Turkish Delight Workshop: History, Tasting & Making Experience
Overview
Available languages
1 hour 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
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).
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
What To Expect
Discover the story behind Turkish Delight and learn how this iconic sweet has been made for centuries. Enjoy a guided cultural session where you watch each step of the lokum-making process, taste three different varieties, and explore its history from the Ottoman Palace to modern Istanbul. During the workshop you will see how the syrup is prepared, how starch is added, and how traditional lokum is shaped and coated. This is a hands-on learning experience, but the lokum made during the session is not consumed or taken home due to the required resting period. At the end of the experience, you will receive a special gift: a 200-gram box of classic Turkish Delight from Hacı Bekir, Istanbul’s oldest and most famous lokum maker (est. 1777). A perfect cultural activity for beginners, food lovers, and anyone curious about Istanbul’s sweet traditions.
Options
Turkish Delight Workshop: History, Tasting & Making Experience
What‘s Included
200g boxed Turkish Delight from Hacı Bekir Efendi (est. 1777)
Professional cutting and coating
Step-by-step lokum-making
Guided explanation of lokum history and production
Tasting of three types of Turkish Delight
Cultural Turkish Delight workshop in Istanbul
Local expert host
Personal purchases
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
20 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Lokum workshop
82milyj,Jun 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Really good experience with Lina :) She was very kind and helpful !
An authentic, affordable, and delightful experience
K3756MHmelissad,May 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An absolutely wonderful experience, the most authentic I've had in Turkey. I am a american woman traveling with my mother and daughter, and while other tours guides can be hard to understand or condescending, our time with our tour guide Lina was wonderful. Lina had phenomenal English and was easy to understand, and understood what my family was saying immediately, even if we started talking fast or using american slang. We learned about the history of Turkish delight and how to make it on our tour, but I feel confident any other tour with this company would be just as wonderful as ours due to the staff. We got to have our first honest conversation with a woman in Turkey and hear what daily life in Istanbul is really like. For a affordable, delightful, and authentic experience, I would sign up.
Great experience
137glebk,May 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing experience, absolutely worth the money, you learn to make Turkish delights while drinking Turkish tea or coffee and enjoying the different kinds of Turkish sweets. Absolutely a must in Istanbul.
Amazing Class!
Katherine M,May 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00My husband and I loved this class! We always like to do cooking classes when we travel and we are very excited to make Turkish delights at home. It’s also nice because it was with a small group, it was hands on, and it lasted about an hour.
Workshop 'turkish delight'
lizabS7061VB,May 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This is a great workshop. You first learn what the history of the turkish delight is. The guide knew all our questions. You can taste many different turkish delights! Then the best part: you make them yourself! The guide was suoer friendly and after you get a small gift! Over all a super nice thing to do when in Istanbul.
Excellent experience
S1929ZSrt,Apr 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The Turkish delights workshop was so much fun. The instructor (Lina) is amazing and the international small group (4 in total) was super fun! I highly recommend this experience in Istanbul.
Turkish delight excellent experience
nourana537,Apr 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Absolutely loved the session held by Lina 😍 we learned how to make Turkish delights 😍👌🏼 and will definitely be back for more other sessions with them Thanks a lot ♥️
Fun experience
Angel M,Apr 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Lina was my guide for this excursion, she had the perfect personality for instructing a cooking class . Funny, patient and encouraging. She was also knowledgeable of the history behind Turkish Delights. This is one of those excursions that I almost glanced over but I’m glad I didn’t. Lina helped make my time in Turkey memorable
Recommended!
739direny,Apr 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We enjoyed this workshop so much and the instructions were clear. Thanks to our instructor, we shared a great couple activity.
Unique experience
890jurgenp,Mar 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I had a great experience with this Turkish Delight workshop! From the very first moment you are taken into the rich history of lokum. The story of more than 250 years old really comes to life and gives so much extra meaning to what you taste and make. The workshop itself is super fun and educational. You get the chance to taste three different, unique varieties of Turkish Delight, each with their own taste and character. In addition, it is extremely special to see the entire traditional preparation process step by step and to experience it yourself. The guidance of a local expert tops it all off: you notice that a lot of passion and knowledge is shared, which makes the experience even more authentic. As icing on the cake, you will also receive a beautiful gift from Hacı Bekir, Istanbul’s oldest pastry chef – a truly beautiful and meaningful finish. In short: an absolute must for anyone who wants to combine culture, history and good food in one unique experience!
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Operated by Istanbul Experiences Workshops