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The glowing mosaic lamps you see hanging in the Grand Bazaar are even better when you’ve made one yourself. This hands-on workshop near the Blue Mosque teaches you the craft step by step, and you take your finished lamp home.
Quick facts
- Where: a historic Ottoman-era calligraphy school near the Blue Mosque, Sultanahmet
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Languages: English, Russian and Turkish
- Included: all materials, unlimited tea, coffee and snacks, and a protective bag for your lamp
- Rating: 4.9/5 from more than 3,700 reviews on GetYourGuide (October 2026)
- Cancellation: free up to 24 hours before
What you’ll do
- Start with a short introduction to the history of Turkish mosaic lamps and their place in Turkish culture.
- Fix a geometric template to a glass sphere, then build your own design from more than 45 colours of mosaic stones and glass beads.
- While your lamp dries, relax with Turkish tea or coffee and freshly baked cookies, and pick up tips on Istanbul’s landmarks and hidden corners.
- Assemble the last pieces and take your lamp home, packed in a protective bag with a US plug adapter.
Tip: Book a morning session and pair it with Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, which are a few minutes’ walk away. It’s also a good plan for a rainy afternoon.
Who it’s for
You don’t need any experience. The instructors break the work into small stages, and reviewers often mention doing it with friends, partners or children. GetYourGuide lists the workshop as wheelchair accessible.
How to get there by public transport
The workshop is in Sultanahmet, the old city. The exact meeting point is in your booking confirmation. All of these routes take an Istanbulkart.
- From Taksim: ride the F1 funicular down to Kabataş, then take the T1 tram to Sultanahmet.
- From Kadıköy: take the ferry to Eminönü, then the T1 tram to Sultanahmet.
- From the airport (IST): take the M11 metro to Gayrettepe, change to the M2 for Yenikapı, then the Marmaray one stop to Sirkeci and the T1 tram to Sultanahmet.
- From Sirkeci or Eminönü: it’s an uphill walk of about 15 minutes, or a few stops on the T1.
New to the tram? Read our guide to the T1 tram and how to top up an Istanbulkart.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be good at crafts?
No. You’re guided through each step, and the design is built up stage by stage.
Can I take the lamp home on a plane?
Your lamp is packed in a protective bag. Check your airline’s rules if you plan to take it in your carry-on or hold luggage.
What should I combine it with?
Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Basilica Cistern are all nearby. See our self-guided Sultanahmet on foot trip.
Make your own lamp
See available times and book the workshop on GetYourGuide.