[reviews & prices 2023] Non-mixed Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamam in Istanbul (Turkey)

After checking out the local hammams in the neighborhood, I quickly have to give up because they’re all mixed. I mean, the area where you’d normally lie down on the warm marble is mixed. Exfoliation and massage are of course separate. But it bothers me anyway, because JB tells me the local hammam he goes to is all guys.

So I went back to the only hammam I go to every time I visit Istanbul: Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamam. At least here, they have separate hours for men and women.

With inflation in Turkey, I’m not sure exactly how they calculate their prices, but as a returning customer (meaning my email address is already in their system), I just have to say “I’m a returning customer” and they give me the “returning customer” rates, which are half the price of what’s on the website. Plus, paying in cash gets me an extra 5% off.

To get there, follow my instructions:

• Go here: https://goo.gl/maps/UBPpLBoCdRdaUEVT7
• Push open the door (it’s very heavy) and address the reception desk on the right, which handles only appointments.
• Between 8am and 4pm is for women, and from 4pm onwards it’s for men.
• However, if you’re a woman and just need to make an appointment, you can still go in after 4pm to book.
• Book at least 1 day in advance.
• Then, come at the scheduled time. They’ll give you sandals to wear.
• You’ll be asked to sign a “quote”.
• You receive keys to access your locker in the changing room upstairs. Inside your locker, there’s already a towel that you use to wrap around yourself. You take off everything and keep your underwear on, then wrap yourself in the towel.
• When you go downstairs, someone will take you to the hammam area.
• You’ll be rinsed quickly and then you’ll lie down on the warm marble for 10 minutes, half-naked.
• Then, exfoliation happens, and you’ll be covered in soap and washed from head to toe.
• After that, they’ll offer you to rest on the couch. Drinks and snacks (tea, biscuits) are for a fee.
• If you’ve booked a massage, someone will come get you 5 minutes later for a massage in another room.
• At the time of payment, you’ll be given small envelopes. You can slip tips into them for the women who treated you. Personally, I leave 50 TL for each.

So come with a spare pair of underwear. If you have long hair, tie it back. Remove any jewelry before going to the hammam. I’ve forgotten my jewelry in the locker multiple times, so I advise you to take off your jewelry at home (or at the hotel) before you go.

It’s not a place where you can be modest because everyone is half-naked, but fear not, no one looks at anyone. There are many Turkish women who go there too, not just tourists. It’s very relaxing. If you’re really extremely uncomfortable, you can come in a swimsuit, but they’ll ask you to remove the top for the exfoliation anyway. Otherwise, come right at opening time, there will be fewer people. But the marble will be less warm too.

The Turkish hammam is very different from the Moroccan hammam because at one point you’re completely covered in soap bubbles. It’s more relaxing, it feels more like a “treatment” and not just for cleaning.

Personally, I paid 1050TL for the hammam (including exfoliation), and 1200TL for the 50-minute massage, but those are returning customer rates. I think new customers pay double the first time: 1750TL for the hammam and 1950TL for the 50-minute massage. Come with plenty of cash to get the 5% discount.

There you go, I hope you enjoyed this article and it encourages you to try the Turkish hammam.