Mihrimah Sultan Hamamı

Mihrimah Sultan Hamamı is on Fevzipaşa Caddesi in the Karagümrük neighbourhood of Fatih, near the Mihrimah Sultan Mosque and the land walls at Edirnekapı. Built by Mimar Sinan in the 1560s for Mihrimah Sultan, daughter of Suleiman the Magnificent and Hürrem Sultan, the hammam is part of the Edirnekapı complex, together with the mosque, a madrasa, a children's school and a market.
The building keeps the classic Ottoman hammam layout: from the high-domed cooling room you pass into the warm room and then into the hot room with its navel stone (the heated marble platform) and private alcoves, while the small glass openings in the domes known as 'elephant eyes' let in daylight. The hammam was repaired after earthquakes and fires, but according to the business its plan, domes and navel stone belong to the original structure.
There are completely separate sections for women and men, each with its own street entrance; female staff work in the women's section. As well as hammam use only, there is a traditional package with kese (exfoliating scrub) and foam massage given by a tellak (bath attendant), and the Mihrimah Sultan package, which adds an oil massage. Peshtemal, towel and slippers are included in the packages; there are changing cubicles and a rest area where tea is served.
The men's section is open every day 07.00–23.00 and the women's section 09.00–20.00. An appointment is not required, but calling ahead is recommended for weekends and evenings. Children are admitted with their parents. The Edirnekapı tram stop is within walking distance.