What to Expect at a Hammam in Sarajevo: A First-Timer’s Guide

Your first hammam? It is perfectly normal to wonder what to wear, what actually happens and whether it will feel awkward. The good news: you do not need to know anything. Just arrive, and we take care of the rest.

A hammam, also called a Turkish bath, is a steam bath of Ottoman origin, a place where the body is cleansed and the mind slows down. Unlike a dry sauna, you rest in warm, humid steam that opens the pores, relaxes the muscles and prepares the skin for the scrub. In Sarajevo this is a tradition that goes back centuries, and at Amman Spa and Sultan Spa, right in Baščaršija, you can experience it in a private session.

Here is what your first hammam looks like.

Arrival: you do not need to bring anything

If you have booked a hammam treatment, you do not need to bring anything special. We provide disposable underwear, a towel and slippers.

At Sultan Spa you will find private changing rooms, safe lockers next to them and showers with shampoo and conditioner, and the peshtemal, slippers, disposable underwear, hair dryers, hairbrush, deodorant and small cosmetics are free of charge. At Amman Spa you receive disposable underwear, a towel and slippers.

Not comfortable being fully uncovered? Simply adjust the treatment to yourself. A small towel is available to cover your chest, and you are welcome to bring a two-piece bikini. The scrub can still be done properly on the accessible parts of the body. What matters most to us is that you feel comfortable, relaxed and safe.

The hammam ritual, step by step

1. Heat and steam

The ritual begins with warming up in the hammam steam or the sauna. At Sultan Spa you can add a warm jacuzzi, up to 40 °C. The steam softens the skin and slowly lets your shoulders drop. There is no rush.

2. The kese scrub in the halvat

Next comes the most spectacular part. In the halvat, the scrub room, you lie on a heated stone while the therapist bathes you with warm water and scrubs you with a traditional kese glove. Dead skin is removed, and your skin feels smooth and soft after the very first time.

3. Foam and soap massage

Then comes a rich cloud of soap foam, created by the therapist in a flowing, almost choreographed way, followed by a soap massage. This is the moment when most guests simply let go. In the Moroccan ritual we use black beldi soap made from black olives and argan oil.

4. Cooling down and rest

The ritual ends with a rinse, cooling the body and splashing your face with cold water. You leave light and calm.

How long it takes and what to choose as a beginner

A hammam scrub can be booked for 30 or 60 minutes at both spas. If it is your first time, the easiest start is a package in which the hammam continues into a massage.

Our most popular choice for first-timers is the Diamond package: hammam steam, Moroccan beldi soap, a kese scrub, the Diamond scrub made with organic coconut oil, rice powder and lavender, and a full-body massage with organic coconut oil. Lavender has a calming effect.

For other options, from a short scrub to full packages, see the price list or our Hammam Sarajevo page. All prices in the price list are per person, unless a package is clearly marked as being for two.

Privacy: will I be alone?

This is the question guests ask most. The hammam is private and reserved for a single booking. You do not share it with other guests unless you wish to. You can come with a group of friends or with your husband, according to your booking.

• Sultan Spa: a fully private experience with your own steam room, sauna and jacuzzi. Couples can stay together through the whole spa journey (sauna, jacuzzi, hammam, massage).
• Amman Spa: two traditional Turkish hammams, a private sauna and massage rooms across three floors. The hammam is private and for one person at a time, so couples have their hammam treatments separately, and enjoy the sauna together.

Our spa is not gender segregated, but we pay great attention to privacy. If you wear a hijab and want complete privacy, you can request a female therapist. Corridors are shared areas, so we recommend wrapping a towel around yourself and covering your head with a towel or putting your hijab back on when moving from the room to the hammam. Before you leave the room, therapists check the corridor and, whenever possible, make sure no other guests or male therapists are nearby. Tell us your needs in advance and we will adapt your stay.

Who looks after you

The therapists at Amman Spa and Sultan Spa are professionally trained and certified physiotherapists. You can choose a female or a male therapist according to your personal preference.

After the hammam: massage or coconut oil

After the scrub your skin is ready to absorb oil, so a hammam is at its best when followed by a massage. Many guests choose a massage with organic coconut oil or honey oil, and if the ritual alone is enough for you, you can skip the massage. Browse the options on our massage in Sarajevo page.

Who should be careful

A hammam is warm, so if you are pregnant, have heart or blood pressure problems, an open wound, an infection or sensitive, damaged skin, or simply feel unwell, tell us when booking. We will adjust the treatment or suggest another, and where needed please check with your doctor before you come.

What a hammam does for the body

A hammam offers many physical and mental benefits:

• deep cleansing and detoxification of the skin
• improved circulation
• removal of dead skin cells
• muscle relaxation and less stress
• softer, glowing, healthier skin
• support for respiratory health thanks to inhaling the steam

After a hammam you will feel completely relaxed and refreshed. There is no better investment in your well-being than time spent in a hammam.

First-timer FAQ

Do you have to be naked in a hammam?
No. You receive disposable underwear and a small towel, and you can bring a two-piece bikini if you prefer.

How much does a hammam cost in Sarajevo?
It depends on the treatment and duration. A hammam scrub can be 30 or 60 minutes, and packages with massage have their own price. Current prices are in the price list.

Is the hammam private?
Yes. It is reserved for your booking and you do not share it with other guests unless you wish to.

Can I come with my partner?
At Sultan Spa you can stay together throughout. At Amman Spa the hammam is for one person at a time, so you have it separately, while you enjoy the sauna and the couples room together.

Is the hammam suitable for women who wear a hijab?
Yes. Both spas are hijab friendly, and you can request a female therapist.

Book your first hammam

Ready? Book at Amman Spa (+387 61 888 066) or Sultan Spa (+387 62 410 100), or give a hammam as a gift voucher delivered by e-mail. See the full offer on Hammam Sarajevo.