Welcome to the world of belly dancing in Istanbul with the scent of exotic spices lingering in the air, the echo of mystical melodies, and the hypnotic sway of skilled dancers moving their hips with effortless grace.
Belly dancing is a captivating dance form deeply rooted in Turkish culture that will leave you spellbound.
Istanbul offers a plethora of venues where you can witness this ancient art form come to life.
One of the most iconic spots to experience this is the famous Turkish nightclubs scattered across the city.
These establishments offer complete entertainment, including live music, delicious cuisine, and mesmerizing performances.
This article shares everything you must know before booking tickets for the belly dancing shows in Istanbul.
Table of contents
What to expect
Get ready to immerse yourself in a whirlwind of sights, sounds, and scents; the tantalizing aroma of Turkish spices greets you, as does the rhythmic beat of live music and the dazzling sight of intricately adorned dancers.
Prepare to be awestruck as talented dancers take to the stage, effortlessly moving their bodies in mesmerizing undulations and shimmies.
Each performance displays skill, grace, and storytelling, transporting you to a world of mystery and allure.
Unlike typical dance performances, belly dancing in Istanbul is accompanied by live music.
From traditional Turkish instruments like the oud and darbuka to soul-stirring vocals, the music adds authenticity and energy to the experience.
Don’t be surprised if you find yourself pulled into the action!
Many belly dancing shows in Istanbul encourage audience participation, whether joining in on a group dance or trying your hand (or hips) at some basic moves.
Let’s not forget about the food!
Many venues that host belly dancing shows offer traditional Turkish cuisine as part of the experience.
Indulge in mouthwatering mezes, succulent kebabs, and decadent desserts while soaking in the evening’s ambiance.
| Belly Dancing Shows in Istanbul | Ticket Prices |
|---|---|
| Sultana’s Belly Dancing, Shows and Dinner in Istanbul | ₺2469 (€75) |
| Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show | ₺1712 (€52) |
| Bosphorus Cruise with All inclusive Dinner and Belly-Dancer Show | ₺1251 (€38) |
Where to book tickets
You can buy tickets for the belly dancing shows in Istanbul online in advance or at the venue.
Online prices tend to be cheaper.
When you buy online, you can avoid the long queues at the attraction’s counters.
Because the belly dancing shows sell limited tickets, they may sell out during peak days. Booking early helps avoid last-minute disappointments.
How do online tickets work
Visit the belly dancing in Istanbul ticket page, select the date and number of participants, and book right away.
Once you purchase the tickets, they get delivered to your email address.
There is no need to get printouts.
You can show the e-ticket on your smartphone when you visit the meeting point.
Note: When booking, you must provide the name of the hotel where you are staying. Cruise ship passengers must provide the ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and re-boarding time at the time of booking.
Ticket price
The Sultana’s Belly Dancing, Shows and Dinner in Istanbul ticket (with alcohol) is priced at ₺2798 (€85) for all visitors aged 13 years and above.
Children between seven and 12 years pay a discounted price of ₺1417 (€43) to watch the show.
The ticket price (without alcohol) for all visitors above 13 years is ₺2469 (€75).
Children between seven and 12 years pay a discounted price of ₺1251 (€38) to watch the show.
Infants aged six years and below can watch the show for free.
Belly dancing in Istanbul tickets
There are three ways to enjoy belly dancing shows in Istanbul.
Visitors can book a show with dinner, opt for a Bosphorus dinner cruise with a Turkish night show, or choose a Bosphorus cruise with unlimited dinner and drinks along with the belly dancing show.
Sultana’s Belly Dancing, Shows, and Dinner in Istanbul
Turkey has a long history of belly dancing, set apart from other cultures by its vivacity and usage of Turkish zils (cymbals).
Rather than staying in your Istanbul hotel room all night, purchase this popular ticket and explore the city’s more decadent side with this meal package.
Savor a sumptuous dinner consisting of four courses of authentic Turkish cuisine while being mesmerized by captivating performances by a few of the city’s most celebrated belly dancers.
Plan beforehand because only a few tickets are available for this magnificent event, which runs all night.
Ticket Prices
Show with Dinner and Alcohol
Adult (13+ years): ₺2,798 (€85)
Child (7 to 12 years): ₺1,417 (€43)
Infant (up to 6 years): Free
Show with Dinner and without Alcohol
Adult (13+ years): ₺2,469 (€75)
Child (7 to 12 years): ₺1,251 (€38)
Infant (up to 6 years): Free
Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show
With this ticket, you will be picked up from your Istanbul hotel and dropped off at the departure jetty on the Bosphorus Strait, where your comfortable boat awaits.
You can step aboard and enjoy a welcome drink and live music as you settle on deck or in the cabin.
Remember to keep your camera ready as your boat sails along the strait, the waterway that divides the city’s European and Asian sides.
Admire the beautiful Sultanahmet skyline, with the floodlit domes of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia taking center stage.
Drink in the twinkling lights of the waterside Ottoman palaces and monuments, and capture the two illuminated Bosphorus bridges.
Savor a mouth-watering 3-course dinner with a fish- or meat-based menu beautifully prepared by skilled chefs.
