5 Best Hamams in Istanbul – First-Timer’s Guide to Turkish Baths

Should you try a Turkish bath in Istanbul? Yes, definitely you should. Which one should you choose?

Choosing the right hamam, however, isn’t easy. Istanbul is full of historic bathhouses, and all of them provide quite different experiences. Some are amazing architectural works of art, some are more local and traditional. Some fit the needs of first-timers, others are perfect for visitors looking for an authentic experience.

Here is everything you should know about the Turkish bath experience, best hamams in Istanbul, what to bring, when to visit. And what makes the difference between confusing yourself and making this experience a highlight of your Istanbul holiday.

What is Happening During a Turkish Bath Experience?

The Turkish bath experience is a ritual which is almost the same as it was centuries ago. At first, you enter the changing room (camekan) where you are offered a cotton towel (pestemal), slippers and towels. Afterwards, you enter a slightly warm chamber (hararet), which is followed by a chamber with a warm marble platform (gobek tasi). Most of the visitors spend about 15-20 minutes relaxing in this room. Then comes the kese scrapping. An attendant uses a special rough mitt to remove the dead skin layers which cannot be removed by regular shower. This is followed by the foam wash procedure, when clouds of foam are applied on your body using a cotton bag. Depending on the chosen package, you might receive an oil or foam massage as a final touch of the ritual. Usually, the whole experience takes about 45-90 minutes.

It would be a surprise for most of the first-time visitors how much skin is being removed during the kese scrapping. It is perfectly fine. Drink lots of water before your visit and don’t shave before it because your skin becomes sensitive to the scrapping process.

Why Visit a Hamam in Istanbul?

Spa treatments are easily available in almost any country.

Imperial Ottoman hamams are unique to Istanbul. Not all of the existing hamams are recreations of historical buildings but many of them are original structures built for sultans, queens, admirals and neighbourhoods centuries ago. Visiting hamams is not only wellness tourism. It is an experience of visiting a piece of the Ottoman past.

For centuries, hamams were not only used for cleaning but also for socialising, business meetings and weddings. As there was no running water in houses, this place played an important role in lives of Ottomans. This changes the whole experience. You are not relaxing on marble which looks like that of the Ottoman past. You are relaxing on Ottoman marble.

Top 5 Hamams in Istanbul

Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan Hamami

If tourists are asking for best hamams in Istanbul, this is usually my first recommendation.

Built in 1556 by famous architect Sinan the Architect for Hurrem Sultan, wife of Suleiman the Magnificent, this hamam stands between Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque in one of the most historically significant places of Istanbul. This building worked for centuries until it became abandoned and then was used for commercial purposes. After the restoration, it was opened as one of the best hamams in Istanbul. The architecture itself is worth visiting.

The symmetry of the structure, the high ceiling and restored marble create a perfect environment which is more of an imperial palace than of a spa. The level of services is excellent and the staff knows how to take care of international tourists. This is also considered the best Turkish bath in Sultanahmet for luxury travellers.

Best for: first timers and luxury travellers. Drawback: It is the most expensive option on the list. The morning sessions are less crowded than afternoon appointments.

Cagaloglu Hamami

Hardly there is another building which represents the Ottoman bathing tradition better than Cagaloglu Hamami. This building was constructed in 1741 in the era of Sultan Mahmud I and it was the last of the great imperial hamams of the Ottoman era. The dome pierced with star-shaped skylights is one of the icons of a Turkish bath Istanbul experience.

Situated in the vicinity of Grand Bazaar and Basilica Cistern, it is naturally included in a visit to the historic peninsula. The staff here are especially helpful to the first-timers who are unsure of the experience. The environment is elegant without being intimidating.

Best for: tourists interested in history and architecture. Drawback: It can be crowded during the peak season.

Gedikpasa Hamami

Built in 1475 as a part of the Gedik Ahmet Pasha complex, it is one of the oldest working hamams of Istanbul. Despite its central location near Grand Bazaar, it gets much less tourists than the famous baths of Sultanahmet. This makes the experience completely different. You will probably meet local residents rather than the groups of tourists here. The interior is magnificent, with a huge dome and beautifully preserved stone work. The prices are also more affordable than the premium historic options. Travellers searching for authenticity rather than luxury prefer this place.

Best for: visitors searching for authenticity. Drawback: The facilities are less perfect than in new restorations.

