Historic hamams of the Historic Peninsula: Hürrem Sultan, Çemberlitaş, Cağaloğlu
Together with the mosque, the hamam was at the centre of Ottoman city life. In the Historic Peninsula, 16th-century hamams signed by Mimar Sinan are still working today or have been turned into museums. On this page we describe the historic hamam buildings with their architecture and stories: the Hürrem Sultan Hamam between Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, the Çemberlitaş Hamam on Divanyolu, the 18th-century Cağaloğlu Hamam, the hamam of the Süleymaniye complex and the Zeyrek Çinili Hamam, reborn after restoration.
Hamam services are paid and depend on the venue; prices and the hours of the women’s and men’s sections are kept up to date on each hamam’s own website.
What happens in a hamam?
A classic Turkish hamam consists of a cool room (entrance and rest), a warm room and a hot room. You sweat on the marble navel stone (göbek taşı) in the middle of the hot room, after which an attendant gives you a scrub with a kese mitt and a foam massage. The peştemal wrap, wooden clogs and the mitt are usually provided by the venue. Most historic hamams have separate sections or separate hours for women and men.
Frequently asked questions
Do historic hamams have separate sections for women and men?
The Ayasofya Hürrem Sultan, Çemberlitaş and Cağaloğlu hamams are double hamams with separate sections for women and men. The Süleymaniye Hamam works with a private arrangement that families and couples can use together.
Can children go into a hamam?
It varies from venue to venue; some hamams do not accept young children or set an age limit. Call the hamam and ask before you go.