Traditional Turkish baths, known as hammams, offer pure relaxation: after a day of shopping, you will be in foam until the tip of your nose is no longer visible.
There is no need for specially specific days for ladies in Turkish baths, because they are strictly gender segregated anyway. The traditional Turkish steam bath is called a hammam. There are more than 100 such swimming pools in Istanbul alone. Anyone who travels to the city on the Bosphorus without visiting the Hamam is as unhappy as someone who returns home without visiting Hagia Sophia.
The best place to relax is probably in historic hammams, like the Cemberlitas bath in the Old Town. Baths are one of the most important examples of Ottoman architecture of the 16th century.
women in tight pants
In the dressing room, the staff gives guests checkered towels, which they wrap around their bodies before entering the main room of the hammam. You are immediately struck by warm, humid air. In the center of the circular hall there is a pleasantly warm, round marble slab called Gobektasi. Here, visitors are served by women in tight pants.
You won’t forget the massage they provide so quickly. First, they scrub dirt from your body with all possible tricks, using a coarse sponge made of silk or goat hair called bags. Even the purest visitors can curl up ugly worms on the body.
After exfoliation, the women foam the guests with very fragrant soap until the tip of the nose is visible from all that foam. After the final massage, you can relax to your heart’s content. Your skin is now as soft as a baby, and you are as exhausted and hungry as after a long hike.
After the procedure, it is recommended to enjoy tea in the salon or hammam cafe, or even better, Ayran, non-alcoholic, salty yogurt that provides minerals.
220 guests per day
Many tourists also visit the Cemberlitas swimming pool, which receives approximately 220 guests per day. The same applies to the Cagaloglu swimming pool, built in 1741 and located not far from Hagia Sophia. Among the famous bathers here were the English king Edward VIII, the German emperor Wilhelm II. and composer Franz Liszt.
The Tarihi Galatasaray Hamam is also worth a visit, right around the corner. Built in 1481, the dream is of reddish marble. As everywhere else, visitors are offered traditional wooden slippers at the entrance, although they have been replaced by plastic sandals in many places. Those who don’t want to wear them should bring their own.
In any case, there are several rules that should be followed before enjoying the bath. Legs, arms and chin should not be shaved before bathing, because rough abrasion could put too much stress on the skin. Women should also remove makeup thoroughly before visits to make the pores open better. People with circulation problems or infections should refrain from visiting, because warm air can lower blood pressure. Large meals should also be postponed until later – it is guaranteed that you will be very hungry after the visit.
Arrival and formalities: Various airlines offer flights from Germany to Istanbul. The shortest way by car leads through the former Yugoslavia. EU citizens only need a valid identity card to enter. However, a passport valid for at least six months is recommended.
Air conditioning and travel time: In summer, temperatures in Istanbul can reach up to 40 degrees Celsius. The average temperature in July and August is 28 to 30 degrees Celsius. During cold and humid winters, temperatures almost never fall below 4 degrees Celsius. The best time to travel is spring and autumn.
Cover photo: Photo by Olga Nayda he unsplash
