Istanbul · SHOW
Every trip runs one free day short. These 15 shows earn the slot, priced and timed so the decision takes a minute.
Spend three hours aboard a Mega Lüfer yacht, crossing between Istanbul’s European and Asian shores while enjoying a three-course meal, Turkish music, folk dance, flamenco, and a DJ. Choose standard or VIP dining, with optional hotel transfers and drinks.
“Good food, great show, excellent hospitality. Especially good was our server, Talip. He made the evening precious!”
Sail for three hours between Europe and Asia, passing illuminated palaces, bridges, and Maiden’s Tower. Your evening includes Turkish dinner, unlimited soft drinks, a 1.5-hour dance show, live DJ, tea, coffee, and selected alcoholic drinks. Servers such as Elvis, Mert, and Tufan are noted for attentive service.
“we was assigned 5 seating table even though we were 2 as we were traveling with toddler Really toughtfull by cuirous team and didn’t change for toddler but they provided food Really appreciate and the whole experience was wonderful and we were little late but driver waited really appreciate it too Overall experience was excellent”
At the HodjaPasha Culture Center near Sirkeci, you’ll watch a one-hour Mevlevi Sema ceremony inside a restored 550-year-old Ottoman bath. A live ensemble opens with classical Turkish music, followed by the solemn seven-part ritual, a short exhibition, a program booklet, and bottled water.
“This dervish ceremony was mesmerizing. No photos allowed. It lasts just under an hour. FYI. Lots of steps to get upstairs to the venue. Please arrive early. So many people showed up 10-15 minutes into the ceremony which was distracting.”
Spend three hours on an evening boat between Europe and Asia, with dinner, drinks, Turkish folk dances, belly dancing, a Whirling Dervishes performance, and a live DJ. Pickup is available from Istanbul’s European side, or meet at Kabataş Pier.
“Excellent service and best views of Istanbul. The show and the food was amazing.”
Spend about three hours aboard a Mega Lüfer yacht, with a Turkish appetizer plate, grilled fish, mixed grill, or vegetarian meal, then folk dances, belly dance, flamenco, music, and a DJ. Board near Kabataş, or add hotel pickup from many central Istanbul districts.
“This was a really wonderful experience. We chose to be collected from our hotel. The ambience, food, wine, music and dance were all so enjoyable. I would absolutely recommend this experience.”
Watch professional dancers perform Turkish folk dances from Anatolia and beyond, backed by live music, bold costumes, lighting, and video projections. The 65-minute show takes place at HodjaPasha Culture Center, a restored 15th-century hammam near Istanbul’s historic center. Assigned seating, a program booklet, and bottled water are included.
“It was absolutely fabulous. Loved every part of it”
Board the air-conditioned Pereme at Kabataş for a three-hour dinner cruise between Europe and Asia. Expect Turkish appetizers, a choice of four main dishes, unlimited soft drinks, dance shows, a DJ, and landmark views. Reham and Mehmet Ozkan are among the helpful hosts frequently praised for attentive service.
“Our Transportation was a bit late but not much. Food on the boat was OK but considering how much we have paid, it was expected. Show - done by few dancers mostly like every 15 minutes - was fun and great. The high light of this tour. Be careful of pickpockets after the show - like midnight. It was dark and very crowded waiting for transportation bus that is when I have lost my phone from my jacket.”
Cruise the Bosphorus for about three hours while dining on Turkish dishes and watching belly dancing, folk music, whirling dervishes, violin, and a DJ. You’ll see palaces, mosques, fortresses, bridges, and the Maiden’s Tower from the boat. Hotel pickup is available in selected central areas.
“It was a nice experience. Funny and enjoed time.good dancer. On time.clean and nice boat. I suggest it”
At Hodjapasha Cultural Centre, spend about an hour watching a solemn Sufi ceremony with whirling dervishes, live traditional music, and projected explanations. Arrive early for the exhibition on Rumi and Sufi beliefs. The small central venue uses assigned seating, and photography and applause are not allowed.
“That was amazing! It’s not a show-show but rather a ritual just in the presence of public. Educational and really beautiful.”
Spend about 65 minutes at Hodjapasha Cultural Centre, a former 15th-century hamam, watching Anatolian, Balkan, and Caucasian folk dances, belly dancing, live percussion, and modern choreography. The small circular theater, colorful costumes, and 360-degree projections make this an easy evening addition to your Istanbul sightseeing.
“An evening of stunning dance and beauty with a bit of fun thrown in. Music and visuals were awesome and musicians were incredible.”
Cruise Istanbul’s Bosphorus from Kabataş for about four hours, with Turkish meze, a choice of fish, chicken, or meatballs, unlimited soft drinks, folk dancing, and belly dancing. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, and the boat passes major palaces, bridges, fortresses, and Maiden’s Tower.
“the dancers were beautiful and amazing, the food was good and plentiful we had a fun time that night”
Cruise Istanbul’s Bosphorus after dark with hotel pickup, a three-course dinner, unlimited local soft drinks, belly dancing, Whirling Dervishes, and a DJ. You’ll pass Dolmabahçe Palace, Ortaköy Mosque, Rumeli Fortress, and the Maiden’s Tower before returning to the dock.
“city tour phosphorous the communication was amazing its a tour i would repeat again year after year.”
Spend an evening cruising the Bosphorus from Istanbul, with Turkish meze, a choice of main course, soft drinks, optional local alcohol, and live folk dancing. The boat passes Dolmabahçe, Rumeli Fortress, both major bridges, Beylerbeyi Palace, and Maiden’s Tower. Pickup may be available, depending on the option booked.
“Information incorrect; poor operator as they changed times after booking and failed to communicate with pick up staff who were contracted. By moving the time forward 45 minutes we could not make tour and didn’t go. They refused a refund tho we notified them as soon as they changed the time”
You’ll board near Kabataş at 8 pm for a three-hour dinner cruise between Europe and Asia. Expect Turkish mezes, a choice of fish, chicken, beef, or vegetables, local drinks, belly dancing, music, and central Istanbul hotel pickup and drop-off.
“We read some awful reviews about lots of these cruises so looked for the most expensive - this seemed to be it, but it was still just 50 Euros each for dinner, drinks, cruise and entertainment - bargain! We both really enjoyed it. Food fine, wine fine, entertainment very very good. He ONLY point was he number of people they squeeze onto the side tables that seat 10 but it really should be 8. As it happened, only 8 people booked our table but that was pot luck. If there had been 10 people I would not have been happy - no way should they seat 10. Other than that,…”
Spend about four hours aboard a Bosphorus dinner cruise with hotel pickup, a four-course meal, unlimited local drinks, belly dancing, Anatolian folklore, and live music. Expect a polished tourist show rather than a quiet local night out, with views of Istanbul’s lights from the deck.
“LOVED the show!! The food is mediocre at best but the service, atmosphere and music were exceptional! No Traditional foods here either. Tuna salad, beef stew and fruit and ice cream for dessert.”
A boat, a dome, a bathhouse or a coach out of town.
