What should you wear in a Turkish bath?
Visiting a Turkish bath, or hammam, is a unique cultural and relaxing experience that many travelers and locals alike enjoy. If it’s your first time, you might be wondering: What should you wear in a Turkish bath? Unlike a spa or sauna in some other parts of the world, hammams have specific customs and traditions when it comes to attire. Here’s what you need to know before stepping into one.
The traditional attire: Pestemal
When you enter a Turkish bath, you are usually provided with a pestemal, a lightweight cotton or linen towel with fringed edges. The pestemal is an integral part of the hammam experience and is worn around the waist for men and typically around the body for women, covering the chest and waist.
The pestemal is designed to absorb moisture quickly while providing modesty in the shared spaces of the hammam. It is both practical and traditional, allowing your body to be exposed to the heat while maintaining a level of coverage.
What to wear under the pestemal
When it comes to what you should wear underneath the pestemal, the norms can vary depending on the hammam and your comfort level.
Men:
Most men wear just the pestemal with nothing underneath, as full nudity is generally accepted in the male sections of traditional Turkish baths.
However, some men choose to wear swim trunks or underwear for personal comfort and modesty.
Women:
Women typically wear the pestemal to cover both the chest and waist, though it is common to wear a bikini or underwear underneath for extra coverage.
In more conservative hammams, women may choose to keep their undergarments or swimsuit on throughout the bathing process.
Each hammam may have slightly different customs, and it is often a personal choice. Always feel free to ask the staff if you’re unsure about the dress code for that particular bathhouse.
Footwear: Slippers or sandals
Most hammams will provide you with slippers, often made of rubber or plastic, to wear inside the bathhouse. These are important for maintaining hygiene and ensuring safety, as the floors can be slippery due to water and steam. Some bathhouses allow you to bring your own flip-flops or waterproof sandals, but if they provide them, it’s often best to use theirs to comply with the bathhouse’s hygiene standards.
What about nudity?
In traditional Turkish baths, nudity is more common among men than women, but it varies depending on the specific hammam and its clientele.
For men: In the male sections of the hammam, full nudity is not uncommon, especially during the washing and scrubbing process. However, most men wear their pestemal when moving between rooms, and many prefer to keep it on for the entire experience.
For women: Women’s sections tend to be more modest, and it’s more common for women to wear their pestemal or some form of swimwear throughout the process. Some hammams even offer private bathing options for women who prefer more privacy.
If you’re not comfortable with nudity, you can keep your pestemal or swimwear on during the entire bath without issue. The staff in Turkish baths are very respectful and accustomed to varying levels of modesty from visitors.
After the bath: What to wear in the cooling room
After the bathing and massage experience, you’ll be led to the cooling room or relaxation area, where you can rest, sip tea, and let your body recover. Many hammams will provide a fresh, dry pestemal or towel to wrap around your body as you relax.
Some bathhouses may also offer a bathrobe if you prefer something more comfortable, but in general, it is perfectly acceptable to wear your pestemal in the relaxation area.
If you’ve brought extra undergarments or bathing attire, this is usually the time to change into them as your body cools down.
Packing tips: What to bring to a hamam
While most hammams provide everything you need, including towels, sandals, and even soap, there are a few personal items you might want to bring for extra comfort:
Swimwear: If you feel more comfortable wearing a bikini, swimsuit, or swim trunks underneath your pestemal, bring these with you.
Extra underwear: If you’re wearing swimwear or underwear in the bath, you’ll want something fresh to change into after your session.
Hair ties or shower cap: If you want to avoid getting your hair wet during the bath, bring a hair tie or a shower cap.
Moisturizer or lotion: After the exfoliation and bath, your skin will feel incredibly smooth, but it can also be a bit dry. Bringing a light moisturizer can help soothe your skin post-treatment.
Flip-flops: Though most hammams will provide slippers, you might feel more comfortable in your own non-slip sandals.
Mixed-gender vs. single-gender hamams
Some Turkish baths cater to mixed-gender groups, while others have separate sections or specific hours for men and women. In single-gender hammams, where only men or women are present at one time, the dress code tends to be more relaxed. However, in mixed-gender hammams, it is customary for both men and women to wear swimwear to maintain modesty.
Always check in advance whether the hammam you’re visiting is single-gender or mixed-gender, as this can influence what you choose to wear.
Comfort and tradition go hand in hand
When it comes to what to wear in a Turkish bath, the most important thing is to strike a balance between comfort and tradition. The pestemal is your essential garment, providing both modesty and practicality, and from there, it’s up to you whether you wear swimwear or go without underneath.
The key is to feel comfortable and relaxed while respecting the customs of the hammam you’re visiting. After all, the Turkish bath experience is all about unwinding, cleansing, and enjoying a centuries-old tradition in the heart of Istanbul or wherever your journey takes you.
