A Turkish toilet is a floor-level toilet you squat over rather than sit on. It consists of a porcelain or ceramic basin set flush with the ground, with a hole in the center and raised footrests on either side to show you where to stand. In Turkey, this style is called “alaturka” (meaning “in the Turkish style”), while the Western sit-down toilet is called “alafranga” (meaning “in the European style”). You’ll find squat toilets across Turkey, the Middle East, much of Asia, and parts of Southern Europe, though they’re becoming less common in modern Turkish homes and hotels.
What It Looks Like
The fixture is simple. A shallow porcelain pan sits level with the bathroom floor, with a drain hole toward the back and a slight ramp at the front. On either side of the pan, you’ll see textured footpads, sometimes just raised ridges, that mark where your feet go. Some models have a hood or splash guard at the front. The entire unit is low-profile and takes up less space than a Western toilet.
Flushing varies. Many Turkish bathrooms now have cistern-based flush systems, and newer models even feature dual-flush mechanisms for water conservation. In older or more rural settings, you may find a bucket of water or a tap and pitcher beside the toilet for manual flushing. A small hose (often called a “bum gun” or bidet spray) is commonly mounted on the wall nearby for personal cleaning.
How to Use One
If you’ve never used a squat toilet before, the process is straightforward once you know the basics. Before stepping over the toilet, deal with your clothing. Roll pant legs up to your calves or knees so they don’t touch the wet floor. Beginners often find it easiest to fully remove pants or underwear and hold them or tuck them into a bag, rather than risk them falling.
Stand over the basin with one foot on each footrest, then lower yourself into a deep squat until your hips are roughly at ankle height. If balance feels tricky, hugging your knees with your arms helps stabilize the position. Face the back of the toilet (toward the hole) when urinating, and face the front (toward the ramp) when having a bowel movement.
After finishing, use the bidet hose or water pitcher for cleaning. The standard practice is to handle the water spray with your non-dominant hand. Toilet paper is available in many Turkish restrooms, but plumbing in older buildings often can’t handle it. You’ll typically see a small wastebin beside the toilet for paper disposal. Flush using the handle or button if one exists, or pour a bucket of water into the basin to clear it. You may need to flush more than once, since water pressure and tank refill volume can be modest compared to what you might be used to.
Why Squatting Works Differently
A squat toilet isn’t just a cultural alternative to a sit-down model. It positions your body in a way that changes the mechanics of elimination. When you sit upright on a standard toilet, a sling-shaped muscle called the puborectalis wraps around the rectum and keeps it kinked, like a bent garden hose. Squatting relaxes that muscle and straightens the passage, so less effort is needed to go.
The difference is measurable. A scoping review published in BMC Public Health found that people using a raised footstool to mimic a squatting position emptied their bowels in about 55 seconds on average, compared to 113 seconds in a standard seated position. Participants also reported a more complete sensation of emptying, with less straining required. That reduced straining matters: less pressure in the abdomen and pelvis means lower mechanical stress on the tissues involved.
A 2023 study from Antalya Training and Research Hospital looked at 929 patients and found that regular use of a sitting toilet was associated with a 3.4 times higher odds of developing diverticulosis, a condition where small pouches form in the colon wall. The researchers concluded that toilet type is a meaningful factor in whether those pouches develop, likely because of the increased and repeated straining that sitting posture demands.
Where You’ll Encounter Them in Turkey
Most hotels, restaurants, and modern homes in Turkey now have Western-style seated toilets. You’re most likely to encounter an alaturka toilet in older public restrooms, bus stations, rural areas, mosques, and some traditional restaurants. Many public restrooms offer both options side by side, so you can choose. Gas stations along highways are a common spot where the squat style is still the only option available.
Turkish restrooms almost always have water available for cleaning, whether that’s a built-in bidet hose, a small faucet near the toilet, or a plastic pitcher called a “ibrik.” Floors in squat toilet stalls tend to be wet, which is normal and expected given the water-based cleaning. Wearing shoes you don’t mind getting damp, or at least not sandals, makes the experience more comfortable.
Tips for First-Time Users
- Bring your own supplies. Carry tissue or wet wipes in case the restroom is out of paper. A small hand sanitizer is useful since soap isn’t always stocked.
- Empty your pockets. Phones, wallets, and keys can easily slip out of pockets when you’re in a deep squat. Move them to a secure bag or front pocket before entering the stall.
- Use the footrests. They exist to keep you positioned correctly over the drain. Stepping off them increases the chance of slipping on a wet floor.
- Don’t fight the squat. If you can’t get your heels flat on the ground, staying on the balls of your feet works. Leaning slightly forward helps with balance.
- Check for a flush mechanism first. Knowing whether you need to pull a handle, press a button, or pour water before you start saves awkward searching afterward.
For people with knee problems, hip limitations, or difficulty getting into a deep squat, alaturka toilets can be genuinely challenging. If mobility is a concern, seeking out alafranga options (Western-style stalls) is perfectly reasonable, and they’re widely available in Turkish cities and tourist areas.