Best Essaouira Hammam: 5 Local Picks

Looking for the best Essaouira hammam of all time? I hope you are since a trip to the hammam is an essential part of any visit to Morocco.

After all, a hammam is a Moroccan public bath where you sit in a steam room, get slathered in argan oil (great for sunburns), get exfoliated with a kessa (keys) glove, and then have a clay mask spread all over your body,

It’s pretty refreshing and a great way to get all of the dead skin off your body, even if the scrubbing is a bit intense at times.

Plus, unlike in Marrakech, the best hammams in Essaouira are very well-priced. You can expect to pay between 250 Dirhams ($25.00) and 350 Dirhams ($35.00) for a private, hour-long hammam package.

So, Essaouira is a great place to visit the hammam. It’s cheap and the hammam facilities are awesome. The town is also pretty small. Therefore, if you run out of things to do then you can always visit the hammam.

Yeah, I typically go to the hammam in Essaouira at least once a month since I live here. I always feel refreshed and it’s a nice way to spend the morning.

Plus, many of the best hammams in Essaouira are well-located in the medina and are easy to access.

Now, let’s look at some of the best hammams in Essaouira that you can visit the next time you’re in town.

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What is a Hammam and What is a Trip to the Hammam Like?

Before you step inside some of the best hammams in Essaouira, you should understand what a hammam is in Morocco and what this traditional cleansing ritual entails. This way you know what to expect from your visit.

If you want to make your life easy, you can find hammams at some of the most beautiful riads in Essaouira too.

FYI. if you’re not sure how many days to spend in Essaouira, definitely plan enough time to visit the hammam since it’s one of the many activities that makes Essaouira worth visiting.

Now, just in case you’re not in the know, a hammam is a traditional public bath in Morocco. Unlike many public baths in Asia, you won’t find large pools of water here since they are considered unclean by Muslims.

Instead, you’ll find a steam room where you can sit to open up your pores, as well as a warm room for bathing and a cold room for rehydration after your treatment.

The walls are also typically lined with sinks that you can use to get water to wash yourself off with. The light inside a hammam also tends to be minimal to help with relaxation.

Most locals typically go to the public hammam once a week with close friends and family since scrubbing and bathing someone is considered an act of love. Just be sure you know what to wear in Essaouira before you visit the hammam.

They’ll bathe in their underwear, with people of the same gender, and stop by on either Thursday or Friday before they go to the mosque.

Depending on your budget and what type of experience you are looking for, you can visit a private hammam or a public hammam.

A public hammam is cheaper, more authentic, used by locals, and requires you to bring your own supplies. You will also bathe in front of other people and will need to bathe yourself (or have friends assist you).

In contrast, a private hammam is more expensive and gives you access to a private room where an attendant will bathe you and walk you through the process.

It’s more luxurious and a good option if you’re not familiar with this unique bathing ritual.

In terms of the actual bathing process, it’s the same whether you choose a private hammam or a public hammam.

Essentially, you’ll rinse off with water and then head to the hottest room in the hammam. You’ll bathe in black soap that is made with olives and use that to soften your skin.

When you’re ready, you’ll make your way to the warm room and wash off the soap before exfoliating your skin with a glove. Depending on where you go, friends will do this for you or your private attendant will take care of this.

You’ll then rinse all the dead skin off your body and rehydrate with a clay paste (Rhassoul), This paste is then rinsed off your body before you apply perfume that can be orange, lemon, or rose scented.

Afterward, cool off in a cold room with some mint tea or water since you’ll probably be pretty thirsty after your treatment.

This is also when you can get an optional massage. I am not a huge fan of traditional massages in Morocco since they tend to be light and don’t get all the kinks and knots out of your back.

However, your masseuse will probably use argan oil and rub that all over your body since it helps with sunburn and dehydration after spending a day at the beach in Essaouira.

Best Private Hammams in Essaouira

There are a bunch of private hammams in Essaouira. They are a great option for anyone who has never been to the hammam since staff, and a personal attendant will walk you through the entire process.

Plus, many of these hammams are located inside the Medina and are super easy to get to.

Staff sign you in and provide all the supplies you need for the treatment. It will cost anywhere between 150 Dirhams ($15.00) and 430 Dirhams ($43.00) for a hammam treatment only.

Just be aware that this does NOT include a massage, a facial, a manicure, or anything else you might want. However, most the spas in Essaouira are full-service and offer a wide array of treatments.

So, feel free to sign up for any treatments you might want and just add them to your hammam package. You also don’t really have to book anything super far in advance.

Typically you can book something in the morning if you want to visit the hammam in the afternoon. FYI, if you’re choosing between the hammam in Essaouira or Marrakech then I would go in Essaouira since the service and prices are better.

1. Azur Spa Essaouira

This is probably the best Essaouira hammam overall. Yes, it is a bit expensive but it i still cheaper than many of the hammams in Marrakech.

