Top 10 Turkish Baths
- Cağaloğlu Hamamı (İSTANBUL)
- Üsküdar Çinili Hamam (iSTANBUL)
- Çemberlitaş Hamamı (İSTANBUL)
- Süleymaniye Hamamı (İSTANBUL)
- Kervansaray Termal (BURSA)
- Zeyrek Çinili Hamam (İSTANBUL)
- Sokullu Hamamı (EDİRNE)
- Kurşunlu Hamamı (YALOVA)
- Çifte Göbek Hamamı (ERZURUM)
- Sekiz Direkli Hamam (TRABZON)
CAĞALOĞLU HAMAMI
The ultimate experience in bathing
Cağaloğlu Hamamı has hosted famous personalities such as Florence Nightingale, German Emperor II. Wilhelm, Gianfranco Ferre, Ömer Şerif, Harrison Ford, Rudolf Nureyev, and Cameron Diaz. It has been recognized by the New York Times as one of the “Thousand Places to See Before You Die” and acclaimed by The Guardian as the best Turkish Bath in the world. Located on Yerebatan Street, connecting Sultanahmet to Cağaloğlu, this Turkish Bath was built by Sultan I. Mahmut in 1741 to provide income for Ayasofya Mosque. The women’s section opens at 08:00 and closes at 20:00, while the men’s section remains open until 22:00. It offers services such as scrubbing, dry massages on the belly stone, soapy massages, and foam wash. There is also a bar, restaurant, and cafeteria. (0212) 522 24 24
ÜSKÜDAR ÇİNİLİ HAMAM
Inspired by a mosque
Built in 1648 by Kösem Sultan, this Turkish Bath has separate sections for women and men. The Çinili Hamam, which had been in ruins and closed for a long time, was restored and reopened after being transferred to private ownership in 1964. The men’s section also includes a sauna. The women’s section operates seven days a week from 08:00 to 18:00, while the men’s section is open from 07:00 to 22:00. Çinili Hamam has preserved its original structure among historical baths, with minimal modernization. It derives its name from the Çinili Mosque, which is part of the complex. (0216) 553 15 93
ÇEMBERLİTAŞ HAMAMI
A masterpiece by Sinan
This 424-year-old Turkish Bath, bearing the signature of architect Mimar Sinan, is located next to the Çemberlitaş monument on Divanyolu Street. It was commissioned by Nûrbánû Sultan, the wife of Sultan II. Selim, to generate income for the Válide-i Atik Complex. The six-line inscription on the entrance gate was fragmented when the Turkish Bath was sold. The women’s section had been used as a carpet shop and restaurant for many years, but it was restored to its original form, with a few minor missing parts, two years ago. Mimar Sinan transported the healing springwater from the Belgrade Forest to the hamam using conduits. The hamam offers services such as massages, scrubbing, and foam washing, along with four cafeterias, a restaurant, jacuzzi, women’s and men’s hairdressers, and a gym. (0212) 522 79 74.
