One of the best ways to travel like a local in Istanbul is to indulge in its ancient bathhouse culture. For centuries Turkish baths, or hammams, have been a popular method of cleansing and relaxing. Today, locals and tourists can find traditional Turkish baths across the city, ranging from the most basic to lavish, luxurious experiences.
Whatever level is chosen, the principle of the Turkish bath is the same. It begins in a relaxation room that is heated with hot, dry air. Bathers continue to an even hotter room before plunging into cold water. After a full body wash, exfoliation and massage, the experience concludes in a cooling room where guests sit and relax.
Budget-conscious travelers will want to explore the Sofular Hamami in an off-the-beaten-path section of the city near Aksaray Square. This hammam is no-frills, but it is made for travelers who want what the locals experience. The twin hammam, which dates to the 16th century, is a two-story house with a pool and fountain. There are separate areas for men and women, and bathers can relax with traditional teas and coffees. Entry costs about $8.50, which grants access to the relaxation rooms, and a scrubbing is included for an additional $3, for one of the cheapest hammam experiences in Istanbul.
Moving up the price scale, the Cemberlitas Hamami is in the Cemberlitas neighborhood near the Grand Bazaar. The building dates to 1584, and inside, bathers will find an experience evocative of an ancient and royal hammam, with high, domed ceilings and Islamic-style archways. There are 38 washing stalls, and a large, heated stone slab underneath the wide dome is illuminated by glass globes that catch the outside light from all angles. Bathers can choose from self-service bathing to a scrubbing Sultan's Bath and aromatherapy or reflexology. The entrance costs about $15, and a massage raises the price to about $23.
One of the most indulgent hammam experiences in Istanbul is at the Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan Hamami. If nothing else, its location, which sits directly between the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, makes it worth seeing. However, the experience inside is equally impressive, and for those with deep pockets: The rates run from about $83 to $167.
The 16th-century hammam was built on the site of the Baths of Zeuxippus for the religious community at Hagia Sophia. Designed in the classic Ottoman style, bathers will find stained glass, soaring domed ceilings and sleek white marble inside that encases the bathing rooms. Both the men's and women's section have three basic, interconnected rooms: the changing room, the cool room and the hot room.
The basic package includes a bath with a gold-plated bath bowl, a toiletry set, traditional body scrub, bubble wash massage and a head-and-neck massage. For the most expensive package, the treatment includes a skin-refining peel, body clay mask, a fruit plate, an aromatherapy massage and tea with a dessert of apricots and walnuts.