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.
Why choose the Hurrem Sultan hammam for your Turkish bath experience
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Be pampered like an Ottoman royal
Commissioned in 1556 by Ottoman Queen Hurrem Sultan, this historic bathhouse offers a luxurious yet traditional hammam experience. Centuries-old wellness practices like steam, massages, and exfoliation improve circulation, ease joint pain, and reduce stress.
Sink into the lap of luxury
With exclusive therapies and private massage rooms, the Hurrem Sultan hammam is one of Istanbul’s more upscale bathhouses. Indulge in face and body packs, massages, and aromatherapy treatments. They use premium redbud and natural olive oil products, and offer perks like toiletries, personal care kits, and fruits after your session.
Central location
Situated in Istanbul’s Sultanahmet neighborhood, the hammam is within easy walking distance of prominent historic landmarks like Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and Basilica Cistern. You can easily fit in a visit, and a rejuvenating hammam experience is the best way to end a long day of exploring.
Soak in an immersive cultural experience
Hammams have been integral to Turkish culture since the Ottoman times, providing a space for ritual cleansing, relaxation, and socializing. For travelers, visiting the Hurrem Sultan bathhouse is an opportunity to experience a centuries-old wellness heritage that has been preserved through the generations.
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.
Plan your visit to Hurrem Sultan hammam
Daily: 8am to 10pm
Duration of visit: 2 to 3 hours
Best time to visit: If you want to experience the hammam when it’s less crowded, visit on weekday mornings between 8am and 10am or at night between 8pm and 10pm. For a more social experience, late mornings (10am onwards until lunch) or afternoons (post 2pm) are ideal.
Address: Cankurtaran, Ayasofya Meydanı No:2, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
Car: The distance from Istanbul Airport to the Hurrem Sultan Hammam is 44 km.
Nearest parking: Dalbasti Parking, Ispark, and Otopark
A change of clothes and dry underwear
Swimsuit or bikini (optional)
Towel (optional)
Personal toiletries or skincare products (optional)
Flip-flops
A bag for your belongings
Cash (Turkish Lira)
To ensure cleanliness, it’s best to bathe or shower before visiting a Turkish hammam.
The Hurrem Sultan hammam has separate sections for men and women, with their respective entrances on opposite sides of the building. This ensures that you can enjoy a traditional Turkish bathhouse experience in privacy and comfort.
To respect the privacy of all guests, you’re not allowed to use mobile devices and photography and video filming equipment inside the hammam. You must store them with your belongings in the secure locker provided before beginning the bathing ritual.
While partial nudity is accepted inside the hammam, you cannot remain entirely unclothed. Both men and women must keep the lower part of their body covered with the pestemal at all times.
If you are uncomfortable with any aspect of the hammam experience or have any special requirements, please inform your attendants.
You cannot consume outside food and drinks inside the bathing house. The hammam provides herbal tea, sherbet, and Turkish delights at the end of your bathing ritual.
Avoid leaving towels, soap, toiletries, and other items scattered around, and keep the space clean.
While you can interact with the attendants and other visitors, remember to keep your voice low and avoid loud or disruptive behavior.
The hammam experience is not suitable for children under the age of 6, pregnant women, visitors with heart and respiratory conditions, and those who are menstruating.
Advance reservations for The Hurrem Sultan hammam are recommended, especially during the peak season between June and August, to secure your preferred time slot.
Follow the sequence of the bathing rituals and any directions your attendant might give you. They are well-versed with the process and will ensure you enjoy all the benefits.
If you are allergic to certain ingredients, it’s best to carry your own toiletries or skincare products.
Remove any make-up or jewellery before you begin the bathing ritual.
The heat inside the bathing rooms can be dehydrating. Stay hydrated by drinking water before and after your sessions.
It’s customary to tip the attendants after your experience, so ensure you carry cash.
The lockers provided to store your valuables are not large, so avoid bringing large bags or luggage as they will not fit.
Hurrem Sultan Hammam History & Ottoman Origins
16th century: Commissioned by Hürrem Sultan, the wife of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, the hammam is built by chief imperial architect Mimar Sinan near Hagia Sophia, replacing the ancient Baths of Zeuxippus.
Ottoman era: Designed as a double hammam for men and women, it serves the imperial capital with refined bathing rituals that reflect the luxury and sophistication of the Ottoman court.
19th–20th centuries: The bathhouse experiences periods of decline as public bathing habits change, leading to intermittent closures and preservation efforts.
21st century: After extensive restoration, Hurrem Sultan Hammam reopens as a luxury heritage bath, offering carefully curated Ottoman-inspired rituals in a meticulously restored historic setting.
Must-visit attractions near Hurrem Sultan hammam
Hagia Sophia
Built in 537 AD, this Byzantine cathedral turned grand mosque is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a testament to Istanbul’s long and rich history. With its massive dome and exquisite mosaics, it is a Byzantine architectural masterpiece.
