Hurrem Sultan Hammam

Constructed in the 16th century at the height of the Ottoman Empire, the Hurrem Sultan hammam was built on the site of the older Baths of Zeuxippus, dating back to the 2nd century AD when Istanbul was Constantinople. Since then, the bathhouse has offered traditional bathing rituals paired with Ottoman-inspired luxury — and now you can experience this too.

Your experience at the Hurrem Sultan hammam

• At the Hurrem Sultan hammam, you can tailor your experience to suit your needs by choosing from four different types of packages, from the 45-minute Pir-ü Pak Hamam to the nearly 2-hour long all-in-one Ab-i Hayat package.
• On your arrival, you’re provided with a pestemal (a traditional Turkish towel) and disposable underwear. Change out of your clothes in the private changing rooms and store your belongings securely in the locker provided.
• A bath attendant (of the same gender as you) leads you to the hammam’s warm room, made entirely of white marble. The small basins lining the walls and gold-plated bowls add to the sense of luxury. The room’s gentle heat, moist air, and soft light envelope you, relaxing your body and mind.
• The hammam ritual begins with a bath, where your attendant pours warm water all over you. The moisture and humidity open up your pores and make you sweat, removing impurities and preparing your skin for the next stage: scrubbing. 
• The attendant then uses a traditional exfoliating bath mitt called a kese for a thorough scrub. The vigorous yet soothing process removes dirt and dead cells, and cleanses your body, leaving your skin smooth and radiant. 
• You’re then taken to the hot room, where you lie down on a heated large marble platform called the gobek tasi. Unwind in fragrant soap bubbles as a masseuse gives you a deep massage, followed by a hair wash and scalp massage with redbud-scented shampoo. Once you’re cleansed and supple, you’re rinsed from top to bottom with invigorating cold water.
• If you choose further treatments like clay masks, foot massage, or aromatherapy, you’re whisked away to a private treatment room, where the aromatic oils, moisturizers, and packs create a calming and healing effect on your senses. 
• With your head and body wrapped in clean and dry pestemals, you’re led to the cold room, where you can unwind on soft couches to the sound of the soothing water fountain. You can enjoy traditional Turkish tea or sherbet, and chat with other visitors.