Turkish bath in Istanbul

Istanbul is the city where the Turkish bath tradition is both oldest and most alive. The hammams listed in this guide come from two distinct traditions, and which one you choose shapes the experience.

Historic hammams are concentrated in Fatih, Beyoğlu and Üsküdar. These are domed, marble-floored buildings built as hammams centuries ago; the architecture itself is part of the experience. In return, the spacious relaxation areas and extra facilities that modern venues offer can be more limited, and they can get crowded at peak times.

Modern hammams and hotel hammams, on the other hand, are spread across districts such as Şişli, Bahçelievler, Başakşehir, Zeytinburnu, Pendik and Ataşehir. At these venues the hammam is usually part of a programme that includes the sauna, the steam room and massage treatments; getting there and parking are usually easier.

When choosing: Before making your appointment, ask whether the women's and men's sections are separate or certain hours of the day are set aside for each, whether the kese (exfoliating scrub) and foam wash are included in the price, and whether a peshtemal, towel and slippers are provided; these are the details that vary most from venue to venue in Istanbul.

We explain in detail how the hammam ritual works, what to bring and who it is not suitable for on our Turkish bath page.