Istanbul 2026 Calendar of Events

Boris was very nice abd knowledgeable

Our guide, Batu was excellent, informative and helpful. Wonderful experience. Highly recommend

Wonderful to be welcomed onto Ozge’s home for a really authentic cooking experience. We loved getting involved in the preparation of the delicious eggplant (aubergine for us Brits!) and zucchini (courgette) dishes. We also loved sharing the evening with Özge’s gorgeous dog and cat! Great to learn Turkish sayings as the session progressed - it was like visiting a good friend’s home for a lovely meal! Be prepared for the climb up several flights of stairs - worth it for the delicious food!

Amazing experience and Rabia was an excellent teacher. Building a lamp is a very good way to spend time with friends doing something creative and peaceful.

This was such a fun and memorable way to spend an evening in Istanbul. The Bosphorus views were beautiful, the atmosphere was lively, and having a private table made the experience feel even more comfortable and enjoyable. One of my favorite parts was the traditional dancing during dinner. The performances were so much fun to watch and really made the night stand out. It added a cultural element to the cruise that made the experience feel more special than just having dinner on the water. The staff was also very nice and helped make the evening enjoyable from start to finish. Between the food, the traditional performances, the atmosphere, and the nighttime views of Istanbul, this was a really nice experience and one I would definitely recommend.

A wonderful trip & a must if you’re visiting Istanbul

We bought a two day epass before arriving in Istanbul and it was well worth the cost. By my calculations, we saved $200 by having the pass.The best part of having the pass was the guided tours. We took 3 tours in a row with the same guide, Icsan, who was fantastic (I might have misspelled his name, but the tours were on Wednesday, September 23). His knowledge of history, architecture, and culture made the tours – Basilica Cistern, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace the highlight of our trip to Istanbul.The support team at epass was great answering inquiries within minutes. I had made a mistake in a reservation – they quickly rectified it.The only criticism is not of epass itself but the inclusion of the river cruise – we were an hour late due to traffic – not the driver’s fault – and the food was mediocre at best. An alternative company offering a similar cruise might be worth looking into.We were more than satisfied with the pass.

I took the three day pass, and was able to visit all the main attractions. Customer support was very cooperative and the instructions were easy to follow.

Perfect way to explore the Bosphorus without being on a super crowded ship. The guides and staff were personable, and the whole experience was fantastic.

Really impressive show. Brings the culture really alive. Good dancers and professional organisation. Recommend it.

Excellent service and entertainment. Delectable dinner and breathtaking views of Istanbul. Really recommend it.

Kamran was a fantastic instructor for our perfume making workshop. We had a great time and are looking forward to enjoying our new very personal scents.

We had an absolutely wonderful experience on the sunset cruise! Everything was perfectly organized from start to finish, and the entire experience was of a very high standard.The atmosphere was amazing, the views of the Bosphorus at sunset were breathtaking, and every detail was very well taken care of.A special thank you to our guide, Murad, who was fantastic! He was extremely friendly, professional, attentive, and made the whole experience even more enjoyable. He truly went above and beyond to make sure we had a great time.Definitely one of the highlights of our stay in Istanbul. We would highly recommend this sunset cruise to anyone looking for a beautiful, relaxing, and memorable experience on the Bosphorus.Thank you, Murad, and the entire team for making it such a special evening!

Wonderful day with an excellent guide Mustafa. He was the very best!!! Would highly recommend this 1 day tour!!

What a great experience doing this class. Lots of fun! What a great host! The pomegranate tea was a great addition! It was a rainy day in Istanbul so it was the perfect activity!

I have taken quite a few food tours in different parts of the world, but I can genuinely say that Faride’s hospitality was unmatched. First of all, Faride is an absolute gentleman. From the beginning, he never once made us feel as though he was watching the clock or trying to rush through the tour. He gave us much more time than was allotted and never seemed to be in a hurry. What I especially appreciated was the effort he put into making sure we tasted food from hygienic, authentic places. He wanted us to try the real thing at places known for each particular dish, rather than simply taking us to convenient or touristy spots. On other tours, I have sometimes felt that guides were taking us to certain shops or restaurants because they had an arrangement or received a commission. With Faride, I never felt that way, not even once. It genuinely felt as though every place was chosen because he wanted us to have the best and most authentic experience possible. Even as we walked through the streets, the amount of information he shared was incredible. He explained the food, the places, the history, and so many fascinating little details along the way. Everything was top-notch. But more than the food or the places we visited, what really stayed with me was Faride himself. He is such a genuinely kind and warm person. Sometimes, when you travel, you meet someone who changes the way you feel about a place, and Faride did that for me. His sincerity and hospitality actually made me wish I had planned to stay longer in Istanbul. I have taken many tours while travelling, but it is very rare for me to feel this strongly about recommending a guide. I wouldn’t just recommend this food tour; if I ever return to Istanbul, I would absolutely want to take another tour with Faride. If any of my friends or family visit Istanbul, I will make sure to tell them to book a tour with him. And if Faride offers any other tours, I would happily join those as well. Thank you, Faride, for giving us much more than just a food tour. Your kindness, sincerity, hospitality, and the effort you put into the entire experience are things I will genuinely remember about Istanbul. ❤️