Best Hammam

I enjoyed my experience at the Hurrem Sultan Hamam in Istanbul. Couldn't be more historic, built by the famous architect Sinan for the wife of Suleiman the Magnificent. Probably the most expensive option in Istanbul but was worth the splurge IMHO https://www.hurremsultanhamami.com/

I went to Demirhan Bath in Antalya. Definitely a more local experience, much cheaper than Istanbul but no less lovely.

Thanks for your response. Looking forward to trying both of them.

I enjoyed Cagloglu Hamam in Istanbul, which has operated continuously as a hamam since the mid 1700's. I felt like Ottoman royalty, and would highly recommend it.

As CL suggested, Hurrem Sultan also has an excellent reputation, but I haven't been there.

In Antalya, I went to the Antique Hamam many, maybe a dozen, times. It's definitely not luxurious, but I grew to like it. The actual hamam dates to the 1300's, but the reception and massage areas are modern but basic. The massages afterwards were amazing! I would always get the 90 minute massages.

Thanks for the info. We'll check this out also.

Hi CL and Marie,
Did you make a reservation and remit payment in advance or were you able to get a reservation within a few days of your appointment? I wanted to wait until I actually arrived in Istanbul to book this as I would be arriving 5 days prior to the date I wanted to book the experience for.

We visited Cagloglu at the end of a three week trip to Egypt and Istanbul. I made reservations before we left the US because I wanted to have everything nailed down before the trip. If I recall correctly, my credit card was not charged until the time of our appointment. I am not sure what their cancellation policy is.

About a week before our appointment, they asked us if we would be willing to move our appointment back 30 minutes. They threw in a free foot massage for the negligible inconvenience.

I believe I reserved in advance and paid at the property. Hurrem Sultan is very popular so you may not get your first choice of times if you wait until you get to Istanbul but you can still probably find an opening.

Here's another recommendation to add to the mix.

Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamamı: https://www.kilicalipasahamami.com/

I had a great experience there.

For American women like me who are not comfortable with the "walking around nude" idea... did anyone wear a swimsuit?

A one-piece swimsuit would kinda defeat the purpose. A bikini or underwear bottom is okay.

I have never worn a swimsuit. The first time I went to a hamam, I kept my underwear on and the hamam lady just lifted up the underwear and scrubbed underneath.

At Cagloglu, they gave me a disposable thong, and the peshtemal towel covered everything else up pretty well. The only time you are really exposed is during the scrubbing, and you'll be covered in bubbles and so relaxed that you probably won't care.

When I went to the hamam at Sagalassos, I actually got a picture of what it looks like. Usually, photos are very strictly prohibited in a hamam. However, the hotel was almost empty, and the hamam lady at my request asked the hotel concierge to come down and a take some pics with my phone. https://imgur.com/a/EZFGddm. It's really not like you're running around in the buff.

For American women like me who are not comfortable with the "walking
around nude" idea... did anyone wear a swimsuit?

I'm not comfortable with the idea either, but reminded myself that the hammam staff see all shapes and sizes all day long and that you'll never, ever see the people in the hammam again. It's a once in a lifetime experience and I don't regret it for one moment. And FWIW I went to one in Istanbul by myself, and to another with people from my RS tour. Several kept their peshtemal wrap on most of the time for modesty, but the rest just let it go. One of the funniest moments of my tour was when we were all laying on the hot central stone and someone said quietly, "how about a group picture?" :)