Straight answers to the questions people ask most often about the hammam. If you would like to know about the whole ritual, see what is a Turkish bath.
How long does a hammam take?
A classic session takes 45-90 minutes. Roughly, it breaks down like this:
- Warming up in the warm room: 10-15 minutes
- Sweating on the navel stone (the heated marble platform): 15-20 minutes
- Kese (exfoliating scrub): 10-15 minutes
- Foam massage and rinse: 15-20 minutes
- Rest and refreshments: 10-15 minutes
Packages with a massage added can take up to 2 hours. It is safe to plan on 2 hours in total from arrival to departure.
What temperature is a hammam?
The navel stone and the hot room are usually between 40-45 °C. The warm room is around 30-35 °C. That is considerably lower than a sauna (70-90 °C); because a hammam is very humid, the same temperature feels more intense.
How do you tie a peshtemal in a hammam?
Men: The peshtemal is wrapped around the waist, and the top edge is folded over twice at waist level to hold it in place. A length that reaches below the knee is both traditional and practical.
Women: The peshtemal is passed under the arms and knotted at chest level. Wearing a swimsuit or bikini in the women's section is also common.
A wet peshtemal gets heavy and works loose; it is normal to adjust it during the session, and nobody will think it odd.
What should you take to the hammam?
Most venues provide a peshtemal, towel and slippers. What you need to bring:
- A swimsuit or spare underwear
- A hair tie or cap (for long hair)
- Clean clothes to change into
- Your own toiletries (the venue provides soap and shampoo)
What should you do after the hammam?
Drink plenty of water and rest for at least 15-20 minutes. Going straight from the heat out into the cold can make you dizzy. Your skin will be sensitive after the kese, so avoid products with harsh chemicals that day.
How often can you go?
It depends on your skin type; a kese every two to three weeks suits most people. Having a kese every week can wear down the skin's natural barrier.
You can find hammams near you on the hammam page.
This article was written by the Spa Deneyimi editors. Rankings and verification badges cannot be bought.
