Turkish Carpet Art: Discover Cultural Craftsmanship
4.9
19 Ratings
Fatih

Explore Turkish carpet art at Istanbul’s historic caravansarai. Witness weaving, dyeing, and silk production. Engage with artisans and find your perfect rug.

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Blue Mosque - Discover the stunning exteriors of the Blue Mosque, where history and artistry have been beautifully preserved in every stone.
  • Cemberlitas Sutunu - Enjoy a fascinating carpet shopping adventure in Istanbul’s historic caravanserai.
  1. Visit the Historic Caravanserai:
    Travel back in time as you enter a charming old caravanserai, a…
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What's Included
  • Tea and coffee
Additional Information

With a background as a former teacher, a licensed guide boasting over a decade of experience, and currently pursuing a Ph.D. in art philosophy, the operator provides insights that uncover the profound meaning and soulful essence embedded in every Turkish carpet.
Engaging in this experience allows participants to delve into the rich world of Turkish…

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Location
German Fountain
At Meydanı Caddesi
Our meeting point is the German Fountain (Alman Çeşmesi in Turkish language). It is literally a minute far from Sultan Ahmet Tramway station on foot.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(19 Ratings)
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Nathaliegk512wx
Sep 24, 2025
Amazing experience! - Such an amazing and unique experience! Israfil was a great guide and we learned a lot and bought a one-of-a-kind carpet with his guidance
Review provided by Tripadvisor
928kunh
Sep 1, 2025
A Memorable Carpet Tour with Israfil - This was my second time in Istanbul, and I joined Israfil’s carpet tour after a friend recommended it to me. I’m really glad I did. We started by talking about the cultural codes of Turkish art, which gave me a new perspective before visiting the historical caravanserai. There we got to see how Turkish carpets are actually made, which was fascinating. I ended up buying two rugs that I truly love. The whole experience was informative, funny, and very sincere. Israfil made the tour feel personal, not like a standard tourist activity. Definitely one of the highlights of my trip.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mts
Aug 31, 2025
A Fun and Inspiring Carpet Tour in Istanbul - I really enjoyed this tour with Israfil. I love art and also shopping, so it was perfect for me. While we were looking at the different styles and patterns, I found a carpet that I really liked and decided to buy it—it felt special to bring something home with meaning. Walking through the old caravanserai also felt special, like discovering another side of Istanbul. Israfil was very friendly and we also spoke about daily life and culture, which made the tour even nicer. I didn’t feel any pressure, just a relaxed and inspiring time.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
512kennyw
Jul 12, 2025
Functional art at it's finest. - Istafil is an amazing tour guide. His knowledge in Turkish art (history, philosophy, interpretation of patterns+motifs, etc.) is second to none. If you are into art of any form this is a must do. Looking for Turkish rugs or just want to learn more about them without the pressure of buying anything? This is the experience for you. He may even handroll an organic grown tobacco joint for you for the full Turkish experience if you ask nicely :).
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Roam349098
Jun 12, 2025
Amazing tour, excellent guide! - As an art lover and frequent traveler, I found this tour to be a perfect blend of culture, craftsmanship, and meaningful conversation. My guide Israfil was knowledgeable and has a great sense of humour. We talked not just about carpets, but also Turkish social life and the deeper meaning behind traditional designs. The historic caravanserai setting was beautiful, and the selection of carpets was exceptional. There was no pressure, just honest guidance. I left with a stunning piece and a deeper appreciation for Turkish art.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
223ewas
Jun 11, 2025
Real Turkish Carpets - Great Tour to Learn and Find a Real Turkish Carpet I booked this tour hoping to learn a bit more about Turkish carpets, and it turned out to be way more interesting than I expected. Israfil, our guide, was super easy to talk to and explained everything in a way that made sense, even if you’re not an art expert. We also chatted a lot about life in Turkey today, which made the whole thing feel really personal. I ended up picking a carpet I really loved from their big and beautiful collection inside the old caravanserai. Overall, it was a very relaxing and enjoyable experience that I can highly recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Катерина
Jun 10, 2025
Best Carpet Experience After Extensive Research! - Before booking this tour, we did a lot of research online and even visited a few carpet shops on our own—but nothing compared to the experience we had here. Our guide Israfil was extremely professional, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about Turkish art and culture. He took us to a stunning historic caravanserai with a massive, high-quality selection of carpets. Unlike the other places we saw, there was no pressure—just honest guidance and genuine expertise. We felt completely confident in our purchase. If you're serious about buying a carpet in Istanbul, this is the experience you’ve been looking for.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
717issah
Jun 10, 2025
Amazing experience - A Wonderful Tour for Turkish Carpet This tour was a really enjoyable way to dive into Turkish culture right in the heart of Istanbul. The guide was friendly, professional, and shared so much interesting info about the history and meaning behind different carpet patterns and how they’re made. I also loved walking through the old caravanserai—it felt like stepping into a piece of the city's past. The shopping part was easy and relaxed, with no pressure at all. There was a huge variety of beautiful carpets, and with the guide’s help, I found one that felt just right for me.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Juliagf5372ev
Jun 9, 2025
-Authentic and Relaxed Carpet Shopping in Istanbul - - I had a great time on this carpet tour during my trip to Istanbul. I’ve always been interested in handmade things and Turkish culture, so this was a perfect fit. Israfil was very professional, friendly, and clearly passionate about what he does. He explained everything—from how the carpets are made to what the different symbols and colors mean. The location was also really special, inside a historic caravanserai that felt full of character and history. I had visited a few shops on my own before this tour, but honestly, this experience was much better. The selection was bigger, the quality was amazing, and I never felt rushed or pressured to buy. With my guide’s help, I found a carpet I truly love and feel confident in the choice I made. I can definitely recommend this tour to anyone who wants something more authentic and informative when shopping for a Turkish rug.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Precious_n
Jun 2, 2025
Wonderful Experience - I’m incredibly thankful for the experience provided during this tour. İsrafil shared a wealth of knowledge about not only the art & history of handmade Turkish carpets, but also the country of Turkey itself. The tour was meticulously organized! The tour location was very easy to find and within short walking distance to the Turkish carpet store. There was an abundance of carpets to choose from! Surprisingly there were far mor options than imagined; traditional, vintage, tribal and modern just to name a few. At no point in my Turkish carpet shopping experience did is feel pressured to buy anything or stay longer than intended. The team at the Turkish carpet store were kind and courteous. After numerous viewings of carpet selections, I was able to narrow down to two beautiful unique choices and left the store feeling very excited about my purchase. I can’t wait to unveil these new pieces in my home, thank you İsrafil!
Review provided by Viator
Check Availability
From $52
From $52
up to 10 guests
1 - Adult
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Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).
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