Female and male sections are separated in traditional hammams. Yet the bathing rituals are similar between the sexes. In Gocek Hamam & Afrodit Spa Fethiye Mugla we have one section for both sexes and also seperated part for females. The hammam experience is about leaving yourself in the hands of your tellak or natir, the male or female attendants respectively, who guide visitors through the progressively warmer sections of the bath.
There are a number of different services on offer in most hammans, and you have to sort this out at the beginning. A traditional Turkish bath package includes 45 minutes of washing; traditional body scrubbing with handwoven wash cloth known as a kese; a foam wash; and a massage.
Peshtemal
The attendants usually provide visitors with a peshtemal, a thin cotton towel to wrap yourself and a regular towel to use after bathing. It is okay to bring your bathing suit or bikinis; but, since few others and no Turks will be wearing anything, it’s not recommended for the true experience. We have a dressing section where you can store securely your belongings.
What is the traditional hammam day
Once you are ready, the bath attendant will take you into the warm section. Here you can relax and sweat next to a kurna, the small marble basin. Next comes the scrubbing, which is done by the attendant. Sit back and relax, and let him or her scrub every inch of your body with the kese. Once scrubbed, take your place on the warm marble slab called the gobektasi in the hot section, where your attendant is ready with a lacy, foam-filled cloth for a sudsy massage. Following this rejuvenating experience, most linger in the bath area and relax.
Before you leave
Back in the cold section, Spend a few minutes, drink Turkish tea or anything you want, allowing your body to come back to its regular temperature. It’s also a time to tip your attendants, which is normal in the hammam.