11 Best Hamams in Istanbul (From a Local) 

If you’re planning to visit a Turkish hamam in Istanbul, choosing the right one matters — because not all hamams offer the same experience!

From ultra-luxurious baths like Hürrem Sultan Hamam, to historic gems such as Ağa Hamam (the oldest hamam in Istanbul!), the city is home to dozens of Turkish baths, each with its own atmosphere, traditions, and style.

This guide compares the best hamams in Istanbul based on location, luxury level, and who each hamam is best for.

Instead of listing every Turkish bath in the city (that would be a very long list 😉), we focus on tried-and-tested hamams that are perfect for first-timers, couples, families, and travelers looking for an authentic hamam experience.

If you’re trying to decide which hamam to book in Istanbul, this guide will help you choose the right one. All recommendations were hand-picked based on personal visits, local reputation, historical significance, and real guest reviews. Let’s check them out!

This blog post was fact-checked and updated in January 2026.

* A note about Hamam vs Hammam — In Turkish it’s spelled hamam, while in Arabic it’s hammam (with two m’s) — across this blog post, we use hamam. It’s also sometimes called Turkish Bath in Europe and the Americas, but it all means the same (relaxing) thing. 🙂 

Hurrem Sultan Hamam: Best Luxury Hamam

Location: Sultanahmet (Istanbul Old Town)
Sectioned off? Yes, the men’s and women’s sections are in different areas 

Hurrem Sultan Hamam definitely gets our vote as the most luxurious hamam in Istanbul! That’s because it was commissioned by the actual Hurrem Sultan (best known as Roxolana), the wife of Suleiman the Magnificent, and built by the famed Mimar Sinan in the 16th century. 

With such a star-studded project, how could it be anything less than extraordinary? 

Besides its incredible backstory, the hamam is also luxurious in other ways: special gold-plated bath bowls and luxury marble slabs are used inside the steam rooms, the workers are extremely attentive, and the soaps are pure 100% olive oil. 

There are four treatments (‘rituals worthy of sultans’) to choose from, including the Pir-ü Pak (45 mins), Keyf-i Hamam (60 mins), Zevk-i Sefa (80 mins), and the Ab-i Hayat (110 minutes). 

For the ultimate in luxury, we recommend booking the Ab-i Hayat (‘water of life’), which includes a private massage room, face massage and face mask, foot massage with redbud scented oil, fresh fruit plate, private changing room, and a farewell gift. You’ll definitely feel like Roksolana after your hamam. 😌💅

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Cagaloglu Hamam: Most Beautiful Hamam

Location: Sultanahmet (Istanbul Old town)
Sectioned off? Yes, separate mens and womens areas

Built in 1741, Cagaloglu Hamam is a baroque architecture masterpiece that’s often hailed as the most beautiful hamam in Istanbul. Its exceptional beauty comes from the fact that it was one of the last ‘grand’ hamams built during the Ottoman era, and incorporated unique architectural techniques of that century (that can’t be found in any other hamams). 

Even better, it’s just a 10-minute walk from the Grand Bazaar, so you can shop ‘til you drop… and then get pampered. 🙂 

One thing that sets Cagaloglu apart is that you get a personal ‘hamam consultant’ who will guide you through the entire process and ensure you enjoy the full experience. 

Fun fact: The hamam’s stunning design and historical significance have earned it a spot on the New York Times’ “1000 Places to See Before You Die” list! 

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Ağa Hamam: Best Mixed Hamam in Istanbul

Location: Beyoğlu (near Taksim)
Sectioned off? No, men and women can mingle together (only the scrub areas are separate)

There are only a handful of hamams in Istanbul for couples, and this happens to be the most popular one! Yes, it’s true — the majority of hamams are not coed Turkish baths, which means that men and women are separate. Ağa hamam, on the other hand, is a mixed hamam, which means men and women are together everywhere (except the rooms where they scrub you!).  

