For anyone traveling through Istanbul, visiting a Turkish bathhouse is a truly invigorating and unique experience. The country’s largest city, located on the Bosphorus strait, experiences the sunny, temperate weather characteristic of Mediterranean countries from late spring to early autumn. However, during the rest of the year, the weather in Istanbul is quite wet with frequent rainy days that are as windy as they are cold.
What better time than to visit the warmth of a Turkish bathhouse while trying to escape the pervasive chill in the air? Turkish bathhouses have had a history in the region since Roman times at the turn of the millennium. The tradition continued throughout the Byzantine Empire and into Ottoman Empire when the Turks brought their Manchu-style bathhouses from Central Asia.
Although customs may have varied between cultures, bathhouses -whether public or private- were seen not only as a place to get clean but also to catch up with acquaintances. These days frequenting a Turkish bathhouse (locally known as a hammam) is as typical as having a night out with friends since the practice is meant to be treated as a relaxing social activity.
I went solo and still had a great time so if you’ve never been to a Turkish bathhouse before and don’t know what to expect, let me break it down for you. Let’s jump in!
What to Expect at a Turkish Bathhouse
Visiting a Turkish bath can be a nerve-racking experience for first-timers who aren’t familar with the tradition. If you’ve never been to a Turkish bathhouse before, I’ve broken down what to expect typically once inside.
Facilities
Turkish bathhouses differ from their Roman predecessors, which consisted of a single steam room, in a few ways. Instead, Turkish baths are typically comprised of three rooms; a cool room, a tepid room, and a hot room. The changing temperatures are supposed to help open and unclog your pores as well as soften your skin for later exfoliation. You can also expect changing rooms with storage lockers to guard your possessions as well as lounge rooms to kick back in before, during, and after your spa treatment. These lounges frequently offer refreshments and snacks (usually at added expense) along with cushy digs filled with comfy seating.
Spa Packages
Moreover, the baths are generally separated by gender since partial nudity is permitted once past the entrance. Traditionally, many baths offer a self-serve option (in which you bathe yourself) but there are also several that provide luxury spa packages with massages included along with mani-pedis, face masks, and more.
Depending on your budget, you can try either option but if you’re like me, you won’t mind splurging a little. While there’s no shortage of hammams throughout Istanbul, (including several budget to mid-range options for the thrifty), you’ll often get what you pay for but it doesn’t hurt to shop around. Some hammams that cater to locals (and are therefore more affordable) only offer the bare minimum such as access to their baths, while others provide waxing services as well as a personal concierge. Choose which is best for you.
Customs and Practices
As previously mentioned, genders are generally segregated at the door since partial nudity is permitted once you enter the bath section of the hammam. While going topless for both men and women is allowed once separated, genitals are expected to be covered at all times. You can elect to bring your own swim trunks or bikini bottoms but most decent hammams will provide their clients with disposable underwear (as pictured).
With a general admission ticket (self-serving bath), you will be given a scrub towel and then granted access to the baths, or you can pay for an attendant to scrub you (it’s much more pleasing than it sounds). Either way, you’re in for a great time!
*For privacy’s sake, the use of mobile phones and taking pictures are not allowed inside most hammams.
My Hammam Experience at Cemberlitas
I decided to pay a visit to Cemberlitas Hammam since it was close to my accommodation in Sultanahmet, Istanbul’s touristic center, and had reasonable prices for its amenities. Rather than opt for a self-serve bath, I upgraded to their “Luxury Style” package which came with a body scrub, bubble wash, a 30-min massage of my choosing as well as access to the facilities. (Due to a misunderstanding on their part, I was comped a free facial mask treatment, too!)
When I walked in, I was warmly greeted by the receptionist who, after paying, gave me a small, stringed pouch which came with the tokens for each perk of the package plus a pair of disposable underwear and a scrub cloth. Then, the receptionist directed me toward a set of stairs that led down to the women’s lounge section of the hammam. The spacious room was the perfect temperature compared to the rainy day outside and warmly lit with lush furnishings.
