Historical Çemberlitaş Bath, Fatih
One of the most renowned historical baths in Istanbul, Çemberlitaş Hammam was commissioned by Nurbanu Sultan, the mother of Murad III, with the intention of generating revenue. Designed in the 16th century by the Ottoman state architect Mimar Sinan (Sinan the Architect), Çemberlitaş Bath has maintained its original charm.
Situated in the bustling Historical Peninsula, the historical hammam is conveniently located near the Grand Bazaar, thus capturing the interest of both tourists and residents. The structure is a double bath, with adjacent sections featuring identical plans; the exterior of the bath is square while the interior is a twelve-cornered polygon.
- Entrance order: Sections are designated for men and women.
- Service hours: Open every day of the week from 06.00 to 00.00.
- Reservation information: Reservations can be made via email or phone. Reservations are not required for individual visitors or groups of fewer than 30 people.
- Alternative transportation: The hammam is a short walk from the Çemberlitaş stop on the Kabataş-Bağcılar tram line.
The Kılıç Ali Paşa Hammam, Beyoğlu
Kılıç Ali Paşa Hammam is located in Beyoğlu, a historical district popular with tourists. Commissioned by Kılıç Ali Pasha, the Ottoman navy admiral, the 16th-century hammam was also built by the great Mimar Sinan (Sinan the Architect); not only is it one of the most distinguished examples of Istanbul’s historical baths, the hammam’s main dome is the second-largest among all Istanbul’s baths.
Thus, in addition to providing a place of healing and rest, the Kılıç Ali Paşa Hammam is a valuable cultural heritage — the impressive restoration works on the hammam have received awards. This beautiful bathhouse is a popular venue for events such as bridal and groom days, as well as birthdays.
- Entrance order: The hammam has separate men’s and women’s hours.
- Service hours: Women’s hours are 8.00-16.00, and men’s hours are 16.30-23.30.
- Reservation information: This is an extremely popular hammam so it is recommended to make reservations at least one week in advance.
- Alternative transportation: Take the Zeytinburnu-Kabataş T1 tram line and exit at the Tophane stop. To reach the hammam via metro, take the Hacıosman-Yenikapı M2 line to Şişhane and then walk downhill.
The Hürrem Sultan Hammam, Fatih
The Hürrem Sultan Hammam is in the Fatih district, one of Istanbul’s historical treasures. This Mimar Sinan-designed structure was erected in the 16th century upon the request of Hürrem Sultan, the wife of Suleiman the Magnificent. Located where the Temple of Zeus once stood, the historical hammam attracts considerable attention.
An important innovation in the Hürrem Sultan Hammam beautifully illuminates classical Ottoman architecture: The men’s and women’s sections are mirror images of one another. There are three distinct sections in the bathhouse: coldness, warmness and hotness sections. All three sections feature separate rooms, applications and so on. For example, the warm room provides foam massage services, while the cold room includes VIP changing rooms and a terrace floor.
- Entrance order: There are men’s and women’s sections.
- Service hours: Open every day from 8:00 to 22.00.
- Reservation information: Reservations can be made via the official website or by phone.
- Alternative transportation: Exit the Kabataş-Bağcılar tram line at the Sultanahmet stop and walk.
The Süleymaniye Hamam, Fatih
The beautiful 16th-century Süleymaniye Hamam, also designed by Mimar Sinan, has a well-founded place among Istanbul’s historical baths. Part of the Süleymaniye Complex, the hammam considered one of the city’s loveliest historical bathhouses, with its dome and geometric facets.
The domed center of the bath is surrounded by iwans with vaults, and halvet cells with small domes. The Dökmeci Turkish Bath (Dökmeciler Baths) were named after the artisans who used to live nearby. In addition to bathhouse services, the Süleymaniye Hammam hosts a variety of events and photo shoots.
- Entrance order: Services are provided for men, women and families during specific time periods.
- Service hours: The hammam is open daily from 10.00 to 20.00 for families, on Sundays between 07.00-09.00 for women, and daily except Sundays between 07.00-09.00 for men.
- Reservation information: It is recommended to reserve a spot at least a few days in advance; same-day reservations are not available.
- Alternative transportation: Exit the Kabataş-Bağcılar tram line at the Vezneciler stop and walk for 10 minutes.
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The Gedikpaşa Hammam, Fatih
The Gedikpaşa Hammam, one of Istanbul’s oldest baths, was constructed between 1474 and 1475. Commissioned by Gedik Ahmet Pasha, the architect of the bathhouse was Mimar Hayrettin (Hayrettin the Architect), and the structure is regarded as one of the finest examples of Ottoman architecture in Istanbul. A double bathhouse with separate men’s and women’s sections, this historical hamam in Istanbul’s European side was also one of the first large bazaar baths. The hammam’s domes are made of tiles and stone and feature elegant decorations.
- Entrance order: There are separate sections for men and women.
- Service hours: Open every day.
- Reservation information: Reservations are highly recommended.
- Alternative transportation: A five-minute walk from the Beyazıt stop on the Kabataş-Bağcılar tram line.
The Ağa Turkish Bath, Taksim
The Ağa Turkish Bath, erected in the 15th century by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror, is located in the heart of Beyoğlu. Used by sultans and princes throughout the Ottoman period, the hammam is divided into four sections: cold halvet (private small room), hot section with navel stone, hot halvet (private small room), and külhan (the heating place). The cold private room serves as the bath’s entrance section; bathers who need a break from the heat can come to this area to cool down. Bathing and sweating take place in the hot area and on the navel stone.The hot private room consists of two rooms used solely for bathing. Finally, the külhan (heating place) section is where the bath is heated — the Ağa Hammam is still heated in the traditional way, with a fire, and the heat generated from the fire circulates beneath the bath.
- Entrance order: The navel stone section is shared, while the other areas serve separately for men and women.
- Service hours: Open seven days a week from 10.00 to 22.00, but closed for entry from 20.30.
- Reservation information: Online reservations are required.
- Alternative transportation: It is a 10-minute walk from the Taksim Station, on the M2 Yenikapi-Hacıosman metro line.
The Cağaloğlu Hammam, Fatih
One of Istanbul’s most notable historical baths, the Cağaloğlu Hammam was built in 1741. Designed as a double public bath, the structure has wonderful architectural details, including a fountain pool with high artistic value, and three-by-three windows between domes supported by arches and columns.
The Cağaloğlu Hammam offers an elaborate traditional Turkish bath ritual, featuring an authentic service that includes Turkish tea and Turkish delight along with homemade sherbet, and other treats. Various massage services are also available.
- Entrance order: There are separate sections for men and women.
- Service hours: The service is available between 09.00-22.00 on Monday-Thursday and between 09.00-23.00 on Friday-Sunday.
- Reservation information: Reservations can be made online or by calling the contact number.
- Alternative transportation: Get off at the Gülhane stop from the Kabataş-Bağcılar tram line and walk six or seven minutes.
The Mimar Sinan Hammam, Çekmeköy
The Mimar Sinan Hammam stands out from other baths on Istanbul’s Anatolian side. Although it is not a historical hammam, the design of the bathhouse, named after Mimar Sinan, is based on the works of the great architect himself. The Mimar Sinan Hammam offers a variety of services, including Ottoman and Finnish baths, a salt room, sports massages, and Hürrem Sultan care. It also hosts bridal and henna events as well as birthday parties.
- Entrance order: There are separate service areas for men and women.
- Service hours: Open every day from 08.00-01.00.
- Reservation information: You can make a reservation by calling the establishment.
