Excursion Spice market & turkish bath tour at Istanbul

Experience a unique and authentic excursion during this half-day tour.

Depart the pier with your guide for the short drive to the fragrant and colourful Istanbul Spice Market

Spice Market

Find the flavour of Istanbul known as the Egyptian Bazaar in Turkish (Misir Carsisi), this is of one of the best places from where to take a taste of the city home with you. One of numerous markets in Istanbul, this is a great one to stroll through, sampling the aromatic air of spices from across Turkey, the Middle East, and Northern Africa. Be enticed by other shops of all flavours and types, selling goods ranging from sweets and spices to clothes, watches, Turkish souvenirs, exotic aphrodisiacs, Iranian caviar and Turkish saffron.

Cagaloglu Turkish Bath

Hamam in Turkish means 'public bath', and the baths were a very important fixture in Ottoman society, a tradition passed down from the Romans to the Byzantines, and then the Turks. Cagaloglu Hamam, built in 1741 during the reign of Sultan Mahmud I, is one of Istanbul's most historic and iconic Turkish baths. Located near Sultanahmet Square, this stunning bathhouse features Ottoman architecture with marble interiors, intricate mosaics, and a domed ceiling. Visitors can enjoy a traditional Turkish bath experience, which includes a steam session, a kese scrub, and a soothing foam massage. The process begins with a relaxing steam in the warm, marble surroundings, followed by an exfoliating scrub to remove dead skin, a bubble wash to cleanse the body, and then a relaxing massage. The main bath area has a raised marble platform, known as the 'Göbek Tasi' (navel stone), which is heated by the furnace below and provides the perfect surface for massages.

Men and ladies will go to their separate changing areas and then to the main bath. Afterward, you can unwind with some refreshments like tea or coffee, enjoying the calm atmosphere. Cagaloglu Hamami offers a unique opportunity to relax and immerse yourself in Istanbul's rich cultural heritage, giving you a taste of the ancient Ottoman tradition of public baths.

At the end of the tour, return to the pier.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion may include: Spice Market, Cagaloglu Hamam Turkish Bath, Bubble Wash, Exfoliation, Heated Steam

Note

Please note:  This tour requires a moderate amount of walking and is not suitable for guests who utilise a wheelchair.  Due to the environment within the Turkish bath, this tour is not recommended for guests who may have cardiological conditions or high blood pressure.  The Turkish bath has etiquette to be aware of. Guests may enter the bath wearing swimwear and will be given peshtemals towels as well. In a traditional Turkish bath (hamam), men and women are rigidly separated by gender. Please bring local currency or USD if you wish to purchase souvenirs at the Spice Market. Space on this tour is extremely limited; we suggest you book well in advance to avoid disappointment.