Historic baths(hammams) of Istanbul

If you are spa lover and enjoy treatments then the historic baths(hammams) of Istanbul are an experience that you cannot afford to miss. These ancient historic baths are immensely popular in this bustling city which is home to more than 12 million people for they provide a refuge from the hustle and bustle of the city and offer a peaceful sanctuary where you can relax and unwind while you gossip and socialize with your fellow bathers.

The city of Istanbul which over the ages has been known as Byzantium and Constantinople is located on the strait of the Bosphorous in the northwest part of Turkey. Istanbul is usually accessible via a long haul flight from the US which typically extends over fourteen hours. For such a flight air business travel is highly recommended.

People tend to think that  business class travel to Istanbul, a city which straddles both Asia and Europe  is frightfully expensive but this is need not be the case for cheap business class tickets to Istanbul are available if you know how to look for them. Often airlines that provide air links between US cities and this mystical ancient city offer special fares which take the form of business class discounts to Istanbul and promote them via dedicated  newsletters and social media tools. At other times, last minute flights to Istanbul bookings with airlines also sometimes afford you deep business class discounts. However if all this seems too difficult for you because you want a certain amount of  flexibility  in order to plan  your  journey to explore the hammams and bazaars of Istanbul, you may want to consider using the services of a recognized airfares consolidator.

Airfares consolidators almost always have a ready stock of business class deals which often represent discounts of up to 70% when compared to regular business class fares. These airfares consolidators have access to cheap business class tickets by way of the exclusive consolidator contracts that they have with various airlines. Airlines bestow these contracts on these consolidators because they usually are high volume sales agents who can ensure the airline a regular flow of business. It must be mentioned that these cheap business class flights are by no means inferior to regular business class for they afford you all the amenities that are usually associated with full price business class like priority check-in, fast track immigration , enhanced luggage allowance, fully flat beds and limitless good food and wine  along with great personalized service. These discount business flights sometimes have certain terms and conditions associated with them but these are minor inconveniences compared to the tremendous savings that they afford. Moreover they also often come loaded with additional perks like mileage accrual and pre-flight seat selection which in these stressful travel times is certainly not bad thing.

Most of the hammams in Istanbul date back a couple of centuries and offer separate bathing areas for men and women. These hammams typical offer warm rooms which are equipped with a heated stone platform known as goebektas on which you sit and work up a sweat. After this you are led to a bathing alcove which is outfitted with basins and an attendant helps to scrub and exfoliate with a mitt made of slightly abrasive material. At some hammams the attendants also offer additional services like hair washes and waxing which are considered to be a part of the bathing ritual.

The bathing ritual is then followed by a massage after which you are led to the cool room to cool off and handed a cup of tea or pomegranate juice.

A treatment at one of the many Istanbul hammams usually extends over one and half hours and generally costs around US$35. It must be mentioned that men and women have segregated bathing areas and lockers are provided for your belongings and clothing items. Nudity is not acceptable at the hammams and you are expected carry a swimsuit to the baths though robes are usually provided.

Cemberlitas Bath,

This hammam is located near the Grand Bazar  in the Sultanhamet  which is  Istanbul’s main historical district. Cemberiltas dates back to1584 and offers separate domed treatment and bathing rooms for men and women. The Cemberlitas Bath is open every day from 6 am until midnight.

Cagaloglu Bath

This hammam was built in 1741 during the rule of  Sultan Mahmut I and it was expected to function as a revenue source for the Aya Sofya ( Hagia Sophia) Mosque. This hammam also offers separate sections for men and women is open every day from 8am to 10 pm.

Galatasaray Bath

This hammam is located in the Galatasaray  neighborhood and dates back to 1715. The hammam is an exponent of typical Turkish bath architecture though it was renovated and modernized in 1965 when a women’s section was added here. This bath is popular with both locals and tourists.

Cardakli Bath

This bath is located near the Aya Sofya  and dates back to 1503. This bath is adorned with a Byzantine inscription at its entrance and it is believed that the bath is a converted Byzantine building.

Suleymaniye Bath

This hammam was built in 1557 by the great Turkish architect Sinan and formed a part of the Sulemaniye Mosque complex. This is another Istanbul hammam that is popular with tourists.