Fitness in Istanbul

Of the 11 venues in Istanbul listed with a fitness area, ten are hotel spas and one is a non-hotel wellness club in Maltepe; seven are on the European side and four on the Asian side. With three venues, Beşiktaş is the busiest district; seaside districts such as Tuzla and Bakırköy also have one hotel each. This list covers not stand-alone gyms but the sports facilities inside spa or wellness venues; access to the pool, sauna and hammam depends on membership or on your stay.

What comes with the gym in Istanbul

O'Wellness Dragos in Maltepe brings together a semi-Olympic indoor pool, a sauna, reformer pilates and Balinese massage in a fitness and wellness club format; as the only non-hotel option on the list, it stands apart for those looking for a regular membership. Ocean Spa, at the InterContinental in Gümüşsuyu, Taksim, has a squash court and a VIP hammam suite for couples. Hilton Istanbul Bakırköy on the Sakızağacı seafront in Bakırköy stands out for its two swimming pools with sea views, and Palestra Fitness Spa in Ataşehir for personal training and nutrition advice.

What to check before joining

• Whether membership or a day pass is offered to guests not staying at the hotel
• Whether the pool, sauna, steam room and hammam are included in the membership fee
• Whether a personal trainer and group classes such as pilates and yoga cost extra
• Whether there are hours or sections set aside for women or men; five venues on the list are registered as mixed

What the fitness service at spa facilities covers is explained on the fitness page; all spa, hammam and wellness facilities in Istanbul are listed on the Istanbul page.