Once in the lounge, I was greeted by an attendant who pointed me toward the changing rooms upstairs where I found several rooms with lockers with keys and also slippers. After changing and locking up my possessions, I headed back downstairs where another attendant asked me for my tokens for the body scrub and bubble massage before guiding me to another door. This door led toward a slightly warmer room with benches, a shower, and a massage parlor off to the side. She guided me past that section into another room that was so hot and humid my glasses immediately steamed up.
When I took them off, I saw that there were many other women in various stages of undress, some who were getting washed by other attendants and others simply basking in the intense heat. My attendant was a friendly local who chatted me up briefly as she laid out a towel for me to lie on before telling me that she’d return in 10 minutes, enough time for my sweat to loosen my skin.
I did as instructed and soaked up the warmth, which was welcome after my dreary but productive morning (walking for 4 hours in the rain to get some early morning shots of the city). I must’ve dozed off because the next thing I knew, the attendant had returned, informing me that it was time for my body scrub. I gave her the scrub cloth from my pouch, flipped onto my stomach, and then she began to gently exfoliate my flesh from the neck down to my toes. She had me flip over once more to get at my front side to make sure I was scrubbed good.
After a sufficient scrubbing (~5-10 minutes), she rinsed me with copious amounts of warm water to remove my excess skin flakes and then brought over a tub filled with sudsy water. Using another large cloth, she drenched my body with so many bubbles that I disappeared into them for a bit which was delightful since the bubbles felt so nice on my freshly sloughed skin.
From there, she massaged the bubbles into my skin, using their soapiness for slippage. The full-body massage was nice and thorough and, though I was topless, I felt completely secure the entire time and the attendant was very professional.
At the end of the massage, she rinsed me a few more times with warm water before asking me if I wanted her to wash my hair and give me a head massage (sadly, I had to decline since I was wearing long braids at the time). Instead, she dried me up using a fresh towel, handed it to me once that task was complete, and then led me back into the main chamber to wait for my massage.
Utterly content, I was sitting on a plush sofa for about 2 minutes just people-watching the other guests (most in groups but social-distanced) before another attendant came up to me. She was my masseuse and guided me back to the massage parlor that I had spotted earlier. There, she also briefly chatted me up after asking for my tokens for the massage (I’d gone with a Swedish massage but there were several types at reception such as acupuncture, Thai, etc.) and the facial.
My second massage was even more heavenly than the first so I let myself drift off again (I’d woken up at the crack of dawn that day) and, with that, the time flew by. Following the body massage, the attendant applied a thick, green but pleasant-smelling paste to my entire face and neck, and told me to wait for it to dry before I rinsed it off.
I gave it another 15 minutes, still feeling fuzzy and warm from the massage, before heading to the shower in the next room. There were bottles of shampoo and body wash so I lathered up once last time to wash off the face mask plus the body oil from the massage. Feeling as smooth as a newborn, I went back to the main lounge where a fourth attendant came up to ask if I wanted anything to eat or drink. I ordered a bottle of cold water (a welcome respite after all the heat) plus a cup of apple tea (because it’s amazing).
Finally, after finishing my drinks, I went back upstairs to get dressed, still gathering my strength to brave the icy-cold rain once again. On my way out, I came down to pay my drink tab and tip my personal attendants (not obligatory at all but I’m Canadian and can’t help it) who thanked me sincerely (a testament to the famous Turkish hospitality).
At the reception, I asked if I could come back another time to take some pictures of the hammam for this blog post and they were kind enough to agree (absolute rockstars). I went back to the next day right at opening to snag some exclusive shots of the hammam just for y’all!
The 8 Best Hammams in Istanbul
As previously mentioned, I had the pleasure of visiting Cemberlitas Hammam in Sultanahmet, a mid-range hammam with several spa packages plus a range of perks. Still, Istanbul has several hammams to explore throughout the city, especially those that specialize in serving locals or those that cater more exclusively to the wealthy. The average price for a luxury spa package with a massage is about 400-700 TL (~40-70€) so make your selection based on that.
While I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at Cemberlitas Hammam, it might not be for everyone. With a plethora of hamami all around Sultanahmet (Old City Center) and Beyoglu (the commercial district), perhaps one of the ones below is exactly to your tastes.
