Ayasofya Hürrem Sultan Hamam: Mimar Sinan’s double hamam in Sultanahmet
- Historic hamams
- Sultanahmet, Fatih
- Paid
Family hotels closest to Hürrem Sultan Hamam
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Seven Roses Apart Hotel
Hürrem Sultan Hamam: 10 min walk (time given by the hotel) Walking route
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Green Life Apart Hotel
Hürrem Sultan Hamam: 10 min walk (time given by the hotel) Walking route
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Sareban Hotel
Hürrem Sultan Hamam: 10 min walk (time given by the hotel) Walking route
Visitor information
| Type | Ottoman double hamam (working hamam today) |
|---|---|
| Built | 1556–1557 |
| Commissioned by / architect | Mimar Sinan (for Hürrem Sultan) |
| Neighbourhood | Sultanahmet, Fatih |
| Opening hours | Daily from morning to evening; by reservation |
| Admission | Paid; the price depends on the package you choose (scrub, foam wash, massage). Contact the hamam for current prices and bookings. |
| Time needed | 1.5–2 hours |
| Getting there | T1 Sultanahmet stop, 3 min walk |
| From Sultanahmet Square | Right next to the square |
| Pushchair / stroller | Partly suitable. The entrance level is flat; the bathing area is wet and slippery and not suitable for small children |
| Best time | In the evening after a busy sightseeing day |
Opening hours and prices can change; check the official website before you go. Map links open in Google Maps.
History and architecture of the hamam
The hamam was built to serve the congregation of the Hagia Sophia Mosque and to support Hürrem Sultan’s charitable foundations with its income. In Byzantine times the Baths of Zeuxippus stood in the same area. Sinan arranged the women’s and men’s sections symmetrically on a single axis so that the hamam would fit into the narrow space between Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, a layout rarely seen in Ottoman double hamams. Used for a long time in the 20th century as a carpet shop, the building became a hamam again after restoration in 2008–2011.
What happens in the hamam?
Your visit starts in the changing hall (camekân), then moves to the warm room and the hot room. After sweating on the navel stone in the middle of the hot room, you get a scrub and foam massage. Depending on the package, an oil massage and time in the rest area are added. The women’s and men’s sections are separate, and women are attended by female staff. We give details on privacy and women-only sections in our guide hamams and pools for women who wear hijab.
Who is it suitable for?
The hamam is ideal for adults staying in Sultanahmet who want to end a sightseeing day by relaxing. The hot room is too hot and slippery for small children; the age limit and rules for children are set by the hamam, so ask before you go. Prices are higher than at the other historic hamams in Sultanahmet.
Visiting tips
- Book in advance, especially for the evening.
- Do not eat a heavy meal before the hamam, and drink plenty of water.
- Leave your jewellery at the hotel; lockers are provided, but small items can get lost.
- Do not forget to take the photo of Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque together from the park in front of the hamam.
Our family hotels near Hürrem Sultan Hamam
Walking times are approximate and measured from the hotel door; where the hotel gives its own time, we show that.
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Seven Roses Apart Hotel
Hürrem Sultan Hamam: 10 min walk (time given by the hotel) Walking route
Apartments with kitchens in Küçük Ayasofya, with roomy options for larger families
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Green Life Apart Hotel
Hürrem Sultan Hamam: 10 min walk (time given by the hotel) Walking route
Family-run apartments with kitchenettes and a sea-view roof terrace in Küçük Ayasofya
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Sareban Hotel
Hürrem Sultan Hamam: 10 min walk (time given by the hotel) Walking route
An alcohol-free family hotel in Küçük Ayasofya, looking out to the Marmara
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Emirhan Inn Hotel
Hürrem Sultan Hamam: 12 min walk (time given by the hotel) Walking route
A budget-friendly hotel with free breakfast in Küçük Ayasofya
Frequently asked questions
Is there a separate section for women at the Hürrem Sultan Hamam?
Yes. It was built as a double hamam; the women’s and men’s sections are separate and women are attended by female staff.
Is the Hürrem Sultan Hamam a museum?
No, it has been a working hamam since the 2011 restoration. Visits are by reservation, with paid hamam packages.
