Üsküdar Şifa Hamamı

Üsküdar Şifa Hamamı is on Doğancılar Caddesi in the Mimar Sinan neighbourhood of Istanbul's Üsküdar district, a few minutes' walk from the Üsküdar pier. The exact construction date of the building, also known as Eski Hamam (the Old Hammam), is unknown; according to the management, it was built in the late 15th century to provide income for the Rum Mehmet Paşa Mosque, built in 1472, and was restored in 1885-86.
Because it was built as a double hammam (separate women's and men's sections), women and men are welcomed in separate sections: the men's entrance is on Doğancılar Caddesi and the women's on Kavak İskelesi Çıkmazı. After sweating on the navel stone (the heated marble platform) in the hot room, you can have a kese (exfoliating scrub) and foam wash; massages are also given in separate massage rooms.
Alongside the historic section there is a sauna and a steam room. The cafeteria serves hot and cold drinks and toasted sandwiches, and there is also a vitamin bar. The hammam also hosts bride and groom hammam celebrations; it suits large group gatherings as well as an everyday hammam break.
Hours vary by section; the hammam's website gives 06:00–21:00 for the men's section and 09:00–17:00 for the women's section. The two sections have separate phone lines; for group and special-occasion plans, bookings can be made through the form on the website by giving the date and number of people.