The Ottoman sultans’ bath practises should absolutely be experienced if this is your first time visiting Turkey.
In urban Islam, hamams, or public baths, are a crucial component of social life. Hamams have been around since the Hellenistic era and were quite popular during the Roman and Byzantine periods.
The bathing tradition perished in the west, but it survived in the Levant after the arrival of Muslim Arabs.
During the period following the rise of Islam, public baths developed quickly, and some Roman bathing practises were modified to fit Islamic bathing customs.
- Here is a list of 10 best hamam bath in Turkey:
- Cağaloğlu Hamamı
- Çemberlitaş Hamamı
- Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamamı
- Galatasaray Hamamı
- Süleymaniye Hamamı
- Tarihi Çeşme Hamamı
- Şifa Hamam
- Ayasofya Hürrem Sultan Hamamı
- Çukurcuma Hamamı
- Mihrimah Sultan Hamamı
- Cağaloğlu Hamamı
In Istanbul’s ancient city, visit a genuine Cagaloglu Hamam that dates back to the Ottoman era. Discover a bathing custom that is still practised today.
The New York Times included Caalolu, the last significant hamam constructed during the Ottoman era, on its list of 1000 sites you must visit before you die! The Hamam has been open continuously since its construction began in 1741.
It has never been restored, unlike other significant hamams in the city, and is still in its original condition.
Cagaloglu offers a variety of traditional treatments, the most indulgent of which is the Sultan Mahmut I package, which includes a massage by two attendants.
The result is a historic atmosphere that is essentially unchanged from Ottoman times.
- Çemberlitaş Hamamı
The most renowned Ottoman architect, Mimar Sinan, constructed the hamam in 1584.
The hamam is still heated in the traditional manner by a furnace that burns wood chips, creating steam that warms the entire building.
It is not surprising that scenes from several movies, including the most recent Taken 2, have been filmed there.
The “emberlitaş Hamam” has undergone two restorations in recent decades and is particularly atmospheric.
Along with traditional hamam services, clay facial masks, oil massages, and Indian head massages are also offered. Visitors and residents alike enjoy Cemberlitas Hamam, which also has a devoted local clientele.
- Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamamı
Far from just an enjoyable visit to a traditional Turkish hamam, a visit to the Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamam is a fascinating journey.
The hamam, located in Tophane, Beyoğlu, was built as part of the Kılıç Ali Paşa complex between 1580 and 1587 by Chief Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan.
It was commissioned by the Grand Admiral (Kapudan-I Derya), Kılıç Ali Paşa. Famous for its architectural lines and majestic dome, the hamam is one of the symbolic buildings in Tophane, Istanbul’s harbor district. Abandoned for centuries, Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamam undergone extensive restoration starting in the 2000s and took seven years.
Kilic Ali Pasa Hamam has a magnificent dome. Today, the hamam functions and is the height of luxury, offering a chance to get scrubbed in true, Ottoman style. Book a session and enjoy the surprising benefits of the centuries-old bathing rituals of the Ottomans.
4.Galatasaray Hamamı
Currently, one of Istanbul’s finest hammams from the 18th century. Beyazt II built the Galatasaray Hamam in 1481, which is a part of the Galatasaray Ottoman social complex.
The building was restored in 1965, and during that time the plate glass part was replaced with concrete, a marble fountain was placed in the middle, and glazed, painted tiles were used to cover the hamam’s walls.
The hamam, which was once used by generals, religious judges, grand viziers, and sultans, is today well-known among tourists due to its proximity to Istiklal Street.
5.Süleymaniye Hamamı
It is part of the magnificent complex of the Süleymaniye Mosque, built in 1557, recently restored.
It allows entry only to 32 people at a time, for this reason however it is necessary to book well in advance (in truth it is difficult to find a place, given that they have agreements with the hotels).
6.Tarihi Çeşme Hamamı
The 300-year old Cesme Hamam is one of the most beautiful baths in Istanbul. The historical Çeşme Hamamı was built by Grand Admiral Kaymak Mustafa Pasha at the end of the 1720s, in the Tulip Era.
It continued to be used as a bathhouse until 2017 when it was restored by preserving its original structure. Çeşme Hamam was reopened by The Galata Istanbul Hotel MGallery by Sofitel in accordance with its original style and maintains the 300-year-old tradition of wellness of water therapy.
The Hamam is just a 5-minute walk from the Karakoy tram stop.
7.Şifa Hamam
On Istanbul’s historic peninsula is where you’ll find the Historical Ifa Hamam. Sifa Hamami’s building date is uncertain, however it is believed to have occurred in the 15th century.
Sifa is a straightforward Hamam at a great price!
8. Ayasofya Hürrem Sultan Hamamı
This is another popular hammam that was built by the famous architect Mimar Sinan. This time it was at the request of Hürrem Sultan. This Turkish bath lies between Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.
It is also close to Topkapı Palace in the old city. This is also the only Turkish bath built on the ruins of an older bath: the Baths of Zeuxippus from the Byzantine era.
Their packages start from 30 minutes at €55. If you choose to go all out, you’ll get to go home with a cute goody bag at the end and you can chill at the vitamin bar.
All packages include the natural olive oil soap, kese (the loofah mitt), shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel in addition to the usual freebies.
9.Çukurcuma Hamamı
Of all the Turkish baths in Istanbul, Italian/Turkish director Ferzan Özpetek chose this one for his first feature film: Hamam: The Turkish Bath.
Unlike the other baths on this list, Çukurcuma hammam has a breath-taking monochromatic hararet.
This gives this Turkish bath a more contemporary spa feel compared to the other baths. Once you get there, you’ll find that they provide everything from one-use bikinis to makeup remover.
Çukurcuma Hamamı is another mixed hammam in Istanbul where couples can bathe together; however, children under 12 are not permitted.
This hammam is within walking distance of Istiklal Street and Taksim Square.
Which makes this spot the perfect getaway when you’re exploring the Istanbul Old City.
10.Mihrimah Sultan Hamamı
Mihrimah Sultan, the only daughter of Sultan Suleiman and his wife Hürrem Sultan, commissioned the chief architect Sinan to build another hammam in Istanbul.
The prices are much lower than other baths on this list because this is the only traditional Turkish bath that the locals prefer.
Which means that you may struggle to communicate with your attendant. Fortunately, the staff is accommodating, and, for a fraction of the price, it’s worth it.
Women and men’s sections are completely separate.