Turkish Massage

Turkish Massage
Published: Jan 25, 2021 | Updated: Jul 8, 2021
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A Turkish Bath or Turkish Hammam Massage is typically a steam bath done in a public bath house, accompanied with a massage or other body treatment. The Hammam is commonly found in the Islamic world and it’s said to be inspired by the ancient Roman Thermae. Today, Hammam facilities and treatments are found across the world, in Asia, in Europe and in the Americas.
Mind that “Turkish Hammam” is just the common label used for this type of treatment. Depending on the country or region you’ll find names like Tunisian Hammam or Moroccan Hammam, and so on.
The Turkish Bath ritual is a traditional form of therapy or relaxation , a means of social gathering and interchange, and a method of physical and ritual or spiritual cleansing. By the way, in the Islamic world there are separate Hammams for men and women or different opening times according to gender.
The Hammam establishment typically features several rooms: an undressing room, a cold room, a warm room, and a hot room. Clients get undressed (sometimes keeping a loincloth on), and go from one room to another with the goal of gradually inducing an increased perspiration.
The last stage of the treatment is to be washed (and if offered, being massaged) by an equal-gender staff member, and/or bath/wash oneself off with warm water (sometimes cold water) after the complete treatment. Usually afterwards, some time for simply retiring and relaxation, while lying on a bed or mat, is included. The details of the ritual and sequence of steps taken can vary from region to region, and country to country.
The massages given in Turkish Baths are known as vigorous, tough massage treatments that involve a lot of kneading, stretches and joint cracking (Chiropractics), and may use oils, pastes, creams, lotions, and such. One of the special characteristics is the use of a so-called Kese , which is a particularly rough mitt or glove used during the massage to scrub the body with the aim of exfoliation (removing dead skin cells from the body surface).
The massage and exfoliation process may take place on a rather common massage bed or table, or on heated marble beds, depending on the Hammam establishment.

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Oct 17, 2019
Noelle Alejandra Salmi

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Y ou’ve likely heard travelers from all over laud their Turkish bath experience, and you’ve probably added it to your bucket list without even fully understanding what exactly a Turkish bath even is. First things first: Turkish baths aren’t only found in Turkey . They span the Middle East and Asia , from Morocco to Syria to India , and have even cropped up in Western countries, specifically England . From knowing how much to tip to knowing exactly what state of undress you should expect to be in, here’s everything you need to know about experiencing your first Turkish bath and why you should give it a try.
The first signs of Turkish baths date all the way back to the 14th century, during the Ottoman Empire’s vast reign of much of the Middle East and Europe . Inspired by Roman practices in bathing, Turkish baths were a source for both community gathering and hygiene maintenance. With indoor plumbing not coming into existence for another few hundred years, communal baths were designed to be a focal point in city centers, accessible to everyone. The origins of Turkish baths can also be tied to Islam as a form of cleansing before entering a mosque for prayer. Today, remaining Turkish baths can often be found close to Mosques in the city center.
At most Turkish baths, there will be separate entrances and sections for men and women, so if you’re going with a friend of the opposite sex, expect to meet them out at the other end. Every bath is a little different in terms of the amount of clothing coverage most people wear, but it’s accepted that you keep a bathing suit on if you’re not comfortable donning the thin disposable underwear they often provide. We recommend bringing flip flops, as well, which you can wear throughout the changing rooms and public pool areas. And don’t forget a fresh change of clothes and your own toiletries if you want to do as the Turks do and consider this your bath for the day.
The one main feature of a Turkish bath that is different from a Russian bath or Moroccan hammam is that there will be small rooms of dry heat, rather than saunas. After building up a sweat for 10-15 minutes in the dry heat room, you’ll enter the larger communal pool, usually an ornately built marble room with tall ceilings and skylights for natural lighting, where you can relax alone as long as you wish.
The Turkish bath experience can also vary depending on if you’d like individual treatments or to wash alone. We recommend going all in and paying extra for an attendant to wash and scrub you. You may think you know what exfoliation is, but until you’ve experienced a Turkish bath, you actually have no idea.
