The Rhythm of the Dance show in Istanbul is an evening performance staged at the Hodjapasha Cultural Centre in Sirkeci, a few steps from the Old City. On stage, Ottoman palace dances, regional Turkish folk dances, belly dance and contemporary routines follow one another, crowned by a fire show. As a daily evening tour from Istanbul hotels, it works perfectly as a short day tour after a busy morning of sightseeing.
Cruise passengers docking in Istanbul can book the Rhythm of the Dance Show at Hodjapasha as a convenient Istanbul shore excursion during their port call. This shared tour suits cruise passengers with a full day in port; let us know your ship’s schedule and we will confirm the pickup point at the cruise terminal or offer a private alternative. Tell us how many hours your ship stays in port and we will confirm that the full programme fits comfortably. Just tell us the ship and the day it calls at Istanbul — we take care of the rest.
The Hodjapasha Cultural Centre occupies a restored historic building in Sirkeci, the district around the old railway terminus on the edge of the historic peninsula. Its intimate stage puts the audience close to the dancers, so the colourful costumes, quick footwork and live energy of each number are easy to enjoy. The programme moves from the refined movements associated with the Ottoman court to lively folk steps from different regions of Anatolia, then to belly dance and modern choreography, giving a compact picture of how dance has evolved in Turkey.
Guests are asked to be at the theatre about 30 minutes before the curtain rises, when complimentary drinks are served. Photography is welcome, but flash is not allowed during the show. A professional English-speaking guide assists you, and hotel pickup and drop-off are offered depending on the option you book. This daily excursion is suitable for all ages and makes an easy Sirkeci day trip in the evening, reachable from Istanbul hotels in every district, with no long walking involved.
Photo credits: BrankaVV (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons); Another Believer (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons); Kemal.kubbe (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons); Sakaerka (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons); Turpcan (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons); Rotadefterim (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons); ErhanKalkandelen (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons); Serdarkrn (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons); Another Believer (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons); Another Believer (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons)
Your full day programme — click to see every stop.
Hodjapasha Rhythm of the Dance Evening In the evening, depending on the option you have booked, you are collected from your hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle or you make your own way to the Hodjapasha Cultural Centre in Sirkeci, close to the historic peninsula. Plan to arrive around half an hour before the performance begins, as complimentary drinks are offered on arrival while the audience settles in. Your English-speaking guide accompanies you and shares some background on the dances you are about to see. Once the lights dim, the Rhythm of the Dance show unfolds in a series of scenes: graceful Ottoman harem dances, spirited traditional Turkish folk dances, the fluid art of belly dance and energetic modern routines, ending with a striking fire show. Cameras and phones are allowed, provided the flash is switched off. Dinner is part of the programme. When the curtain falls, guests with transfer service are driven back to their hotel, closing a relaxed evening of Istanbul music and dance.
Istanbul
Modern, comfortable and fully-equipped vehicles — the same fleet we use on your tour.
👥 54 Seats
👥 37 Seats (2+1 VIP)
👥 55 Seats
👥 54 Seats
👥 50 Seats
👥 50 Seats
👥 50 Seats
👥 46 Seats
👥 37+2 Seats
👥 37 Seats
👥 35 Seats
👥 16+1 Seats
👥 16+1 Seats
👥 12+1 Seats
👥 6+1 Seats
More day tours and excursions in Istanbul — swipe to explore.
Daily
Daily
Daily
Daily
Daily
Daily
Daily
Daily
Daily
Daily
Daily
Daily
Turn your day trip into a longer journey — these tours also visit this destination.
Fill in your details and we confirm your private departure within 24 hours.
Real, verified reviews from travellers who explored Turkey with us.
My husband and I chose Inca Tour for our honeymoon and we are so glad we did. The boutique hotel selection was beautiful and the Bosphorus dinner cruise was so romantic. Thank you for making our trip special!
It was important for us to have a guide who spoke Russian, and Ender was wonderful. He explained every detail at Dolmabahce Palace. The Princes Islands day trip was a beautiful break from the busy city.
Our guide Ender was incredibly knowledgeable about Turkish history. The hot-air balloon ride at sunrise in Cappadocia was the highlight of our trip. Everything was perfectly organized — from airport pick-up to the last d...
Ender was our Italian-speaking guide and we felt like family. He took us to local spots tourists never see. The hotel choice in Sultanahmet was perfect for walking everywhere.
10+ years later we still talk about our Cappadocia balloon ride and the Bosphorus sunset cruise. Some memories are timeless. Thank you Inca Tour!