| Offer | Length | "From" price (to be checked) | Venue and time | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hodjapasha, one-hour show | about 1 h | around €36 | 15th-century hammam near Sirkeci; daily at 7 pm; 5 pm on some days | Most travellers, old city | See |
| Dinner and dervishes | about 3.5 h | around $80 to $105 | Starts near Sirkeci: introduction, ceremony, then kebabs, meze and künefe | A full evening, no planning | See |
| Ceremony in a mevlevihane | about 1 h | not noted | A Mevlevi lodge; venue and day to confirm on the listing | Those who want a convent setting | See |
Prices seen in October 2026, they vary by date, currency and option: check each listing.
Hodjapasha: the reference show
The Hodjapasha cultural centre occupies a restored 15th-century hammam, a few minutes from the Sirkeci tram stop on the T1. According to its official ticket office, the show runs daily at 7 pm (about an hour, from $42.22 when bought direct) and on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 5 pm, a "happy hour" rate from $26.67. On GetYourGuide the one-hour show is from €36, with over 5,400 reviews noted in October 2026; check the time slot and cancellation terms. Seats are limited and sell out fast in high season. See the listing.
Galata Mevlevi Lodge: the most authentic, but not online
The Galata Mevlevihanesi, founded in 1491 near the Galata Tower, holds the sema in its octagonal wooden hall, usually on Sunday late afternoon (around 5 pm according to third-party guides, to be checked). The calendar changes with the seasons and the hall has few seats. We found no ticket for this venue on GetYourGuide, and sources disagree on how it is sold (on site or online) and the price: ask the Galata Mevlevi Museum and book as soon as you know your dates.
With dinner: a meal and a ceremony in one evening
The package promises an introduction to Sufism, a ceremony of about 60 minutes in a former bathhouse, then a meal (soup, kebabs, meze, künefe) in a family restaurant. Snapshots differ on the price (around $80 to $105) and on what is included, notably the transfer: read the inclusions. Do not confuse this ticket with a dinner show where a dervish spins for a few minutes: that is not a full sema. See the listing.
Ceremony in a mevlevihane
This listing promises a ceremony in a real Mevlevi lodge rather than a show hall. We did not note its price, nor reliably the venue and days: confirm them on the listing, then compare with Hodjapasha. See the listing.
Pitfalls and what is not included
- The venue: many offers say "dervishes in Sultanahmet" without naming the hall; check it.
- Lateness: according to one source, late arrivals of more than 15 minutes can be refused without refund at Hodjapasha.
- Dress and photos: no applause or flash during the sema; see the rules in our guide.
- Dinner: meals and drinks are not always included with a simple ticket.
- Ranking: the order on GetYourGuide is influenced by commissions; read the recent reviews.
Which offer to choose?
- One ticket, old city: the Hodjapasha show.
- A full evening: the dinner and dervish package.
- Convent setting: the mevlevihane ceremony or the Galata Mevlevi Lodge on site.
- After the show: Istanbul at night and Sultanahmet.
Frequently asked questions
Which day can I see whirling dervishes? At Hodjapasha, daily at 7 pm; the Galata Mevlevi Lodge usually holds the sema on Sunday late afternoon (to be checked).
How much is a ticket? From around €36 on GetYourGuide, $42.22 at the direct ticket office (October 2026, to be checked).
How long is the ceremony? About one hour.
Do I need to book ahead? Yes, especially from May to October and at weekends.
The Istanbul Authority editorial team, October 2026.
