10 Best Spas in Istanbul

With a ritzy setting inside the 5-star Çırağan Palace Kempinski hotel, Sanitas Spa & Wellness is a luxurious spot to enjoy some well-deserved pampering. The waterfront hotel was once an Ottoman palace (hence the name), and the spa treatments are aimed squarely at a well-heeled clientele.

The heated outdoor infinity pool is a major selling point thanks to its glorious views over the waters of the Bosphorus, while the Turkish bath offers several themed rituals to suit clients’ individual needs. The Sanitas signature massage is a deeply relaxing 55-minute treatment using natural aromatherapy oils derived from plants, and there is a range of facial treatments including anti-aging peels and facial massage. The indoor pool, sauna, and steam rooms add to the indulgent ambiance.

For a truly indulgent spa experience in Istanbul, head to The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Hotel Bosphorus. The hotel itself is renowned as one of the most elegant in Istanbul, and the sparklingly clean spa attracts an affluent clientele from across the country.

Relaxing and rejuvenating treatments at the hotel in the chic Kuruçeşme neighbourhood are centred around luxury Turkish Hammam (steam rooms). You can relax in a white marble space to enjoy a purifying body scrub, restorative massage with aromatherapy oils, or both. Body masks, facial treatments, and couples’ massages are popular, as are the indoor and outdoor pools. None of this comes cheap, but the quality of the products and the elegance of the surroundings justify the high price tag.

Ritz-Carlton hotels are renowned for their high-end facilities and an overriding sense of opulence, and the Ritz-Carlton Spa Istanbul delivers a suitably luxurious relaxation experience. The towering hotel, which sits amid the ornate mosques and palaces overlooking the waterfront, is a Bosphorus landmark, and a visit to the Hammam-centred spa here will be a memorable one.

Modelled on 16th-Century Turkish baths, the Hammam itself has separate facilities for men and women to enjoy everything from body scrubs to facials, as well as a dedicated suite for couples. A luxurious indoor pool with sauna and hot tub offers a chance to take a dip year-round, while summer guests can take in the glorious views from the outdoor infinity pool.

If you’re looking for a massage that will leave you relaxed, rejuvenated, and restored, The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Bosphorus is the place. The 5-star hotel occupies a former 19th-Century palace on the Bosphorus waterfront, and guests here rave about the skilled services of the massage therapists in the suitably plush spa.

Using chemical-free Sodashi skin and body care products, experiences include cleansing Hammam treatments, circulation-boosting body masks, radiance-boosting facials, and those famous massages. Ornate indoor and outdoor pools add to the experience, and the overriding air of affluence ensures guests feel thoroughly pampered during a visit to this luxe spa.

For a traditional Turkish bath experience, look no further than Sarnıç Spa & Turkish Bath. The competitively priced spa is a 3-minute walk from the Sultan Ahmed Mosque in the lively Fatih neighbourhood of Istanbul and makes for a relaxing break from exploring the many markets and tourist attractions nearby.

Booking enquiries can be made quickly and easily via WhatsApp, and the whole experience is welcoming and professional, from the reviving cups of strong Turkish coffee to the skilled hands of the massage therapists. Signature treatments include deep tissue massage, anti-stress massage, and Swedish massage, and Hammam packages include cleansing scrubs with a relaxing sauna and foam massages.

CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La Bosphorus Hotel has a prime waterfront location inside one of Istanbul’s most esteemed 5-star hotels. Every detail is designed to appeal to the senses, from the gleaming white surfaces and ornate blue tiles to the fragrant aromas that greet you on entering.

The space is slick and modern, but the treatments on offer are based on traditional Turkish bath rituals combined with centuries-old Asian healing methods. There are shared and private Hammam facilities offering invigorating and exfoliating scrubs and washes, which can be followed with relaxing massages and pampering. Signature treatments include Thai massage, acupuncture, hot stone massage, and a variety of beauty-boosting facials. It’s not cheap, but prices compare favourably with some other luxe spas in Istanbul.

Located in the upscale Beşiktaş neighbourhood and overlooking the Bosphorus strait, The Spa at JW Marriott Istanbul Bosphorus Hotel is well-placed to offer a range of relaxing and rejuvenating treatments. With a calming neutral colour scheme, sense-reviving aromatherapy scents, and highly skilled staff, this is a place to relax and recuperate from the busy pace of Istanbul life.

There’s a traditional Turkish Hammam for purifying, and several treatment rooms for pampering or re-energising treatments ranging from massages and body scrubs to Ayurveda facials and relaxing footbaths. With separate suites for men and women, plus kids’ treatments and massages for couples, this is a good bet for families visiting Istanbul.

The Harmony Spa & Wellness Centre is an ideal place to take the strain off your feet during a visit to Istanbul’s colourful Sultanahmet neighbourhood. The small but welcoming spa is housed inside the cosy Harmony Hotel, a few minutes’ walk from the famous Blue Mosque, and offers traditional Turkish bath treatments as well as massage treatments inspired by the therapies of East Asia.

Signature treatments include sports massage, Shiatsu massage, and a hugely popular foot massage that can relieve the pressure of exploring the hot city streets and the many historical sights nearby. It’s not the most luxurious spa in the city, but it’s all sparkling clean, and the sauna and jacuzzi add to the sense of relaxation.

Inside the Hillside City Club sports complex, Etiler Sanda Spa is part of Türkiye’s first national spa chain. It’s a modern approach to a time-tested tradition, and the setting in upmarket Etiler is perfect for anybody who wants to unwind after a sports session or shopping spree at the nearby stores and boutiques.

There are over 60 treatments on offer, taking in everything from honey and lemon facials to tension-relieving sports massages, but it’s the traditional Bali massage that has many customers returning time and time again. Turkish teas are served in the modern, well-maintained waiting room, and it’s wise to come with time to spare as things can get busy at peak times.

Opened in 2020, Saint Poseidon Spa & Wellness is a modern facility inside the Mercure Hotel, offering 6 treatment rooms as well as a Turkish bath, indoor swimming pool, and sauna. The facilities are spotlessly clean, and everybody from the reception staff to the highly trained massage therapists goes out of their way to ensure a relaxing spa experience.

Located in the busy Umraniye neighbourhood of Istanbul, the spa is popular with locals and with business visitors staying at the hotel and is particularly renowned for its Swedish and Balinese massages, as well as reflexology treatments and Shiatsu massages. For relaxing treatments that won’t exceed your budget, this is a great option.