Hammam & Spa
It comes up on almost every Marrakech itinerary, including our own — but "have a hammam" means very different things depending on where you go.
Traditional public hammam vs. spa hammam
A traditional public hammam is a neighbourhood steam bath, historically used by locals for washing rather than relaxation in the Western spa sense — inexpensive, unglamorous, and usually gender-segregated by time slot or separate entrances. You bring your own towel and toiletries (or buy a kit cheaply nearby), and the experience is closer to a communal bathhouse than a pampering session.
A spa hammam, offered by most riads and hotels, adapts the same basic format — steam room, black soap exfoliation, a rinse — into a private, guided, and considerably more comfortable experience, usually with soft towels, oils, and a masseur or masseuse walking you through each step. It costs more, but removes any uncertainty about etiquette or process, which makes it the easier entry point for a first-timer.
What actually happens
- Steam room. You sit or lie in a hot, humid room to soften the skin — typically 10–15 minutes.
- Black soap (savon noir). A dark, olive-oil-based soap is applied and left to sit briefly.
- Exfoliation (gommage). A rough mitt (kessa) is used to scrub away dead skin — this is the part people mean when they say a hammam is "intense"; it's normal, not a sign of anything going wrong.
- Rinse & rhassoul clay (optional). A final rinse, sometimes with a mineral clay mask for the hair or skin.
- Rest. Spa hammams usually finish with mint tea and a short rest; public hammams generally don't include this step.
How to choose
If you want an authentic, inexpensive local experience and don't mind a bit of uncertainty about process, a public hammam is worth trying at least once. If you'd rather have everything explained, in English or French, with privacy and comfort built in, book a spa hammam through your riad — most can arrange it with a day's notice.
Practical tips
- Bring or buy flip-flops — hammam floors are wet and can be slippery.
- Modesty norms vary: public hammams are typically same-sex and underwear (or a provided wrap) is standard; spa hammams usually offer disposable underwear and are more flexible.
- Drink water afterward — the steam is dehydrating, more than it feels like at the time.
- Book spa treatments a day ahead in peak season; popular riad spas fill up.