Short answer: a hammam is a traditional steam bath where you sweat, wash with black soap and get scrubbed head to toe with a rough glove. Women and men bathe separately, so it’s one of the most relaxed, women-only spaces you’ll find in Morocco. You can go to a local public hammam (cheap, authentic, a bit of a cultural plunge) or a spa hammam (private, comfortable, more expensive).
Public hammam or spa hammam?
| Public (local) hammam | Spa hammam | |
|---|---|---|
| Atmosphere | Busy, social, local women and children | Quiet, private or small groups |
| Price | A few dirhams entry; scrub extra | From a few hundred dirhams, more with massage |
| What’s provided | Very little — bring your own kit | Everything: towels, soap, robe, disposable underwear |
| Language | Darija, little English | English and French spoken |
| Best for | Curious travellers, with a guide or local friend the first time | First-timers and anyone who wants pure relaxation |
Public hammams usually have separate women’s entrances or women-only hours. If you can’t read the signs, ask your riad — they’ll point you to the right door or book you a spa hammam nearby.
What happens, step by step
- Undress in the changing area and keep your underwear bottoms on (or the disposable pair a spa gives you).
- Warm up in the steam rooms, moving from the cooler room to the hottest. Rinse with buckets of warm water.
- Black soap (savon beldi), made from olives, is spread over your skin and left for a few minutes to soften it.
- The scrub (gommage). An attendant scrubs you with a kessa glove. It’s vigorous — you’ll see the dead skin come off — and you can ask for softer.
- Rinse and clay. Many hammams finish with ghassoul clay on skin or hair, then a final rinse.
- Rest. Spas usually end with mint tea and the option of a massage.
Allow about an hour for a public hammam and 1.5–2 hours for a spa hammam with massage.
What to bring to a public hammam
- Black soap and a kessa glove (both sold cheaply in any souk)
- Towel and a clean change of underwear
- Flip-flops — floors are wet and slippery
- Shampoo, comb and a small mat or plastic bag to sit on
- Small change for entry, the scrub and a tip
Hammam etiquette for women
- Topless with underwear bottoms is normal in women’s hammams; full nudity isn’t.
- Don’t take photos — anywhere inside.
- Follow what local women do, and don’t be surprised if someone offers to help scrub your back — it’s a friendly gesture.
- Tip the attendant who scrubbed you.
- If you’re pregnant, have a heart condition or don’t tolerate heat well, check with your doctor first and choose a spa where you can control the temperature.
Quick answers
Is a hammam women-only?
Public hammams are separated by gender — by entrance or by hours. Spa hammams can be private for you, your friends or a couple.
Should I go before or after the desert?
After. A hammam is the perfect reset after a long drive and a night in the dunes.
What do I wear afterwards?
Loose, comfortable clothes — see what to wear in Morocco as a woman.
A hammam is included or easy to add on all our women’s tours in Morocco — your guide books a trusted spa or takes you to a local hammam the first time. See more activities in Morocco.
Comments are closed