Turkish Towel vs. Linen Towel: Which Should You Choose?

Turkish cotton and linen towels are both flat-woven, quick-drying alternatives to bulky terry. Turkish cotton is softer from the first use, more absorbent and comes in brighter colors. Linen is crisper and more textured, and takes longer to soften. Here's how they compare, so you can pick the right one.

01 / What they have in common.

Both are flat-woven, without the loops of a terry towel. That makes them lighter, thinner and much faster to dry. Both fold small, pack easily and look good hanging in a bathroom. If you're tired of heavy towels that stay damp all day, either one is an upgrade.

02 / Where they differ.

	Turkish cotton	Linen
Made from	Long-staple Turkish cotton	Flax fiber
First feel	Soft and smooth	Crisp, sometimes scratchy
Over time	Softer every wash	Softens slowly
On your skin	Absorbent and gentle	Textured, like a light scrub
Color	Bright, yarn-dyed stripes	Mostly naturals and muted tones
Wrinkles	Relaxed, a little	Wrinkles easily
Best for	Bath, beach, travel, gifts	Bath, if you love texture

03 / Choose Turkish cotton if...

• You want a towel that feels soft the very first time you use it.
• You'll take it to the beach or the pool as well as the bath.
• You love color. Yarn-dyed cotton holds bright stripes beautifully.
• You want one towel that also works as a wrap, a scarf or a light throw.

Our towels are 100% Turkish cotton, pre-washed so they're soft from day one, yarn-dyed for color that lasts, and certified to OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 (certificate no. 309234). Start with the Essential in about 40 colors, or the cabana-striped Biarritz.

04 / Choose linen if...

• You like a crisp, textured towel that feels a bit like a gentle exfoliator.
• Your bathroom is all naturals and you want a rumpled, relaxed look.
• You don't mind a break-in period while it softens.

05 / The best of both.

If you love the look of linen but want cotton's softness, try a Turkish towel in a natural or neutral shade, like Beige, Sand or Silver. You get the calm, linen-like look with a towel that's soft from day one. Our spa bathroom guide has more ideas, and our Turkish vs. regular towels guide covers terry.

FAQ

Are Turkish towels better than linen towels?

It depends on what you want. Turkish cotton towels are softer from the first use, more absorbent and come in brighter colors. Linen towels are crisper and more textured and soften slowly over time. Both dry much faster than terry.

Which dries faster, Turkish cotton or linen?

Both are flat-woven and dry far faster than terry towels. Either will usually be dry long before a terry towel hanging beside it.

Do Turkish towels get softer over time?

Yes. Turkish cotton gets softer and more absorbent with every wash. Riviera towels are also pre-washed, so they are soft from the first use.

Can I use a Turkish towel as a bath towel?

Yes. A Turkish towel works as a bath towel, beach towel, travel towel and wrap. Its flat weave absorbs water well and dries quickly, so it stays fresh between uses.

Feel the difference in person at 17 W. Gutierrez St. in Santa Barbara or call 805-560-1571. We offer free shipping on orders over $95, and 5% of our net profits go to organizations that heal and protect the ocean we all love, with $76,439.30 donated so far.