Choosing the best hammams in Turkey is, quite simply, a titanic task, as there are thousands of them all over the country. But it is true that there are some that stand out for some reason: its historical origin, the beauty of its facilities, the recognized quality of its services… In this post we try to review some of them, focusing on the destinations that are part of our tours in Turkey. And remember that if you want to know more about their origin and operation, we explain it in this other post.
Hammams in Istanbul, the most historical ones
Istanbul is home to probably the most evocative hammams in Turkey, for their combination of history and quality. Built in many cases in the 16th century by order of the Ottoman sultans (which is why they are often referred to as imperial baths), many of them have been restored and, to the good fortune of travelers, refurbished for use as Turkish baths, as they were originally.
A list of the best in Istanbul should not leave out the Ayasofia Hyrrem Sultan Hamami and the Cagaloglu Hamami in the Sultanahmet area, or the Çemberlitas Hamami and the Kiliç Ali Pasa Hamami in the Beyoglu area, on the other side of the Golden Horn. Their prices vary but, because of their location and history, they tend to be more expensive than average, although in return they offer a genuine experience, with separation between men and women.
Hammams in Antalya, from Seljuk period
Although in Antalya you will not find the variety of Istanbul, some of the ones here are just as historical or even more, because they date back to a time before the Ottoman period: the Seljuk, which shows how deeply rooted the Turkish baths were (assimilated from the Arab world and this, from the ancient Roman world) as early as the thirteenth century.
One of those that can be mentioned are the Sefa Hamami, located in the historic center and referenced as one of the best value for money. Around the port there are dozens of baths, in many cases with modern facilities and a service closer to the western spa, but equally recommended to rest and unwind.
Other cities with hammams of interest
Almost every holiday destination in Turkey has its own Turkish baths, so if you have time to spare at any stop on your tour, you can book one of these experiences.
So you can do, for example, in Cappadocia: many of the cave hotels located in the National Park of Göreme (especially the higher level) have a space for relaxing baths, so you can look for this detail when choosing accommodation for your circuit. However, in many cases, the access of people outside the hotel is allowed, paying the corresponding entrance fee.
As seen in Antalya, Turkish baths are services related to relaxation and wellness vacations. Therefore, in the main destinations of the Aegean Coast and the Mediterranean, it will be easy to find availability in quality hammams. Some of the cities that stand out for their variety and prestige are Bodrum, Fethiye and Adana.
And if lovers of historical baths have not had enough or have not seen the opportunity to enjoy those of Istanbul and Antalya, they can try others of the oldest: the Yeni Kaplica of Bursa, founded in the time of the Byzantine emperor Justinian (6th century), and later reformed in the 16th century by Suleiman the Magnificent.
Whatever your destination, you should not do without a good relaxing bath in a hammam in Turkey. And if you need any help or advice on booking, don’t hesitate to let us know when configuring your tailor-made trip.
