Top Istanbul Classes & Workshops

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.

Istanbul's longest running pub quiz is a unique meeting point of locals, foreigners living in the city, and travelers passing through. Over 150 sessions have taken place, and the bilingual nature of the quiz night ensures that it is an inclusive experience for everyone involved. Come alone or with friends and the organizers make sure everyone has a team. Categories are broad enough that it's accessible to everyone, while also having some niche bonus rounds to keep things exciting.

Discover the flavors, traditions, and rituals behind tea in this hands-on Istanbul experience. During this approximately 1-hour workshop, taste a curated selection of world teas and learn how origin, processing, brewing temperature, and steeping time influence aroma and flavor. Depending on the workshop selection, you may explore white tea, green tea, oolong, pu-erh, herbal infusions, black tea, and Turkish tea. Your instructor will guide you through the differences in color, body, aroma, and taste before introducing the traditional Turkish tea ritual. Learn how the two-tier teapot works, how tea strength is adjusted, and why tea is such an important part of Turkish hospitality and everyday life. No previous tea knowledge is needed. Come for the tasting, and leave with a deeper understanding of tea, practical brewing tips, and a memorable connection to Turkish culture.

Get the souvenir flying-dress photographs you dream of while in Istanbul, without the hassle of sourcing props or locations. This private photoshoot takes place on a rooftop overlooking the Bosphorus and includes dresses, accessories, and styling for a seamless experience. Receive all of your original photos; 10 of them photoshopped, an edited reel video, as well as short videos shot on your cellphone.

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

Guarantee your spot at an evening of non-stop entertainment by prebooking your ticket for the Rhythm of the Dance show at the Hodjapasha Culture Center in Istanbul. Feel the electric rhythms of Turkey as you enjoy shimmying belly dancers, harem dances, folklore performances, and dazzling costumes, accompanied by live music and 360-degree video projections.

Join our Traditional Stained Glass Painting Workshop for a blend of tradition and innovation in Turkey's rich cultural scene. This isn't just a class; it's a deep dive into vitreous enamel painting, a craft that combines color, light, and narrative. Learn the history and techniques of vitrail in Anatolia, guided by local experts. Our workshop is open to all levels, with tailored instruction to realize your vision on glass. Experience Turkish hospitality with tea, coffee, and snacks, and immerse in cultural talks. Create your stained glass art and connect with Turkey's artistic heritage, leaving with a unique piece and a story of creativity. Discover stained glass artistry with us and take a piece of Turkey's soul home.

Lead by a certified Glass Art Master recognized by the Turkish Ministry of Culture. Benefit from over 35 years of experience, shared with passion and expertise. A boutique-style event combining professional discipline with an amateur spirit, perfect for hobbyists, art lovers. Our intimate workshops are limited to 8 participants.

Take advantage of extended layover time in Istanbul on a round-trip tour of city highlights from the airport, customized to suit your interests and schedule. Zip with ease between iconic sights such as the Hagia Sophia and Grand Bazaar, and benefit from historic and cultural insights provided by your professional guide.

This isn’t a polished studio or a touristy demo, it’s a real IstThis isn't a studio or a demonstration kitchen. It's a home in Tesvikiye, with a real stove, real family recipes, and a host who used to cook professionally but now cooks for the love of it. Esra's background means you get both the technique and the warmth; someone who knows exactly why a dish works, and also why it matters. Small groups only, so every guest gets real attention and the table never feels crowded.

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 Led 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 led mosaic candle holder as a meaningful souvenir of your time in Istanbul.

Create a personal Istanbul keepsake at a charm jewelry workshop near Galata Tower. In a spacious, bright studio, design a bracelet or necklace using charms, beads, and accessories from the available selection. An instructor guides you through arranging and connecting your chosen pieces, so no previous jewelry-making experience is needed. Finish your own design and take it with you at the end of the workshop, ready to wear or give as a gift.

