Guide to (Hamams) Turkish Baths For Women
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Traditional Turkish bathhouses, known as hamams, are an integral aspect of Turkish life. These public baths have been used for generations in Turkey for more than simply personal hygiene; they also serve religious and therapeutic reasons.
According to some, a visit to the hamam is a great way to unwind and shed some pounds. Preparing for prayer in Islam involves more than just standing in silence; it also involves washing your hands, feet, and head.
However, in Turkey, males and females use separate bathing areas. Also, it can be confusing to know what to do in a Turkish bath as a lady tourist without ever having been there before.
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Everything from what to wear to what to anticipate when visiting a Turkish bath is detailed here for your convenience.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM TURKISH BATHS FOR WOMEN?
If you’ve ever been to a Roman Bath and imagined yourself sitting in a pool of hot water, surrounded by strangers, staring at the mosaics on the walls, chit-chatting with others, and contemplating your life, think again.
A Turkish bath differs from a Roman bath. Yes, the notion comes from the Romans who controlled Constantinople (also known as old Istanbul) before the Ottomans took it over, but the Ottomans added their own flavor to the concept of public bathing.
The only similarity between the two is the architectural and bathing history, and the bathing room at the end (to a degree). A Turkish hamam, on the other hand, is quite different.
What should you expect from a Turkish bath?
As previously stated, men and women are frequently separated in traditional Turkish hamams. The bathing procedure is the same for both sexes, although a Turkish hamam focuses on a massage ritual rather than a bath.
There are usually a variety of services available, such as Bali massages, Thai massages, and hot stone massages, all of which are administered by your tellak (a male attendant) or natir (a female attendant).
You would only be attended to by a natir if you were a woman.
If this is your first time, your natir will walk you through the process.
Traditional Turkish hamams last 45 minutes and involve a traditional body scrub using a handwoven wash cloth known locally as a kese, a foam wash, and a massage.
Some hamams will segregate their services by time, meaning men can attend at one time of day and ladies at another, so check the opening times for female Turkish baths before going.
What happens during a Turkish bath?
You will first be handed a peshtemal, which is a thin cotton towel that will be wrapped around you during your bath. You will generally be provided with a conventional towel to dry off after bathing, but it is always a good idea to carry your own just in case.
Almost all historic baths offer a dressing area where you can change into your bathing suit and lockers to store your belongings.
When you’re ready, your bath attendant will lead you to a heated area of the hamam. This is where the adventure begins.
You will be instructed to sit and rest next to a kurna, which is a little marble basin. This is similar to a steam room and is intended to open your pours in preparation for the following bit.
Your natir will scrub you down after a period of sitting next to the kurna. Because most washing facilities are segregated to provide privacy, this will be a private experience.
Your natir will then massage you with a foam-filled towel as you lie down on a gobektasi, which is similar to a heated marble slab in a hot region of the hamam.
When your natir is over, you can either relax in the bath area or wash off and go home. Personally, I think the bath section is the greatest part. Typically, it is a pool in an ornately decorated building with a high central dome. These bathing areas might be private or shared with other people of the same gender.
ARE TURKISH BATHS ALWAYS SEPARATED?
If you’re traveling to Turkey with your spouse and want to experience a Turkish hamam together, you may be wondering if it’s possible.
We understand; we would love to share this experience with you, but finding a hamam that offers services for couples is difficult. This is because mixing is not conventional, and most hamams prefer to stick to their customs.
If you want to perform a couples massage, you should check into premium 5* hotels.
The good news is that you do not have to be a guest to utilize the spa facilities. You can book treatment packages directly from their websites.
WHAT DO WOMEN WEAR TO A TURKISH HAMAM?
Authentic Turkish baths are usually nude, however it is sometimes up to the woman to determine whether she wants to be naked or wear a swimming suit.
Women are required to wear bathing suits in some hamams. It all comes down to the location and its specific policies, so do your homework before you arrive.
Bring your bathing suit if in doubt. If you forget and need one, you can typically acquire one from reception (but it won’t be flattering).