Hammams in Istanbul

Istanbul is a prime example of the former luxury of the Ottoman Empire. Here you can not only enjoy the richness of culture and shopping but also rejuvenate your soul in local baths. Even with a minimal budget, you have the opportunity to feel like a millionaire.

Features of Turkish baths or why visit a hammam

The Turks adopted the washing culture from the ancient Romans, making it part of their heritage. For the local population, this is not just a cleansing of the body, but a real science combined with faith and traditions. Travellers who once visited Istanbul agree that the Turkish bath here is the best.

In Turkish, a bath is called "hamam," which translates to "radiating heat."

Earlier, men came here to think in order to make the right decision.

Every devout person was obliged to purify their soul before visiting a mosque or attending a prayer. In other words, they had to cleanse themselves in a hamam. So, the Istanbul hammam serves as:

a pledge of youth;

a place where you can have a good time with a friendly conversation;

a centre for peace and relaxation;

rooms for washing and various procedures associated with the bathing process;

a centre for bodily healing and spiritual relaxation.

It is no wonder that in Istanbul, it is believed that a person who visits a hamam is revitalized and undergoes a rebirth. After the bath, one gains clarity of thought and renewed strength. Moreover, the historical hamams in the city center are considered the best since they have carried the cultural heritage through 400-500 years.

Famous hammams in Istanbul

Istanbul is home to 500 hammams, which accommodate up to 1,000 clients daily. Hundreds of masseurs work here to ensure the well-being of the visitors. Each hammam has its own price range, depending on its decor, size, popularity, and historical significance.

The standard package of services can range from 10 USD to 170 USD.

Therefore, you can visit the bathhouse even if you have a small budget for relaxation. We offer you a selection of popular baths in Istanbul.

Hürrem Sultan Hammam

This hammam was once built for the legendary Roxelana, the beloved wife of the Sultan who had Slavic origins. After five centuries, it has retained its grandeur and relevance, continuing to welcome visitors. What sets it apart from other hammams is its enormous bathing chamber. It exudes luxury with its combination of wood and white marble, grand dome, and exquisite details.

Location and cost of services

"Hyurrem Sultan" is located between the Hagia Sophia Museum and the Blue Mosque.

The hammam welcomes guests from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM.

A full package of services with oriental treats will cost 165 USD. A set of services "Standard" costs 70 USD per person.

Çağaloğlu Hammam

This is the most popular and inexpensive sauna. In it, women and men are served separately.

Location and cost of services

The bath is located in the Sultanahmet district of Istanbul.

Operating hours: Women - 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM; Men - 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

For the basic range of services, the cost per person is $10. The complete service package is priced at $30.

Çemberlitaş Hammam

This establishment has a history dating back to the 4th century. It is characterized by unusually spacious halls and interesting architectural design. Due to the sinking of its foundation, some of the steps are now below street level. It accommodates women and men in separate chambers.

Location and cost of services

Çemberlitaş is located near the Grand Bazaar.

Open from 6:00 to 00:00.

The cost for the standard package of services is $30.

Suleimaniye Hammam

It is a part of the historical heritage of the capital. It was favoured by the ruler Süleyman during his time. Today, it is a family hammam where women and men can enjoy their time together.

Schedule of work and cost of services

Operating hours from 7:00 to 00:00.

The cost for the standard package of services is $40 per person.

Çinili Hammam

At first glance, this establishment may appear simple, but its main feature is the presence of wooden details and an antique marble fountain. There are separate chambers for women and men.

Locations and opening hours

Banya is located in the inexpensive area of Uskudar.

Hamam doors are open from morning until 23:00.

Keshk Hammam

This bath is not visited by the local population, only by tourists, among whom there are more male visitors. If you agree in advance, then you can rent it for a certain time for family gatherings. Manicure and pedicure services are also provided here.

Location and opening hours

Hamam is located in the area of numerous hotels.

Open from morning until midnight.

Üsküdar Hammam

This bathhouse is situated in the historical part of the capital and accommodates women and men in separate chambers.

Location and opening hours

The doors are open from morning until 22:00.

Hamam is located along Dari Street.

