Ayasofya Hürrem Sultan Hamamı

The very best Turkish bath in the world, where the Sultan used to have his baths. Amazing architecture. Impeccable inside, and very courteous staff. The scents are very pleasant.

Alright, let me break it down to you in detail. You may want to sit down for a minute.
1. This is not for the shy folks. If you are not comfortable showing off your manly chest hair and hairy legs in front of other men, this is not for you.
2. Get the Zevk-​i sefa package for 70 minutes. While the massage is not all that, it does help you relax and unwind after an hour of intense heat and scrubbing.
3. Don’t be a wuss. Get fully naked and enjoy the experience.
4. Your attendant will scrub you in places which are usually reserved for your sexy time. My groin feels smooth as silk now! And my butt feels like butter!
5. Let your attendant help and guide you. Don’t be bashful. Your attendant knows what to do and not do.
6. Do use the toilets. They preserved the old toilets and built on top of them. You can see the 16^th century toilets while peeing on a 20^th century commode.
7. First you will be asked to shower yourself sitting in a steamy room. Take off your towel and pour all that hot water on you. Repeat! Warm water running against your balls feels wonderful. Repeat!
8. After doing this for about 10 minutes your attendant will come and fetch you for a clay mask/​scrub. Again, don’t be bashful. Give him access to your body parts that don’t usually see light. Enjoy the experience!
9. Your attendant will leave you for a while while the mask is setting. Watch other men get scrubbed and lose your inhibitions while waiting for your attendant.
10. Your attendant will then wash and scrub you. Get squeaky clean.
11. This is the best part! After scrubbing your attendant will take you to the huge marble podium in the center and lay you flat. He will create enormous amount of suds with a towel and then cover you in hot foam/​suds. And then he will scrub you again. This feeling is beyond wonderful. If you are lucky enough — or chatty enough like me — this foaming experience will happen in a private marble room.
12. Following an extensive foam scrub you will be splashed with warm water to wash off all the soap and then dried with a towel. You will be taken out of the washing area, given a plush robe, and relax on beds with warm tea or juice… and some turkish delight.
13. If you purchased the zevk-​i sefa package it includes a massage. You will be taken to the massage room after about 15 – 20 minutes of relaxing with your tea.
14. The massage was ok. I have had better ones before. But it did help me cool down and I fell asleep.
15. Tip your attendant well and admire at your newly smooth and glowing skin.
16. If you have a significant other, get naked with them on the same day so they can admire your smooth skin as well.
17. Make a reservation at least 2 days ahead. Best to call for a booking.
Go back to Istanbul and repeat!

Oldest and best hamam place — I got the best kind for around $ 130 but the guy who did my massage kept telling me how much people tip him based on ethnicity, he did not shut up for the entire hour, literally begging for a tip — other than that he did a good job

My mom loved her experience at this posh and historic hammam. She was treated like a queen.

Was referred to this place by my friend who had just recently visited Istanbul. Conveniently located in a very touristy area (by the Hagia Sophia) it appears to be catered to tourists. I did make a reservation a couple days prior (did not seem very crowded when I went on a Sunday at 5pm. There were 6 other people during the 1.5 hrs I spent in the hamam). Never having experienced a Turkish bath I can’t compare but it seemed quite pricey in retrospect. I chose the Keyf-​i hamam (50 minutes for 105 euros). I had read the reviews and knew what was going to happen before going in to it, but I just could not fully relax and embrace the experience of being bathed by someone else. Also, there was a bit of waiting (~10 minutes each time) between changing and bath, and bath and massage. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed it and am thankful I was able to experience a Turkish bath. The hamam is VERY clean and they are respectful and professional. The building is beautiful, smells great, and the staff are very friendly. There is also a restaurant attached if you get hungry after your bath. They also served juice and Turkish delights. Male and female are completely separate. A great way to end our time in Turkey.

This was my first Hamam experience and I choose it based on the good reviews on Trip Advisor and Unilocal.
I have to say that if you have to be ready for a Hamam experience if you haven’t had one.
You need to be psychologically prepared to be naked In front of strangers, you need to be ready to be scrubbed like you have never been scrubbed before, so hard that your skin comes off and you realize how dirty you really are. lol
The Ayasofya Hamam is luxurious and you pay for it. I am very familiar with massages and spas and I did not think the massage was really that good. However the Hamam part of the package was nice. You really get cleaned, scrubbed, washed and after the I initial shiv of the scrubbing, it is actually relaxing and you leave feeling cleaner than. Ever and even relaxed.
The Hamam is all marble and have separate men and women sides like all hamams.
Reason I do not give it 5 stars is because when I was there they were busy, and the advice kind of felt very rushed, like they want to get it over and move to the next person. So I didn’t like that at all.
Besides this, when you go to the massage rooms upstairs, you can hear the people at the front and in the lobby talking and conversing so the massage is not very relaxing.
Like I mentioned, I am used to spas that are quiet and relaxing and didn’t think this Hamam was too quiet.
Other than that, service was nice and friendly. My attendant was from Bali, she was really sweet and that is something you appreciate when you are gonna be so close and personal with someone you know?
Overall, good hamam and definitely an experience you got to have while in Turkey.
I’m just not sure this is something I’d like to do again. Or perhaps next time I will try another place.