1. Cemberlitas Hamami in Sultanahmet
Cemberlitas Hamami
As detailed above, my experience at this hammam was marvelous and I was well-attended to in a timely and friendly manner. The hammam is located across from Cemberlitas Tram Station in a square once known at the Forum of Constantine during the reigns of the Roman and Byzantine Empires (look out for the Burnt Column commissioned by Emperor Constantine).
Cemberlitas Hamami was constructed in 1584 for Nurbanu Sultan, the wife of Sultan Selim II who rose to the throne after Suleiman the Magnificent (who also has his own hammam). The hammam is the oldest Turkish-style bathhouse in Istanbul and one of the most popular destinations for tourists since it’s also near the Grand Bazaar. The prices for some of their services are listed below:
Self-service bath: 175 TL
Traditional style: 270 TL
Hammam
Body scrub
Bubble wash with full-body massage
Luxury style: 450 TL
Hammam
Body scrub
Bubble wash with full-body massage
Massage of choice (30 min)
Reservations are not required in advance.
2. Aga Hamami in BEyoGlu
Aga Hamami
This hammam is the oldest bathhouse in Istanbul, constructed in 1454 in the Cihangir neighborhood in Beyoglu. Its other claim to fame is that it’s one of the only hammams in Istanbul that is mixed-sex, meaning heterosexual couples can stay together.
Aga Hamami was erected by the Fatih Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror (the 7th Ottoman Padishah as part of a hunting lodge used exclusively by him and his sons. In 1844 the hammam was completely renovated thanks to Abdulmecid (the 31st Ottoman Padishah) and it remained in royal possession until the fall of the Ottoman Empire in the early 19th century when it opened to the public.
Aga Hamami offers an extensive list of high-end packages so spend the day there getting scrubbed, massaged, and waxed into perfection. Some of the services are detailed below:
Traditional package: 200 TL
Self-service bath: 150 TL
Body scrub: 25 TL
Foam bath: 25 TL
Massage package: 300 TL
Self-service bath: 150 TL
Body scrub: 25 TL
Foam bath: 25 TL
Oil massage (20 min): 100 TL
Ottoman package: 400 TL
Self-service bath: 150 TL
Body scrub: 25 TL
Foam bath: 25 TL
Oil massage (20 min): 100 TL
Head massage: 50 TL
Mossy facial mask: 50 TL
Mixed-gender bathing allowed. Reservations are required in advance.
3. Galatasaray Hamami in Beyoglu
Galatasaray Hamami
This famous hammam more than lives up to its reputation as the second oldest hammam in Istanbul and yet one of the cheapest without skimping on quality. Situated in Beyoglu near Taksim Square among the neighborhood’s posh hotel and restaurants, Galatasaray Hamami shouldn't be passed over by those staying in the area.
Local legend says that it was built by Sultan Beyazit II (son of the legendary Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror) after he was wandering the streets and came upon a hut. Inside it was Gul Baba, a respected citizen of the time, to whom the sultan granted a wish, the construction of a mosque with a domed hammam.
Apparently, the man’s wish was granted since Galatasaray Mosque and its accompanying mosque were erected in 1481 and have been local fixtures ever since. These days, it’s one of the more popular and budget-friendly options in the area, providing free drinks to its clients during their treatment (any other hammams charge per drink). The hammam, unfortunately, doesn’t readily list all of its prices but check out some of their packages below:
Pasha Service:
Hammam
Foam bath
Oil massage (45 min)
Full Service:
Hammam
Foam bath
Soapy massage (20 min)
Alternatively, you can also plan an event at the hammam by renting out the entire place if you’re at least 15 people and the rates or more than reasonable:
2 hours: 750€ (1500€ on weekends)
Per extra hour: 300€ (500€ on weekends)
Catering service, live music, and oriental shows available on-demand at extra charge
If you’re planning to visit with the whole crew in tow, this might be the perfect Turkish bathhouse for you/
Reservations are required in advance.
4. Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan Hamami in Sultanahmet
Ayasofya Hamami
This historic hammam is nestled in the park between Hagia Sophia (for whom it bears its name) and the Blue Mosque and was designed in the 1550s by Mimar Sinan (the most famous architect at the time) at the best of Hurren Sultan, the famous wife of Suleiman the Magnificent. The site had already had much historical significance since it was also the previous location of the baths of Zeuxippus in the 2nd century and was allegedly where the Temple of Zeus (one of the Wonders of the Ancient World) once stood.
For nearly 400 years the hammam was operational until 1910, after which it closed for several decades (except when briefly used as a prison) before being renovated in 1957 and again in the late 2000s. Since then, the hammam has become a luxury spa on par with those found in 5-star hotels, easily winning the prize for the most extravagant Turkish bathhouse in Istanbul. This factor plus its central location in Sultanahmet also make it the most expensive hammam in the city.
However, for many, it’s worth the splurge to visit since they provide a wide selection of bath packages and massage therapies along with group rituals for bridal and groom parties. Find some of their services and prices below:
Asl-i Hamam (30 min treatment): 55€
Hammam
Body scrub
Bubble wash
Pir-ü Pak (45 min treatment): 80€
Hammam
Body scrub
Bubble wash with full-body massage
Keyf-i Hamam (60 min treatment): 120€
Hammam
Body scrub
Bubble wash with full-body massage
Full-body moisturizing and firming clay
Ab-i Hayat (110 min treatment): 185€
Hammam
Body scrub
Bubble wash with full-body massage
Full-body moisturizing and firming clay
Aromatherapy massage
Face massage and face mask
Foot massage
Fresh fruits served on a platter
Private changing room
Parting gift
Reservations are required in advance.
5. Suleymaniye Hamami in sultanahmet
Suleymaniye Hamami
Yet another hammam built by the famed Mimar Sinan (who also built the previous mosque and hammam), this historic site was part of the Suleymaniye Mosque Complex for Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in 1557. One of the oldest hammams in Istanbul, Suleymaniye Hamami is situated right outside of its mosque of the same name.
Suleymaniye Hamami is also the only of the few bathhouses in the city that allows mixed genders, meaning hetero couples can bathe together. For this reason alone, it's one of the best Turkish bathhouses for groups although the only disadvantage is it´s slightly more uptown than Istanbul´s top landmarks.
If you don't mind walking 10-20 minutes from Hagia Sophia (Istanbul is gorgeous so it should be a scenic stroll), the hammam also has some of the best value for your money out of all its contenders. See some of their packages and prices below:
Hammam service (60-90 min treatment): 40€ (cash only)
Hammam
Body scrub
Bubble wash with massage
Mixed-gender bathing allowed. Reservations are required in advance.
6. Kiliç Ali Paşa Hamami in Beyoglu
Kilic Ali Pasa
Another hammam designed in the 16th century by genius Mimar Sinan, Kiliç Ali Paşa Hamami was erected between 1578-1583 for the famous Ottoman Admiral Kiliç Ali Paşa. Originally the hammam was part of a school and mosque complex that serviced the levends, the naval forces of the Ottoman Empire.
Currently one of the most prominent landmarks in Beyogul’s Tophane harbor district, Kiliç Ali Paşa Hamami was painstakingly restored for 7 years before being reopened to the public. The bathhouse also features a boutique where you can buy souvenirs to take home as well as provides group packages for bridal and groom parties.
Although their reviews are stellar, their range of spa packages are a bit limited when compared to its competitors, as shown below:
Hammam Ritual: 390 TL
Hammam
Body scrub
Bubble wash with massage
Glass of homemade sherbet
Massage packages (hammam access included):
Full-body (50 min): 410 TL
Deep tissue (75 min): 580 TL
Sports (50 min): 440 TL
Foot and lower leg (25 min): 290 TL
Partial-body (25 min): 290 TL
Reservations are required in advance.
7. Cağaloğlu Hamami in Sultanahmet
Cagaloglu Hamami
Arguably the most famous Turkish bathhouse in Istanbul, this opulent hammam is located just a stone's throw away from Basilica Cistern in Sultanahmet. Built in 1741 in the Ottoman Baroque style of the late 18th century, Cağaloğlu Hamami has welcomed many esteemed historical figures such as German Emperor Kaiser Wilhelm, pianist Franz Liszt, and actor Omar Sharif.
