If you’re looking for the traditional Turkish bath experience but don’t know where to start — Do you pick the hamam with the prettiest tiles? Bring a bathing suit or à la nude? Prepare for relaxation or a full-on scrubdown?
No worries, you’ve come to the right place! We’ll walk you through the step-by-step Turkish bath ritual, and make sure you know exactly what to expect — and how to enjoy every moment of this timeless tradition. 🙂
Going to the hamam has been a tradition since the Roman and Byzantine periods, as it was rooted in rituals of cleansing, relaxation, and social connection. It was so popular that there were more than 200 hamams built in Istanbul (!!), although only about 60 or so have survived to this day.
If you’re eager to experience one (or more!) of these fantastic historic baths, our detailed article featuring 10+ of the best hamams in Istanbul is an excellent companion to this post. Click here to read! →
Anyway, let’s get started! We’ll talk about the typical elements of a traditional Turkish bath, hamam etiquette, what to expect in a Turkish hamam, and much more.
⭐ NOTE: Psst! You might have seen Turkish bathhouses written either as hamam or hammam. In Turkish it’s spelled hamam, while in Arabic it’s hammam (with two m’s) — across this blog post, we mostly use hamam. It’s also sometimes called Turkish Bath in Europe and the Americas, but it all means the same (relaxing) thing. 🙂
Turkish Hamam Tips
🪞 Payment: Many traditional hamams are cash-only, so be prepared. However, some can be reserved online and even for a specific time and date — we particularly like Ağa Hamam (mixed hamam that’s also the oldest in Istanbul!), Hurrem Sultan Hamam (for a luxurious pick), and Cağaloğlu Hamam (the most beautiful).
🪞 Clothing and Accessories: It’s best to leave accessories like rings, necklaces, and watches at home or store them in the locker provided. And yes, keep your phone away too — trust us, it’s not steam-friendly nor are they allowed in the hamam for privacy reasons!
🪞 Health Considerations: Pregnant women and individuals with heart conditions or diabetes should avoid visiting hamams, as the intense heat might not be safe.
🪞 Children and Hamams: Most hamams cater to adults, but there are some exceptions. Some offer special rituals for babies (ages 0 to 3) and children.
Some child-friendly hamams include Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamam (babies under 3 are free, children 4+ get a discount), Ağa Hamam (babies 0-3 and children 4+), Zeyrek Çinili Hamam (babies 0-5 free, children 6+ can book the Little Bubbles ritual)
🪞Men and Women: Hamams are typically gender-segregated, with separate areas or designated times for men and women.
However, Co-ed hamams exist too! Some include Çukurcuma Hamam (mixed), Acemoglu Hamam (private rooms), Ağa Hamam (mixed), Vezneciler Hamam (mixed), and Çatma Mescit Hamam (private rooms).
🪞 Authenticity Matters: Watch out for tourist traps! Authentic hamams often display their establishment dates (e.g., “since 1755”) and tend to have a historical ambiance. These are your best bet for a true experience. We’ve rounded up the best (authentic!) Turkish hamams in Istanbul in this post →
What to Expect in a Turkish Hamam: A Step-by-step Walkthrough
Now that we’ve gone over the basics, let’s talk about the fun part: how to hamam!
Step 0: What to Bring to a Hamam
Sometimes, the best thing to bring is nothing 🙂
But in all seriousness, you’ll only need to bring a few things to your hamam session. First, we recommend wearing comfortable and casual clothes (nothing too tight or dressy!) so that it’s easier to change in and out of.
It’s best to keep your accessories at home, since you’ll need to remove them anyway (steam and metals don’t mix!)
If you’re uncomfortable with full nudity, no worries — most hamams allow guests to wear a swimsuit underneath their peştemal (a type of hamam towel), but it’s best to call ahead and double-check just in case.
Likewise, we also bring a plastic bag (to throw in wet swimsuits after going to the hamam), extra ponytail holders, and deodorant.
Step 1: Arrival and Preparation
Upon entering the building, you’ll be greeted by the staff and shown to a changing room.
Here, you’ll be given your peştemal (a traditional thin cotton towel) to wrap around your body and some plastic slippers. Lockers or small rooms are usually provided to store your belongings securely.
For example, when we go to Ağa Hamam, they give us an entire room to store our belongings, plus a key on a plastic bracelet to take with us.
Step 2: Warming Up
Once you’re ready, you’ll move into a warm room designed to start the relaxation process. This is a domed room with a large heated marble platform called a göbek taşı in the center — you’ve probably seen these rooms when reading about hamams, as they’re usually the most beautiful!
Around the walls of the room are little fountains with continuously running water, accompanied by metal bowls for you to use. Grab a bowl, fill it with water, and begin to wash yourself with the water to really open up those pores and relax your muscles (this will help with the next step!).
It’s best to stay here for several minutes so the steam can work its magic, but if the heat becomes overwhelming, feel free to step out for a breath of fresh air before returning.
