Turkish hammams are ancient places of purification, relaxation, and conviviality. These traditional bathhouses, so central to Ottoman and Islamic tradition, provide an experience that blends steam, water, massage, and ritual ablution into a body-mind reviving event. In contemporary times, visiting the hammam is as much a cultural activity as it is relaxing in a place that has altered relatively little over the centuries.
Discovering Turkey’s best hammams generally involves going off the tourist trail, away from large tourist centers. While public transport will deliver you to famous baths in Istanbul, discovering off-the-beaten-track treasures in small towns is better achieved through private transport. Opting for a car rental turkey gives tourists the liberty of exploring ancient hammams and secluded thermal spas on their own schedules. Localrent, an aggregator of local car rental companies, facilitates access to secure and affordable automobiles for travelers wishing to enjoy Turkey’s authentic well-being culture.
The Roots of Turkish Hammams
Turkish hammam has been borrowed from Roman and Byzantine baths, which were adopted by the Ottoman Empire and expanded into a more ritualistic and decorative form. The concept was adapted from Islamic purification rituals which emphasize cleanliness as a physical necessity and also as a religious duty.
During Ottoman times, the hammams were more than just where one bathed. Hammams were public gathering places where one went to socialize, rejoice, and even hold weddings. Hammams were also a relaxation from the confines of daily life for women, who would go there and spend hours lounging, gossiping, and receiving beauty treatments.
The Hammam Ritual: A Step-by-Step Experience
Stepping into a standard Turkish hammam is to step into a world of one’s own—a world where time loses its rush and senses are purged with heat, steam, and the scent of olive soap. The ceremony is usually so coordinated as to permit maximum relaxation and purification.
- Acclimatization in the Warm Room
The excursion begins in a hot room (ılıklık), where the visitors acclimatize to hot and moist conditions. They undress there and wrap themselves in a pestemal (a thin cotton towel) and slippers before moving to the middle of the hammam.
- Steam Bath in the Hot Room
The second procedure is the hararet, a steam room with marble that has a heated central platform known as the göbek taşı (navel stone). Because heat opens pores and relaxes muscles, visitors have hot water poured over them from copper bowls in adjacent basins.
- The Kese Scrub – Deep Exfoliation
A skilled tellak (bath attendant) or natır (female attendant) follows up with the application of the kese — a refreshing exfoliation with a coarse mitt to remove dead skin cells. This not only cleans the skin, but it also warms the blood, leaving it incredibly smooth and refreshed.
- The Soap Massage – A Cloud of Foam
Following the scrub, the guests are then indulged in a soap massage of luxury where the tellak creates fluffy amounts of foam through the use of a cotton bag containing soapy water. The firmer but softer massage unwinds the muscles and completes the cleaning process.
- Rinsing and Cooling Down
The final step is to rinse off using cool running water in the showers and go on to the rest area, where the tourists receive traditional Turkish sherbet (fruit juice which is sweet) or Turkish tea while they recline on cushions.
Famous Turkish Hammams to Visit
Çemberlitaş Hammam (Istanbul)
Built in 1584 by the famous Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan, this historic Istanbul Old City hammam is the most authentic and breathtaking Turkish bathhouse. The breathtaking domed ceiling and elegant marble facilities are an experience of a lifetime.
Kılıç Ali Paşa Hammam (Istanbul)
Located in Karaköy, this hammam was originally built for Ottoman naval officers in the 16th century. It has recently been restored and now offers a luxurious but traditional bathing experience with facilities.
Süleymaniye Hammam (Istanbul)
One of the stunning Süleymaniye Mosque complex, this hammam offers a mixed-sex bathing experience that is unique and perfect for couples who would like to share the ritual together.
Bursa’s Thermal Hammams
Bursa, the nature thermal baths, boasts some of Turkey’s oldest hammams. Mineral springs used in the hammams of Eski Kaplıca and Yeni Kaplıca offer healing benefits in addition to relaxation, perfect for international visitors who seek relaxation in addition to healing therapy.
Pamukkale’s Antique Pool (Cleopatra’s Pool)
For a special treat, visitors can soak in Pamukkale’s hot springs, which are reputed to have been frequented by none other than Cleopatra herself. The calcium-rich water of the natural spa is said to revitalize the skin and body.
Hammam Etiquette: What You Need to Know Before You Go
Visiting a Turkish hammam for the first time can be intimidating, but having some important customs in your back pocket will make for a seamless and enjoyable experience.
- Select the Right Hammam – There are hammams that are exclusively for tourists, and some are for locals. If you desire a trapezoidal experience, investigate in advance.
- Wear the Traditional Attire – Most hammams include a pestemal (towel), but you may bring your own if you prefer. Some are okay with bathing suits, but most are nude-friendly.
- Expect Physical Scrubbing – The Kese scrub is quite rigorous, so expect a rigorous exfoliating experience.
- Unwind and Don’t Rush – Hammams are for unwinding, so don’t hurry so much to complete the process.
- Tipping is Expected – Tipping bath attendants is an expected custom for their service, typically 10-20% of the charge.
An Immortal Rejuvenating Experience
Turkish hammams aren’t bathhouses, however; they’re a step back in time, culture, and decadence. Indulging in the excess of an Istanbul Ottoman-era hammam, unwinding in Bursa’s therapeutic waters, or unwinding in a lesser-visited gem off the beaten path is an experience that revives body and spirit.
For tourists who would like to go to a number of hammams in different regions of Turkey, a flexible means of transportation is priceless. With Localrent, tourists can easily locate cheap car rentals all over Turkey so that they can go to both popular and off-the-beaten-path hammams at their own convenience.
A visit to a Turkish hammam is an experience, a ritual, a tradition, and sheer indulgence – one not to be overlooked on a trip to this fascinating nation.
