I didn't have a Hammam scheduled but it was available and really close to the hotel, it's cultural,…read moreit was a long day of...you know what? I don't need an excuse to have a spa day on a nice vacation. It wasn't on my 'to-do' list so I didn't do a lot of research. I was expecting a more communal style affair-my only point of reference was a Korean style sauna since I got walked into a communal area where people were just chilling out. After being walked upstairs and into a changing room. The next room was a large steam room, but not oppressively humid, probably because it was surprisingly high ceilinged and laid down on a marble bench, another surprise, it was way more comfortable than it sounds. I lost all sense of time. The hammam was like a cross between a scrub, a wash and a massage. I never saw why Turkish towels were 'a thing,' but after this I was surprised at how absorbent and supple it was. After getting all the travel stress out of my system THAT was when I was given a robe and then taken up front to that cavernous common area with a nice cup of hibiscus tea.

I highly recommend this hamam. I was able to book a reservation using WhatsApp while in Istanbul…read moreand communicating directly with the hamam. This is a nice touch since I'm using my US cell phone. The hamam itself is immaculate. I booked a session for me and my 2 daughters. We were given 2 changing rooms. Each room has a dyson hair dryer and q-tips etc. to use after your Turkish bath. Each room locks automatically and you are given a bracelet which unlocks the door. Very convenient and secure. The hamam experience is comparable to other experiences I've had - very good! I do like that for the bubble/massage portion, you are laying down on the marble. I've been to another hamam where they do this part while you're sitting. Here, my girl did a great job to get the knots out of my back. The experience is so relaxing and calming. You can take your time and chill in the relaxation room after your Turkish bath. With this hamam being co-ed/couples, you can bring your own 2 piece bikini which is convenient and comfortable. I've been to non-coed hamams where you eventually end up taking your bikini top off, but not here. It's really no biggie but just wanted to mention the differences. This is a great hamam for first timers or seasoned hamam goers. This is a great part of the Ottoman/Turkish culture to experience.

While in Istanbul all I heard about is Turkish baths. So of course,we had to try it…read more This place has been here since 1481 so it's basically a piece of history now. Don't imagine how many naked men have been cleaned here. But they know what they are doing. First you're sent off to a private room to change and put on a thin towel. You are then walked to a huge marble domed room that's at least 105 degrees and extremely humid. Sit on a huge marble platform for 20 minutes to sweat and prepare your body to be scrubbed. Get a quick massage from a burly Turkish man. Then he soaps you up. Walked to a marble basin under a water tapped and rinsed off. Then the scrubbing begins. Dead skin is scrubbed off with a bath glove. Finally you take a cold shower. It sounds weird and not for the shy but you leave feeling amazing and my skin has not felt this smooth since I was a baby. Totally recommend this place if you visit Istanbul.

I had a wonderful time here. The Hamam looked very clean and a very relaxing experience. You run…read moreinto these tours in istanbul that charge you almost an arm and a leg to take you to the Hamam and then you gotta pay extra for other service while you can just walk in here and have the Hamam experience of your lifetime!

Very good hamam experience, this was my first time at a hamam and the staff walked me through the…read morewhole experience. The bath was done carefully and skillfully and left me feeling extra clean ! The space is well maintained, clean and decorated. They offer Turkish delight and tea after your service and have hair products ready to use. Highly recommend. This is a mixed gender hamam

This was my first Turkish hammam experience, everything was amazing from start to finish and…read morestress-free! They guide you every step of the way. You start in a mild sauna in a gorgeous marble room for ~20 min (this room has both men and women together so you are given a towel to wear, can bring bathing suit as well if you like) then you get scrubbed down in a private room afterward by a same-sex person followed by a massage with bubbles. Then to top it off you get a delicious iced tea with Turkish delights. The facility is gorgeous and is one of the oldest such buildings in the area. You can make reservations online - one thing to note is it is cash only. I highly recommend coming here, I've never felt so baby soft and relaxed!

Wow what an ... interesting cultural experience…read more No you will not be pampered like a queen. You will get the real deal - an old Turkish woman scrubbing you hard and you'll see the dirt peel off of you in layers. It's worth it. It's 40 liras for the basic package (wash + scrubbing) and another 40 for a 30 minute oil massage and another 10 for a mask. I just went with the basic package because I didn't feel the need to pay another 40 for a continuation of what I was already receiving. Come here for a traditional experience. You'll be surrounded by Turkish people. I was the only one who did not speak Turkish but I didn't feel out of place. I felt very welcomed. Also - if this makes any difference - it's real enough that their toilets for girls are squat toilets. In a 3 lira star hamam it'd probably be western toilets. So yes - you are getting the REAL DEAL. ALSO: PLEASE TIP!!! THEY ARE REALLY HARDWORKING, NICE TURKISH WOMEN. SO PLEASE TACK ON ANOTHER 20 OR SO LIRAS FOR THEIR HARD WORK.

This is definitely not a spa or a tourist focused Turkish bath. My friend and I really wanted to…read moreexperience the "real" deal. We had a hard time getting a recommendation for a local place, as everywhere kept pushing us to the tourist focused baths. We finally visited a local soap store, and they pointed us towards this place. The Buyuk Hamam was constructed around 1533 by Mimar Sinan the architect of the Buyuk Camii mosque. It is a double Hamam with separate areas for men and women. For 30 TL you will receive the complete Turkish bath experience which lasts in total about 1 1/2 - 2 hrs. You can do a Google search on Turkish baths to learn more about them if you want in advance, or go and enjoy the unique experience, as it wasn't like anything I had tried before. There are four stages, when you arrive you are sent to a locked changing room and receive a pestemal towel. Then you led back to the bath area and are doused in water and then lay down on a hot marble platform for 20 - 40 min in a hot steam like room. Next, someone comes and peels/scrubs you down getting rid of all the dead skin cells. Lastly, you receive a full body foam massage. Towels, soap, and shampoo are provided here. Don't expect an immaculate, fancy, super sparkling interior like you would find at a tourist spa. Also, don't expect anyone to speak English. My friend and I were OK as she spoke some German and one of the attendants actually knew a few words of German. The ladies were all very nice and friendly. While not sparkling, I didn't think the place was germy or rotten. I felt completely safe. Tip: bring a pair of swimsuit bottoms, as you will be expected to wear them, and want something dry to change into after.

This was the best spa experience of my life. I had a Turkish bath with a Swedish massage. Having…read morenever had a Turkish bath, I did not know what to expect. The women were so gentle and polite. I quickly felt at ease and like I dropped into a new world of pampered delight. The bath was fantastic, as I was scrubbed from head to toe, covered in soft bubbles and rinsed at every step. The room was all white marble with a soft glow, like being inside an egg. After the extensive bath and short rest, I had the best Swedish massage of my life, again in an egg shaped room,but dark and shadowy with soft Turkish music with a hint of California whales. Kind of Turk CA fusion. I was there almost 2 hours an am almost, but not quite, relaxed enough to skip dinner. Ha, not a chance.

First experience at the hammam and loved every bit of it! Wish I had a whole day to spend at the…read morespa ! Everything is super clean and the whole experience relaxing! Going to try out their massages next trip!