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.

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.

Sightseeing in Istanbul’s Old Town can be magical but sometimes you need to take a break. Build your barista skills and cultural understanding on this fascinating small-group workshop, just a 5-minute walk from the Blue Mosque. From grinding the coffee beans to brewing the “cezve” pot over hot sand, learn the art of creating Turkish coffee, Istanbul-style.

Get an exclusive discount in the store, where you can find even more amazing Turkish crafts. Important Note: The price you are paying includes the lamp as well so you can take it home! Learn while you create with the help of friendly artisans! Also, if you are looking for shopping in Grand Bazaar, especially rugs, ceramics and lamps, by joining our workshop, you will get an exclusive discounts in our store too! Come early or leave your shopping to our workshop and enjoy the bazaar more!

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.

Unleash your inner artist with a Turkish mosaic lamp workshop in Istanbul. This is a hands-on cultural experience that the whole family can join. No experience is needed as skilled instructors are on hand at all times to talk you through creating a traditional design. Learn while you create with the help of friendly artisans who will share cool stories and the history behind these beautiful lamps, making your time with them even more interesting. Design your own Turkish mosaic lamp with instructor support. Choose from more than 50 different colors so your design is utterly unique. Get insider suggestions on what to do and see with the rest of your time in Istanbul. Choose from a wide choice of time slots from morning till afternoon. Also you have option to purchase the lamp which you have created.

Create a custom leather wallet with traditional techniques. Master saddle stitching with hands-on guidance from pros. Tailor your design with your choice of leather and thread. Enjoy a beginner-friendly, creative experience in a supportive setting. Take home a handcrafted keepsake you’ll be proud to show off.

Coffee lovers won’t want to miss this uniquely Istanbul experience, which dives deep into the art of Turkish coffee. Learn how brewing with sand lets you control temperatures; master the art of the long-handled copper “cezve” pot; choose between eight different coffee types; and snack on traditional sweet treats. You’ll also discover how to tell fortunes using coffee grounds and take home your own bean blend, cezve, and cup set.

A hands-on mosaic lamp workshop in the heart of Istanbul, where guests create their own unique lamp with step-by-step guidance from experienced instructors. All materials are included and no prior experience is needed. Enjoy complimentary Turkish tea, coffee, and light snacks in a warm, welcoming studio atmosphere, and leave with a beautiful handmade lamp as a meaningful souvenir of your time in Istanbul.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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. Flexible daily itineraries: Day 1 - Hagia Sophia, Hippodrome Square, German Fountain, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar. Day 2 - Bosphorus Cruise by Public Ferry, Dolmabahce Palace, Taksim Square, Istiklal Street, Cicek Passage, Galata Tower (from outside), Spice Market. Day 3 - Suleymaniye Mosque, Fener and Balat Districts, St. Stephen Church (Iron Church), Pierre Lotti Panoramic Hill by Cable Car, Kadıkoy Market (or alternative sites).

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.

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.

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.

Learning to make anything with new people creates a unique bond between people. Instead of only the feeling of just travelling in a city, you get to feel to be a part of the city and culture at its highest. We try to make people have these feelings through creative at-home experiences. Because we believe that feeling at home and being made feel at home creates a very genuine bond. Çiğ köfte, a very traditional Southeastern Turkish dish, fits to what we try at LokalBond. Çiğ köfte got popular as being a Turkish vegeterian street food. However, in reality, it is a home food where a lot of people gathers and watches it being prepared. At this experience, you will be a part of the cooking team and knead Çiğ Köfte with locals. Then throw it to the ceilings to see if it sticks to see its stiffness. This is also a part of the tradition, but of course we won't do it due to hygiene reasons. Come, join us at our home for an original Çiğ Köfte session. Come as a guest, leave as a friend!

Create a fragrance that carries your signature in Istanbul's historic Galata! Between Galataport and Galata Tower, blend East meets West in Turkey's largest creative workshop. ✨ 90+ Premium Fragrance Components – Play with unique essences until you find the note that says "Yes, this is me." No pressure, just inspiration ✨ 25% Essence Concentration – Professional-grade perfume in 50ml glass bottle with personalized label and elegant box ✨ Quiet, Introspective Experience – Spacious, high-ceiling atelier. Just you, the notes, and your inner voice. Music and scents in hand ✨ Expert Guidance – Learn fragrance layers and Ottoman perfume traditions in Turkish, English, or Russian ✨ Water & Treats – Unlimited water and Turkish delight while you create your scent memory ✨ Multicultural Atelier – Witness mosaic, ebru, and jewelry workshops around you Open 08:00-23:00 daily. Perfect for couples, families, travelers & groups up to 250 people

We, two sisters, want to show the real local life of Istanbul. Just as friends, we will cook and eat Turkish dishes from Antakya region, one of the the culinary capitals of Turkey. So, come cook some nice food with us at a warm home in Istanbul, not as spectators but as participants in a hands-on experience. You'll learn cooking techniques and the stories behind each dishes. You will be able to learn our culture through shared moments, gaining insights into traditions that we learned from our grandmother and mother. Most of Turkish dishes can be cooked in a lot of ways, including vegans; just let us know about dietary preferences in advance. So, come as a guest, leave as a friend!

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).