It offers a multi-layered cultural and sensual experience starting from the moment you step into the so-called glass case in which the dressing rooms and the fountain are located. The hamam is heated through the circulation of hot air in the külhan located in ground floor galleries dubbed inferno. Once you have entered you go into a room that is designated for each customer, take off your clothes and wrap a towel around your waist. Then comes the cold halvet. If you dislike hot water, you may skip the hot halvet and stay here to get your bath. If you like to bathe with hot water, we recommend that you take a shower and then stretch on the göbek taşı to sweat profusely. Abandon yourself to the rays of light glimmering through the dome and the sound of splashing water. Then is the time to be scrubbed and messaged if you have asked for this service by the natır. Finally you take a bath with soap, proceed to the "warm section" at the entrance and have a sprite to cool down. If the misty vapors of the hamam have started to induce sleepiness, you may withdraw to a room to take a nap.

Tiled Hamam of Üsküdar

The marble slab and the glass partitions in the dome of this hamam that was commissioned by Kösem Sultan in 1640 are authentic. There is a fountain at the entrance and freshly brewed tea is served as soon as you take your seat.

Cağaloğlu Hamamı

There is a huge gilded mirror at the entrance. The visitor is transposed to another time and temporarily forgets everything amidst the splash of the water from the fountain. Treat yourself to a "luxury Ottoman" package including music, belly dancer and an open buffet consisting of some 50 dishes.

Çemberlitaş Hamamı

This hamam designed by Mimar Sinan dates from 1584. The glass case is decorated in a classical style. It is hard to resist the fragrance of fresh tea brewing in the kitchenette located at the entrance.

Old Hamam

It is the oldest hamam in Üsküdar and was preserved in its authentic form. The rooms above the glass partition differentiate this hamam architecturally from others in Istanbul, but the dome is in classical windowed style.

Hamam vocabulary

Külhan: Boiler room

Hot halvet: The hottest place in the hamam that is closest to the külhan

Cold halvet: The coolest place in the hamam that is furthest removed from the külhan

Natır: Woman scrubbing and massaging women

Tellak: The male counterpart

Göbek taşı : The marble slab located above the central water heating system of the hamam