Istanbul Old City: Ottoman Hamam Experience With Foam Massage

This was my first experience at a Hammam. I am used to having massages monthly. This was a different experience but it was enjoyable. I really appreciated that staff was accommodating despite being 15 minutes late due to my mom’s mobility issues. Staff was helpful and helped my mom up and down the stairs. She enjoyed her experience tremendously. Would recommend for those who have some time in Istanbul.

Highly recommend coming here! Our family split up by gender and both groups loved the experience. We did the bath plus a massage, both were amazing. This was my first Turkish bath & I loved it. For other newbies, FYI no bathing suits or other clothing is worn. Women are given a pair of disposable underwear plus Turkish towels. Men just get Turkish towels. They have a locked changing room for you to leave your clothes & items in. Would love to come back someday!

First Turkish bath experience & was a little nervous. Kismet & Ayse were amazing and guided me through each step. The historical building is beautiful. Highly recommend!

Wonderful to experience a historic Turkish Hamam. The building is interesting and the staff is attentive.

No wonder this made it in the book “1,000 Things to Do Before You Die!” Phenomenal, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Great to do at the end of a long day of travel.

If you choose to enjoy a hamam experience during your visit to Istanbul, then book this 300 year-old gem. I did the Ottoman service. It was a cleansing, wonderful ritual with excellent service.

Absolutely fantastic. Came away feeling totally refreshed, relaxed and superb. Best thing in Istanbul. An experience I will never forget

A truly memorable experience! My attendant, Kader, was lovely and I enjoyed the hammam very much.

Great gamma. Old style experience. Great massage and service. Would recommend scheduling after a couple days of touring. Nice way to relax and restore sore muscle muscles.

Both my wife and I were extremely happy with our first exposure to Turkish bath. We bought the Ottoman package for its completeness. The cost is rather high when I compare with other experiences in Budapest, Thailand and Hong Kong. But the environment of Cağaloğlu is unique. Regarding the service, my wife was very happy with Mekel (?) for her gentle and caring manner. She enjoyed it much more than I anticipated. The tellak handling me was Erdal. His treatment was more on the macho side. It was fun and very enjoyable. As it was our first time to the Cağaloğlu, as tourists we bought very little cash with us and very few personal items as the staff of Cağaloğlu keeps telling us that they will provide everything. And they did. As a result I regret for not having enough cash to tip Erdal and Mekel. I bet I will return and request the same service by them in my next trip to Istanbul.

Was an amazing experience and a must do. Did not know what to expect but it exceeded expectations. Recommend doing with a friend.

I visited Cagaloglu Hamami in November 2025 and had an amazing experience! I’ve been to an Asian bath house when I visited Beijing so I had a little familiarity. Upon walking in we were greeted by front desk staff who spoke good English. We paid the fee for our booked service and then were escorted to another room to get changed. My friend and I went in the morning so it was women only at that time. I had been told you’re able to lock your personal belongings up however you’re actually given the key to the whole individual changing room and you keep the key with you during your service. They give you a small disposable panty to wear (I had brought a bikini bottom but was glad to use theirs instead), and are then escorted to a sauna. The sauna is a separate marble room with a little archway door, not the traditional contemporary wooden box. I only wanted to stay in a short time so I left the sauna after about 5 minutes. My service was then performed by Ebru who did an amazing job! She was friendly, courteous, and strong. Her English was limited but we did just fine. The scrubbing and bubble wash/massage was amazing and then there was a short break where we were given Turkish tea along with fruit and nuts to nibble on. I then had a massage and time to relax before it was time to go. They sent us out with a small bag containing the remaining lotion that was used. There also is soap, lotion, and a comb in your changing room that you can have. There is a small gift shop area in the lobby you can buy towels or lotions. Consider this a must-do when visiting Istanbul. You deserve it!

This is such an amazing experience. It’s so relaxing. I had no idea what to expect and this experience wasn’t high on my list. But after experiencing this, I will definitely tell everyone that this is a must do event.

One of my best experiences in Istanbul! I loved every minute. I wished I had booked a longer treatment, instead of only 60 minutes. The entire Haman spa was both relaxing and invigorating. The foamy bubbles massage reminded me of childhood baths. Definitely not to be missed on a trip to Istanbul!

very impressive building with professional staff. takes you back in time. feeling luxurious afterwards.

