Make Turkish Delight in Little Hagia Sophia: Hands-On Workshop

Mix, cook, and powder lokum by hand in a 16th-century monastery garden

Learn to make Turkish delight from scratch in a small-group workshop held in the garden of Istanbul's historic Little Hagia Sophia. You'll mix and cook the sweet in a copper pot, shape and powder it by hand using traditional techniques, then take your creations home in an Iznik tile gift bowl. A local master teaches the cultural story behind the treat while you work, and Turkish tea and coffee are served throughout.

The experience

The workshop takes place in a former monastery garden inside Little Hagia Sophia, a 16th-century architectural gem that rarely opens for interactive experiences. You'll work at a single table with a small group, making Turkish delight (lokum) using the same copper cookware and wooden spoons Turkish cooks have relied on for generations. The local master walks you through each step: mixing the base, cooking it to the right texture, then shaping and coating each piece by hand. You can personalize your batch with seasonal fruits, nuts, and flower nectar, or stick with the classic cube shape the instructor recommends.

The hands-on process takes about 90 minutes, leaving room to explore the neighborhood or rest before your next plans. You'll taste your fresh lokum alongside classic samples the host offers, and hear the cultural roots of the treat woven through the work itself. Turkish tea and coffee arrive during the session, and when you leave, your homemade sweets travel home in an Iznik tile bowl. A keepsake that holds both the sweet and the memory of making it in one of Istanbul's quietest historic spaces.

What’s included

• All tools, ingredients, and protective aprons.
• an Iznik tile gift bowl to take your Turkish delight home in.
• hands-on instruction in mixing, cooking, shaping, and powdering.
• complimentary Turkish tea and coffee.
• the story and cultural roots of Turkish delight from a local master.
• fresh samples of your creations to taste and compare with classic versions.

Information

Lasts 1h 30m, runs every day, 5 start times, from US$ 60 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 14 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 14:30 and 16:30

GroupUp to 14 · max 8 per booking

Live guideEnglishOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (17 to 75 years) · Youth (5 to 16 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Stroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Little Hagia Sophia

Is this one for you?At 90 minutes, the workshop fits easily into a morning or afternoon without consuming your whole day. The setting inside Little Hagia Sophia's monastery garden means you're not rushing through a crowded tourist zone, so the pace stays unhurried even though the work itself keeps you engaged the entire time.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (5 to 16 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What exactly do I make during the workshop?

Turkish delight (lokum) from scratch using a copper pot, wooden spoon, and natural ingredients. You mix the base, cook it to the right texture, then shape and powder each piece by hand. You can add your own choice of seasonal fruits, nuts, or flower nectar to personalize the flavor.

What happens to the Turkish delight I make?

You take it home in an Iznik tile gift bowl. You'll also taste your fresh creations during the workshop and compare them with classic samples the host provides.

How long does the workshop last?

The workshop runs for 90 minutes, giving you time to complete the full process from mixing through powdering and tasting before you leave.

What's included in the price?

All tools, ingredients, and protective aprons; the Iznik tile bowl to take your lokum home in; Turkish tea and coffee during the session; and instruction from a local Istanbul master on the techniques and cultural story of Turkish delight.