For centuries, Istanbul’s hammams have offered relaxation and pleasure to both locals and tourists. These historic bathing houses are woven into the city’s cultural and historical fabric, embodying Ottoman traditions. More than just baths, hammams combine heat, water, and massage for physical healing and spiritual rejuvenation.

Hammams, with their traditional marble floors and domed ceilings adorned with intricate calligraphy and tiles, allow visitors to immerse themselves in an ambiance reminiscent of ancient Ottoman palaces. Each hammam features unique amenities and spa treatments, offering a level of authentic hospitality that is rare to find.

1. Hurrem Sultan Hammam

This opulent hammam offers a luxurious bathing experience worthy of the sultans. Constructed by the renowned Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan in the 16th century, it was designed for the chief consort and wife of Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent. The hammam stands on the site of Turkey’s first bathhouse, known as Zeuxippus, in the ancient Greek acropolis of Byzantium.