Top Istanbul Classes & Workshops

A true in-home Turkish experience—you’re welcomed not just as a guest, but as part of the family. The focus is as much on conversation and connection as on cooking. You’ll meet my adorable cat and dog, who are always excited to make new friends. We’ll end the meal the authentic Turkish way—with fresh coffee, dessert, and maybe even a fortune reading. You’ll walk away not only with new recipes, but with new memories, friendships, and stories.

Learn the secrets of the traditional Turkish lamps found across Istanbul—and then make your very own—during this hands-on workshop. Benefit from your host’s instruction and included supplies, and create your own custom, mosaic design. Hear more about the tradition, and sip Turkish tea, as you go—and then, have the option to purchase your creation at the end of class.

Hands-on fun: you actually weave, not just watch Our motto: Quality > Quantity → small groups, patient guidance, cozy atmosphere Cultural depth: stories, history, and meaning woven in Totally beginner-friendly (kids too — and yes, even “naughty ones” ) Flexible timing to fit your trip schedule Tea, coffee, snacks, and laughs included You take home your own handmade piece — 100% more unique than a fridge magnet

A perfume-making workshop is a unique and engaging experience that combines creativity, sensory exploration, and cultural storytelling, allowing you to craft a personalized scent and take home a meaningful, one-of-a-kind memory.

Unleash your inner artist with a Turkish mosaic lamp small-group workshop in Istanbul. This is a hands-on cultural experience that the whole family can enjoy. No experience is needed as skilled instructors are on hand at all times to talk you through creating a traditional design. The immersive experience also includes insider suggestions on what to do, see, and eat with the rest of your time in Istanbul.

You’ve explored Istanbul, tasted its flavors, and now you can return home not just with souvenirs, but with a story. In the enchanting setting of Little Hagia Sophia, you can learn how to make authentic Turkish delight—a centuries-old delicacy—with your own unique touch. Ideal for families, couples, and curious travelers, this experience allows you to create lasting memories while discovering a tradition that can be passed down through generations. Set in a historic garden within one of Istanbul’s oldest monasteries, you can experience the art of making Turkish delight. Rather than store-bought sweets, you can prepare your own Turkish delight by hand and take it home as a keepsake in an elegant bowl adorned with traditional İznik tile patterns. Accompanied by a local storyteller, you can listen to the stories behind this tradition and deepen your experience. You can also enjoy the opportunity to meet other artists at the Little Hagia Sophia Culture Center.

The glow of Turkish mosaic lamps illuminates many Istanbul bazaars and cafés. Create your own unique artwork with the help of a supportive instructor during this Istanbul workshop, with unlimited tea and free-flow Turkish delight. You’ll have a choice of more than 50 different colors of glass in a range of shapes and sizes, while your finished lamp will be carefully packaged for easy transport home.

Immerse yourself in Istanbul's culture with our Turkish Mosaic Lamp Workshop, where you'll craft your own unique lamp and connect with the local community. Learn the cultural significance of mosaic lamps in Turkey, then personalize your design with over 45 colors of stones and beads, guided by experts. Located in the heart of Istanbul, this workshop lets you become part of a local tradition, taking home a beautiful piece of Turkish heritage you created.

Istanbul is famous for its colorful mosaic lamps. While these treasures are widely available at local shops, many visitors find making their own custom lamp a much more special option. This workshop guides you through the process and includes everything you need to customize your special memento. Note that the lamp itself costs €15, payable at the time of your class.

The best way to learn to cook is with hands-on instruction, but most visitors to Istanbul don’t know residents who can help them learn how to prepare everything from dolma to börek. This small-group experience gives you first-hand experience with Turkish cuisine and takes place in a local home for maximum cultural immersion.

This experience takes place in one of Kadıköy’s rare garden homes — not a studio, not a restaurant, but a lived-in family space where meals are made with heart. You’ll cook side-by-side with a professional chef and his mother, learning recipes that have been passed down through generations and shaped by the seasons. It’s an invitation into real Turkish life, where food isn’t just eaten — it’s shared, talked over, and remembered. Guests often say they came for the cooking, but stayed for the stories, the laughter, and the feeling of being part of a home.

Master the art of preparing Turkish coffee during a small-group class in Istanbul. Begin at Balkapanı Han with a history lesson on coffee in Turkish culture. Then, follow your instructor's lead to create the perfect cup of this iconic beverage. At the end, enjoy a fortune reading of your coffee grounds and receive a charming coffee set to take home.

Uncover the sacred practice of the mystical Sufis at a Mevlevi Sema ceremony, held at Istanbul’s Hodjapasha Culture Center. Have the special chance to witness the 750-year-old tradition, which has been preserved on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Be mesmerized by the sight of the whirling dervishes as they perform their unique rituals during a show with a live orchestra.

