Istanbul: Turkish bath with peeling & foam massage

Summary

Steam, laughter, and tradition inside an Istanbul hamam

You’ll step into centuries-old marble halls for a real Turkish bath experience in Istanbul — complete with peeling (kese) and a mountain of foamy bubbles massaged right into your skin. Local attendants guide you through every step so you can relax fully. It’s one of those rituals you’ll remember long after leaving the city.

What’s the experience like?

"You can leave your slippers here," the attendant said, and I hesitated for a second — not sure if I was supposed to tip or just smile. The marble floor felt warm under my feet, and there was this soft echo of water splashing somewhere deeper inside the hamam. Istanbul outside was noisy and bright, but in here it was all steam and quiet voices. I’d read about Turkish baths before, but honestly, nothing really prepares you for the first wave of heat that hits when you step into the main chamber.

Our guide — well, more like a host than a guide — showed me how to wrap the thin cotton towel (I probably did it wrong at first; he grinned and fixed it). The air smelled faintly of olive soap and something floral I couldn’t place. Lying on the big hot stone in the center, I could hear someone humming an old song nearby. The peeling part (kese) surprised me — it’s gentle but also kind of intense? You see all this skin coming off and think, wow, maybe I needed this more than I thought. There’s something weirdly comforting about being scrubbed by someone who’s done this a thousand times.

The foam massage came next — mountains of bubbles everywhere, almost cartoonish. At one point I laughed because the bubbles tickled my nose and the attendant just winked like he sees that every day (which he probably does). It’s hard to explain how relaxing it is until you’re there: muscles go loose, time slows down. Afterward, sitting wrapped in a towel with tea in hand, I felt lighter somehow. Maybe it was just the steam or maybe something else.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Traditional Turkish Bath Experience

• Turkish bath with peeling and foam massage

Top questions

How long does the Turkish bath experience in Istanbul last?

The experience takes approximately 1 hour from start to finish.

Is this Turkish bath suitable for children?

No, it's not recommended for children aged 4 and under.

Are pregnant travelers allowed to join the Turkish bath?

No, it's not recommended for pregnant travelers.

What is included in the Istanbul Turkish bath package?

The package includes peeling (kese) and a foam massage performed by local staff.

Do I need any special fitness level for this experience?

The Turkish bath is suitable for all physical fitness levels.

What’s included

Your visit includes both a traditional peeling treatment (kese) and a relaxing foam massage performed by experienced local attendants during your time at the Istanbul hamam.