Hurrem Sultan Hamam, Istanbul

Right between the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia—because why not claim the most prime real estate in all of Istanbul if you can afford it—stands the Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan Hamam. Commissioned in the 1550s by Hurrem Sultan, the brilliant and formidable wife of Suleiman the Magnificent, this bathhouse was her way of saying, “Cleanliness is next to queenliness.” She ensured that both royalty and everyday citizens could enjoy it.

The location has a history layered as thick as Turkish delight. Before Ottomans were steaming away stress here, the ancient Romans ran their own spa—the Baths of Zeuxippus. And before that, a Temple of Zeus marked the spot. Clearly, this patch of land has always been devoted to divine treatments...

Stretching 75 meters and built in classical Ottoman style, the hamam served both men and women (albeit separately—to avoid scandal) until 1910. Then it took a break from bubbles and scrubs to become… a storage warehouse. Thankfully, the 1950s gave it a second act as a carpet shop—because in Istanbul, carpets are never a bad idea.

But the hamam’s true comeback story arrived in 2011, after a 13-million-dollar makeover and three years of polishing every marble tile to perfection. Today, it is pure luxury—steam, massage, foam, and bliss offered in packages so indulgent you may forget what century you’re in. There’s even an outdoor café, if you need to recharge between pampering sessions.

The place's motto says, “Some rituals never die.” And indeed, after a visit here, you may walk out feeling like Hurrem Sultan herself—minus the palace intrigue, plus very soft skin...