| Offer | Duration | "From" price | Included (per the listing) | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Original Mosaic Lamp Workshop near Blue Mosque | 2.5 h | $26 | Hands-on workshop in an Ottoman-era calligraphy school, over 45 coloured stones and glass beads, unlimited tea, coffee and snacks, protective bag with US adapter | Most visitors, wheelchair users | See |
| Mosaic Lamp Workshop in a 400-Year-Old Ottoman Inn | 2 h | $23 | All materials, instructor, tea and water, bag and protective packaging, US adapter | A lower price, same rating | See |
| Mosaic Lamp Workshop by Hagia Sophia | 2 h, small group | $28 | Short film on the history of mosaic art, Byzantine and Ottoman-inspired glass pieces, tea and Turkish delight | Those who like some history | See |
| Make Your Mosaic Lamp to Take Home, Galata Tower | 2 h | $42 | Heat-resistant lamp models with upgrades, unlimited tea, water and Turkish delight, flight-ready packaging | Stays near Galata, families with children from 5 | See |
| Traditional Mosaic Lamp Workshop | not noted | $21 | Materials, instructor, Turkish tea and apple tea, over 50 colours | The lowest price | See |
Prices in US dollars as displayed on the listings, seen in October 2026, varying by date and option. Listing ratings: 4.9 (3,815 reviews) for the Blue Mosque workshop, 4.9 (2,772) for the Ottoman inn, 4.9 (119) for Hagia Sophia, 4.8 (125) for Galata, 4.8 (183) for the traditional workshop.
Original Mosaic Lamp Workshop near the Blue Mosque
The listing opens with a short presentation on the history of mosaic lamps, then you place a geometric template on a glass sphere and build your design with over 45 coloured mosaic stones and glass beads. While it dries you have Turkish tea or coffee and cookies and hear tips about Istanbul; at the end you assemble the pieces and take the lamp home in a protective bag with a US adapter. Instructors speak English, Russian and Turkish, and the workshop is marked wheelchair accessible. Rated 4.9 from 3,815 reviews, with 95% of English-speaking travellers giving a perfect score. See the listing.
Mosaic Lamp Workshop in a 400-year-old Ottoman inn
From $23 for two hours, rated 4.9 from 2,772 reviews. A welcome and presentation on the craft, a stencil technique, tea and drinks while the design dries, then protective wrapping and a US adapter. No experience is needed. The meeting point is in a building up a small street beside a café called Közde Kahve, in Room 109 at the end of the corridor upstairs, so it is not suitable for wheelchair users; alcohol and drugs are not allowed. See the listing.
Mosaic Lamp Workshop by Hagia Sophia
A small group of two hours that starts with a short film on mosaic art from the Byzantine Empire to the Ottoman era, then the workshop with templates and exclusive glass pieces in gold and jewel tones, with tea and Turkish delight. The meeting point is the white historic mansion beside the Basilica Cistern entrance, near Hagia Sophia, and guests get a discount on the Legends of Istanbul Live Show. Not suitable for children under 6. Rated 4.9 from 119 reviews and marked "likely to sell out". From $28. See the listing.
Make Your Mosaic Lamp, Galata Tower
An atelier near the Galata Tower with premium heat-resistant lamp models, "affordable upgrades", unlimited tea, water and Turkish delight, and a 10% discount at the café across the street. The lamp is modular and packed to travel, even by plane. The listing says 1.5 to 2 hours, children from 5 are welcome with an adult, and couples can make one lamp together. Instructors speak English, Turkish and Russian. From $42, rated 4.8 from 125 reviews. See the listing.
Traditional Mosaic Lamp Workshop
From $21, rated 4.8 from 183 reviews. Over 50 colours to choose from, Turkish tea and apple tea, a skilled instructor and no prior experience needed; the listing describes it as suitable for everybody. Several time slots from morning to afternoon. The listing also says you can purchase the lamp you created, so check on the page whether the lamp is included in the price before booking. See the listing.
What is not included and the pitfalls
- The lamp is fragile: all listings pack it, and the Galata one says it is flight-ready; keep it in your hand luggage.
- The plug: two listings include a US adapter; Turkey uses 230 V sockets, see our guide to plugs and voltage in Istanbul.
- Finding the place: the Ottoman inn workshop is on an upper floor (Room 109) and the Hagia Sophia one is in a mansion beside the Basilica Cistern entrance; read the meeting point in your voucher.
- Accessibility: only the Blue Mosque workshop is marked wheelchair accessible; the Ottoman inn one is not suitable for wheelchair users.
- Children: Galata welcomes children from 5 with an adult, Hagia Sophia excludes children under 6, and the others do not state an age.
- Duration: allow 2 to 2.5 hours, plus the walk between sights.
- Extras: the Galata atelier sells upgrades and the traditional workshop sells the finished lamp; budget a little more if you are tempted.
Which offer to choose?
- Most visitors: the Blue Mosque workshop, for rating, number of reviews and accessibility.
- A bit cheaper: the Ottoman inn workshop.
- With history and a show option: the Hagia Sophia workshop.
- Staying on the Galata side or with young children: the Galata Tower workshop.
- Lowest price: the traditional workshop.
- Buying a ready-made lamp instead: see our guide to what to bring back from Istanbul and the Grand Bazaar.
Nearby: Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, Galata Tower.
Booking at the right time
Workshops run in several slots a day and the Hagia Sophia one is marked "likely to sell out": book a few days ahead for a weekend or high season. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before applies to all five listings. It is a good plan for a rainy day, see what to do in Istanbul when it rains.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a mosaic lamp workshop in Istanbul? From $21 to $42 per person in October 2026 depending on the workshop; the most reviewed one, near the Blue Mosque, starts at $26.
How long does it take? About 2 to 2.5 hours; the lamp has to dry before the final assembly.
Do I need experience? No: the listings say no prior experience is needed and the instructors guide each step.
Can I take the lamp on a plane? The listings say it is packed in protective wrapping and the Galata atelier says it is flight-ready; carry it in your cabin bag.
