By Navitas Spa & SportsPublished: 25 August 20261 min read
At a glance
A 45-minute hammam ritual unfolds in six stages: changing into a peştemal (5 minutes), warming on the heated marble (10), the kese exfoliation (10), the foam massage (15), the rinse (5) and a rest with tea (as long as you like). Including a shower afterwards, plan about 70 minutes from arrival to departure.
Minute by minute
| Stage | Time | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Check-in and change | 10 min | Locker, bathrobe, peştemal; tell us about health and pressure |
| Warming | 10 min | Lying on the göbek taşı; warm water poured from a copper bowl |
| Kese | 10 min | Whole-body exfoliation with the rough mitt |
| Köpük | 15 min | Foam massage with olive-oil soap |
| Rinse | 5 min | Warm water from the kurna, hair washed if you wish |
| Rest | 10+ min | Fresh peştemal, heated lounger, tea or water |
| Shower and dress | 10 min | Showers, hairdryers; back to the terminal or the hotel |
What you do
Very little. Lie where you are asked, turn when you are asked, say if the scrub is too firm or the water too warm. The attendant does the rest. Talking is fine; silence is also fine.
What to avoid
- A heavy meal or alcohol in the two hours before
- Shaving just before — the kese on freshly shaved skin stings
- Sunburn — postpone the scrub
- Rushing the rest at the end; it is part of the ritual
Frequently asked questions
Does the scrub hurt?
It is vigorous, like a firm exfoliating glove, and should not hurt. Ask for a lighter hand if it does.
Is my hair washed?
If you wish — tell your attendant. Hairdryers are in the changing rooms.