Built in the 6th century, the Basilica Cistern in Istanbul is an ancient underground reservoir that supplied water to the Great Palace of Constantinople during the Byzantine era. It is supported by 336 marble columns and is home to architectural and engineering marvels like the Medusa’s Heads and the Weeping Pillar.
Also known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, the Blue Mosque is renowned for its stunning blue Iznik tiles, central dome, and six minarets. Inspired by the Hagia Sophia and built to rival it, this mosque showcases the best of Ottoman and Islamic architecture.
Built by Mehmed the Conqueror in the 1460s after the conquest of Constantinople, Topkapi Palace served as the seat of the Ottoman Empire for more than four centuries. This sprawling complex of courtyards, gardens, and buildings is a treasure trove of Islamic art, manuscripts, weapons, jewellery, and historical artifacts.
Frequently asked questions about the Hurrem Sultan hammam
The Hurrem Sultan hammam is named after the Ottoman queen who ordered their construction in 1556. With opulent interiors and premium amenities, it is a popular destination for travelers looking for an authentic and luxurious Turkish bath experience.
Apart from the traditional bathing, scrubbing and bubble massage rituals, the hammam offers a range of face and body packs, massages, peeling treatments, and wellness therapies.
There is no strict dress code at Hurrem Sultan hammam. You are provided with towels to wrap yourself in for the bathing rituals, but you’re welcome to wear a bathing suit or a bikini if you prefer to do so. You are expected to keep your lower body covered at all times.
The hammam offers secure personal lockers where you can store your belongings during your visit. However, they are small and will not be able to accommodate larger bags or luggage.
Due to its historic 16th-century design, the Hurrem Sultan hammam is not wheelchair accessible. The bath complex includes multiple levels that are accessed by stairs and narrow corridors, making them difficult to navigate for guests with mobility challenges.
Children aged 6 and under are not allowed at the Hurrem Sultan hammam as the high temperatures and hot surfaces in the bathing rooms can be potentially unsafe for them. Children between 6 and 15 years of age can experience the hammam without the massages. Visitors between 15 and 18 years old can take the full hammam experience provided they are accompanied by an adult of the same gender.
Step into centuries-old tradition with a luxury Turkish bath and spa at Hurrem Sultan Hamam in Istanbul.
Everything you get: Enjoy a revitalizing body scrub, a signature bubble washing ritual, and a soothing aromatherapy massage in a private room, all in the historic Hurrem Sultan Hamam.
Why choose this: Experience Istanbul’s most renowned hammam, steeped in Ottoman tradition, with redbud-scented spas, face masks, and bubble wash featuring warm marble stone.
Upgrades: Choose from 45, 60, 80, or 110-minute packages for extended relaxation and additional treatments.
Inclusions
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45-minute Pir-ü Pak Hamam package (as per option selected)
60-minute Keyf-i Hamam package (as per option selected)
80-minute Zevk-i Sefa package (as per option selected)
110-Minute Ab-i Hayat package (as per option selected)
Traditional body scrub
Bubble wash ritual on warm marble stone
Redbud scented moisturizing and firming full body clay mask (as per option selected)
Organic lavender extract and sea salt refreshing hand & foot peel
Hair wash ritual with redbud scented shampoo (as per option selected)
Face massage with organic face oil (as per option selected)
Aromatherapy massage with redbud-scented oil (as per option selected)
Moisturizing face mask (as per option selected)
Private massage room (as per option selected)
Fresh & dried fruit plate (as per option selected)
Private changing room (as per option selected)
Farewell gift (as per option selected)
Personal care kit (underwear and disposable slippers)
Ottoman sherbet
What to bring
Bring your booking confirmation and a valid photo ID for entry.
Bring a swimsuit, as swimwear is recommended for the spa experience.
Bring personal toiletries if desired for use after your treatment.
What’s not allowed
Large bags, suitcases, and oversized luggage are not allowed inside the spa.
Additional spa treatments or services not specified in your package are not included.
Outside food and beverages are not permitted.
Accessibility
Accessibility options may be limited; please contact the venue in advance to confirm if you have specific mobility needs.
Additional information
Check for any specific dress code requirements before your visit; swimwear is generally recommended.
If you have any health concerns or conditions, consult with your doctor and inform the spa staff prior to your treatment.
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Bath
Hurrem Sultan Hamam: Turkish Bath, Spa & Massage in Sultanahmet
Step into centuries-old tradition with a luxury Turkish bath and spa at Hurrem Sultan Hamam in Istanbul.
Everything you get: Enjoy a revitalizing body scrub, a signature bubble washing ritual, and a soothing aromatherapy massage in a private room, all in the historic Hurrem Sultan Hamam.
Why choose this: Experience Istanbul’s most renowned hammam, steeped in Ottoman tradition, with redbud-scented spas, face masks, and bubble wash featuring warm marble stone.
Upgrades: Choose from 45, 60, 80, or 110-minute packages for extended relaxation and additional treatments.
