Turkish Hammam & Everything You Need To Know

Post author Nicky

Written by our local expert Nicky

Nicky, originally from the UK, is now a local in Turkey. She moved there for love 12 years ago and is now a specialist Turkey travel planner.

Without a doubt, one of the quintessential Turkish experiences is visiting a traditional hammam. Here is everything you need to know about your first Turkish hamman experience. We’ve got a step-by-step guide to make sure you have the best Turkish bath experience. 

Not only will you leave feeling cleaner than you’ve probably felt since the day you were born, but it’s also a very relaxing experience. Of course, you’re also experiencing Turkish culture and traditions that date back centuries.

Before you have your first Turkish bath experience, there are a few things you’ll want to know. Not only to avoid embarrassing yourself but also to prevent upsetting anyone!

 

Turkey Travel Blog_Tips To Enjoy a Turkish Hammam Experience

What Is A Hammam?

Hammams exist all over Turkey, and in Istanbul alone, there are 237 in place, with 60 still used daily. 

Hammam is the Arabic spelling of the word, but in Turkish, it is actually ‘hamam.’ You’ll see Hammam referred to in different ways and spellings, but they’re all identical. You’ll also hear ‘Turkish bath’ used commonly in tourist resorts, but they’re referring to the same experience. 

A Hammam is a steam bath, but the Turkish version has a few added extras, i.e., it’s far more thorough and leaves you squeaky clean. 

 

 

The History Of Hammams

In the day, hammams were built very close to mosques or within mosque complexes as a cleansing ritual before prayer. As a Muslim, it’s extremely important to wash and purify the body before praying, especially before going into a house of worship. 

When taking a hammam, you are not only clean but also go through the sauna, which means you sweat out any toxins and impurities, leaving you as clean as possible. Not only are you physically clean, but spiritually clean too. 

During Ottoman rule, hammams were considered to be a social activity too. If you think about the ruins of Roman cities we find these days, there are usually remnants of public baths – this is roughly the same kind of thing. Istanbul was formerly under Roman rule, and the Ottomans carried on this tradition and tweaked it to fit in with local life. 

Traditionally, hammams were places to discuss events and even gossip. Hammams were (and many still are) separated for men and times for women, which gave women a chance to get out of the house and gossip with their friends. This could even be considered a great time to find potential matches for their sons to marry. 

These days, hammams are much less formal; however, in Istanbul and other large cities, you’ll find that they tend to resemble those from back in the day. Most large hotels and tourist resorts have more modern versions of hammams, with extras offered, such as pedicures, fish pedicures, and Swedish massages. 

Different Types Of Hammam

Turkish Hammam - All you need to know

It’s important to know that there are different types of hammams.

The hammam you’ll experience in the Turkish hotels differs from the traditional Turkish baths you’ll find in cities, especially those in Istanbul.

If you’re new to the hammam experience and you’re feeling a little nervous, perhaps try a hammam spa in a hotel first though you should know that these Turkish spa experiences are not the same as you’ll find in the traditional hammam! 

Each hammam service varies slightly. For first-time visitors to a Turkish hammam, be sure to select a service that includes scrubbing and bubble washing. You can also opt for an additional oil massage. 

What To Wear In A Hammam

You will be given a wrap to wear; this is known as a peştemal. It is up to you what you wear underneath the wrap. Most tourists keep their bikinis or swim shorts on.

What Do Men Wear To Hamman

The traditional way is for men to wear the wrap around their waist and remove their underwear.

What Do Women Wear To Hamman

However, women should keep their underwear on, although it is acceptable to remove your bra, as the wrap covers you at all times.

For either sex, be sure that you do not accidentally flash! This is not a good thing to do in a traditional Turkish hammam and will be highly frowned upon!

What Shoes To Wear To Hamman

You’ll be given your own slippers to wear, so there is no need to bring your own shoes to wear inside.

Booking A Hammam

You should book in advance. To be sure not to miss out, some places offer separate times for men and women to come

Turkish Hammams Options In Istanbul

  • Hurrem Sultan Hammam
  • Suleymaniye Hammam 
  • Kilic Ali Pasa Hammam
  • Tarihi Çeşme Hammam

What Happens In A Turkish Hammam

Turkish Hammam - What you need to know

Let’s concentrate on the traditional experience here, as most hotel versions follow the same pattern, although they are a little more laid back.

No Mixed-Sex Coupling

You will be separated if you’re a mixed-sex couple; no mixing of sexes is allowed in a traditional Turkish hammam.

The person performing your hammam will also be of the same sex as you.

Lockers

You’ll be given your wrap and slippers when you arrive and shown where you can change. You leave your clothes in a locker and keep the key around your wrist on an elasticated bracelet or pinned to your wrap.

Sauna

From there, you’ll be taken to the sauna area, which is sometimes on the same floor as the hammam itself and sometimes downstairs.

This is the hard part for many – you have to sit and literally sweat all the impurities and toxins out of your body for around 15 minutes.

