Your Ultimate Hammam Etiquette Guide in Turkey

Outside their ritualistic and social benefits, Turkish bathhouses are quite beneficial for our health for the following reasons:

• Relaxing the body and the mind – heat and steam partnered with a hammam massage relaxes our body as well as our mind.
• Boosting the immune system – the changing temperature inside the different rooms, as well as the steam, is said to improve our immune system.
• Helps with blood circulation – the intense, invigorating scrubbing and massage elements help with blood circulation.
• Has healing properties – hammams are not only a relaxing experience but also offer numerous healing benefits. The combination of steam, heat, and exfoliation helps to detoxify the body, and soothe the muscles.

If it’s your first time in a hammam and you’re a bit uncertain about what is acceptable, here are a few tips that might help you feel at ease:

• As it is a communal space, it’s essential to be respectful of other bathers. It is advisable to speak quietly and avoid taking photos unless permitted by the facility’s management. Please, follow the staff's instructions and be mindful of personal space.
• Hammams typically provide changing rooms equipped with lockers for storing your belongings. It is wise to utilize them to keep your items safe and secure.
• Ensure that your phone is set on silent and avoid using flash photography within the bathhouse. It would be best to refrain from using any electronic device.
• Bringing outside food and drinks other than water is not permitted inside the hammam.

Hammams are usually divided by gender to align with cultural norms. Given the nudity and communal nature of the bathhouses, this separation helps maintain modesty and privacy for visitors. Some smaller businesses may divide their schedule to accommodate both men and women. For more information, please contact the establishment you’re planning on visiting.

You are going to be just fine! Many hammam staff members speak basic English, especially near the main landmarks in the cities. You will be able to communicate your needs and preferences easily. If you want to be extra precise, you can always use translation apps and websites to assist you. Additionally, having a guide to accompany you and translate your requests at the reception desk before the session can be very helpful.

Absolutely! It’s even preferable to do so. To avoid a service or a bathhouse being overbooked, especially when it comes to scheduling popular hammams and specific treatments, it is wise to ensure you have a reservation. For the convenience of their customers, many hammams even offer online booking options.

As much as hammams are beneficial, certain individuals should still exercise caution or avoid them entirely. This includes people with heart conditions, like unstable angina pectoris or recent myocardial infarction. Additionally, individuals suffering from oncological diseases, asthma, varicose veins, nephritis, thyroid disorders, kidney failure, diabetes, epilepsy, or hypertension should consult their doctor before attending.
Due to the temperature and humidity present at the Turkish baths, pregnant women are advised to seek medical advice prior to visiting. Though many hammams welcome children, some may have age limits, often not permitting children under 12. It’s better to check with the specific facility you’re planning on visiting about their age policies.
Before going to a hammam, we recommend consulting with your healthcare provider to ensure that a hammam session is safe for your specific medical circumstances.

Absolutely! Many hammams offer the option to privatise a room. This can be a great option for those seeking a more exclusive, intimate experience or for special occasions.
Private rooms often come with additional services like personalised treatments, dedicated attendants, and enhanced privacy. It is worth mentioning that the availability and pricing can vary depending on the establishment you’re visiting, so it's always a good idea to check in advance and make a reservation if you're interested in booking a private room.

The cost of a hammam session can vary depending on the location, type of services offered, and the level of luxury of a particular business. On average, the prices you can expect to pay are as follows:

• Basic Hammam Experience: From 150 to 300 Turkish Lira (about $4 to $8 / £3 to £6 / €4 to €8) for a traditional bath and a hammam scrub.
• Mid-range Hammam Experience: From 300 to 600 Turkish Lira (about $8 to $16 / £6 to £13 / €8 to €15), which includes additional treatments like a massage or facial.
• Luxury Hammam Experience: From 600 to 1,500 Turkish Lira (about $16 to $40 / £13 to £31 / €15 to €37) or more, especially in high-end spas offering private rooms, deluxe services, and exclusive packages.

Some hammams offer discounts for group sessions or special deals for tourists. We advise that you always check for additional fees, especially when it comes to optional treatments or private sessions.

Tipping in a Turkish bath is customary, and it is always appreciated to do so for the services provided to you. The amount of tip can vary depending on many factors, but as a general rule of thumb, you can refer to the following suggestion:

• Standard Tip: For basic services like the scrub and traditional bath, you should tip around 20 to 50 Turkish Lira (about $0.50 to $1.50 / £0.40 to £1 / €1 to €2).
• Higher-End Services: If you’ve received additional treatments like a massage or facial treatment, you might consider tipping around 50 to 100 Turkish Lira (about $1.50 to $2.60 / £1 to £2 / €1.20 to €2.40). If you feel like you have received exceptional service and want to show the staff how you appreciate their hard work, you can tip even more.

As for how and where you should be tipping, it is usually given directly to the professionals at the end of your session.

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.
If you want to experience additional services, the session can take longer, sometimes lasting up to 2 hours or more. If you have limited time, please check with the hammam staff in advance to have an idea of how long the procedure will last.

