Süleymaniye Hamamı — Attraction in Fatih

Suleymaniye Hamami is a historic bathhouse that has been in operation since the 1500s. As soon as you enter, you'll feel like you're stepping back in time. The staff at Suleymaniye Hamami have a well-organized system and provide excellent service. Someone will guide you through the process from start to finish. Unlike other hammams, this one allows couples to enjoy the ancient bath experience together. It is recommended to make an appointment on their website before visiting. We made a reservation for the basic couple package, which cost €55 per person and required payment in cash upon arrival. We were then escorted to a private changing room where we left our belongings and were provided with clean shorts or bathing suits to wear. Men are given shorts, and women are given bottoms and bikini tops with drawstrings. The private changing room comes with a key to secure your belongings.

Once changed, we went downstairs to the main bathing room. The staff provided us with wooden slippers to wear, which were a bit hazardous as the floor was quite slippery. The inside of the bathhouse is made of beautiful white marble and stone, and as soon as we entered the main bathing area, we felt the heat and humidity. We sat on top of a large warm marble slab in the middle of the room while we waited our turn. Natural sunlight filters in through strategically placed openings in the ceiling, creating a dreamlike atmosphere in the steamy room. It was fascinating to think about all the people who have come and gone through this magnificent building over the years, including Sultans who were known to visit.

The main bathing room has four wings, each with two marble slabs for tables and two faucets. When it was our turn, we were led to one of the wings by a couple of men in loincloths. They asked us to sit next to the faucet where water was running continuously into a marble bowl. Before starting on us, the men bathed themselves. Without warning, one of them dumped a bucket of cold water on my head, which was a bit of a shock. We had been sitting in the 38 degree Fahrenheit steam room for about 20-30 minutes, and while the cold water was refreshing, a little warning would have been welcome. I was expecting a rough scrub down based on what I had seen in YouTube videos, but the men were gentle and made the experience very relaxing. They scrubbed, foamed, and washed us until we were squeaky clean. We were glad that we saved this activity for the end of our trip in Turkey, as it left us feeling refreshed and relaxed. After the bath, we were wrapped in towels and led to a chilling area where we were served free beverages.

We highly recommend Suleymaniye Hamami for their service and the unique atmosphere. Photos are not allowed inside the bathhouse, so you'll have to experience it for yourself. It's an opportunity to feel like you're...

Great experience, it was a bit pricey but worth it. Advanced booking is necessary.

We paid as soon as we entered the building. (They only accept cash, please make sure you have extra for tips)

Then they took us to a wooden changing room/cabin upstairs in the reception area and gave us the bikini top and shorts, which were made of a traditional fabric.

We changed in the cabin and left all our stuff there. We locked our cabin, went downstairs then our treatment started in the hamam. (No photos are allowed inside the hamam itself.)

We lay down on a marble/stone bed for 20-30 mins in the centre of the hamam and sweated a lot! It’s big enough for about 8 people and there were two other couples in there at the same time as us. Then we were taken to smaller room that adjoins the centre area where the washing and massaging started.

They asked if I wanted to wash my hair and I said yes since I was sweating so much! They do it at the end quickly without any extra charge, but no conditioner or treatment was used. I recommend to take in treatment with you. (There was a hair drier outside of wooden changing cabin in the reception area.)

For the cleaning/massage, first, they gently scrubbed all my body without soap while I was sitting down on the stone floor. Then, we lay face down on top of a stone bed and got foamed all the body.

They massaged my whole body with foam, it was amazing!

Once we finished our treatment, we were taken to stone changing room to remove our Hamam outfit and they wrapped us with traditional towels.

Then we were served drinks in treating area.

We were still sweating so much while resting and there was no showers to rinse off. It was the only downside, otherwise we really enjoyed...

If you want a mixed hammam don’t go here go to Çukurcuma Hamamı - this place is a tourist trap and the worst customer service I’ve had in Turkey in my many years of coming here and run down considering the expensive price. I went with my partner and parents, when we arrived my parents were a bit late bc of traffic (they arrived at the time of the booking just not 15 mins early) and the man at reception was annoyed and made it known. The wooden slippers they give you are sweet but impossible to walk in and I kept falling over.

But the worst part is that after the hammam my father became unwell and fainted - I must say the people working inside the hammam are great and one of the staff was very helpful. But this meant we stayed longer than our 90 minutes because we were waiting for my father to come to and feel well enough to walk. During this time, the man from reception came in and told us to be quiet - for the other customers. My father had fainted and yes we were talking to and about him because we were worried. Once we made it out and were putting our shoes on to leave, the man at reception said “your 90 minutes is up you need to leave” - when we were already leaving. Pls learn how to run a business and communicate with paying customers.

Considering how wonderful Turkish hospitality is and how friendly everyone is, this was an unpleasant experience. The only reason we went is the fact it’s a mixed hammam but if you want a mixed one go to Çukurcuma Hamamı on the other side of...