Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan Hamamı

The Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan Hamam in Istanbul was designed and built by Mimar Sinan, the chief Ottoman architect. It was built at the request of Hurrem Sultan (Roxelana), the wife of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in the 16th century (1556-1557 AD).

It was built where the ancient public baths of Zeuxippus (100-200 AD) used to stand, between the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia. The area is also particularly significant as the site where the Temple of Zeus once stood. Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan Hamam consists of baths, a restaurant, and a café, all located in the gardens of the hamam.

Cağaloğlu Hamamı

The Cağaloğlu Hamam was constructed in 1741 and is the last hamam to be built after a long period during the Ottoman Empire. It was constructed in İstanbul Eminönü. It is three blocks from the Hagia Sophia. It has separated sections. Popular and normally visited by tourists. You can get a “service” which means one of the staff helps you get scrubbing, and the most expensive option contain scrubbing and massage. The payment is done before, but if choose not to take a massage, don’t be surprised if one of the staff members will secretly offer you one, letting you decide how much to add to his tip. It should be said that the atmosphere is very touristic, and everything has a price. Once you are done, they give you a souvenir; a pair of underwear and a comb.

Çemberlitaş Hamamı

The Cemberlitas Bath is on Cemberlitas Square in the midst of some of Istanbul’s greatest monuments. It was also built by architect Sinan in 1584. It has 2 sections, female and male.

Süleymaniye Hamamı

Sultan Suleyman had this Hamam built by the famous Architect Sinan in 1550. Architect Sinan built this hamam for himself. He used this hamam for washing.

Suleymaniye hamam is the only mixed hamam in Istanbul. There are no different sections for each sex, thus the families may comfortably enjoy this hamam together. Hamam also has two-way free shuttle services for the hotel guests if the booking comes through their reception.

Open daily from 7AM until midnight, no entry after 10:30PM. A few steps from Sultanahmet tram station, the place is very much close to the main attractions at Sultanahmet. Of course, many of the visitors are tourists, however, it isn’t feeling too commercialized as the Cağaloğlu Bath one. There’s a women section and mixed section.

The place is nice, the hosting is kind, and the whole experience is fun. But, if you’re looking for a strong, thorough, and long massage – you might find that disappointing.

Tarihi Şifa Hamamı

Established 1777, this is one of the cheaper options. It is entirely marbled throughout and the fittings might well be the originals. It has a mixed or separate female section. Enjoy a good scrub and clean, a massage, and an apple tea which is all included in the general service.

The staff’s English is limited, but they’re also helpful to beginners.