Enjoy colorful gypsy, belly-dancing, Caucasus, and Anatolian dance shows, a drum show, a henna ceremony, and a hypnotic whirling dervish performance.
After a set from a live DJ, your cruise ends with a hotel drop-off at about midnight.
Ticket Prices
All-inclusive with Alcohol
Adult (12+ years): €52
Child (4 to 11 years): €52
Infant (up to 3 years): Free
With Dinner and soft drinks
Adult (12+ years): €37
Child (4 to 11 years): €37
Infant (up to 3 years): Free
Bosphorus Cruise with All inclusive Dinner and Belly-Dancer Show
Buying this ticket will let you appreciate Istanbul’s minarets and bridges, lit in gleaming lights at night.
On this Bosphorus dinner cruise, you can experience them from the comfort of an air-conditioned boat with belly dancers, whirling dervishes, folk dancers, and professional DJs.
Relish a 3-course dinner with starters, desserts, salad, fruit, and a choice of mains (including vegetarian options) as the sights pass.
You can purchase alcoholic drinks of your choice.
Ticket Prices
Dinner with unlimited drinks
Adult (8 to 80 years): ₺1,251 (€38)
Child (3 to 7 years): ₺625 (€19)
Infant (up to 2 years): Free
Dinner with soft drinks
Adult (8 to 80 years): ₺823 (€25)
Child (3 to 7 years): ₺625 (€19)
Infant (up to 2 years): Free
Private Table (all-inclusive)
Adult (8 to 80 years): ₺2,273 (€69)
Child (3 to 7 years): ₺1,250 (€38)
Infant (up to 2 years): Free
Save time and money! Buy the Istanbul E-Pass to get skip-the-line access to top attractions. Book the E-Pass for a 2-, 3-, 5-, or 7-day pass. Your pass allows access to over 40 key Istanbul attractions, including the Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, Blue Mosque, and guided tours.
Meeting point for Istanbul belly dance shows
The pickup point for the shows will be mentioned in the confirmation email.
While booking, you need to provide the hotel name to arrange the pickup accordingly.
If you opt for hotel pickup, it’s important to provide all travelers’ full names and nationalities.
Show timings
The timings for the Istanbul belly dancing shows differ based on the tickets you book.
The Sultana’s Belly Dancing, Shows and Dinner in Istanbul start at 8.45 pm and go on for 3 hours.
The Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show starts at 7.30 pm and lasts 5 hours.
How long is the show
The Istanbul belly dancing shows last 3 to 5 hours, depending on the ticket you book.
Some shows offer dinner and drinks, while some take you on a cruise with a three-course dinner of your choice.
When you book Sultana’s Belly Dancing, Shows and Dinner ticket, you can enjoy a 3-hour full menu freedom and admission to the show with priority seating.
With the Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show ticket, you can take a 5-hour three-course dinner cruise experience on the Bosphorus Strait.
Cruise with All-inclusive Dinner and Belly-Dancer Show ticket takes you on a 3-hour Bosphorus dinner cruise. While on the cruise, you can enjoy the traditional show with belly dancers, henna ceremony, and dervishes.
Best time to see the performances
The best time to see belly dancing performances is during dinner hours and throughout the night.
This is when restaurants, nightclubs, cruises, and entertainment venues host live shows featuring belly dancers.
Weekends tend to be busier in Istanbul’s nightlife scene, with more venues offering belly dancing performances and other forms of entertainment.
If you’re visiting Istanbul briefly and want to maximize your chances of seeing belly dancing, consider planning your visit over a weekend.
When the weather is mild and pleasant, Istanbul experiences peak tourist seasons during the spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October).
Remember that popular venues may be more crowded, so making early reservations is a good idea.
Reviews
Belly dancing in Istanbul is a highly-rated show.
Check out two reviews we selected from Tripadvisor, which give you an idea of what to expect during the show.
Great fun evening
Great dancers and a number of our group joined in. A new sultan was appointed, making it more fun. I would thoroughly recommend an evening here.
Much recommended show
I can’t recommend this tour enough! The food was exquisite, and the entertainment was top-notch. The dancers were absolutely incredible, showcasing their talent and leaving us in awe. We had such a fantastic time that we’re already looking forward to doing it again.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about belly dancing in Istanbul:
Tickets for the shows can be purchased online or offline. Here are some options for you – Sultana’s Belly Dancing, Shows and Dinner, Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show, and Cruise with All inclusive Dinner and Dance Show. When you book online, you can save time and avoid last-minute disappointments.
It’s advisable to book your tickets online in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons or for popular venues. While some shows may have tickets available at the door, securing your spot beforehand is always best to avoid disappointment.
The ticket price usually includes admission to the performance and additional amenities depending on your ticket option. This may include a complimentary drink, a full-course dinner, or access to other entertainment, such as live music or cultural performances.
While most shows in Istanbul are family-friendly, some venues may have age restrictions or require adult supervision for younger guests. It’s always a good idea to check the ticket booking page regarding age restrictions before purchasing tickets.
Free ticket cancellation is provided up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time). You must cancel for a full refund at least 24 hours before the start time.
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