Aromatherapy Botanical Distillation & Hydrosol Workshop
- 1h 30m
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Guided in English
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
Discover the ancient art of distillation in an immersive, hands-on workshop set within the walls of Little Hagia Sophia—a hidden cultural sanctuary in Istanbul. Choose between lavender or bay leaves (seasonally, rose may be available) and experience the full process of transforming aromatic plants into pure hydrosol using traditional copper stills. Guided by an expert host, you’ll: – Learn the history and modern uses of plant distillation – Participate in every step of the process, from preparation to bottling – Smell, touch, and see the transformation of raw herbs into natural essence – Take home a bottle of your freshly made hydrosol This two-hour experience is ideal for curious minds, nature lovers, and those interested in wellness rituals. No prior experience is needed—just bring your senses and curiosity! Enjoy tea, conversation, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere in one of the city’s most historic locations.
Inclusions
What's included
- ✦ Mini handmade soap made from distilled flower water
- ✦ Take home a sample of your own essential oil
- ✦ Choose your plant: lavender, bay leaf or (seasonally) rose petals
- ✦ Hands-on steam distillation session using traditional equipment
- ✦ Guided exploration of Little Hagia Sophia’s peaceful courtyard
- ✦ Stories and historical anecdotes from ancient Istanbul
- ✦ Turkish coffee served with Turkish Delight
- ✦ flower water (hydrosol) bottle - as a gift
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
5.0
- 519
- 40
- 30
- 20
- 10
Ratings come from 19 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- You will meet us at our Cultural Center, in the garden of the Little Hagia Sophia Mosque. Little Hagia Sophia is an old church and mosque that gave its name to the region. It is known by everyone in the surrounding area.
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Group size
- Up to 14 travellers
- Operated by
- Little Hagia Sophia
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
How it compares in Istanbul
- Its from-price is 73% below the median of the 3649 experiences we list in Istanbul.
- It is shorter than most of them.
- By number of reviews it ranks 735 of 3649.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Istanbul
Istanbul straddles Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus, with Byzantine and Ottoman monuments, busy bazaars and ferries crossing between continents.
The historic peninsula holds the greatest landmarks. Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome face each other in Sultanahmet, the Basilica Cistern lies beneath the streets, and Topkapı Palace spreads across the hill above the Golden Horn. A short walk away, the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar have traded for centuries, and Süleymaniye Mosque, built by the great Ottoman architect Sinan, crowns one of the city's seven hills.
Top-ranked sights in Istanbul: Dolmabahce Palace (Dolmabahce Sarayi), Bosphorus, Bosphorus Bridge (Bogazici Koprusu).
Special offers in Istanbul
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