You’ll be lathered up with soap (always by an attendant of your same sex); scrubbed down with an exfoliant paste, most often a gommage or savon beldi , which are gentle and painless exfoliants that are most effective when the applier rubs vigorously; and then washed and rinsed again but with cool water. Don’t be alarmed when you see gray-colored “noodles” sloughing off your skin during exfoliation. Those are just the layers of dead skin you probably didn’t know you had before you walked in. A traditional treatment usually includes a massage, as well — these massages are pretty quick with deep pressure, so we recommend those for people who are familiar with massages.
It’s recommended to tip your attendant about 15 percent, so make sure to take out some cash in the country’s currency before heading in. Towels, a wash basin, and maybe a robe should all be included in your treatment. After your treatments, feel free to relax in the bath for as long as you please. An entry fee permits you to lounge all day, with some baths staying open until midnight. When we said Turkish baths are a place for community gathering, we meant it!
Walking into a traditional Turkish bath feels like a step back in time. It will be easy to envision life during the Renaissance when Arab nations built ornate and intricate mosques and baths that could withstand the elements for hundreds of years. Besides experiencing one of the oldest still- practiced cultural traditions of the East, you’ll want to partake in a Turkish bath because of its health benefits as well.
Because of the hot temperatures, you’ll experience increased circulation and an opening of the pores that will prepare your body for deep cleansing and exfoliation. Heated air and water provide for muscle relaxation, so even if you don’t decide on a massage, you’ll be receiving similar benefits. Dead skin renewal during the exfoliation treatment will leave your skin soft and more elastic. When your skin has been heated up and exfoliated, it’s in an optimal condition to absorb moisture, resulting in an observable “glow.”
And maybe the most important benefit of a Turkish bath is both physical and mental relaxation from your travels . The sudsy massage will relax your muscles and joints and allow for your body to heal from jetlag, long periods of sitting, and the tension that sometimes follow sleeping in an unfamiliar bed.
While you can find Turkish baths worldwide, there really isn’t anything like experiencing it Turkey. Before you go, you’ll want to do your research on which Turkish bath fits your price point and desired experience. Some are more tourist-oriented and housed in luxury hotels while the traditional bath structures built hundreds of years ago are more affordable and visited by locals.
The Cağaloğlu Hamamı was actually the last Turkish bath built by the Ottoman Empire as its reign was declining in the 1700s. It has unique architecture harkening to the Baroque style with a bright white stucco interior. Visitors rave about the kind staff and vigorous scrubs.
If you’re a big planner and want to make sure you’ll be fit in for a scrub and massage as soon as you arrive, visit Cağaloğlu Hamamı because you can book a reservation slot before you go. A little on the pricey side, this bath is pristine. It also offers couples treatments if you want to stick with your partner or friend the whole time.
Address: Alemdar Mh., Cağaloğlu Hamamı Sk. 34, Fatih, Turkey
The Ağa Hamam resides on the corner of one of Istanbul’s most famous streets. You’ll be able to seamlessly slip in after a full day of shopping, eating, and sightseeing. Popular with visitors, the Ağa Hamamı is also Istanbul’s oldest bath, dating back to 1454. They have a separate area upstairs for oil massages as this location tends to get crowded.
Address: Kuloglu mahallesi, Turnacibasi sokak No:48, Istanbul 34433, Turkey
Recently renovated, the Cukurcuma Hamamı dates back to the 1830s. It is highly recommended that you book your preferred services in advance due to its popularity. There are couples’ services too, so this is a unique hamam that you can experience together with a significant other or friend of the opposite sex.
Address: Firuzaga Mahallesi , Cukurcuma Caddesi No:43 | Beyoglu, Istanbul 34425, Turkey
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Turkish Hammam & Everything You Need To Know Before You Try One

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Home > Turkish Hammam & Everything You Need To Know Before You Try One
Without a doubt, one of the quintessential Turkish experiences is visiting a traditional hammam.
