Alaturka Tuvalet (Squat Toilet): How to Use One
An alaturka tuvalet — squat toilet, or 'Turkish toilet' — is a floor-level fixture with two raised footpads on either side of a central hole, used by squatting rather than sitting. It's still common in older buildings, mosques, train stations, and some public restrooms across Turkey, alongside the more familiar Western-style sit-down toilets (alafranga) found in most hotels, malls, and newer buildings.
For visitors used only to sit-down toilets, the squat style can be unfamiliar at first, but it's straightforward once you know the basic setup — and many Turks actually consider it more hygienic, since there's no direct skin contact with the fixture.
Most public restrooms with an alaturka option will also have at least one alafranga stall, so you can usually choose. A small fee (often 1–5 TRY) is common at public restrooms, sometimes collected by an attendant.
Also called
Alaturka tuvalet, Turkish toilet
Still common in
Older buildings, mosques, some public restrooms
Key tip
Face the hood/flush end
How to Use a Squat Toilet
- 1
Face the right direction
- Identify the raised hood or flush handle end — this is typically where the water comes from — and face toward it, positioning your feet on the two raised footpads on either side of the hole.
- 2
Squat, don't sit
- Lower yourself into a squatting position with your feet flat on the footpads, keeping your clothing pulled up and out of the way.
- 3
Use the water or paper provided
- Many Turkish bathrooms use a small hose or hand-held bidet-style sprayer alongside or instead of paper — check for one before assuming there's no cleaning option.
- 4
Flush and rinse
- Most squat toilets flush via a pedal, handle, or an overhead flush box. Some public restrooms also provide a bucket of water for manual flushing if there's no working flush mechanism.
Practical Tips
A few things worth knowing before you need one:
- Carry a small pack of tissues, since some public restrooms — especially older ones — don't reliably stock paper
- Coins in small denominations are useful, since many public restrooms charge a small entry fee
- Look for the alafranga (sit-down) sign if you'd rather avoid a squat toilet — most public facilities offer both
- Balance is easier with legs shoulder-width apart and heels flat, rather than up on your toes
- This style is common in mosques' restroom facilities, train stations, and older cafes — newer malls, hotels, and restaurants almost always have Western-style options
Frequently Asked Questions
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