There are a few things you should consider doing before visiting a hammam:

• To consult a healthcare provider: It is advised to consult your doctor before going to a hammam if you have any medical conditions, such as heart problems, skin issues, or respiratory conditions.
• To hydrate: Drink water before your visit to stay hydrated in the intense, heated and steamy environment.
• To take a shower: Most hammams require you to shower before entering the main bath area to cleanse your body, so some hammams provide shower facilities for this purpose.
• To avoid consuming heavy meals and alcohol.

Visitors typically wear a pestemal (traditional hammam bath towel) or swimwear in the hammam. Some places provide them, but you can bring yours if you prefer it that way. You will also need some kind of shower shoe or flip-flops. Additionally, you can wear your undergarments underneath the pestemal.

Yes! Traditional Kese scrubs and massage services are commonly offered in most traditional hammams.
Visitors are scrubbed vigorously by the tellak (men's masseur) or the natır (ladies’ masseur) with the matching gender if they require it and then are left to wash themselves in warm water. In the Islamic setting, guests wash themselves in running water, as opposed to immersing themselves in still water used in Roman and Greek baths.
On top of standard services, Turkish hammams usually have tailored treatments for their customers. Please contact your preferred hammam before booking a visit to learn more about their services.

From towels to exfoliating gloves, hammams use a variety of different materials to ensure a thorough cleanse and deep relaxation of the body. These include:

• Hamam tası – a metal bowl to wash your body.
• Kese (loofah) – a traditional exfoliating mitt.
• Kurna – a marble sink installed on the wall, basin or bowl where bathers can scoop water to pour over themselves.
• Pestemal – a traditional cotton towel worn around the body.
• Soap – usually an olive oil soap that is gentle and moisturising for the body.
• Essential oils and mineral clays – an optional service provided in some hammams that offer aromatherapy treatments with essential oils or mineral-rich clays.

These materials work together to cleanse, exfoliate, and relax the body, making the hammam ritual both a physical and sensory experience.

Before you even step a foot inside a hammam, there are two important things you need to remember:

1. Follow the Flow – it is completely natural to be confused when you visit a new place for the first time. By observing others, you can get an idea of what to do. Or, you can always ask staff for guidance and instructions.
2. Enjoy the Experience – hammams are all about relaxation and rejuvenation, so take your time, get lost in tranquillity and enjoy every second you spend here.

From a structural point of view, here’s what you can expect:
The architecture of hammams is similar, for the most part, to the ones in mediaeval times. They consist of the:

• Changing room – changing rooms are an essential part of hammams; it is where you leave your belongings and get into appropriate attire. The staff will show you to this area and instruct you to remove your garments and wrap yourself with a special towel – pestemal. You will also be provided with a normal towel and a key to your locker or a changing room. Men are expected to wrap the peştamal around their waist to cover their lower body, while women should wrap it around their chest.
• Soğukluk (Cool Room/Entrance) – also known as the cold room. This is where you prepare for the main bathing area. Additionally, It serves as the last step of the experience to help you cool down and relax after the session.
• Hararet (Steam Room) – Get ready to sweat! This room is the hottest and gets you ready for a myriad of procedures like full body scrubs and massages by removing toxins and opening up the skin pores. The steam also helps you lose some tension coiled up in your body.
• Ilıklık (Warmth Room) – This is where the main part of the hammam experience happens. The bath attendant, tellak, will start scrubbing you from head to toe. Be prepared for roughness ; that’s the whole point of the whole procedure. This removes all the dead skin and impurities from your skin. Additionally, vigorous scrubbing promotes better blood circulation.

The heat for these rooms is usually produced by a furnace and distributed throughout the rooms with the help of underground vents.
Visitors usually start from the steam room and progress to the coldest room to cool off.

The temperature in a Turkish bath (hammam) varies depending on the different areas within the bath. The temperature in Hararet, the hottest part of the hammam, ranges between 40°C and 50°C (104°F and 122°F). The warm room, ılıklık, is slightly cooler, with a temperature of 30°C to 35°C (86°F to 95°F). Last, but not least, the cooling down areas, Soğukluk, have the lowest temperatures at around 15°C to 20°C (59°F to 68°F), to help refresh and invigorate the body. There you can relax and cool down.

The best time to visit a hammam depends on your preferences, schedule and health condition.
Typically, it is better to plan a visit to fit your specific schedule. Choose a time on a day when you have fewer commitments and physical activity. Evening sessions can be particularly enjoyable, allowing you to unwind and have a fresh and light dinner afterwards. It is always a good idea to avoid the hottest hours in the afternoon.
In general, early mornings and weekdays are usually less crowded at hammams; perfect if you’re looking for a serene environment when you are well-rested after a night's sleep.

Here are a few things that you can do to prolong the effects of your Hammam experience:

• Pause and Unwind – Take a moment to reflect on your experience and bask in the serenity and clarity of mind the hammam brings.
• Hydration is the key – after sweating all the toxins out of your body, drink plenty of water to replenish your body’s moisture levels.
• Moisturise your body – exfoliation leaves your skin stripped of its natural oils. For this reason, applying a layer of moisturiser or lotion is super important.
• Take it easy – after spending so much time in steam and hot water, it is best to give your body some time to return to its normal state. Avoiding exercise and straining activities is also advised to ensure you continue to feel relaxed and rejuvenated.
• Enjoy a light meal or snack – after your session, it's wise to have a light, nutritious meal or snack that is easy to digest.