It’s hot, hot, hot!

This is referred to as the ‘hararet,’ and this part of the hammam is iconic. It is what you would have seen in many magazines and websites promoting hammams.

Some hammams allow sexes to mix in the sauna area and some don’t; this will again depend on where you go. Once you’ve sweated all those impurities out, you’ll be taken into the hammam itself.

Marble Slab

Next, you’ll be asked to lay on a marble slab on your back. This is called the gobektasi. You’ll be left there for a few minutes, and then your attendant will come into the room.

You’re first soaked with warm water, and a lot of soap suds come your way. While these suds are coming at you left, right, and center, you’re massaged with what can only be described as a huge loofah known as a – kese – this mitten with scrub off the dead cells of your skin (though it may feel like a layer of skin comes off too!).

Time To Get Clean

This loofah will eliminate all the dead skin cells and impurities that the sauna released, and you’ll be asked to move around the slab as it’s happening, from your back, onto your stomach.

Does A Turkish Hamman Hurt

Turkish Hammam - Options and Details

It’s meant to be that way because you can’t become as clean as you’re supposed to without a bit of scrubbing! Once the cleansing is over, you’ll be rinsed with cold water, and yes, it is cold! It’s not pain, but it’s sometimes a little uncomfortable.

This is part of the process and not torture they’re inflicting on you; it’s designed to eliminate all the cells that have been scrubbed away and improve circulation.

You’ll feel as smooth and fresh as a daisy afterward, so remind yourself of that when the cold drench comes your way!

Time To Relax

Once the rinse is over, you’ll be taken to a cooldown area where you sit and relax. This is the best part; you will feel like you’re floating on air. There are usually toilets and showers here, too, so you can have your own rinse-off if you please.

If you choose to go down the route of a hotel hammam, it’s at this point you’ll typically receive an oil massage and be offered many other services (pedicures, fish spa, etc.). Be warned, they will try and give you the hard sell, so if you really don’t want them, be firm and say “no thank you.”

Hammam Tips To Remember

HELPFUL HAMMAM TIPS
  • Traditional hammams in cities and towns are open very early and don’t close until late, usually around midnight. It’s not the best idea to go late at night if you’re a lone female traveler.
  • The attendant will not touch any part of you that is considered private, so no worries!
  • Take off any makeup you’re wearing before you go inside; this is the deepest clean you will ever have in your life, so if you’re wearing even the slightest remnants of mascara from the night before, expect it to be halfway down your face within minutes!
  • It’s a good idea to go for a hammam at the start of your holiday, as this is reputed to give you a great foundation on which to build a lasting suntan.
  • Take a set of dry clothes and underwear with you to get changed into afterward.
  • You might want to wash your hair afterward, especially if you do opt for the oil massage.
  • It’s customary to tip the attendant after the service, with 20% of the price of the hammam being a reasonable amount.
  • You’ll often find that Istanbul hammams have separate times for men and women, so double-check before you go. 
  • This is supposed to be a leisurely, relaxing affair, so don’t rush off after you finish. Take the opportunity to lay down and chill out to get the full effect. 
  • If you want to avoid the hard sell of extras, e.g., manicures, pedicures, etc., avoid Turkish hotel baths and stick to traditional hammams. 
TURKISH BATH FAQs

When it comes to using the Turkish baths in Turkey, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.

When are Turkish baths open?

Turkish baths are open year round. They are particularly refreshing in the winter months.

What should I wear in a Turkish bath?

You should not plan to be naked in the Turkish bath. Plan to wear underwear, a swimsuit or wrap in a peştemal (a traditional Turkish towel which is often provided at the bathing house). 

How long should I plan to be at the bath?

Typically, you should arrive 15 minutes early and plan to spend 1-1.5 hours at the bath.

Will they wash my hair in a Turkish bath?

Yes, an attendant will exfoliate your skin and wash your hair and body for about 25 minutes.

What type of soap is used in the bath?

It is most common to use 100% pure olive oil soap.

Can I use a Turkish bath while pregnant?

No – it is not recommended to use the hammam while pregnant.

Should I tip the attendants after a Turkish bath?

Yes – it is typical to divide a 15-20% tip of the total cost between the attendants who gave you service. 

Can men and women bathe together?

No – the baths are separated by gender. Men will have male attendants helping them wash and women will have female attendants helping them wash. In some big cities, you may sometimes find a family hammam, but this is quite uncommon.

Should I get a Turkish bath at the beginning or the end of my trip?

Many people prefer to get the bath at the beginning of the trip in order to exfoliate skin before spending time in the sun. If you exfoliate after getting a tan, some of the tan may be lessened. 

So tell us, will you try a hammam on your Turkey travel!?

Chasing the Donkey - Balkan travel blog includes affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase through these links, we receive a commission without any additional cost to you. We appreciate your support helping to keep this site free. Find our disclaimer & privacy policy here.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.