I got the 70 minute treatment for myself and it was totally worth the $ 120 usd that I paid.
First off let me just say that this place does not pressure you to tip so you must request to tip.
I was able to make an appointment the day before on the phone. First you lock your belongings into a locker and undress and wrap yourself in a towel. They then take you to a large marble room to rinse off and relax, here they will ask you if you want bikini bottoms but eff that… When in Rome… Or Istanbul! Then they take you to another room where your gal scrubs you down until you’re squeaky clean, it’s great! After that you go into another room where you smear a mud mask all over you (this is less traditional but still awesome), they bring you water and you relax. They rinse you and take you back into the massive marble roo. Where you lay on warm marble and they squeeze suds all over you, this is fun and you feel like you’re five. Them they scrub you down with soap. After that you get a rinse with cold water and they take you back into the main reception area for water, juice and what else, Turkish delight. After this you get a quick oil massage. They don’t towel you off so you end up oily when you leave but quite refreshed. And you go home with the scrubbing mit!

My husband and I both did traditional turkish baths here while visiting Istanbul on our honeymoon. This Hamam was a highlight of our trip. It was incredible. You can read all about the ins and outs of hamams online. This one in particular was really incredible. The building is historic and gorgeous but SPOTLESSLY clean. Everything looks and feels perfect. The attendants are fantastic. My husband in particular had a great attendant (Ryan) who he raved about. The whole experience was so special and unique. A must-​do for any visitors to Istanbul.

What a treat! This was my first Turkish bath in Turkey and I am hooked on this place! This bath house is restored and of historical significance, built by the architect genius Sinan for the Sultan’s wife Roxelana. The interior is gorgeous. The place smells so lovely once you walk in. Of roses or something … I could stay all day! My coworker told me about her experience at another bath house in Turkey where it was more of a locals joint and she said they were super rough with her. Her experience physically hurt! Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan Hamam was nothing like that and very gentle, spa like! They cater to Westerners/​Europeans — a lot of tourists like me. The entire experience was so lovely.
I booked the 70 min ZEVK-​İ SEFA which included the following:
** A gold-​plated ottoman bath bowl, a traditional bath wrap (pestamal) and slippers for use in the hamam
** A toiletries set with comb, bath glove, olive oil soap, Judas tree essential oil shampoo, hair conditioner and body lotion
** Traditional body scrub and relaxing bubble wash
** Judas tree essential oil skin refining peel
** Judas tree essential oil moisturizing body clay mask
** Judas tree essential oil aromatherapy massage within the Sultan’s section
The lady who bathed me was a middle aged woman. Very sweet. I felt like a child and my mama was giving me a bath. I thought it was going to be super strange being completely naked in front of a stranger and having them bathe me but it was not strange at all. This is traditional and they are professionals.
She poured hot water all over me which immediately melt all the tension accumulated in my muscles from 2 weeks of nonstop walking/​touring. While I sat she gave me a good scrub down with a kese. It was rewarding seeing all the dead skin come off my body! Then as I laid on a marble slab I got a bubble bath! It was unreal! Then came a few turkish delights + sorbet drink before heading over to the massage room where I almost slept like a baby.
I would recommend this place to any of my friends traveling to Istanbul!

Highly recommended. On a pricey side but so worth it. Great historical facility. Women and man sections are separated with 2 different entrances. I went for basic package pir I pac which included rinse and steam, scrub /​wash by staff followed by «deep tissue» massage after which you get rinsed with warm/​hot/​cold water. At the end you are escorted to main lobby again where you relax and rest sipping on some fresh juice and water. Great experience worth every penny!!!

I have lived in Istanbul since 2007 and this is THE best hamam in the city. I have only done the basic piri-​pak package so cannot even imagine how amazing it would be to add on to this.
The hamam is set in a beautiful, restored historical building. The moment you walk in you can feel the tranquility as the grime and noise of the city start to melt away. They provide high quality silk/​cotton pestemels to use during your hamam experience. (I believe they quoted 180TL to purchase.) Once you are changed and ready to enter, your personal attendant gently leads you by the hand into the first hamam room. Then, you are guided to the main hamam. Thus begins the most amazing sensual experience. The haunting echoes of voices and drips of the steam from the domed ceiling relax your mind. The heat and steam soften you to the bone. Pure bliss. Once your skin becomes supple, your attendant begins to bathe you like a baby. Beautiful silvered hamam bowls are used to pour warm water over your head. You then proceed to the main marble centerpiece and lay down on the hot stone. The attendant envelops you in thousands of little soap bubbles. The experience continues as you are gently massaged and then vigorously scrubbed of many layers of dirty dead skin. Your hair is washed, you are rinsed, and left to relax your time away with baby soft skin and a peaceful mind.
I have been to the Cemberlitas historical hamam (mildewy and impersonal) as well as the Kilic Ali Pasa hamam (cold!). Nothing compares to the experience you will receive at The Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan Hamam. It is a must for any immodest woman that wants to pamper herself to the edge of heaven.

