A hamam (or Turkish bath) is something that every traveler should experience when traveling to Turkey. That said, after experiencing one for the first time on my recent trip to Istanbul, there are some things I sure wish I would have known ahead of time…
Turkish Bath Tips for the First-Timer:
Know what to expect.
First and foremost, you will not be bathing with members of the opposite sex. The hamam will have separate rooms for males and females, or at the very least, separate time slots. The luxuriousness and prices of Turkish baths vary greatly. Obviously, those that cater to tourists will have ornate aesthetics and offer more amenities, but these things will come with a higher price tag. At a hamam that caters to locals, you can save money by paying a modest price solely for your entrance fee to the bathhouse and choose to scrub yourself. As a tourist or first-timer, I would recommend that you pay to be bathed so that you can experience the complete, authentic Turkish bath experience. If your budget allows, I would also recommend that you choose a bathhouse that offers at least a moderate level of luxury.
You’ll likely start your experience by waiting in a steamy, hot room, possibly with other bathers. After ten or fifteen minutes you’ll move to another room and will be instructed to lie on a raised, circular (heated) marble platform where the actual “bath” will occur. Your attendant (who will be the same sex as you) will vigorously scrub your body in an up and down motion to remove your dead skin cells. (In fact, once the scrubbing is complete, he/she will probably show you the “pile of skin” that was scraped from your body). Next, you’ll receive a super sudsy head-to-toe wash. Finally, your hair will be washed before you’re doused with cool water.
Check your clothes (and modesty) at the door.
The majority of the embarrassing/hilarious/shocking stories I’ve heard from other travelers regarding their first hamam experience relate to female travelers attempting to keep on their undergarments or wear a swimsuit… and their attendant more or less ripping the garments off. Women will be best served by not wearing their swimsuits or bra (although, underwear or bikini bottoms are fine). In Istanbul I was told that traditionally, bathers are naked in the hamam. (You are given a small towel to wrap around your waist). For many westerners, this concept is… well, somewhat “foreign.” But, you may actually feel more out of place if you choose to wear your swimsuit. In my experience, most of the bathers in the hamam were fully nude. Thus, I recommend that you embrace the Turkish bath experience and don your birthday suit!
Come prepared.
This next piece of advice is primarily for women. Ladies, the hamam experience includes getting your hair washed. But, I warn you – this is no salon experience. Your attendant will likely pour shampoo on your head and exuberantly rub your scalp, tangling your mane. There is no conditioner. Following the bath, your hair is going to be a snarly mess (especially if you have long hair). I would recommend that you bring a wide tooth comb and leave-in conditioner or detangling spray. (You’ll thank me for this one later – I promise).
It’s also possible that water will be tossed over your head with little or no warning, so I would recommend that you remove your make-up and take out your contact lenses.
Plan to head to the hamam in the evening.
I’d recommend that you plan to have your bath later in the evening, before bed. Most hamams are open quite late – close to midnight. The bath, heat and steam made me quite sleepy and it would have been hard to continue on with a day of sightseeing after the experience. Additionally, I was told by a local that the bath opens your pores and that after it you are more susceptible to catching a cold, which is why he always chooses to bathe at night. (I’m no doctor, but sure – why not?)… I’d also recommend that you bring warm, dry clothes to change into after the bath.
Is a Turkish bath on your bucket list? If you’ve already tried it, what was your experience like?
Related Post: Where East Meets West: A Weekend Guide to Istanbul
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CC photo credit from flickr: _hamam_ by la_imagen, AyaSofya Traditional Turkish Bath by Ibrahim Arab.
July 29, 2015
Yes! Bathing etiquette guides to spas, baths, steam saunas, etc, are awesome. ANy of those activities are always at the top of my to do list, but I much prefer knowing what and how than being surprised. Great guide 🙂
July 29, 2015
Thanks, Jenia! My guidebook offered little advice as to etiquette, protocol and what to expect, so I was hoping this post would be helpful to others.
