Description
Know before you go to the Bath
• There are some strict hamam rules to be followed. For example, there is no mixing of the sexes. Either the Turkish bath has 2 sections (1 for each sex), or it admits men and women at different times of the day
• Men usually completely strip and wear nothing underneath the bath wrap. Women, on the other hand, typically keep their underwear on (but often not their bra) underneath the bath wrap. The choice is yours
• Cemberlitas Hamami is open everyday from 6 am to midnight.
• The masseur and scrubber will be the same sex as you are
• Standard soap is used. If you have sensitive skin or are allergic to some products, bring your own soap
• Advance booking is always advisable
• The tip is normally 10-20 per cent of the total amount
Full description
The Turkish bath is a long revered custom, centuries old; perfect for those looking for a truly physical and spiritual cleansing experience.
The Cemberlitas Turkish Bath, is located on Çemberlitas Square on Divanyolu Street situated in the midst of some of Istanbul’s greatest monuments. The bath was established by Nurbanu Sultan, wife of Selim II and mother of Murat III, for the purpose of bringing in revenue to support the Valide-i Atik Charity Complex in Toptasi, Üsküdar. The bath is one of the structures built by the architect Sinan, in 1584.
Prepare to leave the chaos and humdrum of life behind as soon as you enter the Turkish bath. Immerse yourself and embrace traditional custom by wearing the waistcloth and clogs provided.
Not quite for the faint hearted, inside the temperature can reach up to 50 degrees celcius under the central dome of the building.
The combined intense heat and humidity encourages the pores to open and impurities to be extracted from the body.
Following which, your skin will be gently exfoliated with a Turkish scrub and you will receive a soothing soap massage.
Finally, after resting, you can enjoy Turkish tea before being taken back to your hotel feeling relaxed, rejuvenated and refreshed.
About Çemberlitaş Hamamı
Perhaps the most famous, and certainly one of the longest established, of Istanbul’s grand Ottoman hamams is Çemberlitaş, located just off the Divan Yolu not far from the Grand Bazaar. It has a great location, 10 minutes walk from Sultanahmet.
Situated in between Constantine I’s Vezirhan monument and the Köprülü Mahmud Pasa mosque, school and tombs, Cemberlitas Hamami is worth a visit even for its past. The Hamam was built in 1584 for Nurbanu Sultan and has since been restored, but you can feel the history when you walk through the arches.
The dressing room areas are roofed with large domes and the baths have 38 washing basins. The large dome covering the hot section (harare) is supported by high arches on top of columns with baklava-shaped heads. Marble slab walls topped by tulip shapes separate the cubicles from the main area. These dividers have inscriptions carved into each side. This building dates to Sinan’s last period, known to be his most skillful. For this reason the baths attract Turkish and foreign researchers alike, as well as thousands of bathers.
Open from 06:00 to 24:00, visit the Hamam whenever it is most convenient for you.
Address: Vezirhan Cad. No: 8, Çemberlitaş Hamamı, 34440 Çemberlitaş, İstanbul
Rachel Gavenda –
Best hamam in Istanbul!
Very clean, relaxing and professional ! I will definitely visit it again if I’m going back to Istanbul. My boyfriend had some serious scratches on his back but he claimed that it didn’t hurt at all when the guy at the hamam scrubed him and he wasn’t in pain afterwards so maybe he and all the others who had the same experience woth scrubing may just have a sensitive skin. At the end we both felt like newborns and didn’t regret our choice.