This business was recommended to me by someone who grew up in Istanbul and said it was the best hamam. I believe it! This was a great experience, and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it. From the time we were greeted at the entrance until the time we left, we felt pampered and appreciated. The experience includes a private changing room, a sauna to prepare the skin, personalized attention to skin, hair, and muscles, the most luxurious bubbles imaginable, and finally a treat of Turkish Delights and tea before dressing to face the world again. I will definitely repeat this when I visit Istanbul.

Wonderful experience and rejuvenating. Highly recommend this place. Very professional and no issues. Ladies section.

I felt like royalty while there . Filiz was the best very through. They really take care of you while you are there when you leave you will feel like a new woman!! Can't wait to come back thanks again.

The facility was gorgeous and absolutely clean. The staff was so welcoming and warm. They put so much detail and concerns on our health. They also provided everything we would need there. My therapist was Susan and she was great.

Fantastic experience. Very authentic. Despite a little apprehension, particularly from my wife, the whole experience was brilliant. I would definitely recommend it

We had a wonderful hammam experience here. From the moment we walked in until the time we left, we were treated so well. The staff were professional and welcoming, which really helped ease our nerves since we weren’t sure what to expect. The whole experience was much better than we anticipated, and the space itself was spotless and very well maintained. Highly recommend!

Great service, the staff was friendly and very accommodating. A beautiful environment, would definitely do it again.

I brought my daughter here for her first real spa experience and it was unforgettable. It didn’t feel like strangers working on our bodies. It felt like having 2-3 bigger sisters guiding us through the ultimate girl experience. I highly recommend the highest package. We were gifted treats, body products, and towels in the end. The entire experience was beyond expectations!

Extremely Disappointing and Painful Experience – Avoid Istanbul Ottoman Hammam My visit to Istanbul Ottoman Hammam on May 30th turned into a deeply painful and frustrating experience. During the scrubbing portion of the service, the attendant applied excessive pressure to the back of my left knee while I was lying face-down on a hard marble slab. Since then, I’ve been walking with daily pain, and my knee now pops with every step. I initially hoped the issue would resolve on its own, but it has persisted, impacting my mobility and quality of life. I reached out to the company in hopes of a response or resolution. Two weeks later, I have heard nothing back. Their complete lack of communication has only added to my disappointment. To help others understand: After spending about 15 minutes in a sauna, you're brought into a large room and asked to lie on a thin towel over a hard marble slab, face-down, with your knees and arms directly on the marble. There is a face rest, but no cushioning or support for the rest of your body. If the attendant uses too much pressure—as happened in my case—it can cause real physical damage, particularly to your knees or arms. As a tourist from the USA, I unfortunately have no recourse, and this has left me both physically injured and extremely disheartened. I urge anyone considering this establishment to think carefully before booking. What should have been a relaxing, cultural experience has instead left me with long-term pain and zero accountability from the business.

Perfect way to end our vacation in Istanbul - this experience is an institution with years of traditional rituals. My services were all wonderful and very relaxing from the body scrub, mud facial and aromatherapy massage. Highly recommend for families and relaxation moments!

The place has hundred of years and Is a pleasure, interesting, enjoyable experience. Mantain the same way to do the Turkish bath as the old ages,but always feeling like a Queen in this

Wonderful and unique spa experience that includes a mostly nude sauna, skin scrub, and bubble massage- with some apple tea and Turkish Delight afterwards. The facility was hundreds of years old and beautiful! We loved it!

I came here when I was visiting Istanbul two weeks ago, and it was a highlight of the trip! A friend told me I had to come here and I'm so happy I did. I literally felt so relaxed and like a totally new person when I left. The Hamam is also so beautiful. This is a must do if you're in Istanbul!

Must do Istanbul experience! I visited this Hamam 24 years ago, and returned this year to share the experience with my daughter. Everything was very well explained, and despite the language barrier, all the ladies were very patient and gave clear instructions. A pricey treat, but well worth it.

A must do its an amazing place to visit and relax for a few hours. Staff are amazing helpful and polite nothing us too much trouble. Would recommend and if we had time I would go again!

We had never been to a Hamam before...and now we're sold for life. It's a bit of a twist on a typical spa experience, with focus on the bathing process. The Cagologlu Hamam experience offered here is superlative. One of the oldest and best hamams in the city, this traditional Ottoman Hamam offers the full works. We had booked a 120 mins experience with the sauna, exfoliating, bathing, oiling, foot massage and collagen masks and were left aching for more of this most pleasurable odyssey. Our therapists, Berna and Ayse for my daughter and Yulis and Bela (who sang old Hindi film songs for me🥰) were amazing. As my daughter said, this is a new addiction!