Step 3: The Body Scrub & Soap Massage
After your body has fully relaxed, the tellak (male attendant) or natir (female attendant) will ask if you’re ready to begin the treatment. Typically, treatments are held in a separate room, although some older hamams might have the treatments done directly on the marble stone (göbek taşı).
Likewise, it’s important to note that your attendant will be the same gender as you (so a male attendant for male guests, and female attendants for female guests).
Using a rough mitt called a kese, your attendant will vigorously exfoliate your skin, removing dead cells and leaving your skin feeling incredibly smooth. This process can be quite intense but is super effective in revitalizing the skin.
Following the scrub, you’ll be treated to a foam massage. The attendant will cover your body in a luxurious lather of bubbles, using a special cotton or silk bag to create a thick foam. The soap massage is soothing and helps to cleanse and refresh your skin. The attendant may also shampoo your hair at this stage, but if you prefer not to, no worries — you can just tell them.
After the soap massage you’ll be rinsed with warm water, washing away the soap and any remaining impurities, and be given a fresh set of (dry!) towels to wrap yourself. You may then be guided to a cooler area where you can rest and allow your body to cool down gradually.
Step 4: Cooling down
Finally, you’ll move into a lounge area where you can relax and allow your body temperature to return to normal. You’ll typically be treated to a complimentary drink like şerbet (a type of fruit drink from Ottoman times) or Turkish tea.
We recommend spending at least 10 to 20 minutes relaxing and soaking in the peaceful atmosphere, allowing your senses to slowly awaken before it’s time to leave. Of course, you can stay longer if you wish.
Step 5: Optional Add-Ons
For an added dose of pampering, many hamams offer optional treatments like an oil massage, facial, or other luxury treatments following the main bath experience.
Step 6: Departure
Once your hamam ritual is complete and you’re fully relaxed, you’ll return to the changing room to freshen up and change back into your clothes. Oftentimes, your locker or changing room will have an envelope where you can put tips for your attendant.
Likewise, many hamams have a hair dryer that you can use to freshen up your hairdo after the hamam.
After your hamam experience, be sure to drink plenty of water and stay hydrated, as the intense heat and steam can leave you feeling dehydrated! Keeping hydrated helps your body recover and maintain that post-hamam glow. 😌✨
Turkish Hamam Questions & Answers
What should I bring to a hamam?
You generally don’t need to bring much! Most hamams provide essentials like a peştemal (cotton towel), soap, and slippers. You may want to bring a swimsuit if you prefer more coverage, cash for tips, and a change of clothes for after your visit.
What should I wear in the hamam?
Most hamams provide a peştemal (towel) for modesty that you wrap around your body. If you’re more comfortable, you can wear a swimsuit. Keep in mind that traditional hamams typically separate men and women, so modesty levels vary.
Do I have to be naked at a hamam?
No, you don’t have to be completely naked at a hamam. Most traditional hamams provide a peştemal (a thin cotton towel) hat you wrap around your body for modesty. In women-only sections, some guests may choose to be topless, but this is completely up to personal comfort.
If you feel more comfortable, you can wear a swimsuit or bikini bottom underneath your peştemal. The key is to choose what makes you feel most at ease.
Can I bring my phone or camera?
It’s best to leave your phone and camera in the locker. Hamams are private spaces, and taking photos is frowned upon. Plus, the steam can damage electronics.
Are hamams co-ed or gender-segregated?
Most traditional hamams have separate sections or times for men and women. There are a few modern, co-ed options available, like Çukurcuma Hamam (mixed), Acemoglu Hamam (private rooms), Ağa Hamam (mixed), Vezneciler Hamam (mixed), and Çatma Mescit Hamam (private rooms).
How long should I stay in the hamam?
The whole experience typically lasts 1 to 2 hours, depending on whether you opt for additional services like massages or facials.
Plan to spend at least an hour to enjoy the full ritual and relaxation time. We recommend booking your hamam session on a ‘light day’ (i.e. when you don’t have much planned) because it really relaxes you!
What does the body scrub (kese) feel like?
The body scrub can feel quite vigorous as the attendant uses a textured mitt to exfoliate your skin. It might be surprising at first, but it’s highly effective for removing dead skin and leaves your body feeling refreshed and incredibly smooth.
Can children go to a hamam?
Most hamams are adults-only, but some offer services for children or allow younger guests under certain conditions. Always check with the specific hamam beforehand if you plan to bring kids.
Some child-friendly hamams include Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamam (babies under 3 are free, children 4+ get a discount), Ağa Hamam (babies 0-3 and children 4+), and the Zeyrek Çinili Hamam (babies 0-5 free, children 6+ can book the Little Bubbles ritual).
Do I need to book in advance?
Yes, we recommend booking in advance, especially for popular or historic hamams. While some local hamams may accept walk-ins, booking ensures you have a reservation and helps you plan your visit better. Here are our favorite hamams that you can book:
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