The Turkish Hammams in Istanbul are one of the quintessential experiences that you should try while you are in the city. We were on the fence about this one because we had young kids in tow but a friend recommended a good hammam and then we spent a lot of time doing our own research. When you start looking at all the Hammams in Istanbul, you will find that there are tons of them. It becomes rather hard to pick a good one because the reviews are all mixed.
The other aspect that bothered us was the costs. Some of the hammams in Istanbul were very expensive and others were just expensive. Plus kids weren’t allowed in many of them. So doing our legwork before heading to one made a lot of sense.
In retrospect, considering the fact that it was our first time in a Turkish Hammam, I wish we had a bit more information before heading in. I tried to do all the research I could before but I was still a bit short on what actually occurred. That’s one of the reasons I decided to write this post. The other was to help people pick the right Turkish Hammams in Istanbul when they visit.
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Table of Contents
What Is A Turkish Hammam?
Turkish hammams are communal baths that are use a combination of steam, soap and scrubs to exfoliate your skin. For some this process can feel intense. This is especially true if it is your first experience which is why it is important to choose your hammam in Istanbul with care. It is also important to note that the hammam is different from a spa.
Is Turkish Hammam Different From A Spa?
I think that one of the biggest reasons why people come back disappointed from the Turkish hammams in Istanbul is because they confuse a Turkish hammam with a spa. While they may seem the same they are in fact very different experiences. The main difference between the two is a spa is meant for relaxation and a hammam is more for purification. While some of the core treatments may overlap but they are very different.
What Happens In A Turkish Hammam?
Generally speaking in a hammam, you are lead into a room with a large stone in the center. There are taps and basins that surround the main stone. This supplies warm and cold water. You clean yourself with the water and then lie on the stone which is hot. The heated room is similar to a sauna but not the same.
Post this you head for a scrub which is done with a Turkish washcloth. This is done by a professional at the sauna. You may add on massages post this but that isn’t necessary. Once you are scrubbed and exfoliated, the soap is washed off and you wrap a towel round yourself and leave.
The last phase is a rest phase where you drink tea and rehydrate. There is a dedicated space where you can relax and unwind.
As you can see, the experience is very different from a spa set up. In fact, it may be closer to a sauna than a spa. Which is the core reason why many people leave disappointed in their experience. So if you want to try out the Turkish hammams in Istanbul, first set your expectations straight. It will help you enjoy the experience more.
Turkish Hammams In Istanbul – How To Pick One
There are an overwhelming number of Turkish hammams in Istanbul. If you check your maps you’ll find them at almost every corner. It is important to remember that the hammam is a cultural experience which is why we choose to go for a authentic experience. We also wanted to try it in one of the older hammams in the city.
Search For The Oldest Hammams
When you scroll through the numerous hammams in the city you will notice that many are attached to hotels. Some have swimming pools attached to it. Others advertise their spa services. If you want a traditional hammam experience, filter through them till you find the ones that have stood around for centuries. Or you could just check out the stand alone hammams. Here the hammam is not a secondary aspect of the property but the whole focus.
Hammams That Allow Children
Also note that not all hammams allow children in. So if you have children along like we did, it is worth checking. These hammams have a short version of the whole hammam experience for the children and it costs less.
Hammams Are Expensive
One more noteworthy thing to consider is the costs. Some of these locations are extremely pricey. So check the websites prior. It is also worth considering that Turkish hammams in Istanbul often have different packages. You don’t need to take the highest package. The lowest one will give you the hammam experience that you are looking for.
Transport To The Hammam
Istanbul has an extensive public transport system but sometimes it can take a lot of time to get from one location to another largely because of how big the city is and due to peak hour transport. So factor that in when choosing between the Turkish hammams in Istanbul.
Reservations
We went through a number of highly rated Turkish hammams in Istanbul and one of the reasons why we did not book them was because making a reservation was complicated or it just didn’t get through. Reservations are important especially during peak season because these hammams are busy and there are just so many slots that open up each day.
Great Hammams In Istanbul To Consider
As I mentioned before, there are a number of different hammams to choose from. Each one has its own pros and cons. Availability however is one of the prime reasons to have more than one at hand is to due to availability. Here are a couple that you can check out and book online.
Aga Hamami – The Turkish Hammam We Chose
After a lot of debating we picked Aga Hamami. There were a lot of reasons why we chose it and I’m going to share it. You can decide if it fits you or not.