Discover one of Türkiye’s most iconic traditions with a hands-on Turkish coffee workshop in Istanbul. In this experience, you will learn how to prepare authentic Turkish coffee using traditional equipment and the unique hot sand brewing method. Your instructor will guide you step by step through the process, from understanding the finely ground coffee to controlling the heat, creating the perfect foam, and serving it in the traditional way.

Located in the heart of Istanbul, next to many historical buildings, our workshop offers a hands-on mosaic workshop where you can create your own unique candle holder under the step-by-step guidance of experienced instructors. All materials are included, and no prior experience is required. Enjoy complimentary Turkish tea, coffee, and light snacks in a warm and friendly studio atmosphere, and leave with a beautiful handmade mosaic candle holder as a meaningful souvenir of your time in Istanbul.

It can be hard to find the perfect souvenir in Istanbul. But scent is the most personal of senses and crafting your own signature scent will immortalize your memories forever. This small-group workshop, led by a professional perfumer, lets you blend your choice of more than 50 ingredients to create a fragrance that’s uniquely you. Leave with a 1.7-ounce (50-milliliter) bottle of perfume with your very own hand-crafted label.

Unleash your creativity in the heart of Istanbul at the Turkish Mosaic Lamp Workshop — one of the most unique things to do near Hagia Sophia and a true must-do cultural experience. Begin with an immersive film that unveils the rich history of mosaic art from Byzantine to Ottoman times, setting the tone for your hands-on workshop. Guided by master artisans, craft your own mosaic lamp using exclusive glass pieces in vibrant colors such as gold and turquoise — a signature Istanbul souvenir you can make yourself. While designing your lamp, enjoy unlimited Turkish tea and traditional sweets in a warm and artistic setting. At the end of your visit, take home a stunning lamp that reflects your creativity and the enchanting legacy of Istanbul — a perfect highlight to add to your list of top things to do in the Historical Peninsula.

Prepare to be awed by Istanbul’s magnificent architecture, rich history, and eclectic bazaars as you discover the unmissable highlights of the Old City on this 1-, 2-, or 3-day private tour. Marvel over the glorious Hagia Sophia, learn how the Blue Mosque earned its famous nickname, tour Topkapi Palace to gain an insight into the lavish lifestyles of the Ottoman sultans and their harem, and browse the legendary Grand Bazaar, where you find everything from carpets to Turkish delight.

Learn the Turkish art of paper marbling with a private instructor. In this workshop, discover different ebru techniques and patterns and practice each style. The instructor provides all the materials, so take your time and have fun making ebru art. At the end of the workshop, take your marbled paper creations home with you.

Discover Istanbul’s European and Asian sides—and taste a range of delectable Turkish delicacies—on this full-day, small-group tour. Meet your guide in the morning in Istanbul’s Old City, and be sure to come hungry: you have a day of feasting ahead of you. Explore a spice market, and enjoy a traditional Turkish breakfast, before crossing the Bosphorus to trendy Kadikoy. Sip Turkish coffee, visit multiple restaurants, and discover Istanbul’s must-try dishes.

Experience authentic Turkish hospitality in this hands-on breakfast cooking class. Prepare staple dishes like menemen or muhlama under the guidance of your local host, who shares tips, stories, and traditions that shape Turkey’s rich culinary heritage. Within a small-group setting, enjoy plenty of one-on-one support and leave with recipes to recreate at home.

Experience Turkish Delight in the most authentic way: learn its 250-year-old story, taste three unique varieties, and watch each step of the traditional lokum-making process in a hands-on cultural workshop. Guided by a local expert and completed with a special gift from Istanbul’s oldest confectioner, Hacı Bekir (est. 1777).

Discover Anatolia's millennia-old culinary heritage in a personalized hands-on cooking class. Learn traditional techniques, prepare authentic dishes, and enjoy your creations at the chef's table ️ What Makes This Special: ✨ Personalized menu based on your preferences and dietary needs after booking ✨ Learn from professional chef in Turkish or English with full participation ✨ Master knife skills, ingredient prep, and traditional cooking methods ✨ Cultural stories behind every dish from Ottoman palaces to Anatolia ✨ Professional plating techniques to make dishes visually stunning ✨ Enjoy lunch or dinner at chef's table in warm, social atmosphere ✨ Take home recipe booklet to recreate and impress friends Sample dishes: İmam Bayıldı, Mantı, Çerkez Tavuğu, Sütlaç, and more. Between Galataport and Galata Tower

Finding a personal Istanbul souvenir can be more meaningful when you create it yourself. Join a perfume-making workshop in historic Galata and choose from a wide range of fragrance components to design your own signature scent. Expert guidance introduces you to fragrance layers and Ottoman perfume traditions, while Turkish delight adds local flavor to the experience. Leave with your personalized perfume as a wearable reminder of Istanbul.