Perhaps this is why Cağaloğlu Hamami was the only Turkish bathhouse featured in the New York Times “1000 Places to See Before You Die” and has been used to shoot scenes throughout Turkish cinema. The intricate design was actually started by Suleyman Ağa, a notable architect of the time, but finished by Abdullah Ağa during the reign of Sultan Mahmut.
Besides its elegant decor, the hammam has several lounge rooms as well as a garden terrace plus a wide range of spa packages, some of which are listed below:
Self-service bath: 30€
Hammam
Specialty shampoo, hair cream, body lotion, and Ayvalik soaps
Treats: Turkish tea, homemade sherbet, and Turkish delight
Istanbul Dream (45 min treatment): 50€
Hammam
Body scrub
Bubble wash with massage (20 min)
Treats: Turkish tea, homemade sherbet, and Turkish delight
Cağaloğlu Hammam (60 min treatment): 75€
Hammam
Body scrub
Bubble wash with massage (20 min)
Foot massage (15 min)
Treats: Turkish tea, homemade sherbet, and Turkish delight
The Ottoman Luxury Service (100 min treatment): 120€
Hammam
Body scrub
Bubble wash with massage (30 min)
Aromatherapy massage (45 min)
Treats: Turkish tea, homemade sherbet, Turkish delight, and fruit
Sultan Mahmut The First (120 min treatment): 180€
Hammam
Body scrub
Bubble wash with massage with 2 therapists (35 min)
Foot massage (15 min)
Collagen face mask
Aromatherapy massage (45 min)
Treats: Turkish tea, homemade sherbet, Turkish delight, and fruit
Reservations are required in advance.
8. Çukurcuma Hamami in BEYOGLU
Cukurcuma Hamami
The last Turkish bath on this list was also one of the last hammams constructed before the fall of the Ottoman Empire. Çukurcuma Hamami, previously named Süreyya Hamami, was built in 1831 when the French-born Naqshidil Valide Sultan, wife of Sultan Abdul Hamid I, and mother to Mahmud II, popularized water installations in the area.
Its modernity certainly shows in its eloquently decorated lounges and copious amenities, bringing the old hamami tradition into the New Age. The bathhouse was a favorite stop of famous Alexandrian poet Constantinos Kavafls who lived in Istanbul from 1880 to 1885 and was also featured in a film as recently as 1997 by Turkish-Italian director Ferzan Özpetek in his first movie. The hammam closed operations from 2007 to 2018 to make way for renovations and the upgrades definitely show.
The hammam has various lounge areas to relax in and plenty of spa packages to have you soaking in the lap of luxury in no time. Check out some of their options below:
Traditional Turkish Hammam: 400 TL
Hammam
Body scrub
Bubble wash with massage
Treats: Herbal tea and detox water
Süreyya Dream: 800 TL
Hammam
Body scrub
Bubble wash with massage
Massage (40 min)
Treats: Herbal tea and detox water
Massage packages (hammam access included):
Relaxing: 330 TL
Aromatherapy: 440 TL
Sports: 470 TL
Mixed-gender bathing allowed. Reservations are not required in advance but recommended.
Final Thoughts
Visiting a Turkish bath in Istanbul is a great way to escape the bitter cold that can sometimes plague the city in colder months. You can expect hammams to be clean as Turkish culture dictates that people maintain personal hygiene and the service is generally prompt and courteous.
Istanbul sports numerous hammams throughout both Sultanahmet and Beyoglu, from the extravagant to the modest, but rest assured that most won’t cost an arm and a leg. There are plenty of options that come in a range of packages and prices so even the budget-conscious can have their day at the spa.
Just make sure to book early as hammams are popular venues with locals for social gatherings, especially during autumn and winter. Booking a treatment anytime before midday is a sure way to beat the crowds and traveling couples would do well to stick to hammams that specialize in mixed-gender facilities.
Do yourself a favor and reserve your experience at a Turkish bath ASAP. After all, don’t you deserve some self-care while on vacation?
May you get lost in the wild,
M