My First Hammam

There is one thing you HAVE to do when you go to Istanbul.

And that is to experience a Turkish bath.

What Is a Turkish Bath?

Also known as a Hammam, it is a public place where you clean yourself.

It’s a place of communal relaxation that has been around for decades and a practice that has been around for centuries.

Why was this a top priority for me?

My favorite type of tourism is wellness tourism

-travel associated with the pursuit of maintaining or enhancing one's personal well-being.

a.k.a - Going to the spa while traveling, whatever that might entail. 

Going to the spa in Thailand, Japan, and Turkey are all such different cultural experiences. Each countries services have their own unique history, and this is my favorite way to learn about history!

I made reservations at the

Cagaloglu Hamam.

It was built in 1791, is absolutely stunning, and is one of the most famous bathhouses in the world! The whole experience was amazing, and the staff was so nice!

My Experience

After checking in, I was lead to the ladies section and shown my private room to change into the provided towel, disposable underwear, and shoes and wait in the foyer until your name was called.

The person caring for me came and took my hand and lead me to the sauna. Where I sat for at about 15 minitues. When time was up, she came and grabbed my hand and took me to the the center of the room. It is a vast circle - a slab of quarts where women are lying around getting washed.

Obviously there aren’t much pictures. But this is what is looks like.

Each person gets their own space laying on the edge being washed.

Can we just appreciate how freaking cool this architecture is. It actually feels surreal to be there in person.

She started washing me by throwing two big buckets of water on me. One hot and one cold

I giggled, cause it was a little startling.

She put my towel like a blanket on the center slab and motioned for me to lie down. I laid on the towel while she exfoliated my whole body.

Front and back

Then came the best part: the bubbles

Out of nowhere, these giant bubbles start filling the room and being put on my body. I had no idea where these could have come from!

I looked up and watched as she was using this foam bag, that looked like a pillowcase, dipped it into a bucket

which I found out later is olive oil soap

and swings it in the air. Creating these giant bubbles that coverd my whole body.

I was then massaged with these heavenly bubbles that left my skin so soft.

After about 20 minutes of bliss and a couple buckets of water later, she motioned for me to sit up, and she brought me away from the center bathing area.

She washed my hair, rinsed me off, and wrapped me in my towels. Took my hand and lead me back to the foyer where coffee/ tea and Turkish delight was waiting for me!

Look at Liza here, pure relaxation! 

We travel for new experiences, adventures, and stories.

Many of which provide feelings of shock. 

Culture Shock

Culture shock should not be correlated with such a negative connotation. It’s a feeling that had been missing from my travels since I spent a Summer living in Thailand.

and I missed it

The feeling of anxiety that has been coined 'culture shock' comes from the mere uncertainty you feel in the situation because it's so foreign to you.

Was I anxious about going to my first Hammam? Absolutely.

Baths are such a private thing in American Culture. To experience a stranger bathing you with other strangers laying around you is a bit ... shocking.

But what an experience!

I never felt uncomfortable, the whole staff was so kind, and I felt very cared for.

That was my experience at my first Turkish bath, and I hope it is not my last!