So, if you’re doing a day trip from Marrakech to Essaouira then you may want to save your hammam visit for Essaouira.

In total, you have six treatments to choose from: the Discovery, the Traditional, the Gentle, the Ceremonial, the Tonic (this includes a massage), and the Slimming.

These hammam packages range in price from 150 Dirhams ($15.00) to 480 Dirhams ($48.00) and can last anywhere between 20 minutes and one hour.

I opted for the Ceremonial. It cost 350 Dirhams ($35.00) and lasted an hour and a half. I was surprised that the treatment took 1.5 hours rather than just the hour listed. Usually, they make the experience shorter, not longer.

Anyway, I enjoyed my treatment since I got a locker to put all my belongings in, as well as a robe, sandals, and disposable underwear.

I just wish someone had told me to put on the disposable underwear since I didn’t know what it was at first.

Once I had changed, I was taken to hot steam room where my assistant put argan oil all over my body and left me to sit in the room privately for around 15 minutes.

The atmosphere was soothing since there were candles lit as well as running water and a nice black granite bench for me to lie down on.

Once the treatment was done, I was washed off and moved into a second, cooler room where a lotion was placed all over my body while I sat on a private granite table. I was then cleansed, exfoliated, and a black clay was placed all over my body.

I then enjoyed a body wrap for 10 minutes before my hair was washed and I was completely cleaned off.

I loved that the experience was private and that my attendant spoke a bit of English. It just helped since I knew what to do and where to go throughout the process.

Yes, this is one of the most expensive hammams in Essaouira but I thought the service was worth it. My attendant did a really good job and always asked me if I was okay and if the water temperature was alright.

After I got cleaned off, she took me to a cool room where I got to relax in my robe and sip on tea while I cooled down. I was never rushed and could just enjoy the calm atmosphere of this amazing spa in the Medina.

All in all, I would 100% recommend this spot and would happily return for another treatment. Just be sure to bring cash since they made that very clear before I arrived.

You can also visit one of the best places to eat in Essaouira for the best brunch in Essaouira since this spa is well-located in the Medina.

2. Arab Spa

This place is kind of tucked away in a small building in the Medina. However, the spa is very well-appointed and super calming.

Yeah, I just kind of stumbled upon it and thought I would give this spa a try. I am happy I did since I thought the service was awesome and well-priced.

Sure, the staff didn’t really speak English and the treatment was a bit shorter than I expected. But, I still thought it was great value for your money and way cheaper than most of the places in Marrakech.

The staff were also super nice and let me come back since I didn’t have enough cash on me to pay for my treatment in full. Yeah, they were super chill and just happy I was there.

I also liked that it was pretty quiet and there weren’t a ton of people here.

Anyway, the owner is from Italy, and upon arrival, you are welcomed with mint tea. You then get a robe, disposable underwear, and a whicker bag to place all your belongings in.

I opted for a one-hour massage and a thirty-minute hammam treatment I changed and was brought into the hot room where I laid down and received a full body scrub before heading upstairs for my massage.

TBH it was a lot better than most of the massages I have received in Morocco. It was firm and helped ease some of the tension in my back.

But, the best part? Treatments here are like 50% less than what you’ll pay at Azure Spa Essaouira. So, be sure to stop by if you are looking for cheap things to do in Essaouira.

Just bring cash since the last time I was here they did not accept credit cards. Also, figure out where to go shopping in Essaouira afterward since you’ll be in the Medina.

3. Bain Oriental at Riad Mumtaz Mahal

Bain Oriental is the name of the hammam and spa inside of Riad Mumtaz Mahal. It is a next-level beautiful space that offers guests a wide variety of beauty treatments, hammam treatments, and massage packages.

The emphasis here is on using healing, all-natural products like Argan Oil.

So, choose between the Hammam body scrub with black soap and kissa for 300 Dirhams ($30.00 and 40 minutes long) and the Hammam with a body scrub and Ghassol development for 350 Dirhams ($35.00 and 40 minutes) long.

If you want, you can also opt for Green Ghassol wrap for 200 Dirham ($20.00 and 30 minutes long).

Yes, this hammam is quite expensive but I love that they have a wide variety of packages that include both a massage and a hammam treatment.

Therefore, add a relaxing massage, a toning massage, as well as a Chassot scrub wrap or a Ghassel scrub wrap, to your hammam experience for anywhere between 450 Dirhams ($45.00) and 850 Dirhams ($85.00).

Regardless of the hammam and massage combo you choose, your treatment should last around an hour and twenty minutes.

All in all, the spa is beautiful and the staff is very friendly and accommodating, making this one of the best hammams in Essaouira. Plus, you can stop by L’Atellier afterward and take one of the best cooking classes in Essaouira.

4. Centre d’esthetique Bio Argana Spa Essaouira

Honestly, the service here is next-level amazing. The last time I stopped by I visited right after grabbing a veggie burger at Fish Burger Essaouira.

