TURKIYEINFO.NET

The hamam is an integral part of Turkish culture with deep historical and social roots.

• A Sacred Place of Purification: In Islamic culture, the hamam is a vital place for ritual purification. Ghusl (a full-body ablution) is required before prayer or after certain life events.
• The Social Hub: During the Ottoman Empire, the hamam was the heart of city life. It was where women discussed wedding plans and relationships, and men debated politics and business deals. Many historic hamams, such as Istanbul's Çemberlitaş, dating back to 1584, are now under UNESCO protection.
• A Modern Tourist Attraction: Today, the hamam is one of Turkey's key tourist draws, offering a unique combination of physical, mental, and social well-being.

The traditional hamam ritual is a multi-stage process designed for the complete relaxation and purification of body and mind.

1. Soyunmalık (Changing Room): Here, you change your clothes, receive a peshtemal (towel), and secure your personal belongings in a locked cabinet.
2. Ilıklık/Sogukluk (Warm Ante-room): This is a transition area where your body can gently acclimate to the heat.
3. Hararet (Hot Room): A room with a temperature of 45–55°C (113–131°F) and 100% humidity. You lie on a heated marble slab called the Göbek Taşı for about 20–40 minutes to open your pores and relax your body.
4. Kese Exfoliation: The hamam attendant (a tellak for men, a natır for women) uses a coarse kese mitt to scrub away dead skin cells from your body. A visible grayish "roll" peeling off the skin is a sign of an authentic experience.
5. Köpük (Foam Massage): Using a special silk torba bag, a lush and dense cloud of soap foam is created to cover your entire body. This is followed by a light, relaxing massage.
6. Rinsing: You are rinsed clean with warm water poured from traditional copper bowls (tas). An authentic hamam does not use modern showers for this step.
7. Relaxation: The ritual often concludes with a cool shower, an oil or clay mask, a head massage, and a rest period in a cool room where Turkish tea is served.

The complete ritual typically lasts 1.5 to 2.5 hours. Prices vary: from 250–600 TL in a local hamam to €25–€80 in tourist areas.

An authentic hamam uses specific tools, each with its own purpose.

• Peshtemal: A thin, fast-drying, and beautifully patterned cotton towel.
• Kese: A coarse exfoliating mitt made from goat hair or silk.
• Tas/Ibrik: A copper or brass bowl for pouring water.
• Torba: A silk or cotton bag used to generate foam.
• Nalın: High wooden or plastic clogs that protect against slipping and the hot floor.
• Nallı sabun: Traditional 100% olive oil soap.
• Hamam Hat: To protect hair from the intense heat.
• Natural Oils: Argan, rose, sesame, and almond oils used for massage.

When visiting a hamam, it's important to follow both written and unwritten rules to ensure a pleasant experience for everyone.

• Opening Hours: Traditional hamams have strictly separate hours for men and women. Mixed-gender hamams are mainly found in hotels and tourist areas.
• Attire: You are never completely nude in a hamam. Men wear a peshtemal or swim trunks, while women wear a peshtemal and a bikini or underwear.
• Technology: Using phones and taking pictures is strictly forbidden.
• Respect: The hamam attendant is an authority – follow their instructions. Behave quietly and respect the relaxation of others.
• Tipping: It is customary to tip the attendant 15–25% of the service cost. Hand the tip directly to them.

Modern hamams are full-fledged spa centers, offering a wide range of services beyond the traditional ritual.

Core Services and Saunas

• Hamam Services: Traditional ritual, self-service hamam, private hamam for couples or families.
• Saunas and Steam Rooms: Finnish sauna, steam room, aroma, salt, and infrared saunas, Şok duşş / ice bucket.
• Massages: Classic oil massage, deep tissue massage, hot stone massage, Thai/Bali massage, lymphatic drainage, and reflexology.

Additional and Beauty Services

• Body Treatments: Various scrubs (coffee, sugar), masks (clay, mud, gold), cellulite treatments, chocolate or honey wraps.
• Facials: Deep cleansing, hydrating, anti-aging, collagen, and gold treatments.
• Beauty Services: Manicure, pedicure, waxing, eyebrow and eyelash shaping.
• Med-Spa (New Trend): Botox, fillers, PRP therapy, laser hair removal, vitamin IV drips, oxygen therapy.

Popular Packages

• Basic Hamam (€15–€25): Exfoliation and foam wash.
• Classic Package (€40–€70): Hamam ritual, exfoliation, foam, and a classic massage.
• Luxury / Sultan Package (€90–€200): All of the above plus additional treatments and a private room.

Positive Effects

• Improves blood and lymphatic circulation.
• Alleviates respiratory problems.
• Reduces stress and improves sleep quality.
• Helps with skin conditions (acne, eczema, psoriasis).
• Relaxes muscles and soothes joint pain.

Not Suitable or Use with Caution

• During pregnancy (especially the first trimester).
• For individuals with cardiovascular diseases and high blood pressure.
• In cases of varicose veins (heat dilates blood vessels).
• With acute skin inflammations or infections.
• While under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

To make your hamam experience as pleasant and authentic as possible, keep these recommendations in mind.

• Best Time for a Hamam: Right at the beginning of your holiday to relieve travel fatigue and prepare your skin for tanning, or at the end to moisturize it.
• Visiting with Children: Many spas offer a gentler hamam experience for children (from age 6), which takes place in a less hot room.
• Price Tricks: Be cautious of "free transfer" offers, which may obligate you to purchase an expensive massage package. Always ask for the exact price and what's included beforehand.
• Signs of Authenticity: A true hamam uses bowls for rinsing, not showers, and the attendant is often an experienced, older Turkish person.
• Regional Differences: In the Gazipaşa and Alanya regions, prices are often 20–30% lower than in Antalya, and the staff frequently speaks Russian and Finnish.
• New Trends for 2025: CBD oil massages, oxygen bars, and cryotherapy combined with the hamam ritual are becoming increasingly popular.