What can I expect from a turkish bath or Hamam in Istanbul?

Question

Im a male American who is also a nudist. id love to explore the ancient tradition of Turkish Baths, but have no idea what to expect.

Answer 1

Expect to feel the cleanest you've ever been!



It's not really a nudist experience - it's a cleasing and relaxation experience.



You'll be given the key to a private cabin for your belongings - don't bring valuables - they would be safe, but why worry?



You will be given a Peshtamel (spelling?) which is a thin towel to cover your privates. You'll also get slippers.



You'll walk into a hot outer room where one of the attendents will "introduce" himself. You'll got into a larger room with a dome and skylights - all one sex (yours).



You'll just do what everyone else is doing...you'll see small rinsing areas with warm water where you can start to rinse. in the middle of the room, there will be a large marble slab... I believe it's heated from underneath. Your new friend will find you and bring you over to your spot on the hot slab. You'll be bathed and scrubbed with somevery warm herbal water. He will scrub you with a kind of cheese cloth that will exfoliate your skin...you'll see black, dead skin falling off your body....don't worry. Your body will be stretched and cracked and massaged. The guy will direct to move and will likely handle the towel to cover your privates no matter how you are turned. There will be more rinsing and washing until you are squeaky clean. You'll be given a fresh towel. You'll be directed to another lounge where you'll be offered tea and snacks. You can chill for as long as you like.



You will feel fantastic and I bet it will cost less than $20. Depending on where you're staying, your concierge can arrange one for you. I would suggest going to an authentic local/historical hamam. I believe the one I used was called "Cemberlitas"



Have great time!

Answer 2

Great answers from "Jdudemil" and "chwiggett" (they were the only postings when I came across this question myself). Being a native Turk myself, I could not answer the question any better. Thank you both.



One minor addition to our American Nudist friends though ... be careful as Turkish people don't much like people walking around in their "birthday suits" even though you may think it is ok since after all you are in a "bath".



But I can tell you one thing. Once you go through the whole Turkish Bath experience, you'll never forget it. Plan to spend about a half a day there.



Good luck.

Answer 3

Its quite incredible! Forget that 'SPA' idea we have in North America! There are traditionally 3 rooms in a Hamam, It starts usually with a very hot room (clear pores, detox body with steam, etc. Second room is warm, and usually involves a DEEP scrub treatment. This is a very intense, deep exfoliation! Expect to get scrubbed everywhere by someone you verbally cannot communicate with due to language barriers.

The third room is a cooler room where you can relax and have a glass of tea or coffee (dark, strong).

Unlike a North American 'SPA', there are most often no individual, private rooms. You are scrubbed and rubbed and massaged infront of everyone else.

The experience takes almost a whole day.

Enjoy!

Answer 4

ive been to turkey once,and im going back august this year.i wasnt to sure wot to expect from a turkish bath..but after reading peoples replys.it doesnt sound to bad,apart from the bit about smelly turks walking about lol.thanks all