If you’ve ever been lucky enough to enjoy a Turkish hammam experience in a spa, you’ll know precisely what a treat they can be.
As you lay on a massive piece of warm stone, you’re scrubbed to within an inch of your life; from the nooks of your ears to the crannies of your toes. Depending on your therapist’s sense of humour and your own squeam level, they’ll delight in showing you the grime that’s just been expelled from your skin.
Cashmere-soft soap suds are then poured all over your freshly exfoliated skin before being washed off with bucket loads of warm water. Shiny and new, the final portion of this ancient ritual, which stems from the Byzantine and Roman eras, involves drying down with curiously thin towels that hold more water than first - or in fact, second - glance would suggest.
While enjoying frequent Turkish hammams is out of most people’s budget (unless you have Bezos-levels of cash), you can bring a sense of it home with a Turkish hammam towel.
What is a Turkish towel?
Lightweight and with superhero-levels of absorbency, these thin towels are made with 100 per cent Turkish cotton, which is what makes them so special.
Why are Turkish towels good?
Turkish cotton is prized for its extra long fibres which can hold more water than regular cotton. They’re flat woven into thin towels that air dry in double the time, making them ideal for travel and beach trips, as well as streamlining the towel rack in your bathroom.
Whether you like the idea of trying out one or getting a full set of Turkish towels, we’ve rummaged through the internet to find the best options.
Shop our edit below
Best bath towels with a fluffy and luxurious feel
Best shower heads: enjoy spa-like bathing every day of the week
Best smart LED mirrors: for the bathroom, living room, kitchen and your dresser
Best washer dryers: Two-in-one machines tried and tested
Best bathroom organisers: ideas for keeping your bathroom tidy and clean
Best yoga towels of 2023 so you don’t slip while holding a pose
The White Company Spa Turkish Cotton Towels
Step out of your daily shower or bath and cocoon yourself in pure luxury. The White Company has Turkish towels in all sizes, from face to super jumbo, all made from 100 per cent Turkish cotton. The dense yet lightweight towel won’t shed either, so no annoying bits of fluff to sweep up.
Buy now £32.00, The White Company
Gorkhan Set of 3 Bulk Turkish Bath Towel
Dispatched from a small British business, this set of three Turkish hammam towels are handmade from 100 per cent cotton and come in a rainbow array of colours. The ultra lightweight nature of the design means that it won’t take up much space in your cupboards or beach/gym bag. Like its peers on this list, the towel dries quickly and won’t cling on to the smell of moisture.
Buy now £35.61, Etsy
Ottoman Mansion Bodrum Hammam Towel Monochrome Multi Stripe
Forget California - you’ll be Aegean sea dreaming with this luxury Hammam towel in a chic monochrome stripe from Ottoman Mansion. Fashioned from 100 per cent Turkish OEKO TEX certified non-GMO cotton, the design has been prewashed and will only get softer with time. An excellent quick-dry towel, it can also be used as table linen, beach blankets and sofa throws in a pinch.
Buy now £40.00, NOTHS
DARIDO Handmade Turkish Fouta Hammam Towel - XXL
Add a splash of colour to your bathroom with these handmade Turkish hammam towels, available in 25+ shades. Each one is handwoven from 100 per cent high quality cotton and coloured with non-toxic dyes. Measuring 200x 100cm, it’s versatile beyond bathing too: use the cloth as a throw for your bed or sofa, a summer picnic blanket or even a tablecloth for your garden dining set.
Buy now £22.99, Amazon
Hamam Galata Organic White Hand Towel
Made with 100 per cent Hydrocotton, an ultra-long Turkish Egean cotton from Turkey’s Denizli region, this plush white hand towel stays soft, wash after wash. It’s also highly absorbent yet wonderfully lightweight and stays fluffy, offering your hands a luxurious drying experience every time.
Buy now £95.00, Amara
Hamam Square Yellow Balat Turkish Towel
Weighing a beautifully light 300g, this 100 per cent Turkish cotton towel is flat-woven and coloured with vibrant vegetable dye that will transport you to warmer climes (while providing its own jolt of joy in the colder months). Growing softer with age, the fringed towel is hygienic and antibacterial making it perfect for all members of the family. If you’re considering giving this as a gift, the company offers embroidery for that extra special touch.
Buy now £30.00, NOTHS
La Redoute Interiors Antalya 100% Organic Cotton XL Fouta Towel
Available in a selection of colours, this 90 x 175cm fouta-style towel makes a compelling case for joining your airing cupboard. It’s made from 100 per cent organic cotton with a knotted fringe edge to further the luxury Mediterranean vibes. Machine washable at 60 degrees.
Buy now £22.40, La Redoute
IKEA SIESJÖN Bath towel
Offering a smaller version of a classic hammam towel at just 70 x 140cm, IKEA’s offering to the party is this blue and white striped design. It features cotton terry on one side with a more traditional flat weave on the reverse as well as fringed edges.
Buy now £14.54, Amazon
Bohemia Inca Hammam Towel, Green
Crafted the traditional way, on wooden looms in Turkey, this super soft Hammam Towel in a fetching geometric pattern will make a gorgeous gift for a friend, or just a special treat for yourself. It’s pretty enough to don as a sarong or stretch out on as a beach towel. Measuring 180 x 90cm, keep it clean by running on a cool wash only.
Buy now £42.00, Bohemia
