Ultimate Turkish Bath

The Ultimate Turkish Bath Experience

The hamam (hammam) is the quintessential Turkish beauty experience, capturing the Turkish approach to hospitality beautifully. The ritual carries a component of kindness, intimacy and tenderness like no other. During the treatment, you may feel as if you have lost the sense of time in the best way possible, and at the end of the session your skin will feel like a baby’s. One should never leave Turkey without experiencing this centuries-old tradition!

In Istanbul and Turkey, public baths have existed since the ancient Greek and Roman eras, however the most significant historic hamams are those remaining from the Ottoman period. Important Note: Images featured on this page (see above) are courtesy of Zeyrek Çinili Hamam and remain their property.

Zeyrek Çinili Hamam

Our primary recommendation is Zeyrek Çinili Hamam, a beautifully restored 16th-century Ottoman bath located in the historic Zeyrek neighborhood, right beside the lively Kadınlar Pazarı, a locally famous butcher’s quarter. Commissioned by the legendary Ottoman admiral Barbarossa and designed by the great imperial architect Mimar Sinan, the hamam was renowned for its extraordinary İznik tiles, many of which are now carefully exhibited in the on-site bath and tile museum within the same historic complex, adding an additional cultural and historical layer to the experience.

The hamam was selected by TIME Magazine as one of the World’s Greatest Places of 2024, recognized among 100 extraordinary destinations worth discovering. With its careful restoration, calm atmosphere and excellent service, now operated by The Marmara Group, one of Turkey’s pioneering hospitality brands, it offers both authenticity and comfort, making it our preferred choice for a traditional yet elevated hamam experience.

The traditional Turkish bath ritual usually begins in a lounge where you are greeted with a glass of sherbet. The body is then covered with a peştamal (the classic cotton hammam towel) in the dressing room. Your personal attendant, called natır for women and tellak for men, accompanies you into the hamam itself where the skin is first softened in the steam, then scrubbed with a special mitten called a kese, and washed with köpük, a bubbly soap wash performed on the göbektaşı, the heated marble platform in the center of every hamam.

There are many hamams in various neighborhoods around Istanbul and it remains a traditional ritual for many locals. Traditional bath houses have separate sections for men and women, ensuring privacy and comfort for guests. The hamam treatments typically last between 1-2 hours, costing approximately €115 EUR per person (standard treatment) up to €300 EUR per person (including private massage therapy).

More Exceptional Historic Hamams

Each of these are carefully selected, characterful Turkish baths offering distinctive atmospheres rather than interchangeable spa treatments.

Cağaloğlu Hamamı

Cağaloğlu Hamam is one of Istanbul’s most atmospheric historic baths. Located in the heart of the old city, it combines cultural immersion with relaxation. The hamam features classic Ottoman architecture with impressive domes, intricate tilework and elegant marble interiors, reflecting the grandeur of the Ottoman aesthetic. The complex also houses Lokanta 1741, a stylish restaurant set beneath the domes, named after the year the hamam was built, serving traditional Turkish flavors interpreted with a contemporary touch alongside a rich cocktail and wine selection.

Hürrem Sultan Hamamı

Located directly across from Hagia Sophia, this historic bathhouse was commissioned by Hürrem Sultan, the wife of Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent, and built between 1556 and 1557 as part of her charitable works for the city. The hamam is a masterpiece of Ottoman architecture featuring a striking double-domed design, Iznik tiles and elaborate marble craftsmanship.

Çukurcuma Hamamı 1831

Çukurcuma Hamamı is a smaller scale historic bathhouse in the Çukurcuma neighborhood of Beyoğlu. After a long restoration, it reopened in 2018 and was previously featured in Ferzan Özpetek’s famous film Hamam.

It stands out as one of the rare historic baths in Istanbul where men and women can enjoy the hammam ritual at the same time under the same dome, making it especially suitable for couples or mixed groups.

Good to Know Before Booking a Hamam

• Prior to the hamam experience, heavy eating and drinking is not recommended. There should be at least one hour between your last meal and the hamam.
• Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your reservation.
• Towel, soap, shampoo, conditioner, scrub mitt and slippers are provided.
• For safety reasons, guests with heart conditions, pregnant women and women during their period should not use the hamam.
• Children under the age of 6 are not allowed.
• Guests under 18 may experience the hammam accompanied by an adult.

For More Information and Reservation

Please contact us with your travel dates and number of participants. As there are multiple hamam and treatment options, kindly specify your preferred hamam and wishes so we can share the most up-to-date brochure and rates.

Standard treatments start from approximately €115 EUR per person and can reach €300 EUR per person including private massage therapy.

 Contact us for more information and reservation