If there’s one quintessential experience you must have in Turkey, it’s indulging in a traditional Turkish bath, or hamam. Evolved from ancient Roman bathing customs, hamams once served as both a place for religious cleansing and socialization across the Ottoman Empire. But if you’re not prepared for what awaits, a visit to a hamam can feel unnerving or even unpleasant.

It took me days of thorough research, both online and through local recommendations, before I finally worked up the courage to visit a hamam in Istanbul—and I ended up thoroughly enjoying the experience. To help fellow travelers who may be apprehensive like I was, I’ve put together a guide to ensure you have the perfect Turkish bath experience.

Choosing the Right Hamam

In Istanbul, iconic hamams like Cemberlitas Hamami, designed by the legendary Mimar Sinan, and Cagaloglu Hamami offer stunning interiors and luxurious facilities. However, these have been largely transformed into high-end spas for tourists, complete with prices to match.

If you’re looking for something more authentic and budget-friendly, brace yourself. While you’ll still bask on a heated marble slab under a beautifully domed ceiling, the experience may feel more like a visit to a public swimming pool than a luxury retreat. In fact:

• The staff may use the same kese (scrubbing mitt) on every guest.
• You will be vigorously scrubbed like a fish being descaled.
• The massage will be more of a brisk, intense kneading rather than a relaxing, sleep-inducing treatment.

Be cautious of smaller, “authentic” hamams that receive mixed reviews on platforms like TripAdvisor. Many are praised by men, yet criticized by women for inconsistent service. After careful consideration, I chose the relatively lesser-known Gedikpasa Hamami, and my experience was both comfortable and rejuvenating.

Understanding Hamam Etiquette

At most hamams, you’ll select your level of service and make payment before entering the bath. Options range from self-service, where you use the facilities and bathe yourself, to packages that include a scrub, massage, and even an oil massage. After paying, you’ll be shown to a private cubicle where you can undress.

It’s customary to bathe nude, but you may choose to wear a bikini if you prefer. As someone self-conscious, I kept my bottoms on and initially wrapped myself in the traditional peştemal cloth. However, after seeing others embrace the heat fully bare, I followed suit.

Sauna or Steam Bath

For someone from the tropics like me, I’d never truly appreciated the joy of a sauna until this moment. After spending over a month in the biting cold of northern Europe, it was pure bliss to lie in the steamy warmth, breathing in the humid air and feeling sweat form on my skin. You’ll typically spend about 15 minutes warming up before heading to the central bathing area to relax on the göbek taşı, a large heated marble slab.

The Scrub

The exfoliation ritual in a Turkish bath is an entirely new level of intensity. The kese, resembling steel wool more than a gentle loofah, is used to scrub away layers of dead skin. If the idea of sharing a mitt concerns you, you can purchase your own kese from a local shop and ask the staff to use it. Regardless of which you choose, expect to be scrubbed vigorously from head to toe until layers of dead skin peel off in dark flakes. The sheer amount of grime that comes off your body will likely surprise you!

The Massage

After the scrub, you’ll rinse at a nearby fountain before returning to the göbek taşı for the next step: the soap bubble massage. Warm, frothy bubbles are spread over your entire body, and while this massage is often brief and brisk, the sensation is delightful. Don’t expect a 30-minute deep tissue massage, as the session will likely last no more than five minutes.

Shampoo

Much like the massage, the shampooing process is quick and functional. A few squirts of shampoo, a quick lather, and water poured over your head to rinse it all off. Despite the brevity, my hair surprisingly dried soft and smooth, without any tangles.

Pool Dip

After the treatments, you’re invited to dip into a cold pool to refresh. In Gedikpasa Hamami, this pool was more of a large, unchlorinated bathtub with visibly cloudy water. I opted to skip it and rinse myself off at the fountain instead, but you may choose to take a quick dip.

Sauna and Shower

You’re welcome to alternate between the sauna and cold rinse as many times as you like, but after two or three rounds, you’ll likely be ready to wrap things up. Once you’ve finished, head to the showers, where you’ll be given a soft, fresh towel to dry off. At this point, you can return to your cubicle to change and relax.

Tipping and Final Thoughts

It’s customary to tip your masseur around 20% of the total cost, unless your experience was truly unpleasant. Most hamams will also serve you a complimentary cup of Turkish tea as you relax before leaving.

I spent a little over two hours at Gedikpasa Hamami, and left feeling refreshed and ready for more adventures in Istanbul. Many travelers I’ve spoken to also say they’d revisit a hamam, so don’t let the horror stories discourage you from this iconic experience!