The Turkish Bath

Travel Advice for Seniors: The Turkish Bath

A Turkish bath is an experience that every bath and massage connoisseur should experience at least once. Also, known as a bubble massage, it is meant to replicate the bathing experience of the Sultan’s wife (or one of the harem!), as cleanliness is one of the pillars of Islam and was a daily ritual in olden times.

The hamami we chose was Cagalogiu, one of the oldest baths in Istanbul. Built in 1741, it was indeed one of the grandest baths to be built in the Ottoman era. You will want to make a reservation at the popular hamamis well in advance.  

We headed to the Women’s baths and started with a designated private changing and relaxation room, complete with hair comb and other hygiene accessories, so you don’t need to bring anything with you. We were asked to remove your clothes, but for a provided disposable G string (!) and then to wrap yourself in a classic hamami towel (which is huge and does a good job of covering you up).

Next step was to go with your personal attendant into the main spa area to a private room where warm water was run into a small marble sink and then panned over your head and body to get you wet. Be prepared…the first pan of water is usually over your head! You were then ushered onto the central spa area where a very large heated circular marble slab sets in the middle of room. The spa was all white with a huge oculus above letting in natural light through the light steam of the room.

You were asked to lie down on the marble slab to absorb the therapeutic heat, while your attendant prepared for your massage, featuring….bubbly foam! And yes, parts of my body that had not been massaged before were massaged, but your privacy was protected in the common room as everyone was into their own bliss and the bubbles covered you up nicely.

I have to say just the thought of being treated like the Sultan’s wife (or at least one of the harem!) in an 800-year-old spa was truly overwhelming. The best I could do was leave all of my thoughts and pre-conceived notions behind and immerse myself in the moment. Even though it was very different from an American massage, it was a wonderful experience. As I mentioned to Mom when we in the changing area….it will be indeed be unique and we should just “go with it”!

After a thorough massage through the bubbles, they were rinsed off and you were taken back to your private area for a final rinse off and hair washing. Again, with the pans of water over your head, so be prepared! But then, when was the last time you had someone gently wash your hair and treat you like a queen?

After the hair washing, we were dried off, given a towel for our hair and taken back into the comfortable seating area for a cup of tea and some Turkish Delight! Many of the ladies were lounging around enjoying their tea and talking about the experience before heading to the changing rooms and we did the same. It’s nice to relax and take your time after such a wonderful experience.

We make it a habit to experience massages in many countries, and the bubble massage was indeed a very unique experience. Would I go again? Where do I sign up?!

Unfortunately, Cagalogiu Hamami is not accessible.