Join Leyla in her Cihangir home kitchen for a cook together and eat together experience focused on traditional Turkish home food. After meeting Leyla's home, you’ll settle in and start preparing a multi dish menu side by side, with Leyla guiding each step in Turkish or English. Depending on the timing, the session can be a long Turkish breakfast or a lunch or dinner spread. You’ll cook dishes like soup and a main such as karnıyarık, sarma, dolma, or an oven baked meal, plus pilav, salad, and a few meze style sides. Taste as you go, learn practical tips, then sit down to share the meal you made in a relaxed, friendly home atmosphere. If it fits the day, you can also begin with a short walk in Cihangir before cooking.

Secure your spot on this popular evening Bosphorus cruise—one of the best ways to see the city of Istanbul—as it often sells out. Step aboard for nighttime views of Istanbul’s illuminated landmarks, including the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge and the Blue Mosque. Enjoy a traditional Turkish dinner with drinks and live entertainment, with hotel pickup included for a seamless experience.

Enjoy a customizable private photo shoot at a scenic spot in Istanbul with a professional photographer. Choose your location from a list of options and pose for pictures at that spot. Receive unedited photos and pick your selection of photos that you want edited and sent to you in a timely manner.

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.

Skip the tourist-trap souvenir stalls and make your own Turkish mosaic lamp in the heart of Balat — Istanbul's most colorful neighborhood. In a small studio capped at 8 guests, a bilingual host walks you through every piece of glass, every color choice, every placement. No pre-assembled kits, no assembly-line feel. Two hands-on hours, a Turkish tea break, and the reveal moment when your own lamp lights up for the first time. You leave the same evening with a finished lamp, boxed and ready — not shipped, not promised for later.

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).

You can choose a design from my selection of traditional Turkish patterns . This class will help you appreciate all of the tiles that decorate the mosques in Istanbul. I will teach you how to transfer the design onto the tile, and how to use ceramic paint to fill in the pattern. For Turkish tiles, they need to also be glazed and fired in the kiln. You can take the tile home with you. It is a good gift for you that you made. Overall, this experience is really personalized in all the ways you could think of. It is satisfying to work on a piece of art from start to finish while surrounded by the beautiful backdrop of Istanbul.

Unlike cooking schools or commercial bakeries, this workshop takes place in a real home kitchen where recipes have been passed down through generations. You’ll cook side by side with your host Mehmet, hearing family memories while making the iconic dessert of Hatay. Guests often say the experience feels less like a class and more like being welcomed into a family gathering — where food, stories, and culture are shared together.

Shopping for an authentic Turkish carpet can be daunting if you don't know what to look for. Take the guesswork out of the experience on this private tour with a guide who specializes in the art and symbolism of Turkish carpets. Whether you're shopping or just browsing, enjoy a relaxed, no-pressure experience where you can learn about traditional craftsmanship, discover the meanings behind different patterns and colors, and admire plenty of beautiful handmade Turkish carpets.

Comprehensive Experience: Participants not only learn glass-shaping techniques but also get the opportunity to create their pieces. This combines theoretical knowledge with practical application, providing an unforgettable experience with the senior glass master The event is limited to a minimum of 2 and a max of 6 person. This ensures that each participant receives individual attention and support from the artist. (We cannot accept reservations for less than two people.) High-Quality Materials: All materials used are high quality, ensuring participants achieve the best results. Professional equipments are used. Artist Guidance: Our experienced artist, Gamze Haberal, or her assistant, guides participants step-by-step, ensuring success for participants of all skill levels. Turkish and English can be spoken. Flexibility and Personalization: Participants decide on the shape, style, and colors of the piece they want to create. Option to make extra beads for an additional fee.

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.

Experience a traditional Turkish bath at a hamam in Istanbul — a must-do activity when visiting Turkey. Choose from three options: the standard, massage, or full package. The full package includes the exfoliating full-body scrub and foam bath, a 20-minute oil massage, and a face mask, and lasts about two hours. Towels, slippers, and tea are provided.