Not only will you leave feeling cleaner than you’ve felt probably since the day you were born, but it’s also a very relaxing experience. Of course, you’re also experiencing Turkish culture and traditions that date back centuries.
Before you have your first Turkish bath experience, there are a few things you’ll want to know . Not only to avoid embarrassing yourself but also to prevent upsetting anyone!
The first thing that you need to know is that there are different types of hammam.
The hammam you’ll experience in the Turkish hotels is different from the traditional Turkish baths you’ll find in cities, especially those in Istanbul.
If you’re new to the hammam experience and you’re feeling a little nervous, perhaps try a hammam spa in a hotel first though you should know that these Turkish spa experiences are not the same as you’ll find in the traditional hammam!
Each hammam service varies slightly. For first-time visitors to a Turkish hammam, be sure to select a service that includes a scrubbing and bubble wash. You can also opt for an additional oil massage.
You will be given a wrap to wear; this is known as a peştemal. It is up to you what you wear underneath the wrap. Most tourists keep their bikini or swim shorts on.
The traditional way is for men to wear the wrap around their waist and remove their underwear.
However, women should keep their underwear on, although it is acceptable to remove your bra, as the wrap covers you at all times.
For either sex, be sure that you do not accidentally flash! This is not a good thing to do in a traditional Turkish hammam and will be extremely frowned upon!
You’ll be given your own slippers to wear, so there is no need to bring your own shoes to wear inside.
You should book in advance. To be sure not to miss out, some places offer separate times for men and women to come.
Let’s concentrate on the traditional experience here, as most hotel versions follow the same pattern, although they are a little more laid back.
If you’re a mixed-sex couple, you will be separated; no mixing of sexes is allowed in a traditional Turkish hammam.
The person performing your hammam will also be of the same sex as you.
When you arrive, you’ll be given your wrap and slippers and shown where you can change. You leave your clothes in a locker, and you keep the key around your wrist on an elasticated bracelet or pinned to your wrap.
From there, you’ll be taken to the sauna area, which is sometimes on the same floor as the hammam itself and sometimes downstairs.
This is the hard part for many – you have to sit and literally sweat all the impurities and toxins out of your body for around 15 minutes.
This is referred to as the ‘hararet,’ and this part of the hammam is iconic. It is what you would have seen in many magazines and websites promoting hammams.
Some hammams allow sexes to mix in the sauna area and some don’t; this will again depend on where you go. Once you’ve sweated all those impurities out, you’ll be taken into the hammam itself.
Next, you’ll be asked to lay on a marble slab on your back. This is called the gobektasi. You’ll be left there for a few minutes, and then your attendant will come into the room.
You’re first soaked with warm water, and a lot of soap suds come your way. While these suds are coming at you left, right, and center, you’re massaged with what can only be described as a huge loofah known as a – kese – this mitten with scrub off the dead cells of your skin (though it may feel like a layer of skin comes off too!).
This loofah will get rid of all the dead skin cells and impurities that the sauna released, and you’ll be asked to move around the slab as it’s happening, from your back, onto your stomach.
It’s not pain, but it’s sometimes a little uncomfortable. It’s meant to be that way because you can’t become as clean as you’re supposed to without a bit of scrubbing! Once the cleansing is over, you’ll be rinsed with cold water, and yes, it is cold!
This is part of the process and not torture they’re inflicting on you; it’s designed to eliminate all the cells that have been scrubbed away and improve circulation.
You’ll feel as smooth and fresh as a daisy afterward, so remind yourself of that when the cold drench comes your way!
Once the rinse is over, you’ll be taken to a cooldown area where you sit and relax. This is the best part, and you really will feel like you’re floating on air. There are usually toilets and showers here, too, so you can have your own rinse off if you please.
If you choose to go down the route of a hotel hammam, it’s at this point you’ll typically receive an oil massage and be offered many other services (pedicures, fish spa, etc.). Be warned, they will try and give you the hard sell, so if you really don’t want them, be firm and say “no thank you.”
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