Hammam, sauna and steam room are often used interchangeably. All three work with heat, but their humidity levels, and therefore their effects on the body, are different.
The basic difference between the three
| Temperature | Humidity | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turkish bath | 40-45 °C | High | 45-90 min (with the ritual) |
| Sauna | 70-90 °C | Very low (10-20%) | 8-15 min session |
| Steam room | 40-50 °C | Close to 100% | 10-20 min |
At first glance the numbers make the sauna look like the most intense option, but humidity changes the picture: 45 °C in a steam room can feel as demanding as 80 °C in a sauna. In humid air, sweat cannot evaporate and the body cannot cool itself.
Turkish bath
What sets the hammam apart from the other two is that it is a ritual. A sauna or a steam room is a space; a hammam is a process. Warming up, sweating on the navel stone (the heated marble platform), the kese (exfoliating scrub) and the foam massage follow one another, usually with an attendant.
When it helps: For renewing the skin, relaxing the muscles, and for people who want both as part of a set routine. You need to set time aside; it will not fit into 20 minutes.
Sauna
Dry heat. The high temperature makes you sweat quickly, but thanks to the low humidity breathing is easy. It is usually used in short sessions, with a cold shower or a rest in between.
When it helps: Muscle recovery after exercise and short spells of relaxation. The Finnish sauna is the classic form; an infrared sauna runs at a lower temperature and delivers heat by warming the body directly rather than the air.
Steam room
Saturated humidity. Its most commonly reported benefit is a soothing effect on the airways. The surface of the skin softens quickly, which is why the hammam has a similar stage before the kese.
When it helps: For people looking for easier breathing, those bothered by dry air and those who want to prepare their skin for treatment.
Using them together
Most facilities offer all three together. A common order is: first the warm area, then the sauna or steam room, then the hammam ritual, and finally a rest. Drinking water and cooling down in between is better than moving straight from one hot area to the next.
Who should be careful?
If you have high blood pressure or a heart condition, or are pregnant, you need a doctor's opinion for all three. Because of its high temperature, the sauna calls for the most care in these groups; the steam room and hammam are milder, but the humidity puts its own kind of strain on the body.
You can find venues offering each of these in the directory: Turkish bath, sauna, steam room. For the full ritual, see what is a Turkish bath.
This article was written by the Spa Deneyimi editors. Rankings and verification badges cannot be bought.
