Turkish Baths (Hammams) in Istanbul

Turkish baths are known as hammam (hamam in Turkish) and Ottoman bath also. Like all other guests, probably you will want to experience this traditional facility. We'd like to share prominent hammams (Turkish baths) in Istanbul for you...

First of all, we can classify them in three groups: Historical hammams, hotel hammams, and regular ones. In this content, we did not focus on regular ones. We evaluated historical hammams and hotel hammams. And this content is not a kind of "top ten" or "best of" list. We looked at different samples and shared them alphabetically. We chose five different hammams in Istanbul for each category.

Historical Hammams

1)  Ayasofya (Hagia Sophia) Hurrem Sultan Hammam
If we had prepaired a top ten list, most probably number one will be this historical sample. It was built by Mimar Sinan (Sinan Aga) in the second half of the 1500's. The person who made the hammam is Hurrem Sultan (Roxelana).
District: Fatih

2) Cagaloglu Hammam
It's serviced since 18th century. Its style is a baroque architecture and had hosted famous names such as Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and Harrison Ford.
District: Fatih

3) Cukurcuma Hammam
The hammam is serviced since 1830's and it has too many international awards.
District: Beyoglu

4) Galatasaray Hammam
The hammam is an example from 15th century. Famous French singer Johnny Hallyday is just one of its famous guests.
District: Beyoglu

5) Vezneciler Turkish Bath
The hammam is serviced since 15th century and it is one of the economical options indeed.
District: Fatih

Hotel Hammams

1) Ciragan Palace Kempinski

Do you want to stay in an Ottoman palace in Istanbul? If your answer is "Yes", then here is the unique destination for you. You can imagine yourself in a dream...

District: Besiktas

2) Four Seasons Istanbul at the Bosphorus

Another Ottoman palace in Istanbul and it's a great option with all the details including Turkish bath.

District: Besiktas

3) Romance Istanbul Hotel

A lovely hotel and it's located in oldtown also. It's possible to walk to Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia Museum from the hotel in a few minutes only. And yes, its hammam is also very nice and satisfying.

District: Fatih

4) Swissotel the Bosphorus

If you want to pamper yourself in a business trip, you can stay at this hotel and enjoy the hammam.

District: Besiktas

5) The Ambassador Hotel

The hotel is an economical option and one of its free services is a Turkish bath. If you want to walk historical places in Istanbul and also experience hammam culture, we can suggest this one.

District: Fatih

Some Advices & Tips for Hammams

~ Hammams have to two different options. Most of hotel hammams service in unisex, but historical and regular ones can be different. They can divide the hammams for men and women parts. Some of them may have preferred to divide them into different days.

~ In a hammam, if you want body scrub and/or massage service, you need to pay it. You don't need to pay extra to masseurs and masseuses; but giving tip to scrubber (tellak) is a tradition.

~ Unnecessarily wasting water is not a part of hammam culture. (A reasonable recommendation in today's conditions, also.)