The Turkish Bath is Indescribable – You Just Have to Live It: A Culture, A Ritual, and My Childhood

On the surface, describing a Turkish Bath (Hamam) seems straightforward enough: marble, steam, soap… But that hardly does it justice. A Hamam is less of a place and more of a feeling: the quiet solidity of the warm stone, the slowing rhythm of the steam, and that distinct sense of "lightness"—as if a weight you didn't know you were carrying has suddenly been lifted.

In this article, rather than giving you an encyclopaedic history lesson, I want to share the Hamam as it exists in my memory. (Though, the professional guide in me couldn't resist adding a brief historical note at the very bottom 🙂)

I was just eight years old. Istanbul: the noise, the hustle, the ceaseless energy of the city. I will never forget the moment I held my father's hand and stepped through the great door of the Cağaloğlu Hamam. The moment we crossed the threshold, the outside world fell silent; it was as if someone had pressed 'pause' on the city, and time itself had shifted into a different gear.

What I experienced that day wasn't just "getting washed". It was a silent rite of passage my father was including me in. A bit of growing up, a bit of bravery, and immersing myself in an ancient tradition. Today, if someone asks me "What is a Hamam?", I don't think of the facts first. I think of that feeling: The Hamam isn't something you explain; it’s something you experience.

Not Just Bathing, But Breathing in a Culture

You see "Turkish Bath" signs all over the world now; in hotels, spas, and city centres. Brochures tend to use words like "mystic" to sell them. But a Hamam isn't just a set-piece made of marble and steam. It is living culture—perhaps even a form of urban memory.

In many places, a spa is designed to be a solitary, silent experience. Here, the Hamam is "in the thick of life": people chat, laugh, and catch up. In the old days, neighbourhood news and gossip spread on Hamam days. Indeed, in our mothers' time, the Hamam wasn't just for washing; it was a "social observation deck" of sorts. Who is polite? Who is modest? Who takes good care of themselves? Quite often, subtle matchmaking—or at least the silent evaluation of potential brides—took place between the lines of Hamam conversation. The Hamam is not just about purification; it is about connection.

The Steps of the Ritual: Heat, Scrub, and Foam

The first stop is the Camekan*: Here, you hang up your worldly worries along with your clothes. The Peştemal* you wrap around your waist is essentially the "uniform" of this culture—a sign that you have officially entered the ritual.

Then, the heat… As steam and warmth open the pores, the body relaxes, and the mind slows down. You simply sit and breathe for a while; the gentle heat radiating from the marble begins to untie the knots in your muscles. Right here is where the heart of the Hamam beats: the kurnas (basins) lining the walls. Standing by the kurna, pouring water over your shoulders with a copper bowl, you feel the ritual has truly "begun". Lukewarm water to acclimatise, hot water to soften up—and with every pour, the rush of the outside world washes away a little more.

Then, the master takes over: the tellak* in the men's section, the natır* in the women's section. First, a quick dousing with water from the kurna* to prepare the skin for the kese*. And then comes the scrub: as the dead skin rolls away, it feels as though the fatigue on your shoulders is flaking off with it.

Here is a little "Hamam truth" for you: A Tellak doesn't do "gentle". A proper Hamam scrub isn't the soft, circular motion of a cotton pad you might get in a western spa; it is a decisive, vigorous cleanse designed to scrub away the wear and tear of years. First-timers are often a bit startled, thinking, "Goodness, that's a bit firm, isn't it?" The Tellak seems to read this thought, offering a half-smile that says: "Don't worry, it's supposed to be like this." There is a joke amongst the regulars: "The Tellak won't break you... but he might sculpt you a little." (Tip: If you ask for a "softer scrub", a good Tellak will adjust the pressure immediately—the Hamam might be rough, but the hospitality is gentle.)

Once the scrub is done, water from the kurna* is poured again; this time bringing not just cleanliness, but a sense of sheer relief. Then follows the foam massage… Dense, soapy foam wraps your body like a cloud; shoulders, back, and arms finally surrender to the gentle pressure. In the final stage, as you are rinsed with that last water from the copper hamam bowl*, the heat gives way to a serene lightness. You literally feel reborn.

The phrase "I feel like a new person" might well have been coined immediately after a Turkish Bath, don't you think? :)

We Don't Recommend What We Haven't Tested

That feeling of "renewal" as you sip your tea in the cooling section is priceless. But to ensure that feeling isn't spoiled, the venue matters: cleanliness, service quality, etiquette, and respect for privacy must all be up to scratch.

That's why we have a clear principle: We do not recommend any place that we, or our guests, haven't personally experienced and approved. Because our goal isn't just a booking; it's a genuine experience that connects you with the culture and stays in your memory.

So, Where Can You Find That "Authentic Taste"?

Switching from the historic atmosphere of Istanbul to the warm coasts of the holiday regions, it isn't always easy to find a Hamam that carries the same spirit. One must carefully select places that are far removed from tourist traps, focusing truly on purification and wellbeing.

When we make our selection, we don't just look at the marble: We look for the mastery of the natır and tellak, a rhythm that doesn't rush you, the smile at the reception, and yes, even how well the tea is brewed at the end. All so you can experience that "moment time stood still" that my 8-year-old self felt all those years ago…

Hamam Glossary

CAMEKÂN Entrance/resting area: changing, tea/coffee, and socialising section.

PEŞTEMAL Traditional Hamam towel wrapped around the waist. Thin-textured and practical.

TELLAK Professional attendant in the men's section who performs the scrub and foam massage.

NATIR Professional attendant in the women's section providing scrub/foam services.

KESE The coarse mitt used for exfoliation—an indispensable part of the ritual.

KURNA Traditional marble basin where hot and cold water are mixed and scooped with a bowl.

HAMAM TASI Traditional vessel (usually copper or brass) used to pour water from the kurna over the body.