After a few days of nonstop walking and sightseeing through Istanbul, we decided it was time to slow down and treat ourselves to some relaxation — and that’s how we discovered the magic of the Turkish hammam (bathhouse). A little spa time felt like exactly what we needed to recharge before diving back into Istanbul’s busy streets.
What Is a Turkish Hammam?
A hammam is essentially a traditional public bath, a cultural experience that dates back to the Roman Empire and flourished during the Ottoman era. It’s still a big part of daily life in Türkiye — a place not just for cleansing, but for relaxing, socializing, and recharging.
Every hammam is slightly different, but typically you’ll find a large, steamy marble room with a heated central slab (called the göbektaşı) and running taps all around. You’ll also be paired with an attendant who performs the iconic exfoliating scrub.
Most hammams in Istanbul are gender-separated — either with two distinct sections or different time slots for men and women. Since we wanted to go together, I did a bit of research and found one that caters to couples and tourists: Süleymaniye Hamamı (suleymaniyehamami.com.tr). It was designed and built between 1550–1557 by the legendary Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan, the same genius behind the nearby Süleymaniye Mosque.
Step-by-Step
Check-in & Changing:
At reception, we were shown to a private changing cabin where we undressed and wrapped ourselves in the traditional thin cotton towel (pestemal) and slippers.
- Men usually go fully nude under the wrap.
- Women often keep their underwear on (but usually not their bra).
- Since we were in a mixed-gender hammam, I was provided with a bikini and shorts, while my fiancé got shorts.
The Hot Room (Hararet):
Next, we entered the hot, steamy marble chamber, where we laid down on the central heated slab — the göbektaşı — for about 30 minutes. The room was around 38–40°C with 65–70% humidity, perfect for sweating out all the fatigue. I loved every minute of it, while my fiancé started looking like he was melting. 😂 We were given water to stay hydrated, and if it got too hot, we could splash ourselves with cool water or step out to cool down — though honestly, I didn’t want to leave!
The Scrub & Foam Massage:
After your sauna session, an attendant (in our case, all male) calls you for the exfoliation. In gender separated hammams, it will be a tellak (for men) or natır (for women) who attends to you. Using a rough mitt (kese), they scrub your entire body — and you’ll be amazed at how much dead skin comes off!
Then came my favorite part — the bubble wash. The attendants used a special cloth dipped in soapy water to create massive clouds of foam, which they poured over us before giving a gentle soap massage. After a final rinse, we were squeaky clean and ridiculously relaxed. The whole process lasts about 30 minutes.
Cooling Down:
Finally, you move to a cooling room to relax, sip a drink, and let your body recover. We were served complimentary refreshments and, after resting for a bit, went back to our cabin to get dressed — refreshed, clean, and glowing.
How long does it take
The entire experience lasted about 90 minutes — pure bliss from start to finish.
Cost
We paid €140 for two people (as of 2024). Payment was cash only, as cards weren’t accepted.
Would I Recommend It?
Absolutely! I’d do it again in a heartbeat. It was one of the highlights of our trip – a unique and rejuvenating experience – part cultural tradition, part deep cleanse, and part pure indulgence.
We even recreated the experience later at the Ystad Saltsjöbad Spa in Sweden. That time, we were each other’s “masseurs,” and let’s just say… I nearly drowned under the mountain of bubbles my fiancé managed to make! 😂