July 29, 2015
I’d still love to visit and write about the experience, but this sounds like the complete opposite of a relaxing visit. It seems like an odd thing to pay a lot of money for, but I guess I can’t really talk until I’ve tried it! Thank you for your tips. Now when I do go, I won’t be expecting a luxury spa experience! 😉
July 29, 2015
It really did feel amazing afterwards, Beth! And, if you are willing to go to a less touristy bath, the prices can be very reasonable. Unfortunately, I think I ended up paying around $75 USD plus tip for mine.
July 29, 2015
I went to one in Istanbul and it was WEIRD….I would have gotten 10 Thai massages in Chiang Mai than that! It wasn’t cheap or that good. But I had to do it since I was in Turkey
July 29, 2015
Mine was also pretty expensive, but a fun experience. I agree – it’s something you HAVE to do when you’re in Turkey!
July 29, 2015
I missed this during our first trip to Turkey. We’re headed back at the end of the month and I will definitely be giving it a try! I hear you’ve never felt so clean in your entire life. Is that how you felt?
July 29, 2015
I definitely enjoyed it, felt clean and am glad I did it. This said, I have friends who said they felt overwhelming amazing, like they have never felt before, radiating from all of the dead skin removed, etc. Unfortunately, I didn’t quite have this euphoric experience, Alana. But, I would still recommend trying one while you’re there!
July 30, 2015
It was a lot of my firsts. I was very sweaty, unsure of what I was suppose to do, an almost stranger touched parts of me I never knew I had and went it was done, I was unsure if I had thoroughly enjoyed it, or felt way too violated to even vaguely appreciate it. Kidding! It was a LOT of fun. I didn’t necessarily feel relaxed after it, but it was definitely an experience. I too recommend you choose a ritzy place for your first one. Their purdy and I was being massaged on a table where royalty once was massaged.
July 30, 2015
Ha! I agree that a “ritzy” experience is fun for your first time!
August 3, 2015
Definitely on my bucket list! 🙂
August 3, 2015
Awesome! It’s something I think every traveler should experience at least once!
June 13, 2016
Great blog! Thanks for sharing those tips.
July 31, 2016
I was so nervous when I went to my first Turkish bath! Super helpful tips 🙂
August 1, 2016
Thanks, Ellen!
August 4, 2016
If you can handle a certain level of akwardness, Turkish baths are a lot of fun. I’ve only visited them twice, but both times I came out with a story to tell…
First time was in Istanbul in a quite touristy hamam. Everything very clean, a lot of explanation, free tea and so. When I entered the hamam I nodded to everyone inside to say hello. One elder guy must have understood this incorrectly and started following me, from time to time opening his towel towards me. This was quite akward but also very funny :-). The bathing itself was quite basic… But at the time I was totally soaped in, I accidentally inhaled. This is something you should NEVER do!! I kept coughing for the rest of the day.
My second experience was in Tbilisi, Georgia. A country much less touristy so the bath houses were very authentic. There was just one very steamy room. The showers were water pipes with holes in it. Anyway, I came for the authenticity.
When I was being washed, the attendant took off my towel without warning and started washing me everywhere… everywhere… This was quite shocking 🙂
So my advise is to be prepared for strange things to happen and go with the flow
August 4, 2016
Ha! Too funny, Nicolas! Sounds like you have some great stories and memories. I think everyone should try a Turkish bath once in their lives!
August 31, 2016
This type of traditional bathing also available in my country, but whats you told here is different. So if i want to try i must take bath with many people together? and why its so much expensive. The hamams are available everywhere or only on some historical places.
August 31, 2016
Yes, hamams certainly aren’t typical in the USA. All the more reason to try them when traveling abroad!
October 21, 2016
Thanks, it was a very informative article.
October 24, 2016
Thanks, I’m so glad!
March 19, 2018
This is a great help. 🙂 would you be able to recommend a good one in particular?