Activities in Istanbul

Activities in Istanbul

Top 5 Activities in Istanbul

  1. 1

    All About Mezes: Private Cooking Workshop

    44 reviews
    3 hours | cooking classes | Istanbul

    Mezes are one of the favorite eating traditions in Istanbul, want to learn how to prepare them? Join me on a private cooking workshop where you'll learn how to prepare delicious Turkish appetizers. Eat what you cook, enjoy some drinks and have a good time!

    €150per person
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  2. 2

    Turkish Hamam and Spa Private Experience

    44 reviews
    2 hours | sports & leisure | Istanbul

    Famous for its relaxing baths, what better place than Istanbul to enjoy a calming spa experience? Let your worries wash away as you enjoy three delightful spa treatments. Plus take some time to unwind in the sauna and on the belly stone. You’ll leave revitalized and ready to continue exploring.

    €35per person
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  3. 3

    National Geographic Photographer Workshop

    27 reviews
    3 hours | workshops | Istanbul

    Ready to capture Istanbul's true soul? No matter your experience, this photo tour will teach you the best tips and tricks to capture that picture perfect of Istanbul. Your private host, a former National Geographic editor & photographer, can't wait to share his secrets with you!

    €147.06per person
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  4. 4

    Jewelry Workshop at a Local Studio

    147 reviews
    3 hours | workshops | Istanbul

    Ready to get creative? Be part of a fun jewelry workshop taught by a friendly local “usta”. Step into his studio for a perfect hands-on experience that will teach you how to create and design your own accessories through different techniques.

    €150per person
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  5. 5

    Photography trip to Black Sea fishing villages

    27 reviews
    8 hours | workshops | Istanbul

    Let me take you away from the hustle and bustle of Istanbul for a day to see the local life of Black Sea fishing villages & capture beautiful landscapes with sailors, castles and a lighthouse side by side with me, a National Geographic photographer & Editor with a quarter-century of experience

    €347.06per person
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All Activities in Istanbul

Explore Istanbul with a local of your choice

Learn about their personal stories, and find out how you can explore Istanbul together

  • Merhaba I am
    Kemal
    The Photo Journalist
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  • Merhaba I am
    Kemal
    Wine & Dine Pro
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  • Merhaba I am
    Ibra
    The Experience Host
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  • Merhaba I am
    Ayfer
    The Explorer of History and Lifestyle
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Best Activities in Istanbul

Istanbul is a city where the people never stop moving. Aside from the daily hustle and bustle of the city, there are a lot of activities in Istanbul, and you can join in to get the full experience of the city!  Ask your local friend to help you find places where you can participate in these fun activities to get a real taste of the energy of the city!

  • Learn a local painting technique: Ebru

    Ebru is a form of painting that is done with oil paints on the surface of water. Then, the painting is transferred from the water to a piece of paper. It’s a technique that’s been used to decorate everything throughout the ages, from the walls of palaces to the covers of books.  

    There are ebru courses offered throughout the city, and even though the marbled paintings look very elegant, the technique is pretty easy to learn.  So no matter what your art skills are, you’ll be sure to finish up with your very own masterpiece!

  • Multicultural cooking class

    Because it is the home to some of the oldest and best spice markets in the world, cooking is an important activity in Istanbul. You can learn to utilize all these international spices by taking a cooking class in Istanbul, and you’ll learn a lot about Turkish culture along the way!  

    Ask your local guide for the ingredients to their favorite dish; you’ll probably find that it’s inspired by food from all over the world. Istanbul is home to the original fusion cuisine, and learning to cook at this crossroads is an adventure that takes you around the world in just a few dishes!

  • Fishing from the historic bridge

    If you cross the historic Galata Bridge, you’ll certainly see people standing all along the length of the bridge fishing. This time-honored tradition is a way to relax and to catch some tasty fish for the nearby fish restaurants under the bridge. You can try your hand at fishing; let your local friend know that you want to try this relaxing activity in Istanbul or ask a local fisherman to try your hand with his equipment for a while! Maybe you’ll be lucky and catch some fresh fish!

  • A Fun Moisac Experience

    Istanbul has a long history of mosaics and is home to some of the best, oldest, and most well preserved mosaics that date back more than one thousand years. As a fun activity in Istanbul, you can make your own mosaics from small pieces of glass, clay, or even precious stones and metals.

