Turkish bath

I've learned from all travel guidebooks that Turkish bath, hammam, is a tourist must-do in Turkey but I wonder if the locals go for it too? Or it has just become something for the tourist?

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The Turkish definitely visit hamams!

It's only a must-do if you want to do it. I've been to Istanbul many times but have never visited the inside of a hamam there (but I have elsewhere).

I think some hamams are more touristy than others. Somebody here will have some recommendations for you.

A visit to a good hamam is a truly wonderful experience-not to be missed!Many years ago everyone went to their local hamam simply because they didn't have bathrooms but then as houses modernised so a trip to the hamam fell out of fashion,indeed was considered rather old hat.
During this period many beautiful Ottoman hamams fell into disrepair and sadly many no longer exist but with the coming of mass tourism to Turkey those that were still standing began to be renovated and reopened.
Slowly Turks started to realise what they were missing and they too started to go ,like tourists, just for the sheer pleasure of it rather than lack of a bathroom.Of course there are also many Turks who never stopped going whether they had a bathroom or not :)
Often young groups of girlfriends will now go with teh bride to be prior to marriage for a girlie night at the hamam as part of the wedding preparations.This was once an old tradition ...but fell out of fashion.Nice to see it popular again.
Where in Turkey will you visit?Perhaps I can offer some nice recommendations,some a bit less touristy than others maybe.

Is there a nice, non-touristy haman exclusively for women or one with separate female counters? I would love to go to in Istanbul!

Thanks for the replies!! They're all really helpful.
@sarikanarya It'd be great to see that listings of nice hamam recommendations. :D

@Hannahy.All traditional hamams are separated,only touristic ones have mixed facilities,so you can go to most.
You are sure to take a visit to the Asian side during your stay so I would recommend this one in Kadıköy very close to the ferry pier-
http://www.aziziyehamam.com/
They are now used to seeing the occasional foreigner but aren't overwhelmed with them,so you don't get the tourist 'rushed through' version :) On the map you can clearly see the pier(vapur iskelesi)and the hamam is maybe 5 minutes walk is all.

@Rainalee...give me a rough idea of where you'll be visiting aside from Istanbul so I don't have to list you hamams in every city and town LOL.From example,are you visiting Cappadocia or Konya or Selçuk maybe?

@sarikanarya
I'm going to several cities, like the ones you mentioned. And also Istanbul and Ankara.
There's more chance that we'll enjoy it in Istanbul as we're spending more time there. Thx!

Okay,here are some nice recommendations for you.All are clean and respectable(no dodgy stuff!).
In Selçuk there is a lovely little hamam.I'm sorry the web site is only in Turkish but you can see the photo's at least(click on resimler).Selçuk is only small so this is easy to find-
http://www.efesselcukhamami.com/
In Cappadocia the Ürgüp City Hamam is nice too-
http://www.urgupsehirhamami.com/?lang=en
In Konya the Mahkeme Hamam(judges hamam)close to the centrally located Şems-i-Tebrizi Mosque is very good.
I cannot comment on any in Ankara although they do of course exist.

In Istanbul...in addition to Aziziye over in Kadıköy.
If you want to splurge a serious wad of dosh then this one is fabbo-
http://kilicalipasahamami.com/
It is in Karaköy right on the water front close by Istanbul Modern Gallery.Very indulgent :))
Just off Divan Yolu in Sultanahmet is this lovely Mimar Sinan hamam,Gedikpaşa Hamam-
http://www.gedikpasahamami.com/en/default.asp
If you are feeling adventurous ,or if you are visiting that area of the city anyway(perhaps for KariyeMuseum?) then you could go to Zeyrek Cinli Hamam,just along the Golden Horn near Unkapanı.This too is a Mimar Sinan treasure noted for it's beautiful ceramics and was used as a location for the film...Hamam(of course).It is İtfaiye Caddesi(fire station street).
http://www.ibb.gov.tr/sites/ks/en-US/1-Places-To-Go/historical-bath/Pages/Cinili-bath.aspx
If you do happen to go there then afterwards you can have lunch or dinner(or both!) at one of my favourite food spots Sur Ocakbaşı which is almost next door to the hamam-there's convenience for you haa haa.
http://www.surocakbasi.com/eng/sur.html
They specialise in cuisine from the southeast region of Turkey.It isn't an 'upmarket' dining experience but it is one that serves superb food in simple surroundings.And will make you say...num num num! love their food.
Oh,I digress...the hamams I have suggested are all ones where you will be allowed to relax and enjoy your time rather than being rushed through as if on a conveyor belt.The very well known tourist hamams of Çağaloğlu and Çemberlitaş on Divan Yolu sadly tend to be like this these days.

