To say I am a bit of an expert when it comes to a Moroccan hammam is a bit of an understatement. See, I live in Morocco and have been to hammams in just about every city in the country.
I love them because it is a great way to relax, cleanse the body, remove excess dead skin, and engage in a centuries old ritual that is an integral part of local culture.
So, if a trip to the hammam isn’t at the top of your Morocco bucket list then it really should be.
However, if you’ve never been to a hammam before, then you might be wondering how to use a Moroccan hammam. And I totally get it. I have been where you were and didn’t know exactly what a hammam was or what the process was.
I was a bit confused and really had no idea what to expect, which is why I created this epic guide for you. I am going to go over what a hammam is, the ritual, and discuss the difference between public hammams and private hammams.
This way you know what to expect, are fully prepared for your experience, and can decide which type of hammam is right for you. So, let’s swan dive into this epic guide and learn all about hammams in Morocco.
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Table of Contents
What is a Moroccan Hammam?
A Moroccan hammam is a traditional steam bath and an essential part of Moroccan culture. It is a place where members of the same gender come together to bathe and chat about what is going on in their lives.
On the whole, people come here to bathe in water, relax in the steam room, and exfoliate the dead skin off their bodies.
To do this, most people will sit in the steam room, bathe in black soap (it is a natural exfoliant made of olives), use a kessa glove to scrub off any dead skin, and then wash themselves off.
Depending on the hammam you go to, this ritual could also include the use of ghassoul (clay mask) to remove toxins from the skin or argan oil to nourish the skin.
TBH, the experience can vary quite a bit depending on whether you go to a local bath house or a private spa. Public hammams are more affordable and commonly used by locals, offering you a more authentic experience.
Meanwhile, high-end versions offer massages and essential oil treatments. You will also have a private attendant who will walk you through the process and you will not have to bathe with anyone else.
However, if you decide to use a public hammam, you will have to bathe with people of the same gender. This means you will strip down to your underwear and share the bathing room/steam room with other people.
The Hammam Process
Regardless of what type of hammam you use, there is a general process that most hammams follow. First of all, you will have to change and strip down to your underwear.
Once in the hammam, you will have to go to the steam room and sit there for between 15 and 20 minutes. This gives your pores enough time to open up so that you can apply the black soap and get your skin ready for exfoliation.
Once you have washed the black soap off with warm water, you will then use a kessa mitt to exfoliate all of the dead skin off your body. Your entire body will be scrubbed until your entire body is clean and your skin is glowing.
After you have exfoliated, you will wash yourself off with hot water and can use shampoo and body gel if you would like to shower or bathe.
This is also when additional treatments like ghaossal and argan oil can be used if you elect to visit a more high-end hammam.
In total, most hammam experiences can last anywhere between 30 minutes and an hour. It really just depends on how many additional treatments you opt for.
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Private Hammams in Morocco
If you choose a private hammam, the experience will be a bit more plush and you will feel like you’re at a spa. You will also be able to bathe privately and will have a personal attendant do everything for you.
Additionally, all the essential items will be provided for you and you will not have to bring anything specific with you.
So, upon arrival, you will be taken to a changing area where you can undress, change into dispoable underwear, put on a robe, and use some sandals that are provided by the hammam.
You will also typically get a locker that you can use to secure your belongings while you’re enjoying the treatment.
You’ll then be taken to a steam room where you will sit and relax in the steam for between 10 and 15 minutes. Afterward, you’ll be bathed with hot water before black soap (an olive soap) is applied to your body.
The attendant will then leave you with the soap on your skin for 10 minutes before they rinse it off and start the exfoliation process. They will then use a kessa (exfoliating glove) to rub all of the dead skin off your body.
When she thinks you’re finished, she’ll rinse you off and provide any other additional treatments.
Sometimes private hammams like to use ghassoul (a clay from the Atlas Mountains that removes toxins from the skin) or Argan oil to improve skin health and beauty.
Hammams may also wash your hair for you as part of the experience. It really just depends on the package you choose. I know this happened to me when I was at one of the best hammams in Marrakech.
When you’re finished, you’ll be taken back to the changing room to change. Many private hammams will also give you tea/water and nuts/fruit to help you recharge after your hammam experience.
Generally, most packages at private hammams start at 350 Dirhams and go up from there. The entire process will also take between 45 minutes and an hour.
Local Tip: Bring some argan oil and prickly pear oil with you to the hammam. Both have anti-aging properties and are good to use after your hammam treatment. They help repair and nourish the skin after exfoliation.
Public Hammams in Morocco
If you visit a public hammam in Fes or anywhere else, you’ll usually need to bring all of your own supplies with you.
This includes black soap made with olives (Savon Beldi), shower gel, shampoo, a kessa glove, a bucket/small water scoop, a plastic mat for the floor, a change of clothes, a towel, flip flops, and anything else you might need for bathing.
You’ll also generally pay between 10 and 20 Dirhams if you bathe yourself and around 50 Dirhams if you want someone to bathe you.
Sometimes, if you pay a higer entrance fee then the hammam will provide you with the above items. I have done this at some public hammams without issue.
Once you’ve paid and have your supplies, you’ll go to the changing room and change into your underwear. This is what you’ll wear into the hammam, along with your sandals/flip flops.
Take everything you need to bathe with (shampoo, soap, towel) and then leave your stuff behind the front desk. Women working at the hammam will watch your stuff and make sure nothing happens to it.
You’ll then meet your attendant who will help you with the hammam treatment. They are usally naked (except for underwear) as are other women or men using the hammam since you will not be bathing alone.
But, don’t worry because hammams are always seperated by gender. So, men will not bathe with women at a public hammam.
Once inside, you will head to the steam room and generally make your way from a cool room to a hotter and then the hottest room. She’ll also setup a bucket of hot water that you can use to bathe.
She’ll then rinse you off, use black soap all over your body, rinse it off, exfoliate with the kessa, and rinse it off. After this, you are on your own and can do whatever you want in terms of washing your hair or shaving your legs.
When you’re ready, gather your stuff and make your back to the changing room to get dressed. It will all typically take between 45 minutes and an hour. However, locals sometimes spend several hours in the hammam.
Local Tip: If you can, try and visit the hammam in Chefchaouen. It is probably the cheapest hammam I have been to and is easily one of the best things to do in Chefchaouen.
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Conclusion
Visiting a Moroccan hammam is more than just a cleansing ritual,l it’s cultural experience that leads to a better understanding of local culture.
Whether you visit a local hammam for an authentic experience or indulge in a luxurious treatment at a private hammam, following the traditional steps outlines in this post will leave your skin feeling refreshed and your body relaxed.
Embrace the slow pace, allow yourself to unwind, and enjoy the centuries-old rituals used by Moroccans.
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