The Turkish baths are also known as Hamans and they are the eastern equivalent of the western spas. Istanbul is famous for its long tradition of body care. So, you can't miss a visit to one haman when you visit this amazing capital. Travelling to Istanbul and not enjoying a relaxing Turkish bath is like going to Spain and not trying a typical sangria or Spanish omelette!
Do you know that Haman means"the place that heats"? In a Haman you will combine some body treatments with relaxation. Elements such as the peelings, the moist heat, the dry heat, the massages and the cold are combined. They are similar to the former Roman baths both for it socio-cultural function and for its structure. Part of the former Arab social life used to develop in these baths.
Men and women do not mix in them. Each one has its own room just for a single sex. These hamans are similar to the wet saunas, but with a closer practice of the Roman bath: first you relax in a warm room, then you go to the hot room, and then you get wet with cold water. After that, you receive a full body wash and a massage. Finally, you go to the cooling room to have a new time of relaxation.
The ideal time to enjoy of them is about an hour; as it is more than sufficient to relax the mind and to regenerate the skin. The most famous Haman in Istanbul is called ÇemberlitaaY Hamam; it has a privileged location right in the middle of the historic city centre, very close to the beautiful Grand Bazaar. But if you are looking for a modern one, where you can go with the whole family, the Suleymaniye Hamam is the only mixed Turkish bath in Istanbul. The Galatasaray Hamam and the Cagaloglu Hamam are famous too.
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