Cappadocia Whirling Dervishes Ceremony (Sema Ritual)
Witness a centuries-old spiritual tradition with the Cappadocia Whirling Dervishes Ceremony (Sema Ritual)....
- Duration1 Hour
- Tour TypeGroup
- DepartureEveryday
- Departure20:00
- Return21:00
- Transport
1-Hour Spiritual Experience – Real Sufi Dervish Ceremony
Our Whirling Dervishes Ceremony invites you to step into a world of peace and spirituality. It is a unique opportunity to understand the Sufi culture deeply rooted in Anatolia.
Why Join This Spiritual Ceremony?
- Authentic Ritual – Watch the real Sema ceremony performed by Semazens (Dervishes) in deep prayer, not just a dance show.
- Mystical Atmosphere – The event takes place in a historic stone venue with impressive acoustics and lighting.
- Cultural Insight – Learn about the philosophy of Rumi, love, and tolerance.
- Traditional Sherbet – Enjoy the complimentary “Sherbet,” a special sweet drink served during this ritual.
- Easy Transport – We pick you up from your hotel and drop you back after the event.
If you are looking for a meaningful and quiet evening activity, this Cappadocia Dervish ceremony is a must-see experience.
Tour Itinerary
Whirling Dervishes Ceremony – Detailed Program
Hotel Pick-up
We pick you up from your hotel in Cappadocia (Goreme, Urgup, Uchisar areas).
Summer Season: Pick-up is around 20:00.
Winter Season: Pick-up is usually earlier or later depending on demand (e.g., 18:00 or 21:00).
We will confirm the exact pick-up time upon booking based on the season.
Arrival at the Venue
We transfer you to the historical Dervish Hall (often a Caravanserai or authentic stone building). The atmosphere inside is quiet, respectful, and mystical, setting the mood for the ritual.
The Ceremony (Sema) Begins
The program lasts approximately 1 hour and consists of several spiritual stages:
- The Silence: The hall falls silent as the musicians and dervishes enter.
- The Music: A hauntingly beautiful flute (Ney) performance begins, symbolizing the soul’s cry for God.
- The Whirling: The Dervishes cast off their black cloaks (symbolizing the ego) and reveal their white robes (symbolizing purity). They begin to whirl in perfect harmony, one hand pointing to the sky to receive blessings, the other to the earth to share them.
Sherbet Service
As part of this cultural tradition, a special drink called Sherbet (a sweet fruit/herb drink) is served to guests. It symbolizes sweetness and gratitude in the Sufi tradition.
21:00 – End of Service
The ceremony concludes with a final prayer. Please remain quiet until the dervishes leave the hall.
After the event, our driver will be waiting to transfer you back to your hotel.
What's Included
- Hotel Pick-up and Drop-off (Goreme, Urgup, Uchisar)
- Entrance Ticket to the Ceremony
- 1 Hour Whirling Dervishes Performance
- Local taxes
What's Not Included
- Dinner (This is not a dinner show)
- Personal expenses
- Drinks
Important Remarks
- Photography and video recording are strictly FORBIDDEN during the ceremony to maintain the spiritual atmosphere. (Sometimes allowed only in the last 5 minutes).
- Please do not applaud (clap) at the end of the ceremony; this is a form of worship, not a theater play.
- Silence is required throughout the event.
- Pick-up times vary by season (Summer ~20:00, Winter ~21:00).
Customer Reviews
A profound display of discipline and devotion. The dervishes spun for what felt like 20 minutes straight without losing balance, which is physically incredible. The explanation given at the start helped us understand the meaning behind the hand positions (one hand up receiving from God, one hand down giving to people). It was a beautiful evening.
This was a hypnotic experience. The music is live and traditional, no speakers or recordings, which makes it feel very raw and real. The lighting is dim and atmospheric. It requires patience and silence, so it might not be suitable for very young children who can't sit still. For adults seeking a moment of reflection, it is perfect.
The venue itself is a masterpiece of Seljuk architecture. Sitting there in silence, watching the ritual, feels like traveling back in time. The ceremony is conducted with such dignity and precision. I appreciated that they allow a brief window for photography at the very end, so you can capture the memory without disturbing the prayer. A highly recommended cultural experience.
As someone who reads Rumi, seeing the Sema ritual live was a dream come true. The symbolism of the black cloak being dropped to reveal the white robe (representing the ego's death) was explained well in the introduction. The synchronization of the dervishes is mesmerizing. It puts you in a trance-like state. It was the most serene hour of my entire trip.
We were debating between the Turkish Night and the Whirling Dervishes. If you want a party with belly dancers, choose the other one. But if you want to understand the soul of Turkey and Rumi's philosophy, you must see this. The strict no-photography rule during the ritual is excellent because it preserves the sanctity of the moment. The Sherbet drink served afterwards was a nice traditional touch.