Nothing like actually experiencing the history of Istanbul! From the ancient interior architecture to the actual bathing procedure, nothing can compare. If you ever have the opportunity, it's a "must do"!

It was great! Loved it. Epic experience - Truly once in a lifetime. Must do for anyone coming to Istanbul. Felt super relaxed afterward

A truly wonderful and relaxing experience in the most luxurious environment. Many thanks to my host Huseyin and my masseurs Vgur and Erdal. Would definitely go back again

My friend and I both absolutely loved this, the hamman is stunning, staff are lovely and the treatment was great. Exactly what we needed after a busy weekend walking the city

We didn’t know what to expect about our first Turkish bath. We were so happy with the experience. It was the best! Our therapists/bathers were so professional and thorough. The bath house itself was 300 years old and looked original with marble everywhere. This was just such a pleasant, authentic experience. With a great massage too!! Highly recommended.

I had a wonderful experience at the Turkish hammam! The place is absolutely beautiful and exudes a calming atmosphere. The staff were incredibly friendly and made me feel comfortable throughout my visit. The relaxation I experienced was unmatched, and I truly enjoyed every moment. As a lovely surprise, I was given a gift pack at the end of my treatment, which was a thoughtful touch. Highly recommend for anyone looking to unwind and indulge in a luxurious experience!

We had a fabulous time at the Hamam, so clean, so caring, so professional…. Our treatment was at 5pm , what we did not realise was there was a restaurant attached to the hamman which we initially thought would be a tourist rip off and although more expensive than your average restaurant was totally worth it for the food, service and ambiance, finished off the whole istanbul experience … wonderful .

This was my 1st experience with a Turkish bath and it was amazing! From start to finish it felt like a pampering experience. The staff was super nice. The place was clean and beautiful. I highly recommend this experience!

Amazingly beautiful environment and excellent experience. I went with my teen daughter and she felt totally comfortable with the whole experience- expertly tended to by the wonderful women in the hamam.

The experience was first class. The level of attention and attentiveness from the introduction all the way through to all of the treatments that I received was first class! I’ve told everyone back home how good it was and that I recommend your services very highly. Thanks so much for having me and I hope to see you again sometime in the future.

This is my first hamam experience and it exceeded my expectations. All staff, from the time of check in until the service is completed, were very professional, and guided me on the steps. I would definitely will try hamam again when I visit Istanbul.

I would entirely recommend this service. I booked the basic service and a massage afterwards. The staff wasn’t extremely polite. The spa was gorgeous. The services were good however, my only recommendation is I requested a deep tissue massage and the pressure was not enough. However, the staff Was very sweet and accommodating. I would go back.

Had 12 hour layover in Istanbul. Booked this hamam and added the massage. Absolutely worth the $200+. Sauna, scrub down, bubble massage, followed by transition to massage with tea and snacks. Massage followed by glass of bubbly and appetizers. Wear as much or as little as you are comfortable with. Ladies Hamam separated by mens Hamam. Had same experience in Kusadasi at Turkish Bath. This was over the top however. And left with a gift bag!

My husband and I spent an afternoon and evening (in the restaurant) at the Cagaloglu. My was very unsure about the Hamam , but came out ‘glowing! and highly praising his attendants. The experience is wonderful , relaxing and energising. They are very professional and make you feel special. They explained the history of this beautiful building and it appears scrupulously clean and well maintained. We decided to stay for drinks and dinner and chose the tasting menu which was delicious ….so many courses ! Overall 5 stars all the way from us ⭐️

Hamam experience was extremely good. This was our first time and we would do this again. The bldg was old school and authentic and the service yahya provided was exceptional

This was a wonderful experience! The staff were warm and welcoming. Having same sex staff made for a very comfortable massage and a wonderful time. The historic building only added to what was already a wonderful time.

Amazing experience and talented staff especially fillez and tuba were amazing totally recommend it. I would love to go back as soon as possible

AMAZING experience. Felt clean and fresh from head to toe. Scrubbed dead skin off and lathered and got bubbled up, and massaged. Just remember to take a brush or comb.