If there is one thing that has to be on your itinerary for a trip to Turkey is visiting a Turkish bath, also known as a hammam. Turkish baths have been a part of city life in Turkey before the Ottoman times. The origin of bathhouses was popular during the Roman Empire, and they were a combination of a hot bath, a cold bath or plunge, and a steam bath. Baths were primarily used to, of course, keep clean, and relax. They were designed to be a luxurious experience with marble floors, and beautiful courtyards and gardens.
Today, Turkish baths are still widely popular. In Istanbul alone, you’ll find over 60, some dating back to the second half of the 15th century. Visiting a local hammam can be a fun and authentic experience to have while in Turkey and there are a few different ways you can experience it.
The Architecture of a Hammam
The Turkish bath is part of Islamic architecture and follows a similar layout to ancient Roman baths with one main bathing area surrounded by smaller rooms. Hammams are typically shaped like an octagon or square with a large dome ceiling and marble walls. Turkish baths are quite grand and beautiful. The floor is often covered with coloured tiles. In the centre, you’ll find a heated marble slab where you’ll relax and be massaged and bathed.
What to Expect in a Hammam
Each hammam is unique, however, they all follow a similar layout and concept. When you first enter, you’ll be shown an area to change. In the Turkish bath I went to in Istanbul, since it was co-ed, a bathing suit was required. However, in other hammams, you may just want to wear your bottoms. Some hammams will provide you with disposable bottoms but you can bring your swimsuit. You’ll almost always be provided with a Turkish towel to wrap around your body.
From here, you’ll be greeted by your therapist who will bring you to a steam room of sorts. This is to help bring your temperature up and prepare you for the next section of the bath which will be much hotter. This part of the bath also helps open up your pores to get you ready for a scrub.
Finally, the hottest section, where you’ll find a heated marble platform is where you’ll have your massage and bath. The attendant will use an exfoliating mitt/cloth to make you feel cleaner than you’ve ever felt. You’ll be scrubbed, water will be poured on you in between the scrubbing, and they’ll use a foam bag filled with soap. This bag, when rotated over water will create foam. The foam is applied to your body and helps cleanse the dirt from your skin. This was my favourite part because it felt so tingly and lovely on my skin.
Tip: One thing I didn’t think about in the hammam I visited was to request a female attendant. I was caught off guard and not entirely comfortable with a man. However, he was very professional and it was still a lovely experience. However, this may be something you want to request if visiting a co-ed hammam
At the end of my Turkish bath, my attendant wrapped me up in a Turkish towel and I was led to a relaxation area where I was given some Turkish delight and tea to relax and rehydrate. I felt incredibly clean, and like my skin was glowing!
The Best Hammams in Istanbul
Çukurcuma Hamami*the one I visited I chose this hammam based on the great reviews, and it was recommended to me by multiple people. This is a co-ed hammam and the whole experience felt so luxurious and relaxing. It’s also located in the trendy Çukurcuma neighbourhood which is fun to explore before or after your treatment. Prices start at 70€.
Hurrem Sultan Hammam The building for this hammam was erected in the 16th century on the site of Turkey’s first bathhouse. They offer four different types of hammam experiences and are a co-ed facility. Prices start at 95€.
Ali Paşa Hamamı Another authentic Turkish bathhouse to visit that is co-ed and kid-friendly. Bathhouses were traditionally known as a social activity among the Turks. They would bring their kids and family along where they’d catch up with their neighbours and get a good cleaning. This is a great option for a hammam if you want to experience the tradition but you’re travelling with kids. Prices start at 66€.
For more hammam recommendations, check out this article in Time Out
FAQ
How do I choose a Turkish bath to visit? I went to two very different hammams in Turkey, one was less expensive and wasn’t as spa-like as the historical one I went to in Istanbul. This was still a great experience but much more intimidating than the more upscale hammams that are now catered for tourists.
I found the fancier one I went to in Istanbul to be more private. You are in a shared space with everyone else, but it was co-ed and we were always fully covered up. At the more local Turkish bath, they whip off your towel, and we were literally in the lobby of the bath fully topless. For those uncomfortable with being so “out in the open,” I’d recommend spending a bit more money to have a more relaxing experience.
Do you have to be naked in a Turkish bath? No. Most hammams will have a dress code on their website or provide you with this info when you book. However, you may be surprised to find in such a modest country that in hammams, they truly just let all the things out to air. If you are visiting a co-ed spa, you will need to wear a swimsuit or will be properly covered during your treatments for privacy. If you are visiting a spa where they have a women vs. man section or time of day, you’ll find people freely walking around in the nude but you are welcome to wear what you feel the most comfortable in.
What should I wear to a Turkish bath? I wore a swimsuit and then they provided me with a Turkish towel to wrap around my body. However, be prepared that they’ll ask you to remove your top when doing the full scrub down. If you are in a co-ed spa, this will be done modestly, similar to when you are getting a massage done.
What’s the difference between a Moroccan and Turkish hammam? I also visited a hammam in Morocco and overall the experience had some similarities. In Turkey, hammams will have steam rooms where Moroccan baths are usually heated through the walls and floor. In Morocco, they also use black soap when washing your body which is a traditional product made of olive oil and olive hulls. In Turkish baths they use a light soap that is lathered to form bubbles, similarly, it is made from olive oil but you are completely engulfed in a bubble blanket.
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