Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ACTIVITIES
ÇEMBERLİTAŞ HAMAMI
OFFLINE MAP
| HAMAM
( 212-522 7974; Vezir Han Caddesi 8; bath, scrub & soap massage €29; 6am-midnight; Çem-
berlitaş)
There won't be too many times in your life when you'll get the opportunity to have
a Turkish bath in a building dating back to 1584, so now might well be the time to do it -
particularly as this twin hamam was designed by the great architect Sinan and is among the
most beautiful in the city.
The building was commissioned by Nurbanu Sultan, wife of Selim II and mother of
Murat III. Both of its bath chambers have a huge marble
sıcaklık
(circular marble heat plat-
form) and a gorgeous dome with glass apertures. The
camekan
(entrance hall) for men is
original, but the women's version is new.
It costs an extra €20 to add an oil massage to the standard bath package, but all massages
and treatments here are perfunctory so we'd suggest giving this a miss. Tips are meant to
be covered in the treatment price and there's a 20% discount for International Student Iden-
tity Card holders.
GEDİKPAŞA HAMAMI
OFFLINE MAP
| HAMAM
& soap massage 55; men 6am-midnight, women 9am-11pm; Çemberlitaş)
This Ottoman-era
hamam has been operating since 1475. Its interior isn't as beautiful as those at Çemberlitaş,
but services are slightly cheaper and there are separate hamams, small dipping pools and
saunas for both sexes. The operators will sometimes transport guests to and from Sultanah-
met hotels at no charge; ask your hotel to investigate this option.
