What Is a Turkish Towel?

Q: What Is a Turkish Towel?

Turkish Towel, also called hammam towel, peshtemal or fouta, has been using in Turkish baths due to its high absorbing and fast dry qualities for about 600 years.

Turkish Towels — also called hamam towels, peshtemal or fouta — are traditional, handwoven cotton towels from Türkiye. They combine functionality, style and eco-friendliness, making them one of the most versatile textiles for modern living.

Handwoven Turkish peshtemal towel in natural cotton stripes — Traditional peshtemal — lightweight, absorbent and quick-drying.

What Makes Turkish Towels Unique?

100% Natural Cotton: Gentle and soft on the skin.
Lightweight & Compact: Packs small for travel, gym or beach.
Highly Absorbent: Flat-weave design absorbs efficiently.
Quick-Drying: Dries faster than terry towels, prevents mildew.
Durable: Gets softer and more absorbent with every wash.

Traditional loom weaving detail of a Turkish fouta towel — Flat-weave texture crafted on traditional looms.

Popular Uses of Turkish Towels

Bath & Shower: Soft, absorbent daily towel.
Beach & Pool: Lightweight, sand-resistant and quick-drying.
Travel & Outdoors: Compact for camping, hiking and picnics.
Home Textile: Use as a throw, picnic mat or shawl.
Wellness & Spa: Perfect for hammam, yoga or sauna.

Lightweight fouta towel styled as a beach and travel accessory — Beach-ready: stylish, quick-drying and easy to pack.

Eco-Friendly & Sustainable Choice

Made from natural cotton with minimal chemicals.
Long lifespan reduces replacements and textile waste.
Often woven in small workshops, supporting local artisans.

Eco-friendly Turkish towel made from sustainable cotton — Handwoven with sustainable cotton for everyday use.

FAQs About Turkish Towels

Are Turkish towels good for the beach?

Yes. They are lightweight, sand-resistant and quick-drying — ideal as beach towels or cover-ups.

Do Turkish towels get softer over time?

Absolutely. With each wash the cotton fibers relax, increasing softness and absorbency.

How do you wash a Turkish towel?

Wash at 30°C with mild detergent. Avoid fabric softeners. Line dry or tumble dry on low.

Are Turkish towels eco-friendly?

Yes. They are made from natural cotton, designed to last years, and require less energy to wash and dry.