How to behave properly in a hammam in Istanbul

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For many tourists, a visit to the hammam, the Turkish steam bath, is one of the highlights of their trip to Turkey. Fears of contact are inappropriate, especially in Istanbul the hammams are geared towards visiting tourists.

Hamams are fairytale wellness oases.
Hamams are fairytale wellness oases.
  1. Visiting the hammam is straightforward and requires few precautions. Even if the hammam is used to cleanse the body, you should shower beforehand and make sure you look well-groomed.
  2. Women should also remove their make-up so that the skin can better absorb the vapors and care substances in the hammam.
  3. You are given clear instructions in the hammam and do not have to worry about getting lost. As a rule, you will be provided with a personal Natir, a lifeguard or a lifeguard who will accompany you through the treatments.
  4. Men and women always come into separate areas in the hammam. There you enter a changing room, in which you take off your clothes completely.
  5. In the wet rooms you only wear a relatively small, checked cotton cloth and wooden slippers, which are made available to you. Be quiet in the hammam and speak quietly, if at all.
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  6. A visit to the hammam begins with a thorough washing of the whole body. The natir whips soap in a bowl, which is spread over the body with a coarse goat hair rag.
  7. It can be quite rough, but perseverance is rewarded. Your skin will then be wonderfully soft.
  8. After washing, there is a massage that you often need to book in advance. Massage is also not for sensitive people. The whole body is treated with great effort by the Natir.
  9. The visit to the hammam ends with washing your hair. This is also done by the Natir, who lather the hair vigorously before rinsing it out with a large gush of water.
  10. This cycle in the hammam takes 30 to 45 minutes. Then you will feel relaxed, but also exhausted. For this reason, relaxation rooms are available where you can enjoy a tea or Ayran to strengthen yourself.
  11. The prices in the hammams of Istanbul can vary a lot. In order to avoid unpleasant surprises, you should inform yourself carefully before your visit. Smaller hammams away from the old town center are the cheapest.

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