You need take nothing with you to the hamam;everything required is provided for you.Just money to pay entrance fee and for a scrub if you want one.Also take a little extra money to give tips too.This is generally given to the scrubber(pardon the expression!)who will soap and scrub you.These people are at best on minimum wage so tips make a difference to them.HOWEVER,if you aren't happy then don't tip;it is not an obligation,but anything you do give will be accepted with gratitude.And also maybe a couple of lire to the attendant who shows you around and settles you in etc.,.

It will feel weird at first to be almost naked and have a total stranger handle you(rather vulnerable actually)but get past that and just relax as if it was your Mum washing you again like when you were 5 or 6.Bliss.......

@sarikanarya
Thanks so much for all the detailed information!! It's been really helpful :))

From what I've read and heard, females should only go to Hamas with female masseuses (sp.). My gf went to the female side of an old Bergama hamam and enjoyed it, though she was apprehensive. My daughter went to the ladies-only one in Selcuk (Friday's, 11am-4pm) and had a wonderful 90 minutes there. The Selcuk place and others have had women reporting molestation experiences when the massage person was a male.

Yes,you do hear of reports of molestation and this is most often in hotel hamams in the heavily touristic seaside resorts.I have also heard of reports about the Selçuk hamam too but frankly find them very hard to believe.This is a small town where everyone knows everyone else and if someone was doing something to damage the high reputation of the town then action would have been taken long ago IMHO.
I think it is a salient point that reports of molestation are frequently(but not always)from those who have never been to a hamam before and mistake normal handling with molestation.It is after all an intimate process involving washing close to the groin area.Any smart person understands when it goes just that little too far too many times.There is close and...on target ,if you get my drift.
I have heard women complaining that they "washed and scrubbed under my breasts" ,yes,they do,that is normal and if one is heavy breasted they will cup and lift them to wash you properly;there is no sexual motive in this.But perhaps for someone who doesn't know what to expect it could be viewed(wrongly) as molestation.

Thanks for your recommendations, sarikanarya - very detailed. And your clear explanations are very well described.
Personally, I adore a hamman 'experience'. so luxurious and yes, you are being touched and handled by a stranger, but for me that is part of amazing experience, especially when the travel road feels long and hard, and you are tired etc That scrubbing takes off layers of grime that I can feel embarrassed I am so grubby and always leaves me feeling so clean!
Some folk may find they have to leave their 'personal space' at the door as it is a public bath and you will be 'touched', just as a baby is bathed.
Always ask "woman only" and I can only add that I have never had a bad experience.

Haa haa haa yes,I always feel far more embarrassed about the amount of filth that comes off me than about the size of my bum or rolls of ahem..puppy fat :)and figure that a bloke would have to be really REALLY desperate to want to try to cop a feel off me!

BTW,let me define 'groin area'.When on your stomach your bikini bottoms or swim trunks are hoisted up into the crack of your butt so they can wash your buttocks and side flanks.If you have a bikini top on then they open the back strap to wash your back but refasten it before turning you over.
When on your back they will roll a high waist bikini or trunks down to your hip bones,just to the top of the pubic hair region but not exposing it,to wash your stomach.This is why for ladies a bikini is far better than a one piece suit as they can wash you more efficiently whilst still respecting your modesty.
For the legs they wash right up to the crease line of your inside groin BUT everything between those two crease lines are your responsibility ,they do not wash there whether male or female.In fact it is hamam ettiquette to first take a shower and wash your genital area yourself before going into the steam room.
So the no no area is that part right between your legs,anything else is there to be washed.

And if like me you are an ...amply covered person don't think folks will stare at you,don't be shy.You will see every size and shape of humanity it is possible to see in a hamam and once everyone is hot and sweaty no one gives a hoot what size or shape anyone else is :)

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