Kilic Ali Pasa Hamami

Located in Tophane, on the European side of Istanbul, Kilic Ali Pasa Hamami was commissioned by the Ottoman admiral Kilic Ali Pasa and designed by Sinan the Architect in the late 16th century. After the restoration, it was opened as one of the most luxurious boutique hamams in the city. The huge dome of this hamam is impressive from the very beginning of your visit. Most of the visitors are surprised with the scale of the interior of this building. The atmosphere is calm and unhurried, and the appointments are carefully planned to avoid overcrowding. Also, the neighbourhood of the building is becoming one of the most interesting districts in Istanbul for the galleries, coffee shops and independent stores.

Best for: repeat visitors wanting to see beyond Sultanahmet. Drawback: Slightly inconvenient if you are staying in the Old City.

Visit this place with a walk around Karakoy and Galataport afterwards. The contrast between the sixteenth-century Ottoman architecture and modern Istanbul is impressive.

Galatasaray Hamami

Built in 1481, Galatasaray Hamami is one of the oldest continually operating baths in Istanbul. This place is hidden near the Istiklal Street and it is one of the best-kept secrets of Beyoglu. Unlike the heavily touristic hamams, Galatasaray gets a lot of local visitors too. This makes the experience more authentic. Although the architecture is not as impressive as that of the imperial baths of Sultanahmet, the environment is genuine and lived-in. This hamam is the best choice for travellers staying around Taksim and Galata.

Best for: tourists staying in Beyoglu. Drawback: Small scale compared to imperial baths.

Best Turkish Bath in Sultanahmet Area

Tourists staying in the historic district of Istanbul often ask for the best Turkish bath in Sultanahmet. The answer to this question depends on your preferences.

• You should choose Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan Hamami if the luxurious experience and exceptional service are your priorities and you are interested in visiting one of the most historic sites of Istanbul.
• Choose Cagaloglu Hamami if the architecture and Ottoman atmosphere are more important for you.
• If budget is the priority, choose Gedikpasa Hamami.
• The most impressive experience for first timers is provided by Hurrem Sultan.

What Should You Bring?

One of the biggest misconceptions is that you should get prepared for a day in spa. You don’t. Each hamam provides all of the necessary things: towels, slippers, locker rooms and pestemal.

All you should bring are:

• Comfortable clothes for after your treatment.
• Water both before and after the treatment.
• Cash to tip the attendant.
• Glasses if you usually wear contact lenses.

Try not to carry any valuable things with you. The humidity and steam make the little things really easy to loose.

The most common mistake is leaving the building immediately after the treatment finishes. Relax in the lounge area for ten minutes. This is an integral part of the traditional experience.

Is a Hamam Suitable for Solo Female Travellers?

Yes, it is.

Historical Istanbul hamams operate separately for men and women or have separate times for each gender. Just make sure which system they apply , that’s it. Female attendants attend to female guests in women’s section. Professionalism is the rule. For local staff, it is an old professional tradition rather than exotic experience. Solo female travelers rank the visit to this place among the top experiences in Istanbul. At any moment, if you feel uncomfortable, you can change or stop the procedures. Talking to the staff is easy, especially in the historical hamams which are used to foreign guests.

Read more about Solo Female Travel to Turkey…

The History Behind Istanbul’s Hamams

In the 17th century, Istanbul had well over a hundred public baths. These weren’t luxury centres. These were the pieces of infrastructure. People were washing here, celebrating here, arranging their marriages here, conducting business here. Women’s days in baths were important social events of the Ottoman society. With the appearance of private bathrooms in the 19th and 20th centuries, many of these hamams closed down or fell into oblivion.

Restoration projects of the recent decades have brought some of the greatest architectural monuments of Istanbul back to the life. It is one of the reasons why these buildings are different from museums. They still are working according to their purpose. There are not many cities in the world where it is possible to say that about buildings which are half a millennium old.

Which Hamam to Choose?

• Choose Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan Hamami for the most luxurious experience.
• Choose Cagaloglu Hamami for the Ottoman architecture.
• Choose Gedikpasa Hamami for authenticity and value.
• Choose Kilic Ali Pasa Hamami for the atmosphere and neighborhood.
• Choose Galatasaray Hamami if you are staying in Taksim or Istiklal area.

If you have enough time, visiting two different hamams gives you the opportunity to experience Istanbul’s bathing culture from another angle. A hamam of 16th century and a neighbourhood hamam tells you two completely different stories about the city.

Ready to Explore Istanbul With a Local Guide?

Learning the history behind the hamam changes the experience completely. Understanding of the purpose of the building, its financing and usage for centuries gives the totally different perspective on what might look like an ordinary spa experience.

Whether it is an imperial hamam of Sultanahmet or a neighbourhood hamam, a Turkish bath in Istanbul is still one of the rare experiences which connects you with the rhythm of the city. And once you witness the sunlight filtering through these Ottoman domes for the first time, you will understand why the Istanbul residents kept coming back.