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
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
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
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
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
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
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
May 27, 2025
Masterclass in Turkish Carpets - We didn’t expect to be so moved by a carpet buying experience, but this tour changed our perspective. Rather than being rushed or pitched to, we were welcomed into a calm space where everything was thoughtfully explained,from weaving techniques to the cultural significance behind each pattern. The guide wasn’t just informed, he was a great funny storyteller, which made the whole experience feel more like a cultural journey than a shopping trip. The carpets themselves were breathtaking, and we never once felt pushed to buy. We ended up finding something we love and now see it as a piece of living history in our place. This wasn’t just a stop on our trip, felt like a highlight.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mar 29, 2025
"An Amazing Tour for Art and Carpet Lovers!" - This tour was a perfect mix of cultural learning and practical shopping, thanks to the expertise of our experienced guide Israfil. His insights into the artistry and symbolism behind Turkish carpets made the experience incredibly meaningful. The visit to the historic caravanserai offered a unique opportunity to browse an extensive selection of rugs with the confidence of expert guidance, making it the ideal way to find a truly special piece.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
May 2, 2025
Learn about carpets! - An insightful tour about the history of carpets and the trade of it. The host is knowledgeable and we had the opportunity to buy a carpet.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