The History Of Aga Hamami
Aga Hamami is one of the oldest hammams in Istanbul. If you look at it from the outside, you probably would not know its historical value. This is largely because while it is in the historic area, its a little secluded and slightly quieter somehow. The hammam was built by none other than Fatih Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror. If you follow the history of Istanbul, you will realize the important role he played in shaping the history of the city.
Anyways back to the topic at hand. Back in the day, the Beyoglu district was not a residential part of Istanbul. It was not packed with buildings either. People headed here for hunting. The Sultan constructed the Hammam as a hunting lodge in 1454. The hammam was below and there were two flats above. It underwent renovations in 1844 and was in use through the Ottoman empire.
The rich history of the Aga Hamami is one of the main reasons why we loved the idea of our hammam experience being here. It was like taking a tour through history.
Reservations Were Easy
Aga Hamami was one of the best Turkish hamams in Istanbul as far the reservation process was concerned. We made the call and they easily slotted us in. They even made sure that there was enough time that I could be with the kids while they had their own hammam experience.
You do have to also note that we visited during the low season time so getting an appointment was easier. There weren’t the usual crowds. During the peak season book in advance.
Location
The location does involve a bit of traveling but it is in the historical center. You could take a cab or just take the tram and them walk to it. It also does depend on where you stay. Many people stay in the vicinity.
The Reviews Were Great
As I said before, we checked out the reviews of many of the Turkish hammams in Istanbul. The reviews were excellent. We had friends who picked this and had a good experience so that was another factor that we considered.
Overall Experience At Aga Hamami
Aside with why we booked the Aga Hamami, I wanted to delve into all the pros and cons that I can think about in retrospect. I also wanted to talk about what our actual experience was in the hammam. That will give you a bit of perspective of what our journey was like.
The whole hammam experience was divided into
- Payment and waiting.
- Changing and explanation
- Enter In The Hammam & Relax
- Scrub and bath
- Relax and hydrate.
So we entered in and paid for our experience upfront. There was a short waiting period before we were shown to our changing rooms. Here we went our separate ways with each person being assigned their own room. I had the kids with me and Shawn went to his own room. You can store your belongings in the room and lock the door.
After this we went into the hammam where we had 20 minutes to rinse ourselves with warm water and lie on the hot stone in the center. It was HOT and it took some getting used to. Post this we were ushered into another room. Here was where we went our separate ways. The girls with me and Shawn to the gents section.
One thing to note here is that people are naked here with the exception of their panties. It took my kids by surprise and in hindsight I should have explained it to them. You then strip yourself if you are wearing a bikini or swimsuit. You are lathered with soap and scrubbed down with a mitt. You can even choose to have your hair washed.
The experience ends by heading into the upper floors where there are comfortable loungers. You are handed some chilled tea along with a Turkish delight and left to relax.
Why Book The Aga Hamami Online
⭐️ Rating: 4.5/5 (373 Reviews) Price: $93 per person Duration: Valid for 1 day Details: Read more on Viator Now!
There are a number of reasons why I would book the Aga Hamami online. The first one being convenience. You have all your details in one place and its easy to access. You can choose your slot and keep. During the peak season, this is one of the busiest Turkish hammams in Istanbul. We were lucky to be able to book in during our week. We wouldn’t have been so lucky if it had been the high season especially since we had to book four slots together.
Another practical reason to do so is because of the currency. Sometimes instead of carrying the money with us and heading to a money exchanger all the time or incurring high charges on our cards for international transactions, we prefer to make the transaction on Viator using our own currency.
What To Pack For A Turkish Hammam In Istanbul?
A lot of people get anxious when it comes to hammams because they don’t know what to take along with them. I understand because I was anxious too. The first thing that you need to understand is that most of what you will require when you visit will be provided for you. You do need to carry the following.
- Swimwear
- A plastic bag for wet clothes
- Id card and cash
That’s about it. You don’t need much more because the hammam will provide you with your towel and other gear. They have hair dryers and everything else you may need right there.
Turkish hammams in Istanbul are a truly unique experience. It isn’t about relaxing so much as feeling refreshed. It’s also cultural. While it may feel intense at moments, you will feel yourself unwind immediately after. Definitely something you should consider while you are there.
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