Absolutely incredible experience and definitely a highlight during our 15 day European adventure…read more
When my 13 year old Autistic son heard we were going to be visiting Istanbul, somehow he found out about a Turkish Bath and asked if we could go. I hesitated somewhat as we were traveling with a group of 7 (2 men, 2 women, 2 girls aged 14 & 15 and 1 13-year old boy) and I didn't think he fully understood what a Turkish Bath was. Frankly, I didn't know either!
After I did some research, it actually did sound like something we just had to do so I checked Yelp, Tripadvisor and Google and it was pretty clear which Hamman was the best in the city.
If Cagaloglu Hamami was good enough for Oprah, Harrison Ford and Steve Irwin (whose pictures adorn the entry hallway among many other celebrities' photos), I figured it would be good enough for us!
The building itself is beautiful; it isn't the oldest Hammam in Istanbul but it certainly appeared old and very charming.
Right after we stepped out of the taxi, the gracious staff greeted us warmly and directed us inside.
The staff explained the service we signed up for (Hamami Ritual Bath at $90) and offered an additional mud bath for $40. We opted to do the additional and were soon separated; the girls went to their side of the building and the boys went to ours.
We were shown to our individual cozy changing rooms and given keys to lock our belongings inside. The rooms were provided with a bottle of water, body lotion and even a toothbrush with toothpaste!
We put on the comfortable towels and met our "tellaks" (male attendants) who led us inside the hot room where we relaxed with another provided bottle of water for about 15-20 minutes. The room's temperature is very comfortable, certainly not swelteringly hot.
Afterwards, our towel enrobed tellaks led us by the arm to the main room where we were instructed to lay down on marble slab tables. It sounds uncomfortable but it really wasn't.
Our "Hamman Ritual" involved a scrub, massage, a bubble bath and of course the extra mud application. This was amazing. The scrub wasn't too harsh or rough and the massage was fantastic. And the bubbles were amazing. They pour buckets of heavy, velvety bubbles over you and the sensation is honestly amazing. Afterwards, buckets and buckets of warm, cold and warm water again to rinse you off. I was nervous because I had accidentally swallowed some but the water is clean and potable as I didn't get sick.
The mud was then applied and left on for about 10 minutes followed by more rinsing, all the while we continued to lay on the marble slab looking up at the beautiful domed building with light peeking through various windows.
All throughout the ritual, genitals were covered by the towel (should you have any concern).
Afterwards, we were returned to our changing rooms where we got dressed, exited and were met by our tellaks who provided us with generous helpings of delicious tea, juice, Turkish delight, nuts and dried apricots. My son's tellak gifted him a pair of slippers and we all received soaps to take home.
Shortly thereafter, the girls rejoined us and reported that while they had been nervous at first, that they, too, had an absolutely wonderful experience.
The $90 pricepoint seemed fine for us and we did opt for the addditonal $40 mud application. Perhaps that could have been a little less expensive but we all opted in because we'd likely never be back and it added to the overall experience and time. They also offer additional massage services but the Ritual was perfect as it was.
The staff from start to finish were all very professional, helpful and kind and the overall experience lasted a very relaxed hour and a half to two hours. We tipped about 10% as that is what we read is customary in Turkey.
If you have extra time, they also have a lovely restaurant and small bar inside as well! We didn't order anything, however.
Visiting Cagaloglu Hamami is an absolute must if you visit Istanbul. Make sure to make reservations!
