Istanbul: Historic Sifa Turkish Bath in Sultanahmet Square
Overview
What makes this experience unique is that Şifa Hamam is one of the very few historical hammams in Istanbul where men and women can share the same bathing space while still enjoying the comfort of gender-matching therapists.
Operating continuously since 1777 in the heart of Sultanahmet, it offers travelers the chance to step into living Ottoman history just steps from Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.
The elegant domes, traditional marble interiors, and centuries-old rituals—from steam and kese scrubbing to foam massage and herbal tea—create an authentic yet inclusive hammam experience, perfect for couples, friends, and solo travelers looking for something truly memorable.
What's Included
- Tea
- Olive oil soap, linden shampoo, hair cream, body lotion
- Foot massage & face mask (if option selected)
- 30-minute access to the warm marble hammam room
- Use of towels, slippers, and peştemal (breechcloth)
- Aromatherapy oil massage (if option selected)
- Locker and secure storage
- Peeling application with one-use kese mitt
- Traditional foam massage
Meeting Location
Sultan Ahmet
Şifa Hamamı Sk. No:12, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
Hammam Type: Mixed-gender hammam (shared area)
Therapists Type: Gender-matching therapists: female for women, male for men
Step into the living history of Sifa Hamam, an authentic Ottoman hammam operating continuously since 1777 in the heart of Sultanahmet, Old City. Originally built during the late Ottoman period, Sifa Hamam is one of the few historical hammams in Istanbul where men and women can enjoy the Turkish bath ritual together in the same space—while still receiving treatments from gender-matching therapists for comfort and privacy.
From the moment you enter, the elegant domes, traditional marble interiors, and warm hospitality will transport you back in time. The ritual begins in the warm room, where steam and heat relax your muscles and open your pores. This is followed by the invigorating scrubbing with a kese mitt, a rich foam massage on the heated marble platform, and finally, relaxation with herbal tea or homemade sherbet.
Sifa Hamam offers a one-of-a-kind experience for couples, friends, and solo travelers seeking a traditional yet inclusive Turkish bath in Istanbul's historical core—just steps away from the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Topkapı Palace.
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Not recommended for people with diabetes
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Not suitable for children under 6 years
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 4 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions (7)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Istanbul: Historic Sifa Turkish Bath in Sultanahmet Square?
Cancellation Policy
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Activity code: C-463022P2
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Reviews
Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 12 traveler reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (7)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from City Balloon Tours customers.
Filter by:
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (+03).
- Tea.
- Olive oil soap, linden shampoo, hair cream, body lotion.
- Foot massage & face mask (if option selected).
- 30-minute access to the warm marble hammam room.
- Use of towels, slippers, and peştemal (breechcloth).
- Aromatherapy oil massage (if option selected).
- Locker and secure storage.
- Peeling application with one-use kese mitt.
- Traditional foam massage.
The minimum age to participate is 7..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Istanbul: Historic Sifa Turkish Bath in Sultanahmet Square is as follows:
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Not recommended for people with diabetes
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Istanbul: Historic Sifa Turkish Bath in Sultanahmet Square will be included in your confirmation email from City Balloon Tours. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- Tea
- Olive oil soap, linden shampoo, hair cream, body lotion
- Foot massage & face mask (if option selected)
- 30-minute access to the warm marble hammam room
- Use of towels, slippers, and peştemal (breechcloth)
- Aromatherapy oil massage (if option selected)
- Locker and secure storage
- Peeling application with one-use kese mitt
- Traditional foam massage
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Not recommended for people with diabetes
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Not suitable for children under 6 years
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 4 travelers
