hammam, Istanbul

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You could go to for a hammam bath while in Turkey. However be careful not to get ripped off!! There is an old Turkish Hammam In the old district of Istanbul which is supposed to be one of the 1000 must be places in the world. No doubt it is an authentic old hammam, however the prices quoted there are too exorbitant. It is about 60 to 70 Euros per person for a one hour -- this includes a scrub, steam, massage and bath. But I was later told that in the Asian side you will find more reasonably priced hammams.

So many of the Hamams in Istanbul are SUPER cheesy (tourist-oriented) and SUPER expensive. If you want to go to an authentic Hamam, which is actually used by a Turkish community in Istanbul, visit Kocamustafapasha Hamami, located at Kocamustafapasha Cad. 441. Here you can get the real deal (seperate facilities for men and women, as is tradition) for less than 6 Euro - sauna, shower, scrub, and massage.

Though my wife and I couldn't enjoy the hamam together, we both had a great time. I strongly reccomend it! It's clean and the staff are friendly.

Kocamustafapasha Hamami
Kocamustafapasha Cad. 441
Tel (0212) 529-0948

Cagaloglu Hamam? is located in Cagaloglu, near the St. Sophia on the right side of the Basilica Cistern Street. Sultan Mahmud I in 1741 to providg this Hamami is a double hammam with sections for both men and women. It was unique in its use of Baroque and Classic Ottoman architectural motifs and was the last of the great hammam to be built before Sultan Mustafa III forbade their construction due to the increasing needs for water and wood in Istanbul. Groups may rent the hammam.

If you haven`t been in a Turkish Bath before, you`ve missed one of life`s great experiences and never been clean. Cagaloglu Hamami was built by a sultan more than 300 years ago. The date of the construction and the name of the architect of the hammam are not known. It is said to have been built in the beginning of the 18th Century. It is also said that construction is one of Sinan`s works of art.

These double baths in which only the changing rooms have been changed since 1969-1971 now consist of two parts, one of women and the other for men in a 2834 square meter area.

The Magnificent Sultan Suleyman had this Hamam built by the famous Architect Sinan in 1550.

Services included were: Washing, peeling, soap massage, locked clothes changing cabin, loincloth, patten. Also had two ways free shuttle service for the hotel guests if the booking comes through their reception.

All the guests are also insured from the beginning of their transfer till their return to the hotels.

Suleymaniye Hammam is a mixed (male/female) hammam. There are no different section for each sex thus the families may comfortably enjoy this hammam together. Which I didnt really like that is mixed and felt little uncomfortable, but if you can get a single hammam for you it is good.

Masseurs are trained and professional people.

You can catch your own inner peace with history and water in our hammam in this bath.

The Cemberlitas Hammam was built in 1584 from a design by the legendary Turkish architect Sinan. This amazing man, born a Greek slave, was also responsible for the Suleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul and countless other architectural wonders across Turkey.
A jewel of 16th century Ottoman architecture, Cemberlitas is still a fully functioning Turkish bath catering for both men and women, and indeed is still a favourite amongst locals. Stunningly crafted, each steam room is lit from the top by star-shaped holes in the domed roof. Directly beneath the dome is an octagonal slab of marble heated from below by burning embers.

Don't hesitate to take a massage, it is a more energic than relaxing one because the purpose is to exfoliate your skin but it is so nice that somebody washes you (if you are not tickly, of course)! The sensation of lying down and that somebody pour water on your body from the head to the toes is a very nice sensation! And the sensation of the foam around the neck is also very great!
Price : Bath € 8, Bath & Massage €15

Visit a turkish bath (hammam). I recommend to take the treatment which includes a full- body massage. You won't believe how good it feels afterwards!

I visited the 'Gagaloglu Baths' in Sultanahmet area.

Fee of a hamam visit
One day Hodja went to a hamam (Turkish bath) but as he was dressed so poorly, the attendants didn't pay much attention to him. They gave him only a scrap of soap, a rag for a loin cloth and an old towel.
When Hodja left, he gave each of the two attendants a gold coin. As he had not complained of their poor service, they were very surprised. They wondered had they treated him better whether he would have given them even a larger tip.
The next week, Hodja came again. This time, they treated him like royalty and gave him embroidered towels and a loin cloth of silk. After being massaged and perfumed, he left the bath, handing each attendant the smallest copper coin possible.
- This, said Hodja, is for the last visit. The gold coins were for today.

Commisioned by the foundation of Nur-u Banu Sultan, wife of Sultan Selim II, and the mother of Murat III, Çemberlitas public bath was built in 1584. Based on a plan of the legendary Turkish architect Mimar Sinan, the bath is one of the most important works of 16th century Ottoman architecture.

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Hammam, Turkish Bath. A tradition for more than 400 years.

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