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10 Best Turkish Towels

From leading brands and best sellers available on the web.

Buying Guide for the Best Turkish Towels

When choosing Turkish towels, it's important to consider what you'll primarily use them for—beach days, bath time, travel, or décor. Turkish towels are known for their high-quality cotton, lightweight feel, and fast-drying nature. Picking the right one will depend on how you balance softness, absorbency, durability, and style to match your personal needs. Start by understanding what makes Turkish towels unique compared to regular terry towels; they tend to be thinner, more versatile, and get softer with each wash. Focusing on the specs below will help you make a smart decision and select a towel that you’ll love using every day.
Material and Cotton QualityThis refers to the type of cotton and the method used in making the towel. Turkish towels are prized for their use of premium Aegean Turkish cotton, known for its long fibers. Longer cotton fibers mean softer, smoother, and stronger towels that get better over time. Towels are sometimes blended with other fibers or use lower quality cotton for cheaper versions, which can affect absorbency and softness. The pure, long-staple Turkish cotton towels are preferred if you want the authentic softness and durability Turkish towels are known for. For a truly luxurious experience, look for information about 100% Turkish cotton; if you need a more budget-friendly or rugged towel, blends can suffice but may be less plush.
Weave (Peshtemal or Terry)Turkish towels come mainly in two types of weave: flat-woven (known as peshtemal or fouta) and looped terry. Flat-woven towels are lightweight, compact, and dry quickly, making them ideal for travel, the beach, or doubling as a wrap or shawl. Terry weave towels are more like standard bath towels with loops that give extra absorbency but take up more space and dry slower. If you want something versatile that you can easily pack and carry, the flat-woven style is best. If maximum absorbency for home bathing is your priority, consider thicker terry weaves.
SizeThe size of the towel can vary from hand towel size to oversized bath sheets. Larger towels are great for full-body coverage at the beach or as a bath towel, while smaller ones are perfect as hair towels, hand towels, or for babies. Typical sizes range from about 35x65 inches up to 40x70 inches for beach and bath use, with smaller versions for hands or travel. To decide, think about what you’ll use the towel for most often—larger if you want to wrap up completely, smaller for multi-purpose use or as a stylish accessory.
Weight (GSM—Grams per Square Meter)GSM measures the density of the towel—the higher the GSM, the thicker and more absorbent (but also heavier and slower to dry). Turkish towels often range from about 250 to 400 GSM, which makes them lightweight and quick-drying by design. Lower GSM means lighter and even faster to dry, which is handy for travel, gym, or pool use; higher GSM means more absorbency and a slightly plusher feel, better for bath time. Pick a lower GSM for maximum portability and fast-drying, or a heavier GSM if you want a bit more luxury and warmth.
AbsorbencyAbsorbency is all about how well the towel soaks up water and how fast it dries. Turkish towels are naturally less bulky but surprisingly absorbent because of the cotton quality. Flat-woven towels will feel less plush but dry very quickly—excellent for on-the-go or humid climates. Terry or heavier woven options absorb more water and feel more like traditional bath towels. If you want a towel that performs both as a quick-drying wrap and as a capable bath towel, aim for one made from premium cotton with a slightly denser weave.
Design and FringesMany Turkish towels have decorative fringes or tassels at the ends, and come in various patterns and colors. While this doesn’t change function much, it does affect how you can use the towel—some styles work better as throws, picnic blankets, or scarves thanks to their aesthetic appeal. If you value style and want to use the towel as an accessory or home décor, pick a pattern and fringe style that matches your taste. If you care less about appearance and more about function, design is less of a priority.
Care InstructionsTurkish towels are generally easy to care for but may have specific instructions like cold washing and air drying to preserve softness and prevent shrinking. Some towels get softer with multiple washes, while others need careful handling. If you prefer low-maintenance linens, look for towels advertised as easy care or preshrunk. If you’re happy to follow some extra steps for longevity and softness, then go for high-quality, hand-finished options.