Public hammam or spa hammam?
There are two very different experiences behind the same word.
| Neighbourhood (public) hammam | Spa or riad hammam | |
|---|---|---|
| Who goes | Local families, by gender | Mostly visitors and well-off residents |
| Setting | Plain tiled rooms, often dim and very hot | Decorated, softly lit, private or small rooms |
| Service | Self-service, or a paid scrub by an attendant | Attendant-led treatment, often with massage |
| Language | Darija, sometimes French | French, English and others |
| Typical cost | approx. 15–25 MAD entry; approx. 50–150 MAD with scrub | approx. 200–800 MAD; luxury hotels 1,000 MAD+ |
| Atmosphere | Social, noisy, authentic | Calm, relaxing, polished |
A public hammam is often next to the neighbourhood mosque, bakery and fountain, and is used for washing as much as for relaxation. A spa hammam recreates the ritual in comfort. Neither is more "correct"; the public version is more culturally revealing, the spa version easier for a first-timer.
What happens, step by step
The sequence is broadly the same in both types.
- Undress in the changing area. Keep underwear on (see etiquette below). Store belongings in a locker or with the attendant.
- Warm up. Move through rooms of increasing heat. Sit or lie on the warm floor or a bench while you sweat for 10–20 minutes; steam softens the skin.
- Black soap. Savon beldi, a soft paste made from olive oil and olives, is applied all over and left for a few minutes.
- Gommage. The attendant (kessal for men, kessala for women) scrubs you vigorously with a rough kessa glove. Grey rolls of dead skin come away; this is normal and expected. Say "bshwiya" (gently) if it is too rough.
- Rinse with buckets of warm and cool water.
- Rhassoul clay. An optional mask of mineral clay from the Middle Atlas, applied to the body or hair and rinsed off.
- Rest. Sit in a cooler room, drink water or mint tea. Spa packages often add a massage with argan oil.
A full public hammam visit takes 45 minutes to an hour and a half; a spa session with massage, one and a half to two hours.
Etiquette: what to wear, bring and expect
Gender separation. Public hammams have separate sections for men and women, or alternate hours for each (typically mornings for men and afternoons for women, though this varies). Mixed sessions exist only in private spa rooms, for couples.
What to wear. Women usually keep on knickers and go topless; men keep on underwear or swim shorts. Full nudity is not the norm in public hammams. In spas you are given disposable underwear.
What to bring to a public hammam:
- Black soap, a kessa glove and rhassoul (sold at local grocers for a few dirhams)
- Shampoo, a comb, a towel and a change of underwear
- Plastic flip-flops, as floors are slippery
- Small coins for the attendant and the entrance
Locals also bring buckets and a small mat; in tourist-aware hammams these can be borrowed.
Behaviour. Avoid taking photos, keep voices low, and do not stare. Regulars may help a visitor who is unsure, and some may offer to scrub your back; accepting is friendly.
Tipping. In a public hammam, agree the scrub price before you start, and add a small tip (around 20–50 MAD) if you are happy. In spas, a tip of approx. 10% for the attendant is appreciated if service is not included. See money and payments for advice on carrying small change.
Typical prices
Prices are ranges checked in October 2026; they vary by city, neighbourhood and season.
| Service | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Public hammam entry only | approx. 15–25 MAD |
| Attendant scrub (gommage) in a public hammam | approx. 50–150 MAD |
| Mid-range spa: hammam + gommage | approx. 200–400 MAD |
| Spa: hammam + gommage + massage (1 hour) | approx. 450–800 MAD |
| Luxury hotel spa ritual | approx. 1,000–3,000 MAD |
Riads often offer in-house hammams at prices close to mid-range spas, which is convenient but not always better value.
Where to go in Marrakech and Fez
Marrakech. The medina has many neighbourhood hammams, including historic ones in Mouassine and near Bab Doukkala. Mid-range and upscale spas cluster in the medina around Mouassine, Kasbah and the streets near Dar el Bacha, while Hivernage and the Palmeraie host hotel spas. If your riad is in the medina, ask staff to recommend the nearest public hammam and explain the opening hours for women and men. Our neighbourhood guide helps you choose where to base yourself, and the Marrakech guide covers the city more broadly.
Fez. The medina of Fez has some of Morocco's oldest working bathhouses, including the long-established hammam near Seffarine square. Riads and small spas in the Batha and Talaa Kebira areas offer guided sessions. Fez winters are cold, often around 5 °C / 41 °F at night, which makes a hammam particularly welcome.
Health cautions
The heat is intense and the scrub is vigorous, so take a few precautions:
- Pregnancy: avoid very hot rooms and long sessions, especially in the first trimester; consult your doctor and tell the spa, which can adapt the treatment.
- Heart conditions, low or high blood pressure: the heat can cause dizziness; limit your time and stay in cooler rooms.
- Skin: avoid gommage on sunburn, recent tattoos, waxing, cuts or eczema flare-ups. Do not scrub a fresh sunburn from a day by the pool.
- Hydration: drink water before and after, and avoid a heavy meal or alcohol just before.
- Hygiene: use your own glove, sit on a towel or mat, and wear flip-flops.
Our health and insurance guide covers general medical advice in Morocco.
How to choose a good hammam or spa
- Ask locals or your riad host for a neighbourhood hammam that welcomes visitors.
- Check what is included in spa packages: the duration of each step, whether rhassoul and massage are included, and whether tea and rest time are part of it.
- Look at cleanliness: clean floors, fresh towels and good ventilation.
- Be wary of street touts offering "special hammam" deals; they usually take a commission.
- Book spas a day ahead in high season; public hammams need no booking.
Read our safety guide on touts and our packing list for toiletries. More ideas are on the experiences page.
Practical details
- Duration: 45–90 minutes in a public hammam; 1.5–2 hours for a spa ritual.
- Best time: late afternoon or evening after a day of walking; winter for the full warming effect.
- Price range: approximately 15–25 MAD entry at a public hammam, 50–150 MAD with scrub; spas approximately 200–800 MAD (checked October 2026).
- Booking ahead: not needed for public hammams; one day ahead for spas, longer in peak season.
- What to bring: flip-flops, towel, change of underwear, toiletries, kessa and black soap for public hammams, small coins for tips.
Frequently asked questions
Can tourists go to a public hammam in Morocco?
Yes, most neighbourhood hammams accept visitors who follow local customs. Going with a local friend or asking your riad host for a recommendation makes the first visit easier.
Do I have to be naked in a hammam?
No. In public hammams, women typically wear knickers and men wear underwear or shorts. Spas provide disposable underwear and towels.
How often should I do a gommage?
Many Moroccans go once a week, but for visitors one session per trip is plenty. Leave at least several days between scrubs to let the skin recover.
Can couples go to a hammam together?
Not in public hammams, where sections are separated by gender. Many spas and riads offer private couples' rooms.
Is a hammam safe during pregnancy?
Heat exposure is a concern, especially early in pregnancy. Consult your doctor first; many spas offer gentler, cooler treatments or massages instead.
This guide was last reviewed in October 2026. Entry rules, opening hours, transport timetables and prices change; check official sources shortly before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.