What to expect in the Turkish Bath ( hamam ) I Walks In Istanbul (2024)

FAQs

What to expect in the Turkish Bath ( hamam ) I Walks In Istanbul? ›

Hamams are open from as early as 6:00 a.m. till somewhere around midnight. In most hamams, you'll have to choose the level of service and pay upfront before bathing. You can go for the self-service option – where you use the facilities but do your own washing – or tack on a scrub, and oil massage.

There is strict etiquette and the wrap must be worn at all times, so no indecent exposure! Men tend to be naked apart from the wrap, and women often remove their bra but keep their underwear on. If you intend to keep your underwear on bring a spare set as the ones you wear will get very wet.

The hammam experience includes a sequence of treatments including a full-body cleanse, scrub, steam, and oil massage. Do you wear anything in a hammam? The usual hamman experience requires you to be naked throughout the process. Some establishments may provide a paper thong, or other disposable underwear.

Women can prefer a bikini bottom and a top that cover the back of the body. When you enter the bathhouse, before washing yourself completely naked, you will need to undress using towels or a cover such as a bathrobe. Men can wear a swimsuit or swimming shorts.

Bikini / swim suit / swim shorts / trunks on mixed sessions is compulsory. Single sex sessions is swimwear or nude. You're also given two towels; keep one in your locker for drying yourself off completely at the end of the session and one to take round with you to sit/lie on.

Make sure you remain clothed with the bath wrap at all times — flashing is frowned upon. Women on the other hand mostly keep on wearing their underwear ( but often not their bra) underneath the bath-wrap.

A hammam, or hamam, is an Arabic word for a Turkish bath. People may use it to describe communal bathhouses associated with Islamic culture. You might expect slight differences between a Turkish bath and an Islamic hammam. For example, in a Victorian Turkish bath, you might find dry, hot air rather than the steamy air.

Clay masks are best applied in hammams. Another important item that you should keep in your hammam bag is a loincloth. While you can find the loincloths, which are specific to the hammams, at hammams, you can also bring your own loincloth. You can bring your own swimsuit or slippers as well.

Tipping – It is customary to tip your hammam bath attendant between 10-20%.

Is Turkish hammam painful? ›

While some people say it is a painful experience, in fact, it is not. Yet, you should tell the masseur if you have some physical problems.

A traditional Turkish bath package includes 45 minutes of washing; traditional body scrubbing with handwoven wash cloth known as a kese; a foam wash; and a massage. The attendants usually provide visitors with a peshtemal, a thin cotton towel to wrap yourself and a regular towel to use after bathing.

The recommended time for enjoying the bath at Hürrem Sultan Hamam is between 1 hour and 1.5 hours. During this time, there will be enough time for your body to sweat and relax. The steam in the hot stones of the hammam helps your skin to get rid of dead cells.

Before entering, it is best to drink a glass of water or herbal tea to avoid dehydration; then, you can proceed with a lukewarm shower in which you wash yourself thoroughly with soap, then dry yourself well. A footbath is also recommended to warm the extremities.

Using a similar traditional method akin to Roman baths, the process inside a hammam allows visitors to perspire in dry heat, followed by full body scrubbing (by oneself or another), and finally being washed by cooler water. Baths are separated by gender, and are seen as a place to socialise, relax, and cleanse.

In Morocco, there are two kinds of Hammams: private and public. Hammams are bathhouses where people get a vigorous scrub down by a friend/stranger in public or an attendant in private. The typical bath consists of a steam room, hot water, an argon oil soap mix called Savon Beldi, and a rough hand mitt known as a kese.

Do speak in a low voice. Avoid talking in common areas like the steam room. Don't talk on the phone or take photos in common areas of the hammam. Don't leave personal items scattered about the spa.

You'll get soaked, so women may want to remove their make-up first. Also, it is a good idea to bring your essential toiletries. You may want to bring dry underwear along too. If you care about your new suntan, you might prefer to visit a hamam at the beginning of your city trip or holiday.

Turkish Bath (Hamam) — There is no way you can avoid or forget tipping the Turkish bath/hamam attendant(s). Before you leave, they will all come 'to say goodbye', so make sure you have some cash money on you. You normally divide 10 to 20% of the total amount you spent among the attendants.

For body treatments, the recommended attire is a bathing suit. For massage therapy and facial services, you may undress completely beneath your wrap and robe, or keep undergarments on if you prefer, as your body will be fully draped during, except for the areas being worked on.