Hammam on the Turquoise Coast

The hamam tends to intimidate first-time visitors to Turkey; and the way it works takes a little familiarisation. But hamam attendants are used to foreign visitors and will direct them through the process.

You’ll be given your own soap and allotted a cubicle, with key, for dressing and wrapping yourself in pestemel (towel) before you proceed, on wooden clogs provided, to the domed sweat room. Lie on the hot marble platform beneath the dome, then soap and sluice yourself down at the surrounding basins. Massages and kese glove rub-downs will be available on request, and at extra charge. When you’re done, an attendant will swathe you in fresh towels and leave you to recover in your cubicle.

Hamams, like Fethiye’s atmospheric Old Turkish Bath Boutique Hamam, tend to be located in town centres. Hours, prices and access for men and women vary.

The hamam works regardless of the season, but optimally at day’s end, either in summer as a sweat cleanse or in winter as a warm-up.

It may pay to check with more touristy hamams whether a tour group is expected.