Tourists visiting Istanbul wonder which are the best Turkish baths in Istanbul. In this article you can find the best hammams in Istanbul’s Sultanahmet and Taksim districts and their Turkish bath prices in 2024.
The best Turkish bath is the one that meets your expectations. For example, most hammams cannot be entered as a couple. Women and men are taken into separate sections in the hammams.
The second factor that determines the choice of visitors is price. As an insider, I will recommend you the most affordable Turkish bath packages in the following lines.
In this blog post, we will have a look the best Turkish baths in Old City (Eminonu, Sultanahmet, Beyazit) and Beyoglu (Taksim, Galata, Karakoy) districts of Istanbul. These are the top tourist spots in the city.
Best Turkish Baths in Istanbul 2024
Sultanahmet area was the administrative center of Istanbul during the Byzantine and Ottoman periods. The bath culture in this neighborhood started with the Byzantine period and continued with the Ottoman period.
During the Byzantine era, the most famous public bath in the district was the Baths of Zeuxippus. In the Ottoman period, magnificent Turkish baths were built. It was common for individuals who got rich in the Ottoman society to build baths and mosques for charity.
On the other hand, some of the best Turkish baths in Istanbul are also found in the Beyoglu district. These hammams are close to touristic centers such as Karakoy, Galata and Taksim Square.
You can find the best Turkish baths close to Sultanahmet under the first 4 titles in this article, and the best Turkish baths close to Taksim in the last 3 titles. The historical features of these hammams are also briefly noted.
1. Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan Hammam
Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan Hammam is located in the most central part of the Old City of Istanbul. Located in the park between the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, this place is the best hammam in Sultanahmet. However, it should be noted that it is the most expensive one in the area due to its location.
The 500-year-old hammam underwent a major restoration in the late 2000s. After its renovation the Hagia Sophia Hurrem Sultan Hammam has become like a 5-star hotel spa.
This famous Turkish bath was built by Hurrem Sultan, also known as Roxelana. Hurrem was the wife of Suleiman the Magnificent, the greatest sultan in Ottoman history.
Mimar Sinan was the most famous and prolific architect of the Ottoman period. This bath is also his work. Built in the 1550s, the hamam is among the oldest Turkish baths in Istanbul.
Turkish Bath prices in Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan Hammam vary between 90 Euros and 250 Euros in 2024. In my opinion, the 90 Euro “Pir-u Pak” Package, which lasts 45 minutes and offers the traditional scrubbing, bubble bath and massage experience, is a suitable choice.
2. Cemberlitas Hammam
Cemberlitas Hammam is located in an ancient square. This square was known as the Forum of Constantine during the Roman and Byzantine periods. The column erected by Emperor Constantine can still be seen in the middle of the square. (also known as Burnt Column)
The Hammam is right next to the Cemberlitas Tram Station. It was built for Nurbanu Sultan, the wife of Sultan Selim II, the successor of Suleiman the Magnificent. Built in 1584, this bath is one of the oldest Turkish baths in Istanbul. It is one of the most preferred baths of tourists with its location close to the Grand Bazaar.
Turkish Bath prices at Cemberlitas Hammam vary between 32 Euros and 64 Euros in 2024. In my opinion, the 45 Euro “Traditional Style” package, which offers the traditional scrubbing and bubble bath experience, is a suitable choice.
3. Cagaloglu Hamami
Cagaloglu Hammam is one of the historical baths of Istanbul with its history dating back to 1741. It is located on Yerebatan Street starting from the Basilica Cistern. Cagaloglu Hammam served German Kaiser Wilhelm II and renowned pianist Franz Liszt and famous actor Omar Sharif.
Some scenes were shot here for the films in which the most important stars of Turkish cinema played. The Cagaloglu Hammam is the only Turkish bath in the “1000 Places to See Before You Die” list of the New York Times. In conclusion, Cagaloglu Hamami is the best Turkish bath for those who stay near Sultanahmet, Sirkeci and Eminonu neighborhoods of Istanbul Old City.
Turkish Bath prices in Cagaloglu Hammam vary between 60 Euros and 300 Euros in 2024. In my opinion, “The Istanbul Dream” package for 60 Euros, which offers the traditional scrubbing, bubble bath and massage experience, is a suitable choice.
4. Suleymaniye Hamami
Suleymaniye Hammam is a part of the Suleymaniye Mosque built for Sultan Suleiman. The complex, built by Mimar Sinan in the 1550s, is located in the heart of Istanbul’s Historical Peninsula. It is one of the oldest baths in Istanbul with a history of nearly 500 years. Most foreign travel guides promoting Istanbul recommend this bath.
