Foam massage in Istanbul

Foam massage is the part of the hammam ritual that follows the kese (exfoliating scrub), and it is offered at most venues in Istanbul that provide hammam services. The venues in this guide range from historic hammams in Fatih, Üsküdar and Beyoğlu to modern facilities in Bahçelievler, Bağcılar, Şişli, Pendik and Ataşehir.

Pricing: Foam massage is mostly priced not on its own but together with the kese or as part of a hammam package. If you only want the foam massage, ask whether that is possible.

What to expect: Although it has massage in its name, this is not a muscle massage — the pressure is light and the aim is cleansing and relaxation. If you have come for muscle tension, check whether the same venue offers Swedish or deep tissue massage; most hammams in Istanbul offer the two together.

We explain how the treatment is done and the health warnings on our foam massage page.