Turkish bath in Bursa

All 3 venues in Bursa offering a Turkish bath are in Osmangazi: two are historic hammams and one is a thermal hotel on the Uludağ road in Çekirge. At all three, thermal water is part of the visit; at Keçeli the hammam's water is thermal, while Yeni Kaplıca and Marigold also have a thermal pool. Bursa's hot-spring tradition sets the hammam here apart from an ordinary place to wash.

A historic hot-spring hammam or a thermal hotel

Keçeli Tarihi Kadınlar Hamamı in Çekirge, according to the venue's information, serves women only in a building dating from the 14th century; its menu is limited to the hammam, kese (exfoliating scrub) and foam, making it a simple hammam. Yeni Kaplıca Erkekler Hamamı, in its historic domed building, offers a sulphurous thermal pool, kese and foam together with family baths; there is also a sauna. Marigold Thermal & SPA Hotel on the Uludağ road combines the hammam with accommodation and treatments: an indoor thermal pool, Pithia family hammams, Sultan Paketi treatments and Swedish massage are all on the same premises. You can read about the history of these buildings in the guide Bursa's historic hammams and hot springs.

Arrangements for women and men

Each of these three hammams in Bursa is organised differently. Keçeli is open to women only. The record for Yeni Kaplıca Erkekler Hamamı mentions separate hours and family baths; despite the word “erkekler” (men) in its name, ask before you go on which days and at what times women are admitted. The family hammams at Marigold are an option for those who would rather go into the hammam with their own group than share a common area; ask the hotel about the booking terms and whether guests not staying there can use them. At venues with thermal pools, if you have a heart or circulatory condition, blood pressure problems or are pregnant, consult your doctor before getting into the hot water.

The stages of the ritual are on the Turkish bath page, and Bursa's other thermal facilities on the Bursa page.