At a hammam you wear a peştemal, the thin cotton wrap the bath hands you, and usually your underwear or swimwear underneath. You stay covered the whole time, the men’s and women’s sections are separate, and a same-gender attendant looks after you. There is almost nothing to bring, since the hammam provides the essentials. This guide covers exactly what to wear, what to leave off and what to pack for a comfortable first visit.

What Do You Wear at a Hammam?

The one thing you wear the whole time is the peştemal, a light woven cotton cloth the hammam gives you at the start. You wrap it around yourself in the changing cabin and keep it on through the warm-up, the scrub and the wash. It is designed to keep you covered while still letting the attendant work, so once it is on, you are set for the whole visit.

Do You Wear Anything Underneath?

Yes, most people keep their underwear on beneath the peştemal, and that is perfectly normal. Women often keep their briefs or wear a bikini bottom, and men keep their underwear or stay wrapped in the peştemal. You are never fully undressed in the shared rooms, and if you would feel easier with more cover, swimwear is welcome almost everywhere. Wear whatever leaves you comfortable, since the point is to relax.

What the Hammam Provides

The bath supplies the essentials, so you can arrive with almost nothing. Most places give you a peştemal, soap and often wooden clogs for the wet marble, and many sell or lend the kese, the coarse mitt used for the scrub. You do not need to bring towels, since a dry one is handed to you at the end.

What to Bring

  • Swimwear, if you would rather not be bare under the peştemal
  • A change of underwear for afterwards
  • A hairbrush and any skincare you like on clean skin
  • Some cash for a tip to the attendant
  • A water bottle, since the heat leaves you thirsty

What to Leave Off

Come light. Take off rings, watches and any jewellery before you go in, since the marble and water are slippery and the heat is not kind to metal. Heavy makeup is best skipped, as the steam and the wash will take it off anyway, and if you wear contact lenses you may prefer to remove them in the steam. Large bags are usually not allowed inside, so travel with as little as you can.

What About Couples and Mixed Hammams?

Traditional hammams keep men and women in separate sections, each with a same-gender attendant, so you dress for your own side. Some modern spa hammams offer couples rooms where you share the space, and there swimwear is the natural choice. If you are booking as a couple, check the setup first so you know what to pack.

After the Hammam

When the wash is done, you are wrapped in dry towels and led to the cool room to rest with a glass of tea. This is where the change of underwear comes in handy, and where your freshly scrubbed skin feels its best. Give yourself a little time to cool down before you dress and head back out, since the heat leaves most people pleasantly drowsy.

How to Book Your Hammam

Once you know what to wear, the rest is easy. Book online ahead of your date, choose a historic bath or a modern spa and pick your package, and reserve your spot now on istanbulhamam.com. Arrive ten minutes early with your confirmation, and the staff guide you through every step.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do you wear to a hammam?

A peştemal, the cotton wrap the hammam provides, usually with your underwear or swimwear underneath. You stay covered throughout.

Are you naked in a Turkish bath?

No. You keep the peştemal on in the shared rooms and usually wear underwear or swimwear beneath it, and the men’s and women’s sections are separate.

Do you wear swimwear in a hammam?

You can. Swimwear is welcome almost everywhere and is the natural choice in couples rooms, though many people simply keep their underwear on under the peştemal.

Do men and women go together?

In traditional hammams, no. They have separate sections with a same-gender attendant. Some modern spa hammams offer couples rooms where you share the space.

What should you bring to a hammam?

Very little. Swimwear if you prefer it, a change of underwear, a hairbrush and some cash for a tip. The bath provides the peştemal, soap and towels.

Should you shave before a hammam?

Not on the same day. The kese scrub is firm, and freshly shaved skin can sting, so leave a day in between.