Spas, hammams and massage in Trabzon

The two spa and hammam options listed in Trabzon are both historic hammams in Ortahisar, the central district. In this old Black Sea port city, the list includes no hotel spa or thermal facility; what stands out are the city hammams still operating within the historic fabric. As both hammams are in the historic part of the centre, they can be fitted into the same day as a tour of the city.

8 Direkli Hamam in Pazarkapı

Tarihi 8 Direkli Hamam, in Ortahisar's Pazarkapı quarter, is a hammam known for the eight marble columns surrounding its navel stone (the heated marble platform); its name ('eight-columned') comes from these columns. Alongside the Turkish bath and kese (exfoliating scrub), it offers foam massage and a sauna. Of the two hammams on the list, only 8 Direkli Hamam offers massage: aromatherapy massage and medical massage are among its listed services. It is a suitable address for those who want to combine traditional bathing in a historic building with a massage session.

Paşa Hamamı in the historic bazaar

Paşa Hamamı, inside the historic bazaar in Ortahisar, is a double hammam mentioned in the 16th-century endowment deed of Governor İskender Paşa, and it still operates as a hammam today. Only the Turkish bath appears in its listing; ask before you go whether kese and foam wash are offered and how they are charged. Its location inside the bazaar is practical for those who want a short hammam break between shopping or sightseeing.

The arrangement for women and men at the two hammams in Trabzon is not recorded. In double hammams the women's and men's sections are usually separate, while hammams with a single section commonly use separate days or hours. Confirm which arrangement applies, and the opening hours, before you go. Whether a peshtemal, towel and kese mitt are provided also varies by venue; if you are unsure how to use a peshtemal, see the guide explaining how to tie a peshtemal. On cool, rainy Black Sea days, resting for a while in the cooling room before leaving the hammam and waiting for your body temperature to settle makes the change to the weather outside easier.