What Is a Hammam & What are the Benefits?
The Moroccan hammam begins with a traditional ritual of glazing the body with – ghassoul, a natural clay extracted from the Atlas Mountains and blended with water to rid the skin of impurities. Then black soap, is applied on the body, made with olive oil and eucalyptus leaves softens the skin prior to a body scrub. The next phase is rose water, made from Atlas roses and used to calm the skin; and finally argan oil to moisturize the skin, are essential component of this important ritual. During the Hammam Ritual you will enjoy a series of rooms starting with a warm room, then a very hot room, a warm room, then end in a cold room. This enables your body to adjust to the heat and for your skin to be scrubbed easily and soak up the oils and gain hydration which enhances the totality of the Hammam as a healthy experience.
Where are Moroccan Hammams located in Morocco?
Each neighborhood in Morocco’s medinas (old cities) has a local hammam where men and women bathe separately; in separate spaces or during varied opening hours. Often centuries old, the Moroccan hammam maintains its importance within the community. Given that some medina homes are still without sufficient running water the Moroccan hammam is key to daily life. The Moroccan hammam is also a place for women to socialize with friends while spending a few hours gossiping and engaging in ancient beauty rituals.
What kind of Moroccan Hammams are offered and What is the difference between a Hammam and a Spa?
Today, mid-range hammams are popular in modern Moroccan neighborhoods and, alike the community hammam in the medinas, are open for foreigners to visit.
What do I bring to a Moroccan Hammam?
If you choose to visit the local hammam, plan to take bottoms, a towel, black soap and a lkisse (the latter two available at the local hanout or corner store). Mid-range and luxury spas will provide everything you need for a relaxing hammam experience. Whether you choose to visit a local hammam for a truly great scrub-down, a mid-range hammam for a more commercial scrub and massage treatment, or a luxury treatment at one of the award-winning hammams, you’re sure to leave feeling clean and relaxed (and perhaps having shed a layer or two of skin.
Where do I find the best Hammams in Morocco?
Hammams and Luxury Spas are located throughout Moroco's Imperial Cities and Coastal Regions. We offer our Top 13 + List of the Best Hammams in Morocco that we recommend. Some are located in luxury, boutique riads while others are stand along special spots Moroccan run, where you will find both
What are the ingredients used in the Hammam Ritual in Morocco?
Savon Beldi - traditional black soap, natural cleansing soap that originates from the Atlantic Coast of Morocco.
Rhassoul - natural mineral clay that has been mined in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco since the 8th Century. It is combined with water to clean the body, skin and hair
Loofa scrub glove (kiis) - rough hand fitted cloth used for scrubbing the body
Aromatic & Nut Oils - Rose oil, Orange Oil and Almond or Argan Oil often used to hydrate the skin.
Top 13 List of Exquisite Hammams & Spas in Morocco
Best Hammams in Marrakech:
Bains du Marrakech
A hammam and spa in the Kasbah district and perhaps one of the best-known privately-run hammams. Guests are treated with Les Bains du Marrakech’s own line of all-natural beauty products. Must be booked in advance.
Address: 2 Derb Sedra, Bab Agnaou, Kasbah Phone: +212-524-38-14-28
La Mamounia Hotel & Spa
Having received several awards including best hotel spa in the world by Conde Nast Readers’ Spa Awards, the spa treatments here certainly live up to their reputation. An on-site hair salon is ideal for preparing for dinner in one of the restaurants following a day at the spa. In addition to the cost of beauty treatments, non-hotel guests are required to purchase a day pass to access the spa facilities. The spa at La Mamounia is for travelers looking for a truly indulgent experience.
Address: Avenue Bab Jdid Phone: +212-524-38-86-00
La Maison Arabe
Located on the lower level of this boutique hotel, the hammam at Maison Arabe is both intimate and relaxing and includes a massage room for two. The spa products are created specifically for La Maison Arabe.