I opted for the hammam and massage package for 600 Dirhams ($60.00). I LOVE LOVE LOVE that they offer deep tissue massages and not those soft AF traditional Moroccan massages.

This Essaouira hammam is also unique in that you start with a hot, argan oil massage for an hour and then move to the hammam.

You also get disposal underwear for the hammam treatment and receive a traditional hammam treatment before heading back to the massage room in a fluffy robe.

Afterward, I received an amazing facial scrub for 10 minutes that was followed by a face mask and a healthy dose of Argan Oil to my face.

All in all, the experience lasted around two hours and I love how much time and energy they spent on face care. Many other hammams kind of ignore your face during your visit, which seems kind of silly to me. But not this place.

I left feeling refreshed, relaxed, and like I looked amazing. Sure, the decor inside the hammam isn’t as amazing as some of the other places on this list. But, the quality of the services offered more than makes up for the lack of decor.

So, feel free to stop by while staying at a budget hostel in Essaouira.

PLEASE NOTE: A reader just informed me that they had a horrible experience here. I am not taking this place off the list because it could be a one-off experience. However, I do like to keep things honest so you can make the best decision possible.

I also personally had a good experience the last time I was here and can only base my advice on what I personally experienced.

5. Spa Cocooning

So, I recently stopped by Spa Cocooning and had a nice experience. I opted for the classic hammam experience for 250 Dirhams ($25.00). The process lasted around 30 minutes and included a body scrub with black soap and a kissa glove.

TBH, I felt like 30 minutes was a bit too short. I would definitely try an hour-long package in the future because as soon I sat down I felt like it was time to go.

I liked that they had lockers to store my stuff in but the changing room is very small and you could probably only fit two people in there. You also enter the room directly from the main hall, so there isn’t a ton of privacy.

I got sandals, disposable underwear, and a robe that I could use during my time in the hammam. All in all, the actual experience was like that of any other hammam.

I did like the design of the steam room and even got a nice pillow to rest my head on. It wasn’t super quiet though since I could hear everyone talking in the hallway outside.

I also liked that they exfoliated my face, gave me a special face mask, and asked my about the pressure/water temperature at all times.

Additionally, it was nice that when I got out of the hammam, I was brought to a separate room where I could chill, drink a bottle of water, sip on some fresh tea, and eat a chocolate ganache cookie.

All in all, I enjoyed my experience but it isn’t my all-time fave hammam since I think it is a bit expensive.

If you do want to visit, make a reservation (even just a few hours in advance) and bring cash since credit cards are not accepted.

Additionally, my attendant was lovely but only spoke French and Moroccan dialect. It wasn’t an issue for me since I have been to plenty of hammams in Essaouira and know the process. But, it could be an issue for a first-timer.

Local Tip: You can also stop by one of the best cafes in Essaouira afterward since L’Atleier is right down the street.

Public Hammans in Essaouira

There are many public hammams in Essaouira that are used by locals. In fact, my boyfriend and his family regularly visit these hammams since they are much cheaper and more communal than private hammams.

Just research the best time to visit Essaouira so they are not heaving with people.

So, if you are looking for a more authentic and budget-friendly experience than a private hammam is a great choice.

Just know that you will need to bring your own supplies and that you will be bathing nude (in underwear) with members of the same gender.

Depending on the hammam you visit, they have seperate hours for men and women or seperate sections of the hammam that are designed for men or women. Just research this before you visit so that you don’t show up at the wrong time.

Generally, it will cost you anywhere between 15 and 30 Dirhams ($1.50 to $3.00) just to use the hammam.

It will then cost an additional 100 Dirhams ($10.00) if you want to hire someone to scrub you down and give you a massage. FYI, be sure to give your masseuse a 10 Dirhams ($1.00) tip.

Other than that, be sure to bring a towel, sandals (they will get wet), underwear (this will get wet so bring a second pair), and drinking water since you’ll feel pretty dehydrated after the hammam.

Generally, you can’t bring water inside so save this for after your visit.

If you don’t hire an attendant to scrub you down then you’ll also need to bring soap, an exfoliating glove, a mat to sit on, and a bucket.

If you’re not sure which public hammam in Essaouira to try then visit Laafoo Hammam. My boyfriend recommended to me since he is Morocco and he/his family use it all the time.

In total, your visit will probably last around an hour if you hire an attendant and two hours if you visit on your own.

Generally, the hammam process is the same regardless of whether you visit a public or private hammam. I have been to both and it’s pretty similiar.

My only advice is to avoid bringing any valuables to the public hammam since the one I went to didn’t have a locker. You just left your valuables behind the front desk during your visit. Other than that, the actual ritual is pretty much the same.

Best Essaouira Hammam Map

That wraps up this guide to the best hammams in Essaouira? Did your fave make the list? If not then let me know.

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