Following our visits to Hagia Sophia and the Cistern of Philoxenos, we decided to have lunch at Dubb Indian Restaurant, near Hagia Sophia. Not particularly taken by Turkish cuisine, we opted for Indian food once more. I chose the paneer lababdar paired with zaffron rice, and let me tell you, it was an absolute delight! 🤤
In fact the lunch was heavy, but this didn’t stop us for the next experience, or rather self-indulgence: Hammam at Ayasofya Hürrem Sultan Hamami.
Unprepared for what lay ahead, we initially assumed it would be similar to other hammams we’d experienced elsewhere. However, we were in for a bit of a surprise as we discovered the necessity to, well, disrobe. Quite literally!
Obviously, the hammam is segregated between female and male sections. Once the initial discomfort passed, we resolved to embrace the experience. The ritual we selected was Zevk-i Sefa, entailing a hot water bath in a spacious hall where each guest occupied their own corner, a practice reminiscent of historical bathing customs. A thorough full-body scrub and bath were performed by the attending staff.
Then came the intriguing part: reclining on a hot marble stone placed in the center, receiving a bubble wash, full-body massage, and hair wash. Despite its rejuvenating intentions, relaxing on the hard marble proved challenging for our bodies unaccustomed to such surfaces.
Following this, we indulged in an aromatherapy massage in a separate room, all within an 80-minute window. Experiencing this ritual undoubtedly left us feeling utterly refreshed! 💆🏻♀️😌
The staff surprised me with a birthday cake and sang for me, which was a bit unexpected. Not quite used to this kind of attention, I felt a tad awkward, but it was undeniably a sweet and memorable experience 😊
Following the hammam, we headed to the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque, situated opposite Hagia Sophia. Constructed between 1609-1617 during Sultan Ahmed I’s reign, we were eager to explore. Unfortunately, our visit coincided with ongoing renovations at the mosque. Our access was limited to a section of the prayer hall and the main dome. The experience left us a bit disappointed, making me uncertain about a return visit to Istanbul just for the mosque. But, I am not sure I am going back to Istanbul to see the mosque, but you never know 🤣
After our mosque visit, we strolled around before heading to Grace Rooftop for dinner. Renowned for its panoramic views and being a Travelers’ Choice, our expectations were high. However, our experience with Turkish cuisine continued to disappoint. The limited and flavorless vegetarian options left much to be desired. Definitely not a place I’d recommend! 🫠🫢
