Let’s discover the most beautiful hamams (hammams) in Istanbul, magical places in which to find the well-being of the body and mind.
If you are planning to spend a nice vacation in Istanbul, Turkey, know that this land is famous above all for its numerous hammams, places where you can restore body and spirit, famous also for their peculiar beauty.
But what is a Hamam (hammam) specifically? A Hamam is a thermal complex in which Muslims, already from the first half of the 7th century AD, performed a ritual washing, greater or less, depending on the circumstance, for the purpose of spiritual purification, necessary to be able to perform daily prayer. Over time, however, this has acquired a precise social function, enjoying immense fortune in the Islamic world and becoming the perfect place to meet, to make profitable deals, and to take care of one’s body, of course.
At the entrance of each hamam there is a sort of vestibule, where you can sit and relax drinking a cup of tea, then you undress and enter a passage room to adapt to the climate and access the hararet, the centre of the Hamam, a room full of hot steam in which to relax and sweat before bathing: in the centre there is a large slab of marble, on which, lying down, you can receive the traditional cleaning of the skin (the kese) , the first rinse with hot water, a rough (optional) massage, and a final wash with warm water and soap.
The hamams in Istanbul, as in all of Turkey, are many, from the historical ones – architecturally very suggestive – with the classic central dome structure and the marble platforms for massages and frequented mostly by tourists, to the most recent ones. where the price is certainly lower, and which pursue the philosophy and architecture of the old hamams, but in which the modern imprint is visible. Moreover, typical of Islam, is the separation of the sexes, so that, males and females, within the hamams, are divided and regulated at different times.
We see some of the most beautiful hammams in Istanbul, places to get lost in therapeutic baths and typical architecture.
Cagaloglu Hamam
Ismail Gürkan Caddesi No. 34
Built-in 1741, it is endowed with a splendid and fascinating architecture that has allowed it to obtain a good position within the list of the 1000 Places to Visit in the World of the New York Times, but to the detriment of the quality, because literally invaded by tourists coming Worldwide.
Çemberlitas Hamam
Vezirhan Sokak No. 34
This is probably the most famous hammam in Istanbul. Built-in 1584 by the famous architect Mimar Sinan, it has a unique architectural and aesthetic beauty.
The ancient and fascinating ceiling of the Çemberlitas Hammam, one of the most famous hammam in Istanbul. From the entrance, you will access 2 rooms: one with the classic circular marble platform, heated in the centre, where the sauna itself takes place and where, the games of light, which come from the glass openings of a splendid dome, amplify the feeling of relaxing mind and body; in the other room, instead, you can practice skin exfoliation or take a bath near marble tubs or various massages.
Prices are acceptable, although it is often very crowded.
Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamamı
Hamam Sk. No 1, Kemankeş Karamustafa Paşa
Recently restored within the Kılıç Ali Mosque complex near Tophane, it is for us one of the best among the historic hamams . High-quality service in a historic and refined environment. Prices in line with the average, the basic treatment with kese costs around 50 euros, if you want to add a complete 50-minute massage you must add another 55 euros.
Suleymaniye Hamam
Mimar Sinan Sokak No. 20
It is among the hammams in Istanbul that allow access to men and women together. Built-in 1577, it is annexed to the magnificent complex of the Süleymaniye Mosque, recently restored. It is the best for the quality/price ratio, as it guarantees entry to a certain number of people at a time, with greater tranquillity inside.
Ayasofya Hürrem Sultan Hamam
Cankurtaran Mahallesi Ayasofya Meydani No. 2
Recently restored, it is located between the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia. The hammam dates back to 1556, the work of the great Mimar Sinan: here you will find a truly luxurious environment, in marble and wood, and the massages are at professional levels, with gold-plated tools. Obviously the prices are very high, but it’s still worth going there.
Historical Vezneciler Hamamı
Bozdogan Kemeri Cad. No.2 Vezneciler
Historical Vezneciler Turkish Bath is located in the district of Fatih, on Bozdogan Kemeri Road. Ottoman Ruler Sultan Beyazid II had it built in the year 1481. Being the first and only Bath built on the second floor, Vezneciler Turkish Bath is unique both in the world and Turkey. The curative water that heals the illness of jaundice is another feature of this bath.
Kasimpasa Büyük Hamam
Potinciler Sokak No. 22
The impressive entrance of the Kasimpasa Büyük Hammam of Istanbul. This is among the oldest hammams in Istanbul: it dates back to 1533, also designed by Mimar Sinan, and is one of the largest. This is one of the last hammams properly called “neighbourhood”, that is still frequented by autochthonous people, so it is recommended for those who prefer an authentic and true experience of the hammam.
Tarihi Kadirga Hamam
Kadirga Liman No. 69
It has been a Turkish bath since 1505 and is also aimed at men and women. Of very modest dimensions and built-in crushed stone and bricks, it is among the most authentic compared to the other hammams present.
Only by going to these beautiful places in Istanbul will we understand the thought of the beautiful Sherazade, the protagonist of the famous book The Thousand and One Nights, who told the Indian king, unable to find sleep, “A city is not complete unless it has its hammam”.