Top Istanbul Classes & Workshops

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.

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.

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).

Experience the magical dance of light and color in stained glass Create your own design inspired by traditional patterns Step by step guidance from the artist Frame and take home your unique creation Creative experience in the historic and central Karaköy location.

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

Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of ebru, the ancient Turkish art of paper marbling, in a stylish atelier just steps from Galata Tower. Guided by an experienced instructor, learn how to manipulate vibrant colors on water, creating a unique pattern that reflects the fluidity of the medium. Each creation is truly one-of-a-kind, ensuring your artwork is as special as your experience. Enjoy unlimited water and traditional Turkish delight as you work, adding a touch of local hospitality to your artistic endeavor. After creating your masterpiece, it is carefully dried and packaged in a protective tube, making it a perfect keepsake from your time in Istanbul.

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.

Çiğ köfte is among the more popular street food delights in Turkey, but it’s not something that’s easy to find overseas. This small-group cooking class teaches you how to make this delightful vegetarian treat on your own so that you’ll be able to enjoy it after your trip to Turkey, even if you don’t live near a Turkish restaurant.

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.

Imagine you are travelling in a city to discover graffiti works of great local artist. How about you actually meet the local graffiti artists and paint with them? Best part is, you do this at a genuine athmosphere as the backyard of these artists. This makes this experience one of the most unique, authentic experience that you can find in Istanbul. Peep, a local graffiti artist, is inviting you to his garden, to both push your creativity limits through Graffiti Art and let you experience Turkish culture. Come to their backyard, have a tea, coffee, talk about Turkish culture, learn your culture and then create together.

Learn the art of making simit, Istanbul's beloved street food, in a hands-on cooking class that transforms baking into a culinary journey. Under the expert guidance of a professional chef, knead and shape your simit dough, master the traditional molasses dip, and coat it with crunchy sesame seeds. While your simit bakes, whip up delicious menemen, acuka, and homemade jam, ensuring a hearty breakfast spread awaits. Gather around a warm table to savor your creations with unlimited Turkish tea, all in a vibrant setting near 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.

Don't let attempts to capture perfect photos get in the way of your sightseeing trip. Leave it all to a professional on this private photo shoot experience, where an expert will take care of everything—from taking you to the best locations in Istanbul to professionally editing your photos. You'll leave with memories to treasure forever that will wow family and friends.

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.

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.

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.

Experience Istanbul like never before with a modern Bosphorus-side tavern offering breathtaking views, exquisite à la carte dining, and a lively atmosphere. Enjoy a one-of-a-kind evening featuring live music and a mesmerizing belly dance performance, combining traditional Turkish entertainment with a contemporary twist. With the perfect mix of culture, cuisine, and nightlife, this is a truly unforgettable Istanbul experience.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Enjoy a 1-hour rooftop photoshoot at Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks, perfect for solo travelers, couples, or families. Take photos with stunning flying dress at famous rooftop with background of Istanbul view and Suleymaniye Mosque. This experience combines sightseeing with professional photography, ensuring you leave with incredible photos and unforgettable moments. • For further questions, ig @picmeturkey • I provide this service individually. I am not reseller.

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.

Explore the unique world of Dengbej, a traditional Kurdish music style. A professional Dengbej singer, and we'll take you on a journey through this special art form. Learn how Dengbej compares to other unique styles like Pakistan's Qawwali and Morocco's Gnawa. Discover the captivating stories behind Dengbej songs and the skill of singing them without instruments. This is a rare opportunity to experience authentic Kurdish culture and music in its purest form.