Hammam in Morocco

Hammam ritual

Inseparable element of Moroccan society and drawing its origins from the baths of ancient Rome, the hammam is a steam bath damp. To come here is to immerse oneself in the heart of local life.

In the practice of Islam, cleanliness being part of the faith, purifying and washing is an obligation and the hammam is the privileged place. The hammam is a place of hygiene, but also a social space, a moment of meeting and relaxation.

Like the ancient baths to which it is related, you can chat and comment on the local news. For women, the hammam is a space of freedom in which men secretly exchange advice, laughter, family gossip and conspiracy about such daughters or sons to marry.

local Hammam

The hammams, also called Turkish baths in the West, are made up of a first room, at the entrance, intended to undress and prepare.

In most cases, three rooms follow, in which the water vapour is more or less dense and warm and which one passes through successively.

The first is a room at medium temperature, called “El Barrani”. You relax and let yourself go in this humid atmosphere, little by little, so that the body gets used to this moisture.

The hot room “El Ousti” follows. Enjoying the benefits of its high temperature (50°), people settle on the floor on a mat or on a tiled edge with a glove of horsehair, black soap based on olives and several buckets filled with warm water.

It is in a thick cloud of steam that the body, sweating generously, is energetically rubbed with the horsehair glove, gradually ridding itself of impurities and an abundance of dead skins.

Finally the hottest “El Dakli”. Especially hot, it is advisable to stay only 15 to 20 minutes. This change in temperature accelerates the process of eliminating toxins.

The benefits

We come out of it, passing quietly from one room to another up to the entrance hall in order to get dressed and the body and mind as ethereal, relax gently before leaving again in the eventful alleys of the district.

Cleared of its toxins, the skin has an unparalleled softness, breathes and radiates in all its splendour. A feeling of serenity and well-being will benefit even the most stressed minds.

Go to the hammam

In Morocco, every district of a city, however large, has at least one hammam, but is rarer in some small villages.

Hammams in Morocco are not mixed. They have either a part reserved for men and another part reserved for women, or alternatively they have alternating working hours. Count 8 to 10 Dh the entrance and 20 to 50 Dh for a massage. Remember to bring a pair of bathing briefs, towel, soap and a pair of tong or plastic shoes (often lent on site).

Some cities, such as Marrakesh, have developed a large number of spas for clients seeking wellness…