A hamam is a Turkish bath, a tradition that comes from Roman bath culture and reached its height under the Ottomans. The experience has three parts: sweating on a heated marble platform, being scrubbed with a rough mitt and receiving a foam wash and massage. Done well, it is relaxing and leaves your skin very clean. This guide explains how the ritual works, the words you will hear, how to choose a hamam and how to avoid common mistakes.

What happens in a hamam

1. Steam. You relax and sweat on the göbektaşı, the heated marble platform, a word that means navel stone.

2. Kese. An attendant scrubs away dead skin with a rough mitt called a kese, which stimulates blood flow.

3. Foam wash and massage. A full-body wash with warm water and fragrant bubbles, with olive oil soap used for cleansing, followed by a massage.

You wear a peştemal, a handwoven cotton wrap. Other objects of the ritual are the tas, a copper bowl for pouring warm water over you, the lif, a natural bath fiber, and rose or lavender water for scent. After the wash you rest, usually with tea. Ask each hamam how long the package takes, because durations and what is included vary.

A short history

Hamams grew from Roman baths, with flowing water added, and many were built near mosques so worshippers could wash before prayer. Women’s hamams were social spaces where brides were bathed before weddings and women gathered weekly, and men’s hamams were places to rest and talk for tradesmen, scholars and officials. Some large hamams were built by sultans or prominent people as charitable endowments (vakıf).

Words to know

Word	Meaning
—	—
Peştemal	Cotton wrap you wear
Göbektaşı	Heated marble platform
Kese	Rough exfoliating mitt
Tas	Copper bowl for pouring water
Lif	Natural bath fiber

Where to go

Istanbul has the best-known historic hamams, in the old districts of Karaköy, Sultanahmet, Cağaloğlu, Beyoğlu and Beşiktaş. Bursa has Ottoman-era thermal baths and is an older, quieter alternative. Hamams in tourist districts are used to visitors and may offer packages in English, while neighborhood hamams are used by local people. We do not rank hamams. Compare several, read recent reviews and check the booking terms. Our Istanbul guide and Bursa page help you plan.

Questions to ask before you book

What is included: entry, scrub, foam massage, tea?
What is the total price in writing, including any extras?
Are men and women served separately, and are attendants the same gender as me?
How long does the package take, and when should I arrive?
What should I wear underneath, and where do I keep valuables?
Is there a private or mixed option, if I want one?

Traditional hamams serve men and women separately, but practices vary at tourist hamams, so check before you go.

Practical tips

Arrive early to change and settle in, and avoid a heavy meal just before.
Drink water afterward, since you will have sweated a lot.
Take off contact lenses if heat bothers you, and do not carry valuables into the bathing area.
If you have a medical condition, a heart problem or are pregnant, ask a doctor first, because heat and steam can be intense.
Read our culture and etiquette guide for general customs, and browse spa and wellness experiences.

Frequently asked questions

What should I expect at a Turkish hamam?

You wear a peştemal, sweat on a heated marble platform, are scrubbed with a rough mitt and receive a foam wash and massage. Ask how long the package takes.

Do I have to undress completely?

You wear a peştemal. What you wear underneath is a matter of comfort and the hamam’s rules, so ask when you book. Traditional hamams serve men and women separately.

How much does a hamam cost?

Prices vary by hamam and package. Ask for a written price that lists what is included, and compare several places.

Is a hamam safe for everyone?

Heat and steam can be intense. If you have a medical condition or are pregnant, ask a doctor first, and tell the staff about any health issues.

What is the difference between a tourist and a local hamam?

Tourist-district hamams are used to visitors and may offer English and set packages. Neighborhood hamams are used by locals. Ask about language, prices, privacy and inclusions.