Is it worth going to a Turkish bath?
Turkish baths are described as no less than a spiritual experience. It is a unique, shared experience where one feels relaxed, refreshed, cleansed, and meditative. No need to worry if you are unfamiliar with the mysticism of hamam. A men’s Turkish bath is a traditional bathhouse that offers a unique self-care experience combining steam, exfoliation, and massage techniques. This practice dates back to Roman and Byzantine times, where public baths were widely used for hygiene and social gatherings.The Turks called the Roman baths, hammam, which is actually an Arabic word meaning bath. Some of the early Turkish baths were in old Roman baths while others were built adjacently to mosques, serving both as communal centers and as houses of worship.Mixed gender Turkish baths in the city are not too many, but a few mixed hamam offers an impressive experience for couples. The hamam (Arabic: Hammams) for couples offers a relaxing and intimate experience with private sessions.A Turkish hamam is a type of public bathhouse that combines the steam and heat of a sauna with cleansing rituals involving scrubbing, massage, and soaking. The experience involves a sequence of heated rooms, professional exfoliation using a coarse mitt called a kese, foam massage, and deep relaxation.
What are the rules for the Turkish bath?
Nudity is generally not permitted in most hammams. Visitors are required to wear a traditional pestemal (cotton towel), which is provided upon arrival. You may choose to wear your underwear or a swimsuit for additional comfort. Unlike Turkish baths, the Moroccan hammam diffuses dry heat. On request, a steam generator can be activated. You must wear a disposable bikini or boxer shorts provided, but, if necessary (presence of children, friends, etc.Men can wear a swimsuit or swimming shorts. When you enter the bathhouse, before washing yourself completely naked, you will need to undress using towels or a cover such as a bathrobe. You should wear slippers or sandals in hammam. It is important to wear these because the floor will be wet, hot and slippery.For men, the hammam towel is tied around the waist. For women, it is tied around the chest to cover your chest to your hips. Depending on how comfortable you feel, you can either wear your underwear or swimwear under your hammam towel. Some places offer you disposable underwear.In Moroccan hammams, it’s typical to wear minimal clothing like a modesty towel or swimsuit for modesty and respect. However, customs can vary, so it’s best to check with the staff of the hammam. I’m a regular at a traditional hammam, and my go-to attire is a swimsuit.
What not to do after a Turkish bath?
Avoid Hot Showers or Baths: It’s recommended to avoid hot showers or baths immediately after the hammam treatment, as your body has already experienced heat during the session. Tipping in Turkish Baths When visiting a Turkish bath (hammam), it is customary to tip the attendants 10-20% of the total cost. As you prepare to leave, have cash ready to express your gratitude with a tip, and say “teşekkür ederim” to the staff for their services.There is some strict hamam etiquette to be followed: There is no mixing! Turkish bath has two sections, one for each gender, or it admits men and women at separate times of the day.Designed to cleanse the body and relax the mind, Turkish baths – also known as hammams – are a major part of the culture in countries like Turkey and Morocco. And, if you’re staying in one of these destinations this summer, there’s every reason to take part.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.Do i need to shave before going to a turkish hammam bath (for women)? Unlike some cultures with bathhouse traditions, shaving before a hammam visit is entirely up to your personal preference. There’s no pressure to shave, and the hammam experience is designed to be suitable for everyone.
What to expect at a Turkish bath for a female?
A standard Turkish bath session takes about 60 to 90 minutes and includes steaming, scrubbing, a foam massage, and rinsing. If you want to relax in the lounge or add treatments, plan for a little extra time. Is a Turkish bath for couples even an option for treatments? Definitely! Some places offer synchronized massages or other fancy couple’s treatments. Just make sure to ask beforehand.It’s recommended to avoid hot showers or baths immediately after the hammam treatment, as your body has already experienced heat during the session. Restroom Use: Use the restroom before your treatment to ensure that you’re comfortable during the entire experience.Moroccan bath provides a deep cleanse with intense scrubbing and detoxifying treatments. Turkish baths use warm marble rooms, foam massages, and soft kese mitts. Moroccan baths use steam, black olive soap, kessa glove scrubs, and optional clay masks.A typical session at a Turkish bath (hammam) usually lasts between 60 and 90 minutes. The experience typically includes a warm-up and a scrubbing session with a kese (traditional mitt), a massage (if you choose so), and, finally, a cool-down.
What is included in a Turkish bath?
The sequence usually includes a hot room, followed by a steam bath, and finally immersion in cold or warm water. There are also several common rooms for socialising and conversation. In the hammam, your whole body is cleansed, exfoliated, and nourished. The session takes place in a water steam chamber, where a Tellak, a hammam attendant, will give you a traditional Moroccan hammam experience.There is some strict hamam etiquette to be followed: There is no mixing! Turkish bath has two sections, one for each gender, or it admits men and women at separate times of the day.The oldest Hammams comprise several rooms, each with a different temperature and levels of humidity. The sequence usually includes a hot room, followed by a steam bath, and finally immersion in cold or warm water. There are also several common rooms for socialising and conversation.Hammams are often called “Turkish baths” due to their popularity during the Ottoman Empire. Muslim men often bathe before their prayers, so hammams originated as a place where men would go to clean themselves before praying.Tipping in Turkish Baths When visiting a Turkish bath (hammam), it is customary to tip the attendants 10-20% of the total cost. As you prepare to leave, have cash ready to express your gratitude with a tip, and say “teşekkür ederim” to the staff for their services.
How much to tip at Turkish bath?
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. The Hammam is a bit pricey but this is one of the more reputable bath houses in Istanbul so the service and experience was one of a kind. The bath takes about an hour but I stayed in the waiting area to relax for about half an hour.