Süleymaniye Hamam Couples Hamam Review
The Süleymaniye Hamam is the only hamam in Istanbul that will take couples together. In the rest of the city, hamams are all segregated by gender. I really enjoyed our experience at Süleymaniye Hamam and definitely recommend you do this as a unique thing to do in Istanbul.
If you’re following my Unique Istanbul Itinerary, then you’ll visit the Hamam on day 2!
Booking Süleymaniye Hamam
Book directly via the website and pick the time slot that best suits you. The 2pm slot worked best for us and we booked 3 days in advance as suggested. Book here.
You will need to bring cash with you in either dollars, euros, or lira. The full hamam experience is 60 euros per person and you won’t be allowed in without a reservation.
When you book, you’ll need to include your hotel name. If you’re staying in an Airbnb, your hotel name written as “airbnb” will be rejected, as we experienced. Instead, just pick a hotel near your Airbnb and write that in. It doesn’t really matter what you use as long as it’s a real hotel! Couples are called to the bathing experience room by their hotels, that’s why it matters.
The Süleymaniye Hamam Couples Experience
The Süleymaniye Hamam operates in small groups—we only had one other couple in the hamam during our experience. There are only male attendants at this hamam. I felt they were very respectful.
Getting Ready
We were given wooden shoes and cloth bikinis/shorts to wear. We had also brought our swimsuits, but it wasn’t necessary, and we carried them around all day for no reason. Don’t bother unless you’re an unusual size!
After we paid our fee, we took off our shoes and went upstairs to change.
Then we were taken upstairs to our own little changing room, with a lock that you’ll keep with you.
Inside the Hamam
The experience was amazing and lasted about an hour. After you’re dressed in the hamam set, you’re taken to a room with 80% humidity to lie down for about 30 to 40 minutes. This is where you’ll also encounter whatever other couple is in your time block.
You put down a cloth on the marble table located in the center of the room and literally just lie there. If you get too hot, there are several sinks where you can cool down and there is also drinking water available.
I had a very peaceful experience and almost dozed off while lying there. We were totally sweating by the end of it.
After you’re heated up, the cleansing experience begins. The attendants take you to a semi-private room where you are scrubbed down with an exfoliating glove and then you get a light massage and bubbles are used to clean you. It’s hard to describe but basically, I felt like a lemon meringue.
The experience is a little odd to be cleaned by someone else to be honest but that’s literally the point of this. There is also a massage and literal back-cracking!
After you’ve been cleansed, you can relax with some tea, juice, or water for a bit before getting ready to hit the streets again.
There is a hairdryer and mirror to help you get ready again.
A little history about Hamams
Istanbul’s iconic hamams have been an integral part of the city’s culture and history for centuries. These bathhouses offer a multifaceted experience that goes beyond simply cleaning your body. While their primary purpose was to provide a thorough and luxurious bathing experience, they also served as hubs for social interaction. The baths themselves are architectural marvels showcasing a unique blend of Byzantine and Ottoman influences.
The hamam was constructed in the 16th century, during the reign of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, after whom both the mosque and the hamam are named.
You can purchase the shoes and clothes at the reception on your way out.
Visit Süleymaniye Mosque
Be sure to walk into the Süleymaniye Mosque before or after your hamam experience.