Mihrimah Sultan Hammam

This spacious establishment is relatively affordable and welcomes everyone, although the chambers are divided by gender.

Location and cost of services

Hamam is located far from the central part of the capital, in an unattractive area.

A standard set of services will cost 20 USD.

The men's hall is open from morning until 22:00, and the women's hall closes at 19:00.

Mimoza

Mimoza provides male and female visitors with pedicure and manicure services, as well as massages.

Work Schedule

The men's hall is open from 8200 to 22:00, and the women's hall closes at 18:00.

Turkish hammam structure

The hammam consists of three main rooms.

Living room

The walls and floors of this room are adorned with carpets. Here, guests have the opportunity to change and enjoy a cup of tea while indulging in Eastern treats, sitting on a sofa. This spacious area maintains a stable temperature of 15-20°C.

When entering another hall, the administrator gives visitors the following set:

swimsuit (if you don't have one);

sheet;

towel;

Wooden slippers that were worn by sultans a couple of centuries ago.

Crossing room

This room is smaller in size compared to the previous one. It houses toilet facilities and shower cabins.

Hamam

This room is entirely made of marble and has a distinct square or circular shape. Throughout the room, there are built-in marble benches. There are also taps with buckets for pouring water and separate basins with warm water.

In the center of the room, there is a large marble parapet or platform. Up to 8 clients can comfortably gather around this table. The room also features a hidden secret: a special heating furnace beneath the platform that provides warmth.

Upon entering the third room, guests are invited to lie down on a lounge bed. This helps the body and muscles relax. The warm stone transfers its heat to the entire body, inducing a state of blissful drowsiness. The room is dimly lit, allowing for restful relaxation of the eyes.

Turkish bath procedures

Above the lounge bed in the hammam, you often find a dome adorned with coloured glass mosaic, shimmering with rainbow hues. Initially, the client relaxes on the marble bed for 20-40 minutes before moving on to other procedures.

Foam massage. This massage can be quite vigorous as the therapist carefully works on each muscle and joint. The massage lasts up to 30 minutes using a natural glove made of coarse fibres. After the procedure, the client is wrapped in a towel and offered herbal infusions to drink.

Wrapping in oils.

To fully enjoy the hammam experience, it is recommended to allocate about 2 hours of time to relax and rejuvenate. High-end establishments often serve delicious tea accompanied by sweet Eastern treats.

Ancient traditions

In modern Istanbul, there are hammams designed for both men and women to visit together. However, to immerse yourself in the true culture of bathing, it is recommended to visit the old public hammams. They have separate entrances for men and women, and the hammam itself is divided into two separate sections to ensure privacy. It's worth noting that the visiting hours for each gender used to be different in the past.

Indications for visiting the Turkish bath

The warm and humid environment of a Turkish bath can alleviate pain symptoms and have a beneficial effect on the musculoskeletal system.

Herbal teas and fragrant oils treat a runny nose and mild bronchitis.

Soothes diseases of radiculitis, osteochondrosis, rheumatism and polyarthritis.

Hamam is simply necessary for people who experience emotional stress.

It cures insomnia and normalizes the functioning of the circulatory and digestive systems.

The steam opens the pores and rejuvenates the body, as well as saturates the skin and hair with moisture.

The atmosphere of the bath has a calming effect on the nervous system, relieving irritability and neuroses.

Prevents diseases of the cardiovascular system.

Since the hammam is not a high-temperature institution, like a Finnish sauna, there are practically no contraindications to visiting it. They can be visited even by hypertensive patients. However, there is a category of people who are better off avoiding the Turkish bath:

Children under 3 years old and the elderly.

Asthmatics and tuberculosis patients. The fact is that the air saturated with oils and herbs can cause coughing and shortness of breath.

In principle, any type of bath is contraindicated for those who suffer from varicose veins, oncology, or thyroid and kidney diseases.

Pregnant women.

If you're spending your weekend in beautiful Istanbul, be sure to visit a Turkish bath. This pleasure is accessible to everyone, even those on a budget. It will provide you with the opportunity to feel like a true sultan or sultana.