Turkish Baths in Istanbul

There are several traditional Turkish baths in Istanbul, known as Hammam. These are mostly from Ottoman period, but due to globalization and rush of general life there are only few left to experience. Below is a list of the most popular ones. You can also check the interactive map of Turkish baths.

The Cemberlitas Hammam is located next to the Cemberlitas Column, near the Grand Bazaar. It was built by architect Sinan with the wish of Nurbanu Sultan, mother of sultan Murat III and wife of sultan Selim II, in 1584 to provide a source of revenue for the Valide-i Atik Mosque in the district of Uskudar on the Asian side of the city.

The Hammam was originally built as a double bath for both men and women in separate sections, but the the women's section was destroyed in the 19th century under the reign of Sultan Abdulaziz in order to widen the road. Lately, the women's section is re-built but nowadays they use the same entrance with the men before going to their own section. The dressing room areas are roofed with large domes and are called as cold section (sogukluk). The baths have 38 washing basins (kurna) in the hot areas (sicaklik). In the middle of this hot area, a large and heated marble platform (gobektasi) is located and private bathing cubicles (halvet) are around the room.

It's open everyday between 06.00-24.00.
Tel: (212) 522 79 74 and 520 18 50

It's located in Cagaloglu neighborhood near the Underground Cistern. The hammam was built by an unknown architect in 1741 by the order of Sultan Mahmut I to provide revenue for the library of Sultan Mahmut and the Aya Sofya Mosque at that time.

The Cagaloglu hammam has separate sections for both men and women. It combines different Ottoman architectural styles and was the last of the great hammams to be built in the city before their construction was forbidden by sultan Mustafa III in 1768, because of the increasing needs for water and wood in Istanbul.

The door of the women's section is on a side street called Hamam street, while the men's entrance is from the main road of Yerebatan street. After entering, in the middle is a pool with a waterjet and dressing rooms around. The domes are supported by arches and columns. After the cold area (sogukluk), you enter in the hot area (sicaklik). There is a marble platform (gobektasi) in the center, surrounded by bathing cubicles (halvets) in all four corners.

It's open everyday between 08:00-22:00 for the men and between 08:00-20:00 for the women.
Tel: (212) 522 24 24

It's located in Galatasaray neighborhood of Beyoglu district, in one of the side streets. The Galatasaray hammam was built in 1715 as a public bath in a classical Turkish Bath architectural design. It was renovated in 1965 loosing some of its historical elements. A small women's section was added during this extensive renovation. Being close to the historic Pera neighborhood and Taksim Square, the Hammam attracts many people, both local and tourists.

Tel: (212) 252 42 42

Haseki Hurrem Sultan Hamam, located in Sultanahmet Square between the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, was designed and built in the mid-16th century by chief architect Mimar Sinan at the request of Hurrem Sultan (Roxelana), the wife of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent. The Bath has separate sections for men and women and was constructed on the same axis as mirror images of each other. The cold room dome is 26 meters high.

The hamam was operational until 1910 when it was closed for many years and deterioted. It was restored around 1957 and used as a carpet bazaar until 2007. Final restorations took about 3 years and was re-opened in 2011 as a modern Turkish Bath and spa center. Today, there are several massage treatment packages you can choose from. It has also a restaurant in the premises.

Open everyday between 08:00-22:00.
Tel: (212) 517 35 35

Kilic Ali Pasha Hammam, located in Tophane neighbourhood next to the mosque with the same name, was built by the architect Mimar Sinan on the wish of Kilic Ali Pasha; of Italian origin, once a slave on board a ship which he eventually became captain and succesfully climbed the stairs of fame and fortune until he became the Admiral of the Ottoman Navy in the 16th century. The large central dome above the relaxation area is 14 meters wide and 17 meters high and is one of the largest single domes built by Sinan. After the entrance, it has a relaxation area (Camegah) giving access into the warm areas of the Hammam.

During the Republic period the bath deterioted and was in bad conditions. Recent restorations which took about 7 years brought the Hammam back to its function today. Men and women have separate hours for bathing and there is also a small cafeteria and a retail shop inside.

Open everyday for women between 08:00-16:00, and for men between 16:30-24:00.
Tel: (212) 393 80 10

Suleymaniye Hamam was built in 1557 by great architect Sinan as a part of Suleymaniye Mosque Complex. It's located at Suleymaniye district and used for tourism purposes mostly. The bath has a cold section (sogukluk) which is also used for dressing, lukewarm section to adapt your body temperature before passing to the hot area, and the hot section (sicaklik).

Open everyday for men between 06:00-24:00, or for mixed tourist groups.
Tel: (212) 520 34 10

The Cardakli hammam is located at Kadirga neighborhood, near Kucuk Aya Sofya Mosque (old St. Sergius and Bacchus Church of Byzantine period). It was built in 1503 by Huseyin Aga. A Byzantine inscription found at the entrance and its irregular design sounds that it was converted into a Turkish Bath probably from an old Byzantine building.

Sofular Hammam is located in Fatih district. The hammam was built in the beginning of 16th century. Dressing rooms are lined on two floors and there is a small decorative water jet pool in the middle.

Open everyday between 06:00-23:00 for the men, and between 08:30-20:00 for the women.
Tel: (212) 521 37 59

The Buyuk hammam was built in 1533 by architect Sinan next to a mosque at Kasimpasa district. It has separate sections for both men and women.

Tel: (212) 253 42 29

The Aga hammam was constructed by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror in mid-15th century and was used as a private hamam by the sultan and his sons as a part of their hunting mansion. In 1844 it underwent a large-scale renovation by sultan Abdulmecid. After the Republic it was opened to public for the first time. The last renovation was in 1986 and now it serves to tourists as a mixed hammam in Beyoglu district.

Open everyday between 10:00-22:00

Tel: (212) 249 50 27

The Aga hammam was built in 1610 by Ismail Aga who was the head (Aga) of food storage keeper of sultan Ahmed I. It has separate sections for both men and women. The hammam is in the Uskudar district, on the Asian side of Istanbul.

Tel: (216) 333 38 27

The Eski hammam is located in Uskudar district. Its architect and building year are unknown but historic and architectural evidences show that it should date back to 15th century. It's also known as Sifa (cure) Baths. The hammam has separate sections for men and women which are still in use today.

It's open everyday between 06:00-21:00 for the men, and between 09:00-17:00 for the women.
Tel: (216) 333 27 87