Foam massage in Beyoğlu

Four venues offering foam massage in Beyoğlu are on the list, and they fall into two groups: Galatasaray and Kılıç Ali Paşa are historic hammams, while Ocean Spa at the InterContinental Taksim and Aurel Spa at the Occidental Hotel are hotel spas. At all four, the foam wash is offered together with the kese (exfoliating scrub) and the Turkish bath; the choice depends largely on whether you want to bathe in a historic hammam or in a hotel's hammam section.

In the historic hammams: Galatasaray Hamamı offers the foam wash within packages such as Kese Servisi and Pasha Servisi; classic oil massage is also given in private rooms, and services are stated to be mixed. In Tophane, Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamamı is the work of Mimar Sinan and has a single section; as women are admitted during the day and men in the evening, you need to plan the time of your visit accordingly.

In the hotel spas: Ocean Spa in Gümüşsuyu, with its VIP hammam suite for couples, is an option for two people who want to have the kese and foam wash together; massages by Balinese therapists are also offered at the same spa. Aurel Spa offers outside visitors themed hammam treatments and a 180-minute day-use option; it suits those who want to combine the foam wash with a sauna, jacuzzi or body scrub in the same visit.

What to ask: Ask whether the foam wash is charged in the same package as the kese or separately, whether female guests are attended by a female attendant, and which soap is used; the soap matters particularly if you have sensitive skin or a fragrance allergy. Ocean Spa and Galatasaray are listed as mixed; there is no information for Aurel Spa. Women's sections and women-only hours are covered separately in the women-only hammams guide. The place of the foam wash in the ritual is on the foam massage page, and the area's other venues on the Beyoğlu page.