Top Istanbul Classes & Workshops

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.

Create your own signature fragrance in Istanbul with expert guidance and a beautiful Bosphorus view. Explore over 50 fragrance ingredients, experiment with different scent combinations, and take home your own 50 ml perfume. This hands-on experience combines the art of perfumery with a personal touch of Turkish hospitality, giving you a unique way to experience Istanbul beyond traditional sightseeing.

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.

Anyone can pick up an Ottoman-style mosaic lamp—decorated with glass beads and stones in an array of colors—at a gift shop in Istanbul, but there’s nothing like crafting your own artistic creation to give you instant bragging rights. Take home a piece of Turkish heritage during this instructor-led lamp-making workshop. Cookies and a hot drink (coffee or tea) included for a cozy, small-group experience.

This is more than a tasting or standard cooking class. The experience takes place inside a real working Gulluoglu baklava shop and is rooted in a baklava tradition dating back to 1871. Guests meet experienced baklava masters, watch traditional preparation techniques, take part in selected stages of a real tray, and see how baklava is baked and finished with syrup. The 45-minute format is designed for travelers who want an authentic, hands-on introduction to Turkish culinary craftsmanship without spending several hours in a full cooking class.

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.

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.

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.

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.

In our workshop you learn and practice turkish art of paper marbling (Ebru), İznik tile art with a private instructor Emine Solak who has been working in this business for 20 and more years in Üsküdar. You will learn about the art, art materials and techniques. Everybody can participate no matter if they are beginners or experienced. Our purpose is to guide you so that you can enjoy this experience and create a unique piece of art. You can come alone or organize workshop with your friends, family. After your class, take home your own unique pieces of art.

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.

Discover vegan Turkish cuisine in this hands-on, small-group cooking class in the home of an Istanbul local. Instead of hunting down a vegan-friendly restaurant, enjoy a cozy home atmosphere as you craft traditional Turkish dishes with a vegan twist. At the end, dine on your creations, and leave knowing how to recreate the recipes at 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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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, as well as short videos shot on your cellphone.

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.

During this tour, you can join your host in their home for an authentic Turkish cooking experience. Discover how locals prepare their meals and get immersed in the tapestry of Turkish culture, gaining insights you won't find online or on Istanbul's bustling streets.

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.

Discover the heart of Istanbul on this private street photography tour. Led by a professional photographer with 18 years of experience, you'll be guided to the city's most photogenic areas, capturing moments of locals far from tourist traps. Learn to use wide-angle lenses and point-and-shoot cameras to capture unique photos of fishermen, sellers, and families in their home city.