Istanbul

Hammam

Located in the heart of the historical peninsula, at a walking distance from Grand Bazaar and serving since 1584, the historical Çemberlitaş Hamam is waiting for you! If you are searching for the best place for a Turkish bath in Istanbul, this is the best place for you. Going to the Turkish bath and witnessing the Turkish bath experience is one of the essential things to do in Istanbul. Take a break from the Istanbul day tours and all the Istanbul sightseeing places and relax in Cemberlitas Hamam. The Turkish Bath is a traditional type of public bathing which is essentially based on the ancient Roman bathing culture and the principles of the steam bath. Combining this with the traditional Turkish bath massage (“Turkish scrub”), it became an integral part of Turkish culture as well as an important part of social life. After sweating, the person in charge of scrubbing and foaming will scrub all the dead skin from your body. Do not worry, it does not hurt. You will be surprised how much dead skin will come off your body. After foaming, you can relax as long as you want in the Hammam. Your body will begin to breathe in each cell and your blood circulation accelerates. Do not miss this experience! Learn more about the ancient bathing ritual of the Ottoman Sultans while relaxing. 

The hamam is an atmospheric world all its own in the midst of cosmopolitan Istanbul. If you are stressed-out, tired, or just want to visit a place where time seems to have stood still for centuries, step inside for an authentic Turkish bath experience. Immerse yourself in the long-established hamam experience at a luxurious hamam carved out of a cave, granting the best of both worlds: old-world tradition in a modern, luxurious setting. To help you relax after your daily tours of Istanbul, the professional masseurs offer a variety of services in addition to the traditional hamam ritual. After changing, you will be taken to the Hot Room where your muscles will loosen up. You will proceed to the Warm Room of the bath,where the staff (tellak for men and natir for women) will scrub you down using Turkish soap and a special cloth. Once you have finished there, you will be taken to the Cold Room and given towels to wrap yourself in. Here you may choose to enhance your experience with a massage, or simply relax with tea or other drinks. After you get dressed, you will feel your skin renewed from the magic of the Turkish bath.

The Çemberlitas Bath, built in 1584, is located on Divanyolu Street and surrounded Istanbul’s historic monuments. At the beginning of your 2-hour visit an attendant will show you to a dressing cubicle on the first floor, and provide sandals and a peştemal – a colorful checked cloth to be tied around the waist. There are many services available. With the self-service option, you bathe yourself, bringing your own soap, shampoo and towel. The traditional bath option includes a 15-minute massage and the soap, shampoo and towel are provided. Other choices include gobektasi, or stone sweating; scrubbing, bubbles and sultan’s bath; aromatherapy oil massage; Indian massage; and clay mask.

The Turkish bath is a long revered custom, centuries old; perfect for those looking for a truly physical and spiritual cleansing experience. The first public bath house was built in 1741 by Sultan Mehmet, who chose natural lighting and izonic coloured tiles to create a tranquil and harmonious experience. Prepare to leave the chaos and humdrum of life behind as soon as you enter the Turkish bath. Immerse yourself and embrace traditional custom by wearing the waistcloth and clogs provided. Not quite for the faint hearted, inside the temperature can reach up to 50 degrees celcius under the central dome of the building. The combined intense heat and humidity encourages the pores to open and impurities to be extracted from the body. Following which, your skin will be gently exfoliated with a Turkish scrub and you will receive a soothing soap massage. Finally, after resting, you can enjoy Turkish tea before being taken back to your hotel feeling relaxed, rejuvenated and refreshed.