spiritual transcendence.
The Whirling Dervishes ceremony has been a significant part of Istanbul's history, admired by the literate and cultured ranks of society, including some of the sultans. This mystical ritual reveals the spiritual character of Istanbul and its people, offering visitors a glimpse into the profound humility and transcendence of the Sufi Dervishes. The ceremony is not only a visual spectacle but also a deep, poetic expression of the human quest for spiritual maturity.
By having the Istanbul Tourist Pass®, you can visit more than 100+ attractions in Istanbul. You can save huge amount of time and money by not waiting in the long queues or paying fees at the entrances of the museums or for other facilities and activities. You can buy the Istanbul Tourist Pass®️ for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 or 10 days. So many attractions are available with Istanbul Tourist Pass®️ such as Topkapı Palace, Hagia Sophia, Dolmabahçe Palace, Sapanca Lake daily tour, Dinner on the Bosphorus, Istanbul Airport Shuttle etc. included in the pass. For more details and updated attractions available with the pass can be found on website.
Sema refers to the Whirling Dervishes ceremony and holds two meanings: the skies and hearing. It represents the dervishes' journey to connect with the universe and hear the divine presence through their movements and music.
The Mevlevi Order, founded by the medieval poet Rumi, is a Sufi order known for its mystical practices and teachings. The ceremony is a central aspect of their spiritual tradition, symbolizing the search for truth and the unity of all creation.
Visitors can expect a mesmerizing performance that combines whirling movements with soul-stirring Sufi music. The ceremony offers a profound spiritual experience, inviting participants to witness the dervishes' quest for divine love and enlightenment.
Yes, the ceremony is open to all audiences, regardless of religious or cultural background. It promotes themes of tolerance, unity, and spiritual growth, making it accessible to people from diverse walks of life.
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The Whirling Dervishes ceremony, rooted in the Sufi tradition, symbolizes the soul's journey towards spiritual enlightenment. Through the ritualistic whirling, participants aim to achieve a state of spiritual transcendence and connection with the divine.