Moroccan hammam guide: steps, what to bring, prices

A Moroccan hammam is a steam bath in three steps: you warm up in the heat, you wash with black soap, then an attendant scrubs your whole body with a rough kessa glove. Many places finish with a clay mask of ghassoul and a rinse. Expect 45 minutes to an hour. A neighbourhood hammam costs a few dozen dirhams; a spa hammam usually costs between 150 and 450 MAD; a luxury hotel ritual can pass 1,000 MAD.

That is the short answer. The rest of this guide covers what actually happens inside, which kind of hammam suits you, and the small things nobody tells first-timers.

What happens during a hammam, step by step

The order barely changes from one hammam to the next, whether it is a hundred-year-old public bath in the medina or a spa in a hotel.

1. The heat. You sit or lie in a warm, steamy room for 10 to 15 minutes. This opens the pores and softens the skin, which is what makes the scrub work.
2. The black soap. Savon beldi, a thick paste made from olive oil, is spread over your body and left for a few minutes.
3. The scrub. The attendant (the kessala, or the tellak for men) rubs you down with the kessa glove. Long grey rolls of dead skin come off. It is normal, and it is the whole point.
4. The mask. Ghassoul, a mineral clay from the Atlas, is applied to the skin or hair, sometimes mixed with rose water or herbs, then rinsed.
5. The rest. In a spa, you usually finish with mint tea in a relaxation room, and often a massage with argan oil if you booked one.

Traditional hammam or spa hammam: which one to choose

The traditional public hammam is part of daily life in Morocco. Men and women go at different hours or use separate entrances. You pay a small entry fee, bring your own things, and pay the kessala separately if you want to be scrubbed. It is cheap, authentic and lively, but nobody will explain the rules to you, and some public hammams welcome only regulars from the neighbourhood.

The spa hammam is the same ritual in a calmer, private setting. Products and towels are provided, the steps are explained, and you book a time slot instead of waiting. It costs more, but it is the easy choice for a first time, for a couple, or before a wedding.

If you are unsure, start with a spa hammam. Once you know the steps, a public hammam is far less intimidating.

How much does a hammam cost in Morocco?

Prices vary a lot by city, neighbourhood and what is included. As a rough guide, at the time of writing:

• Neighbourhood hammam: an entry fee of roughly 10 to 40 MAD, plus a few dozen dirhams for the scrub if you want one.
• Spa hammam with scrub and ghassoul: usually 150 to 450 MAD for 35 to 60 minutes.
• Hammam plus massage packages: often from 400 to 800 MAD and more.
• Luxury hotel spas: 1,000 MAD and above for an hour.

Marrakech is generally the most expensive city, especially in the medina and around tourist areas. The only price that counts is the one the hammam shows for the exact ritual you book, so check it before you go. On Vezeli, the price and the duration are listed on every service.

What to bring (and what to leave at home)

For a public hammam, bring:

• Black soap, a kessa glove and some ghassoul (all sold in any souk)
• A towel, flip-flops and a change of underwear
• A small bucket or bowl if you have one (some hammams lend them)
• Shampoo and a comb

For a spa hammam you need nothing: products, towels and a disposable garment are provided. In both cases, leave jewellery at home. Steam and black soap are not kind to it.

Etiquette for a first time

• Keep your underwear on. Full nudity is not the norm in Moroccan hammams.
• Do not eat a big meal just before, and drink water afterwards: the heat is tiring.
• Avoid the hammam if you are pregnant, have heart problems or a skin condition, unless your doctor says it is fine. Tell the attendant if the scrub is too hard.
• In a public hammam, a small tip for the kessala is customary.
• Do not plan waxing or a fresh tan right after a scrub: your skin is more sensitive for a day.

How often should you go?

Many Moroccans go every week. For skin that is not used to it, once every two to four weeks is plenty. A deep scrub removes a layer of dead skin; your skin needs a few days to recover before the next one.

Looking for a hammam near you? Compare rituals, prices and reviews, then book a real time slot in Marrakech, Casablanca, Rabat or anywhere else on Vezeli. New to booking online? Here is how it works in a few seconds.