What are Turkish towels? Turkish towels are large, flat-woven towels, that were traditionally used in Turkish baths. The special feature about them is that they are super-absorbent and dry very quickly. They are also light to pack and are versatile as you can use them in many different ways. They usually also have a fringe. They are also known as Peshtemal towels in Turkey and Fouta towels in North Africa. Where did they originate from? The history of the Turkish towel: The lightweight Turkish beach towels have been long used for centuries in hammams, the traditional Turkish baths, and still are today. If you visit a Turkish bathhouse, chances are that a Turkish towel will be the only thing you will be wearing while enjoying this bathing and scrubbing ritual. The people living around the Mediterranean, re-discovered them and they have been very popular at home, on the beach or even on sailboats since they do not take up much space and dry well even in the most humid of envir...