From Istanbul
Witness the mystical Sema ceremony on this Istanbul day tour in the heart of Sultanahmet. This daily excursion is an authentic Whirling Dervishes performance — a spiritual tribute to the 13th-century poet and philosopher Mevlana (Rumi) — accompanied by live Sufi music, one of the most moving cultural day tours in Istanbul.
Arriving in Istanbul on a cruise ship? The Whirling Dervishes Show is one of the shore excursions we regularly arrange for cruise guests calling at the port of Istanbul. For cruise guests we can arrange pickup at the cruise terminal where the shared tour schedule allows; if your time in port is short, we recommend the private version of this tour, which is timed to your ship. Tell us how many hours your ship stays in port and we will confirm that the full programme fits comfortably. Send us your ship name and the date of your call in Istanbul and we will confirm availability.
The Whirling Dervishes ceremony honours Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi and his teachings of love and unity. Organised by Inca Tour, a TURSAB-licensed operator, this Sufi ceremony daily excursion in Istanbul is a peaceful, cultural evening for travellers who want to experience Turkey's spiritual heritage. Private arrangements and hotel transfers can be added on request.
| Tour type | Shared small group · day tour |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3 Hours |
| Price | From €40 per person |
| Departures | Every day |
| Stops | 2 |
| Entrance fees | Included |
| Booking | Instant request online, confirmation within 24 hours · TÜRSAB-licensed operator (A-5751) |
Your full day programme — click to see every stop.
Sufi Music Concert & Whirling Dervishes Ceremony Istanbul Whirling Dervishes hosts regular Sufi music concerts and whirling dervish performances in Sultanahmet. This is a spiritual and informative tribute to 13th century mystic, poet and philosopher Mevlana C. Rumi and his followers. The Istanbul Whirling Dervishes programme starts with an introduction speech about Rumi, followed Sufi Music and the 4-salam whirling dervish ceremony, giving life to 800 years tradition on the stage with their determination and faith for being a lifelong follower of Mevlevi tradition. Our Madrasa is a most suitable place for the spiritual atmosphere of Sema ritual. To give up one’s own existence and become non-existent in God , that is , to bind ones’s heart completely to God, is shortest way to God. Whoever has given his heart to the Divine Truth has no “self ” left . It is god who moves every particle of him. In this way that person no longer acts in accordance with his ego , doing the bad things that would cause harm to others. He has become enfolded in the moral principles of God . Exalted Mohammed and the Exalted Mevlana are examples of these qualities for us.Mevlana is limitless being , unable to be contained this world. He is the Divine Voice giving the good news to those seeking beauty , truth , goodness , light and Divine Truth. He is the voice of mercy offering consolation to those under tyranny. He is the breath of healing , bestowing health on those crying out in separation. He is the teacher of humanness to humans. He teaches that every thing is within the human being and that the whole universe is under man’s command.
Istanbul → Whirling Dervishes
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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!