Hamam guide
What is kese? The hamam body scrub explained
The kese is the part of a Turkish bath that sets it apart: an attendant scrubs you from head to toe with a textured mitt. Here is what it is, how it is done and what to expect the first time.
In short
Kese is the Turkish bath body scrub. Once you have warmed up in the sauna and steam room, an attendant exfoliates your whole body with a kese mitt, removing the outer layer of dead skin cells. On this site the kese is part of the basic hamam programme, with a foam wash and massage and an oil massage of about 20 minutes, from €25 per adult.
The kese mitt
Kese is the name of both the mitt and the scrub done with it. The mitt is textured and made for one job, exfoliation, and it is the attendant who wears it: you lie still while they work.
The kese mitt and the foam wash are what set a Turkish bath apart from a sauna or a steam room.
Exfoliation simply means removing the outer layer of dead skin cells, and that is what the kese does. We don't promise anything beyond that. It is part of a wash, not a treatment.
Where the kese sits in the programme
In the programme booked on this site, the kese comes after the warm-up and before the foam:
- sauna and steam room, to warm up
- kese — full-body exfoliation with the kese mitt
- foam wash and foam massage
- aromatic oil massage of about 20 minutes
- rinse, rest and change
The exact order and timing can vary with the hamam and how busy the session is. With the hotel transfers both ways, the whole visit takes about 2.5–3 hours door to door.
How the scrub is done
The scrub is given on the heated marble, the platform called the göbektaşı. The attendant works over you from head to toe with the mitt, and the marble basins — the kurna — hold the water used for washing and rinsing.
You keep your swimwear on the whole time; nobody is naked. On arrival you receive a peştemal wrap, a towel and slippers.
If you would prefer an attendant of your own gender, mention it when you book. A same-gender attendant can be requested, though it can't be guaranteed.
What it feels like
The mitt is textured, and the kese is a scrub rather than a massage; the massage stages come afterwards, with the foam and then the oil.
If anything feels uncomfortable during the scrub, say so to the attendant.
First-timer tips
- If you have a skin condition, a recent operation or an injury, speak to your doctor first and mention it to the hamam before the session.
- Eat only a light meal beforehand and don't drink alcohol before the session.
- Ask for a same-gender attendant when you book if you would prefer one.
- Bring swimwear, a change of underwear and a hairbrush or comb. The peştemal, towel and slippers are provided — see what to wear and bring.
- Tipping the attendants is customary but optional, and it isn't included in the price.
Who should check with a doctor first
A hamam is not recommended during pregnancy, with heart or circulatory conditions, or if you are sensitive to heat or humidity.
If you have a medical condition, high or low blood pressure, a skin condition, or a recent operation or injury, speak to your doctor first and tell the hamam before your session. We can't judge what suits your health; your doctor can.
Booking a hamam with kese in Antalya
The kese is included in every booking on this site, together with the sauna, the steam room, the foam wash and massage, the oil massage and the round-trip hotel transfer. There is nothing to add and nothing to pay online: you pay at the hamam on the day, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before your visit.
We book in three service areas — Antalya city, Belek and Kemer — and your hotel decides which of the three hamams you visit. Check every hotel we collect from, or start with your hotel on the home page.
