Turkey’s crafts are not museum pieces; artisans still make them by hand in workshops across the country. In our craft workshops, you sit down with a master and make something yourself: a painted tile, a sheet of marbled paper, a line of calligraphy, a bowl on the potter’s wheel. It is a creative break from sightseeing, and you take your work home as the most personal souvenir of the trip.
Craft workshops to choose from
- Tile and ceramic painting: paint tulips and carnations in the tradition of İznik tiles, then let the workshop fire your piece.
- Ebru, paper marbling: float colors on water and lift them onto paper.
- Calligraphy: learn the reed pen and the basic letters with a calligrapher.
- Pottery: work the wheel in Avanos in Cappadocia, a town of potters on the Kızılırmak River.
- Carpets and kilims: watch weavers at work and try a few knots. Read our guide to Turkish carpets and kilims.
- Jewelry and glass: simple pieces with silver, beads or glass, on request.
How our craft workshops work
First, tell us which craft interests you, how many people are coming and their ages. Then we book a private session with a master, usually for two to three hours, in Istanbul or wherever you are traveling. You need no experience; the master shows each step and helps you along. To try it yourself, read our guide to ebru, the Turkish art of marbling.
Workshops suit everyone. For example, families book them for children, couples for an afternoon together, and companies as a team activity. Some pieces, such as fired tiles, need time to finish; in that case, we arrange to deliver them to your hotel or ship them home.
Crafts we love
- EbruTurkish paper marbling, floating paint on water and lifting it onto paper. It is on UNESCO’s intangible heritage list.
- İznik tilesPaint a tile with the tulips and carnations of the Ottoman masters.
- Avanos potteryIn Cappadocia, try the kick wheel with the red river clay of the Kızılırmak.
- Nazar beadsNear İzmir, the glassmakers of Nazarköy still shape evil eye beads by hand from molten glass.
Our suggestion Book a workshop for a slow afternoon between sights. You take home something you made yourself, and you remember the maker.
Combine your craft workshops
A workshop fits well into a guided day, for instance after the bazaars on a shopping tour or after the tile-filled mosques of the old city with a guide. For more hands-on days, we also run cooking classes.
Who it is for
Creative travelers, families with children, couples and companies looking for a calm, hands-on break from sightseeing.
Step by step
- Choose a craft and tell us your group
- We book a private session with a master
- The master shows each step
- You take your work home, or we deliver it
What is included
- A private session with a master
- All materials
- Firing and finishing where needed
- Delivery to your hotel or shipping home on request
Where we arrange it
Istanbul, Cappadocia and other regions, depending on the craft.
Frequently asked questions
Which craft workshops can we try?
Tile painting, ebru paper marbling, calligraphy, pottery in Avanos, carpet weaving and, on request, jewelry and glass.
How long is a craft workshop?
Usually two to three hours, in a private session with a master.
Do we need experience?
No experience is needed, and you take your work home.