    Ask your local guide to help you find a workshop where you’ll learn how to make your own mosaics. Even when you’re following the course, you’ll find that each person’s mosaic is unique, with its own personal flairs and touches.

  • Camping just outside the city

    It’s very easy to spend some nights under the stars on the outskirts of the city in one of the many protected forests or state parks that surround the city and extend to the Prince’s Islands. Many of these parks allow tent camping at very low prices, and you can find parking for RVs in many of them, too.  

    If you’re looking for the camping experience without having to stay in the woods, you can have a day trip and cookout in these protected forests, or you can stay in a “pansion” (like a cabin or small hotel) nearby. There’s nothing like a few days away from the city in order to fully appreciate it!

What other travelers love about our local experts

Karen
About local
A memorable walk through Galata.

As a photographer on my first trip to Istanbul I wanted to make sure that I saw the city but also that I had the opportunity to explore areas that tourists wouldn't normally go. I enjoy street photography, but knew I had lots to learn, so I was thrilled to be able to enlist someone as skilled as Kemal as my guide for a half day. He led me up and down the side streets of Galata and gave me fantastic pointers on what watch for, what to do, and how to set myself up for solid street images. I learned lots that I was able to put into use through the remainder of my stay in Istanbul. In this day and age when everyone seems to be about their Instagram shot, it was great to meet someone who cares about old school photography and is willing to share both his technical skills and his knowledge of the city. Beyond that, Kemal was personable and had a good sense of humor. I'd highly recommend him to anyone, including single women who might be nervous about going out alone with their camera.

National Geographic Photographer Workshop
Karen
About local
Highlight of my trip

I had an absolutely fantastic experience with Kemal on my recent tour! Not only was he incredibly friendly and welcoming, but he also brought me to some of the most breathtakingly scenic views that nightlife has to offer. The tour expertly showcased a perfect mix of everything, from the vibrant atmosphere to the hidden gems that only a local would know. What really impressed me was how safe and secure I felt throughout the entire tour. Kemal's knowledge and insight allowed me to see and hear things that I'm sure most people would miss without a local guide. His expertise was invaluable, and I felt like I was getting a true insider's perspective on the city's nightlife scene. Overall, I would 100% recommend Kemal and his tour to anyone looking for a unique and unforgettable experience. His passion and dedication to sharing his city with visitors is truly evident, and I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to explore with him

Istanbul Latin Dance Experience: Workshops & Social Night
Kelly
About local
This made the rest of our trip better

My teenagers are interested in photography, but I don’t really know much about it. We booked this as a way to explore the city more and to hopefully improve our skills, and it did not disappoint. I’m particularly glad we booked it early in our trip so we could keep practicing the skills we learned. If you have even the slightest interest in taking better photos, I couldn’t recommend this more. Kemal checked with us before the tour to see what equipment we had (iPhones) and then he brought the same along for himself so he could constantly be showing us how to improve our pictures with the equipment we have. He did an amazing job explaining basics to us about how to frame shots and some magic moments to look for that really make an interesting photograph. Kemal also showed us how to use numerous features on our phones that I had either never really explored or never knew existed. He took us down fascinating streets in Istanbul that we never would have known about on our own, even though they were just a street or two away from our hotel. My teenagers (and myself and my husband) loved it and now we all keep talking about things we see on the street that would make great photos. I, personally, feel like I’m seeing details around me that I wouldn’t have noticed before which is making me feel more immersed in my vacation.

National Geographic Photographer Workshop
Egor
About local
Unforgettable experience

We came to Istanbul with a specific goal in mind - learn how to create our wedding rings by ourselves with a help of an artist. We had zero experience that's why we got one prep workshop with a brass and one workshop with gold and engraving. Both of them were held in an authentic place with friendly atmosphere surrounded by patience and willingness to help by Ayfer and 'usta' Eren. We've learned step by step process of cutting, bending, welding, decorating and polishing our rings. As a result we have 7 brass rings with different patterns and 2 cherished golden rings. Even more these rings have a custom handmade engraving what makes them even more special, rare and unique. We're very grateful for Ayfer and highly recommend these workshops to have a great time and memorable results of your work.

Jewelry Workshop at a Local Studio

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