SÜLEYMANİYE HAMAMI
Fit for a Sultan
This hamam, belonging to the endowment of Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent, was inaugurated in 1557. It is part of the Süleymaniye Complex and even has a private chamber for Sultan Süleyman. Its domes and geometrically arranged chimneys make it one of the most beautiful adornments of Istanbul. Closed in 1924, it was leased in 2001 and reopened in 2004 after restoration. The women’s and men’s sections are open from 07:00 to 24:00. The hamam, which has 16 basins, can accommodate 32 people. Reservations are required, and group discounts are available. Nargile, tea, coffee, and lemonade are also served according to the season. (0212) 520 34 10
KERVANSARAY TERMAL BURSA
A tradition since Roman times
Located in the Çekirge district, Kervansaray Termal Hotel’s thermal baths are famous for their healing waters. The hotel was built in 1987 in the Old Spa area in Çekirge Square, Bursa. This historic thermal bath has been in use since the Roman period. After the Ottoman conquest of Bursa, it underwent a major restoration in 1389 during the reign of Murat Hüdavendigar. A second restoration was carried out when the hotel was inaugurated. The thermal water, with a temperature of 44 degrees Celsius, is rich in bicarbonate and calcium. The baths are open seven days a week, with separate sections for men and women. Complimentary towels, bathrobes, slippers, and soap are provided. (0224) 233 93 00
ZEYREK ÇİNİLİ HAMAM
Barbaros’ bath
This hamam, organized by the Fatih Municipality last year, is located next to the Women’s Bazaar. It was commissioned by Barbaros Hayreddin Pasha to support the medrese he established in Beşiktaş and built by Mimar Sinan. It is also known as Hayreddin Pasha or Kaptanpaşa Hamam. The men’s and women’s sections are equally constructed. There are 22 basins in the hot sections. Four private rooms surround the belly stone. The ceramic decorations that gave the hamam its name are only found in the hot section of the men’s area. (0212) 631 88 83
SOKULLU HAMAMI EDİRNE
Turkey’s largest
Built in the second half of the 16th century by Grand Vizier Sokullu Mehmed Pasha and designed by Mimar Sinan, this hamam is the largest in Turkey in terms of its dome, building area, and garden. It has been privately owned for about 50 years. The entrances to the women’s and men’s sections are separate and open every day. The men’s section consists of four eyvans surrounding a central dome. The stone carvings and satirical embroideries in the bride and mother-in-law basins in the women’s section are remarkable. It is also known as “Üç Şerefeli Hamam” or “Çifte Hamam” because it is located across from Üç Şerefeli Mosque. It is open for men from 08:30 to 23:00 and for women from 09:00 to 17:00. (0284) 225 21 93
KURŞUNLU HAMAMI YALOVA
Where Atatürk spent his days
Built 17 centuries ago by Byzantine Emperor Justinian, this hamam features reliefs of the gods Heracles and Asklepios, the deity of health, as well as nymphs on its outer walls. It was restored in 1900 on the orders of Sultan Abdulhamid II. Atatürk visited Kurşunlu Hamam during his visit to Yalova in 1929 and spent a total of 313 days here until 1938. Its thermal waters, with a pH value of 7.8, won the award for the best thermal waters in a competition held in Rome in 1911. It is a first-degree protected area. The hamam, which is open from 08:00 to 22:00, offers shared facilities such as pools and massage rooms for men and women. (0226) 675 74 00
ÇİFTE GÖBEK HAMAMI ERZURUM
Exclusive for men
Also known as İki Göbek, this hamam was built in the 18th century. It consists of dressing, warm, hot, and private sections and is located next to Bakırcı Mosque. The Turkish Bath was built using rubble and occasionally block stones. Bricks were used for the door and window sills, and brick reinforcements were used in the walls. The dressing area has a dome with squinches, and it has been expanded with three arches supported by two columns facing west. The hamam, belonging to the General Directorate of Foundations, covers an area of 650 square meters and can accommodate 100 people. After serving women for a long time, it is now exclusively for men. In winter, Turkish Bath offers linden and rosehip infusions, along with a steam sauna and shock shower. (0442) 327 28 35
SEKİZ DİREKLİ HAMAM TRABZON
Resembling nomadic tents
This hamam, located in the Pazarkapı neighborhood, Seljuks Empire built it, who settled in the western part of Trabzon for three years when they failed to conquer the city. Unlike other hamams in Trabzon, it has a plan resembling nomadic tents. “Sekiz Direkli Hamam” (Eight Pillared Bath) takes it’s name by eight columns which support eight-sided dome. Abandoned in 1916. Trabzon Municipality restored and reopened in 1987. The renovated cold section includes resting rooms. The hamam, which can accommodate 35 people, is open every day from 06:30 to 23:00. Women can visit on Thursdays from 08:00 to 17:00. (0462) 322 10 12″
BONUS
Here is a list I made on google maps. Click here
