Some of the world's most beautiful hammams are in Istanbul, Turkey, but look beyond and the wider Middle East – from Morocco to Egypt – and even Europe, has bathhouses you wouldn't easily forget.
Rooted in Ancient Roman and Byzantine bathing traditions, hammams in Istanbul grew in popularity during the Ottoman period; the ritual, which involves an extensive steaming, scrubbing, exfoliating and washing process, became integral to Islamic cleanliness practices. Sprawling bathhouses were soon erected across the Middle East, North Africa and Europe. Featuring marble-lined hot rooms, celestial domed ceilings and hand-painted tiles, the structures were impressive architectural triumphs.
Despite playing a significant role in social, cultural, and political life during their heyday, hammams largely fell out of fashion during the twentieth century. Now, a growing appreciation for traditional cultural practices has revived the practice and even some of the original historic establishments themselves. Here are seven of the most beautiful hammams to visit in Istanbul and across the world, both old and new.
Zeyrek Çinili Hamam, Istanbul
A 500-year-old hammam originally commissioned by the sixteenth-century Ottoman admiral Hayreddin Barbarossa, Zeyrek Çinili was reopened in May after a thirteen-year restoration project. Renovations preserved original details, including the establishment’s namesake cerulean tiles (çinili is Turkish for “tiled”) and celestial skylights decorating the domed ceiling of the hot room. A Byzantine cistern – which was unearthed below the bathhouse during renovations – is now home to contemporary art exhibitions; their first exhibition, ‘Alekos Fassianos: Sailing to Byzantium’ opened this month and showcases works from the celebrated Greek artist, Alekos Fassianos. zeyrekcinilihamam.com
Al Moudira, Luxor
One of the world's most beautiful Hammams is in Luxor, Egypt. Tucked away on the west bank of the Nile, Al Moudira is an authentically charming (and rightly palatial) hotel complex situated close to the UNESCO World Heritage site of ancient Thebes and the Valley of the Kings. In keeping with the historical surroundings, the property features palatial details throughout, including a luxurious hammam designed by Olivier Sednaoui. Equipped with hand-painted tiles, stained glass windows and antique basins, the interiors alone are worth the visit. moudira.com
Villa Mabrouka, Tangier
An intimate hotel located in a modernist 1940s property, Villa Mabrouka was once the Tangier residence of Yves Saint Laurent. Recently renovated by Jasper Conran, the guesthouse has preserved much of its bygone elegance, even retaining a steamy Tadelakt-walled hammam featuring Roman handblown glass lanterns from 2nd century AD. Here, guests are scrubbed using black Moroccan soap and Ghassoul clay from the High Atlas Mountains. villamabrouka.com
Royal Mansour, Casablanca
Originally built in 1952, the Royal Mansour Casablanca reopened this year after an extensive restoration project. Returned to its art-deco glory, the hotel (a sister property to the iconic Royal Mansour Marrakech) now features period details from the 1950s. Their hammam is particularly unique, including a traditional marble bathhouse with some quaint midcentury features – think wooden panelled walls, velvet furnishings and a glitzy leather-lined hair saloon. royalmansour.com
Argos in Cappadocia
Built around the mystic underground caves of Cappadocia, Argos’ spa is a particularly unique spot to visit; the monastic settlements turned therapy rooms feature cool stone interiors, curved ceilings, and hidden alcove corners. The largest underground spa in Turkey, Argos also has an expansive marble bathhouse where guests can enjoy the traditional hammam ritual. argosincappadocia.com
Claridge's Spa, London
Looking for a modern hammam? Head to London's legendary Claridge's Hotel where the Claridge's Spa’s iconic ‘Pink Room’ welcomes you with curved pastel walls, miniature alcove details, and a heated pink onyx bed. In an updated take on the classic hammam treatment, visitors are aromatically steamed here before being scrubbed, exfoliated and enveloped in a thick clay mask. Afterwards, guests are immersed in a blend of buttermilk and rose petals before a final application of rose body oil. claridges.co.uk
Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamamı, Istanbul
Rounding up our list of the world's most beautiful Hammams: Built by the Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan in the sixteenth century, the Kılıç Ali Paşa hammam in Istanbul reopened as a functioning bathhouse in 2012 after a seven-year restoration project. Original features were preserved, including the magnificent main dome of the property, which is 14 metres wide and 17 metres high. In recognition of their efforts in preserving cultural heritage and local craftsmanship, the project also won the Europa Nostra prize in 2017. kilicalipasahamami.com