The most important feature that distinguishes Suleymaniye Hammam from other baths is that it accepts couples together. Although women and men are separate in traditional Turkish bath culture, the practice is different in Suleymaniye. For this reason, Suleymaniye Hammam is the best Turkish bath in Istanbul for couples.
Suleymaniye Bath is a very suitable Turkish bath for tourists as it accepts couples together. The only disadvantage is that it is a little further from Sultanahmet compared to other baths. However, you can reach here with a 20-minute walk from the Grand Bazaar.
Turkish Bath price in Suleymaniye Hammam is 70 Euros in 2024. According to the notes on the hammam’s website, the traditional hammam experience lasts 90 minutes in total and includes scrubbing, bubble bath and relaxing massage.
5. Kilic Ali Pasa Hamami
Kilic Ali Pasa Hammam is one of the recently restored baths. After restoration, it has been very well managed and has earned a well-deserved reputation. That is why it is known as the best Turkish bath near Taksim these days.
This hammam is located in Karakoy, Istanbul’s increasingly popular district in recent years. It is preferred by tourists since it is the closest Turkish bath to Galataport, where cruise ships are anchored.
After having a local bath experience at Kilic Ali Pasa Hammam, you can enjoy the streets of Karakoy. The best third wave coffee shops and boutique restaurants of recent years are in Karakoy. The Hammam is located right next to Tophane Tram Station.
You can reach this hamam on foot from Galata Tower and Taksim Square. For those staying in Sultanahmet, it is possible to reach the entrance of the bath by tram.
Turkish bath price at Kilic Ali Pasha Hammam is 60 Euros in 2024. This standard package, called Traditional Hamam Ritual, includes scrubbing and bubble bath. Apart from this, many types of massages are offered as extras in the bath.
6. Galatasaray Hamami
Galatasaray Hammam is located very close to Istiklal Street. It was built during the reign of Bayezid II, son of Mehmed the Conqueror. Built in 1461, it is the second oldest Turkish bath in our list.
Galatasaray Hammam is located in Beyoglu district, where Istanbul’s most popular 4 and 5 star hotels are located. It attracts domestic and foreign tourists because of its central location. Galatasaray Hamam is the best Turkish Bath for those who stay near Taksim Square. Galatasaray Hammam is also known as one of the cheapest Turkish baths in Istanbul.
Turkish bath prices at Galatasaray Hammam vary between 40 Euros and 70 Euros in 2024. If you buy the cheap package called “Scrub Service”, it includes scrubbing and bubble bath. The expensive package called “The Pasha Service” includes a 50-minute massage.
7. Aga Hamami
Aga Hammam is the oldest Turkish bath in our list since it was built in 1454. Located in Cihangir neighborhood of Beyoglu district. It is one of the rare Turkish baths in Istanbul that couples can enter together.
After refreshing yourself at Aga Hamami, you can explore Cihangir. This is the neighborhood of the Nobel Prize-winning Turkish writer Orhan Pamuk. The Museum of Innocence, which is dedicated to him, is also located here.
There are also nice antique shops on Cukurcuma Street in Cihangir. You can shop for antiques or at least take beautiful pictures on this instagrammable street.
Turkish bath prices at Aga Hammam vary between 50 Euros and 80 Euros in 2024. To experience the classic Turkish bath here, it will be enough to purchase the “Traditional Package” for 50 Euros.
Conclusion
Bathing in the historical hamams in Istanbul is a very refreshing experience. Most hamams accept reservations. For this reason, you can make your bath reservation at the end of the sightseeing tour. So you can relax after a busy day.
Wait until your body temperature drops in the cold room before leaving the bath, especially in the spring and winter months. Because the weather in Istanbul can be unexpectedly windy in the evening.
The best hammams in Istanbul can be found in the historical districts of the city. For this reason, I recommend you to prefer traditional Turkish baths instead of modern hotel hammams.
Written by Serhat Engul
The prices are not accurate even though the blog was written or updates recently on Dec 17.
Hello Kal, yes you are right, I forgot to edit the prices in the last update. Museum prices in Istanbul change so quickly that while I was trying to keep them up to date, I overlooked the bath prices.
I thought the Turkish bath prices would remain the same because they were in foreign currency, but they also changed. By the way, as a footnote, this article was written in 2019, but the date section shows the day I last revised it.
Thank you for the notification. I will make the necessary updates today. Have a nice holiday.
Nice blog! Thanks for the info and trying to keep everything up to date.
Hi Zoe, you are welcome! Thank you for the feedback on the post.