Address: Derb Assehbi
Phone: +212-524-38-70-10
Heritage Spa
Located in the heart of the Marrakech Medina, Heritage Spa offers a tailor made, luxury Hammam and Spa experience. This professional spa specializes in the art of wellness. Heritage offers a wide variety of natural ingredients in their treatments. The ingredients they use are organic and originate from plant extracts, including fragrant oils and aromatic waters and soaps.
Address: Arset Aouzai Rd Phone:+212-524384333
Best Hammams in Fes:
Riad Fes
Signed by Les Cinq Mondes and conveniently located within the riad, the spa at Riad Fes is our favourite riad spa. The hammam treatment includes a black-soap andolive oil scrub that will leave your skin feeling renewed and re-energized.
Address: 5 Derb Ben Slimane, Zerbtana Phone: +212-535-74-12-06
Sahrai Spa
Newly opened and signed by Givenchy, the spa at Sahrai Hotel is perhaps the top spa in Fes. Beautiful pools for relaxing post-treatment, gorgeous Moroccan décor including mashraybia window coverings and stuccoed walls in the massage rooms, add to the overall luxurious ambiance.
Address: Bab Lghoul, Dhar El Mehraz Phone: +212-535-94-03-32
Palais Amani
A luxury spa located inside a boutique hotel in Fes. Courtyard, Gardens and a Traditional Moroccan Art Deco style decor surround you. Palais Amani offers a hand and foot bath with sea salt crystals. They also offer a Pumice Foot Stone scurb with black soap, argan oil and wild mint combined with a clay body wrap.
Address: 12 Derb el Miter Phone: +212-535-63-32-09
Nausikaa Hammam & Wellness Centre
An up-market hammam in the new city, each guest has an area including basin to bath and scrub. Rose water is popular in the treatments so expect to leave feeling fresh. This Hammam is also a wellness centre with special seaweed therapies offered with trained staff from France.
Address: Ave Bahnini, Rte Ain Smen
Themes De Moulay Yacoub
Located about 21 kilometres from Fes and known for being a spa village, Moulay Yacoub is known for its sulphur-rich hot springs. For a more up-market experience, the Thermes de Moulay Yacoub provide luxury treatments known to treat respiratory and rheumatic health issues.
Phone: +212-535-69-40-64
Best Hammams in Casablanca:
Le Doge Hotel & Spa
For an upscale spa experience, the intimate traditional hammam at this Relais & Chateaux property is large enough to accommodate a couple or two friends hoping to experience this Moroccan beauty ritual together. The art-deco decor throughout the hotel extends to the massage and beauty treatment rooms.
Address: 9 Rue du Docteur Veyre Phone: +212-522-46-78-00
Gauthier Bain Turc
With opening hours extending until 10 p.m. this up-market spa in the business district is popular with local professionals. Entrance provides access to the steam room and Jacuzzi
Address: 25 Rue Jean Jaures
Phone: +212-661-14-59-26
Best Hammams in Essaouira:
Azur Spa
A spa in seaside Essaouira offering massage, hammam and beauty with argan products and local flower essences. Moroccan owned.
Address: 15 rue Khalid Ben Walid Phone: +212-524-78-57-94
Palais Heure Bleue
Part of the Relais & Chateaux hotel collection, the luxurious black-marble hammam at Palais Heure Bleue is dimly lit, creating a romantic and relaxing experience. Non-hotel residents are invited to make appointments between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. Address: Rue Ibn Battouta (Bab Marrakech)
Phone: +212-524-78-34-34
Best Hammams in Chefchaouen:
Ryad Lina, Luxury Boutique Riad & Spa
This boutique riad has a traditional Moroccan Hammam and a Heated Pool. Available to travelers who stay at the riad and upon specially arrangements to those who stay at other properties. The Ryad Lina Luxury Hammam offers a traditional body scrub using authentic aromatic, spa products including black soap, rose and orange oil along with local herbs from the Rif Mountain region.
Address: Hassan I Phone: +212-645-06-99-03
Casa Hassan - Hammam & Spa
The on-site hammam at Casa Hassan with the medina can accommodate up to six people for a traditional body scrub using authentic spa products including black soap. There are no massage facilities.
Address: 22 rue Targui Phone: +212-539-98-61-53