Speaking of coed… This was the first hamam that we visited as a couple, and it’s remained our favorite in the years since! We especially love that they don’t try to rush you through the process, plus there’s a nice lounge area on the second floor (you’ll get a complimentary drink and lokum as well!) 

What’s really impressive about Ağa Hamam is that it’s the oldest hamam in Istanbul, built in 1454. To put it into perspective, Istanbul became part of the Ottoman Empire in 1453, which means this bath house was built just 1 year later! Cool, right?

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Zeyrek Çinili Hamam: Best Child-Friendly Hamam

Location: Fatih
Sectioned off? Yes, split into men’s and women’s sections

We’ve just covered the oldest hamam— now let’s explore one of Istanbul’s newest! Zeyrek Çinili Hamam was opened in late 2023 following a lengthy 13-year restoration. However, its history actually goes back to 1530 to 1540, when it was constructed. 

This freshly-restored hamam is accompanied by a contemporary art space (in the former cistern!), private garden, rooftop terrace, and even a hamam museum (also worth a visit!). 

The hamam is split into men’s and women’s sections, and there are 10 treatments to choose from. There’s even an authentic hamam ritual for children (ages 6 to 11, must be accompanied by parents) called Little Bubbles! How cute. 🥰

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Çukurcuma Hamam  

Location: Beyoğlu (near Taksim)
Sectioned off? No, this is a mixed hamam (men and women get treatments in the same place) 

One of our other favorite hamams in Istanbul is Çukurcuma, which is located in a cute bohemian neighborhood of the same name. In fact, we recommend strolling around if you have an hour or two (before or after your hamam), as Çukurcuma is a cool neighborhood with art galleries, antique stores, second hand boutiques, and sweet cafes.  

Ah right, where were we? What sets Çukurcuma apart from other popular hamams in Istanbul is that only a few people are served at a time, which means you get undivided attention and a truly personalized experience. 

Besides the impeccable service, we fell in love with the interior of Çukurcuma Hamam. The white and gray marble, traditional wooden details, and private cabanas are a must-see. 😍

Travel tip: If you don’t want to ruin your post-hamam bliss, the owners of Çukurcuma opened up a hotel right next to the hamam! This top-rated hotel is decorated in a chic industrial-meets-Ottoman style and is aptly-named Hamamhane (literally translated to ‘bath house’). 🙂 You can check hotel availability and book here →

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Acemoglu Hamam: Best Private Hamam

Location: Fatih (10 minutes from Süleymaniye Mosque) 
Sectioned off? Somewhat — there are private rooms available (where men/women can mix) and public baths (sectioned off)

If you want to enjoy a traditional Turkish hamam without the crowds, Acemoglu Hamam is the perfect choice. This 15th- century hamam has a variety of different options, including fully private rooms, along with semi-private rooms and public baths. 

Besides the Turkish bath, you can also add extras like a massage, facial, body mask, or sauna ritual.

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New to Turkish baths? Read our complete guide to what to expect during your first Turkish hamam!

• Ultimate Guide to Turkish Bath (Hamam) in Turkey: What to Expect, Etiquette & More

  If you’re looking for the traditional Turkish bath experience but don’t know where to start — Do you pick the hamam with the prettiest tiles? Bring a bathing suit or à la nude? Prepare for relaxation or a full-on scrubdown? No worries, you’ve come to the right place!…

  Read more →: Ultimate Guide to Turkish Bath (Hamam) in Turkey: What to Expect, Etiquette & More

  

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Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamam

Location: Karaköy (A 5-minute walk from Galataport)
Sectioned off? Yes, there are different times for men and women. Women’s visiting hours are 8:00 to 16:00 and men’s are 16:45 to 23:30

Located in the vibrant Karaköy district and just a short walk from the iconic Galataport, Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamam is a must-visit for those seeking an authentic Turkish bath experience. This historic gem recently underwent a meticulous seven-year restoration, bringing back to life a masterpiece of Ottoman architecture. 