This is the best Turkish bath house here in Istanbul. My hotel the Ritz Carlton recommended it. You can not tell from the pictures, but it is beautiful! It is located right next to the blue mosque and is also itself a historical building.
I got the best package available on the menu! When u arrive you get undressed and wear only a paper underwear. Your server takes you into the warm beautiful bath house and wets you down with a essential oiled water with a gold bowel. She then scrubs away dead old skin with a Cotton glove. She then grabs your hand and takes you into the mud room where you are covered in mud for 10 min. Following, a warm soapy body scrub and hair wash is given while laying on the warm stone. A 10min cranberry refreshment and dessert break is given. Finally you are taken three Floors up to the massage room. The massage was lovely. The actual building and cleanliness is what impressed me the most. It was a pleasure to finally experience a real Turkish bath.

I have been to hamams in Turkey before, and love the whole bathing experience. Just returned from 10 days in Istanbul, and knew that I had to have a Turkish bath while there. I had read the reviews about this hamam, and made an appointment. My hotel also called to confirm my reservation. As others have noted, their price for the minimum bath is 85 Euros, higher than other places. But it is SO worth it!
It is easy to find — in the square to the right of the Hagia Sophia, The ladies bath is around to the right. As you enter, they request that you put shoe covers over your shoes. The reception desk is straight ahead as you enter. They provide private lockers, with a combination you enter yourself. I had the Piri Pak, which is the basic 35 minute bath, which was the perfect length for me.
The whole place is beautiful, quiet, peaceful and very meditative. My bath was done by Beyhan, who spoke English, and was able to adjust the scrubbing if need be. Even though I did not pay for massage, one was done with the washing and was absolute perfection. Just what I needed at the end of my stay in Istanbul.
This really is a wonderful experience, especially if you have not had a Turkish bath before. It is lovely, very safe, and spotlessly clean in every area. You should not miss this if you are in Istanbul. I cannot wait to go back again!

This was a very good experience. It is very clean. Easy to schedule, online or in person. The staff usually speaks enough English. They did an excellent job restoring this building to it’s original function. I could almost hear Hurrem laughing. It’s kind of pricey but definitively worth the experience. For anybody trying the Turkish bath experience for the first time this is the best choice.

We went to 3 Hamams while in Istanbul and this is the ONLY one we would ever attend again. People might say its ‘too high end’ or ‘not authentic’ but that basically is referring to the other run down dingy ones in town that are not keeping up with sanitary expectations and overall experience levels of the times.
You wont regret it.

Wow, I am not sure if it’s a sign that I was in a harem in a past life, or really maybe it’s just how utterly fabulous this place is, but this was by far the greatest spa experience of my life… If you could call it that! The restored bathhouse is gorgeous and like nothing you’ve probably ever seen before in the states certainly! Then, you’re bathed with gold plated dishes on marble tiles under skylights to the smell of what they call Judas tree (not sure what that is, but it’s nice) and olive oil. And, if you choose the massage, you’ll be pampered further on top. I didn’t want to leave!

Ayasofya Sultan Hamami provided hands down one of the best spa experiences in my life! On my last day in Turkey, I decided to try a turkish bath experience after hearing so much about it before. I went with this place, partly because it looked legit (nice décor), is in a central location (between ayasophia and the blue mosque) and plus, I didn’t need to make reservation before hand (I did show up out of whim last min and they were able to take me in).
Prices were definitely extremely steep for Turkish standards but definitely not out of range for good spa experiences if you come from US/​UK/​other developed western world (massage ranges around 60−70euro for 60 min). I stopped by out of whim after lunch since it was my last day in Istanbul and luckily they were able to fit me in right away around 1:30pm. I chose with the most expensive package (165 Euro), which includes body scrub, body mask, turkish bath, fruit/​nut plate, and a massage (pretty good deal for the price I paid!).
The spa was MAJESTIC and I was honestly treated like a queen (ok.maybe as a princess since I don’t want to be that old yet :)). The staff did everything for you! Everything inside the turkish bath area was spacious and marble like. Other female customers who also did the turkish bath/​scrub were mostly naked (or some shy ones just wore bikinis) but I didn’t feel weird not wearing anything as the ladies who scrubbed you are probably used to seeing so many bodies of all shapes and forms already. The turkish bath experience was definitely a must! I was pampered so much through this spa experience and felt so spoiled! The massage was also really good. It was with very strong, solid stroke but still relaxing enough for me to fall asleep through it. The massage definitely helped relieve all the physical stress that I took onto my body backpacking over the past 2 weeks.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED… heck, if you are already in Istanbul and had never had a Turkish bath before, might as well splurge one one of the most memorable cultural/​spa experiences at one of the most professional/​upscale Hamam like this one :)