Fun fact: Did you know that this historic hamam was once an important part of the Ottoman navy’s infrastructure? It was commissioned by Admiral Kılıç Ali Paşa in the late 1500s and served as a place of relaxation for sailors.

Unlike other famous hamams in Istanbul, the Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamam boasts a unique single-dome design (a testament to its original purpose as a bathhouse for the Ottoman navy).

To preserve this architectural integrity and offer a better experience, the hamam operates on a gender-segregated schedule. Women are welcomed in the first half of the day (8:00 to 16:00), while men can enjoy the facilities in the afternoon (from 16:45 to 23:30). This ensures that each guest receives undivided attention and can fully immerse themselves in the traditional hamam experience.

Likewise, this hamam is also child-friendly! Children aged 3 and under are welcome with their mothers free of charge (although they don’t get the traditional scrub to protect their sensitive skin). Children ages 4 to 12 are welcome at a discounted price. 

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Vezneciler Hamam 

Location: Fatih (7 minutes from Grand Bazaar)
Sectioned off? No, this is a mixed gender hamam

Want to enjoy a stress-free hamam experience? Vezneciler Hamam offers an all-inclusive package, which includes round-trip transportation (if you choose this option), 20 minutes of hot stone therapy, a 10-minute sauna followed by a traditional foam massage, and finally a 30-minute oil massage. At the end, you’ll be treated to complimentary tea or coffee. 

The hamam itself was built in 1481 and is unique because it was originally constructed on the second floor. 

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Çemberlitas Hamam

Location: Near Grand Bazaar
Sectioned off? Yes, there are separate sections for men and women

Çemberlitas Hamam is another historical Turkish bath in Istanbul — it was completed in 1584 and allegedly built by Mimar Sinan, the same architect that built Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamam and Hurrem Sultan Hamam. There’s actually a fascinating backstory: Çemberlitaş Hamam was commissioned by none other than Hurrem Sultan’s daughter-in-law! 

While it’s not the top-rated hamam (it has a review of 3.9 out of 5), Çemberlitas is conveniently located near the Grand Bazaar and just steps away from the T1 tram. 

The hamam features two separate sections for men and women. The men’s section boasts a grand entrance adorned with a gold inscription on a green background. Meanwhile, the women’s entrance, reflecting the modesty of the time, is discreet and unadorned.

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Çatma Mescit Hamam 

Location: Beyoğlu (15 minutes from Galata Tower)
Sectioned off? No, there are private rooms available 

Çatma Mescit Hamam is one of the few hamams near Galata Tower (most are located around Sultanahmet and Fatih!) and is a 15 minute stroll from the tower. It’s a cross between a traditional hamam and a Turkish spa, featuring private rooms rather than sectioned-off areas.

While it’s a bit on the touristy side (the prices are slightly higher than some other hamams), it’s also conveniently located. 

Similar to the Hurrem Sultan Hamam, the rituals here are as charming as their names, with offerings like the Pasha Hamam, Shahrazad Hamam, and Sultan Hamam. The Çatma Mescit Hamam also offers a range of additional services, including reflexology, head and shoulder massage, back massage, classic massage, anti-stress massage, and aromatherapy massage.

It’s important to note that this hamam operates on a reservation-only basis, so be sure to book your spot in advance.

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Çinili Hamamı

Location: Üsküdar
Sectioned off? Yes, men and women have separate entrances

If you’re looking for the best non-touristy hamam in Istanbul, you’ll find it in Üsküdar! The Çinili Hamamı was built in 1640 by Kösem Sultan and has preserved many of its original features to this day. 

Çinili Hamamı is a no-frills neighborhood bath where you’ll find more locals than tourists. There are two reasons why — it doesn’t have the same “aesthetic” appeal as the other hamams on this list, and it’s also harder to get to (it’s located on the Asian side and is a 30-minute walk from the Üsküdar Pier / Marmaray station). However, if you want to save money, Çinili Hamamı offers an authentic hamam for a fraction of the cost. 

Q&A | Questions & Answers 

Photo credits: Respective hamams (except Aga Hamam)

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