If you are fortunate to be traveling in Morocco and looking for a hammam in Essaouira you are in luck!
Essaouira is a popular tourist destination in Morocco and there is a range of both private and public hammams in Essaouira.
Over our six months of travel in Morocco, the weekly ritual of a local Moroccan hammam has become part of our routine. We look forward to a visit each week!
So if it is your first time trying a Moroccan hammam or whether you are debating the choice between a private spa or public hammam. Here are all your questions answered, a review of the different traditional options and everything you need to know about Essaouira’s hammams.
- Moroccan Hammam
- Private Spas
- Local Hammam
- Private spa vs. local hammam
- Costs
- Toiletries
- What to take
- What do you wear to a hammam?
- What do you do at a hammam?
What exactly is a Moroccan hammam?
A hammam is a traditional Moroccan bath. These public bathhouses are where the authentic Moroccan Hammam experience lies.
Often compared with a Turkish bath, it is similar but without the steam. In Morocco, hammam are used by men, women, and children for regular weekly bathing and the whole hammam experience forms part of an age-old tradition.
The routine of a hammam dates back to a time before private homes had running water. Hammam was a weekly routine outing to a public bathhouse.
Nowadays in Morocco there is a range of options to try a Moroccan hammam experience on your trip:
- Private Spa
- Local Hammam
And the great news is that there are options for both private and public hammam in Essaouira. It is a great location to try your first experience of a Moroccan hammam!
And without doubt – I’m confident to guarantee – you will leave the hammam in Essaouira feeling cleaner and fresher than you have ever felt before!
- Read our complete guide to the Moroccan hammam experience.
Private hammam – Essaouira
- Azur Spa Essaouira
- Centre d’Esthetique Bio Argana Spa, Essaouira
- La Reaxation Marocaine
- Dimant Blanc Spa
- Riad Mumtax Mahal
- Spa Zen Essaouira
Public hammam – Essaouira
- Zahra Hammam, Essaouira
- Laafou Hammam, Essaouira
- Ghita Hammam, Essaouira
- Gazhoua Hammam, Gazhoua
- Bain Public, Ounagha
Private spa vs. local hammam?
As you can see there is a large range of both private and public hammam in Essaouira and the surrounding area. The private spas are more akin to what you may be used to in visiting a spa treatment and massage at home. A local hammam is a unique and traditional Moroccan experience.
Even for a private spa in Essaouira you don’t need to book too far in advance. Pop in during the day for a booking the next day or that afternoon/evening.
Cost-wise it is more expensive to visit a private spa. Expect to pay 500Dh – 600Dh depending on the treatment and timeframe you have chosen.
Albeit less guidance is needed for the private spa options. So, the following is our guide to choosing, navigating and experiencing a great local hammam in Essaouira!
Where are the local hammam in Essaouira?
The private spas above are in the medina (old city). But interestingly, all of the truly local hammam in Essaouira are outside of the medina.
- Zahra Hammam, Essaouira
- Laafou Hammam, Essaouira
- Ghita Hammam, Essaouira
Ghazoua (14 min (9.5 km) from Essaouira via P2201)
- Gazhoua Hammam, Gazhoua
Ounagha (22 min (23.0 km) from Essaouira via R207)
- Bain Public, Ounagha
How much does it cost to visit a traditional hammam in Essaouira?
Entry to a traditional, local hammam in Essaouira is priced differently whether you are bathing yourself or if you request a massage/exfoliation.
- Entry/Self Scrub: 15Dh
- Exfoliation Massage: 100Dh
The nearby hammam in Gazhoua and Ounagha are slightly cheaper:
- Entry/Self: 15 Dh
- Exfoliation Massage: 50 Dh
You can also purchase toiletries on entry to all of the local hammam in Essaouira. See below for details of what you need to take to the hammam and what you need to buy on entry (below).
What do you need to take with you to a traditional hammam, Essaouira?
The good news is you don’t need to take much at all. You can purchase soap and an exfoliating mitt (kess) at the small kiosk just inside the hammam where you pay your entry fee.
You just need to take a change of clothes and underwearand any specific toiletries you normally use when you bathe.
And for a local hammam you need to take a towel.
Take with you to the hammam:
- change of clothes
- change of underwear (and underwear to wear during)
- any specific toiletries you normally use when you bathe;
- towel
Which toiletries are available for purchase at the local hammams in Essaouira?
The small kiosk to purchase entry to the hammam also sells:
- kess (exfoliating mitt): 10 Dh
- savon noir (black soap): 1 Dh
- shampoo (small bottle): 15 Dh
- shampoo (single sachet): 2 Dh
And there is actually a fairly decent selection of other toiletries for purchase including soaps and razors. Even a toothbrush or hairbrush!
Where can you store your personal belongings while using the hammam?
You can store your bag behind the counter in the changing area. And if you can, leave any valuables at your hotel. That way you can relax and enjoy the full hammam experience.
What do you wear to a local hammam, Essaouira?
Wondering what you wear to a Moroccan hammam? This is always a topical question.
Ultimately, it is up to you. And the most important thing is that you feel comfortable.
For the women’s side most women wear underwear (knickers) only. You could in theory wear a bikini top if you were not comfortable going topless. But it would make it harder to exfoliate yourself or for the hammam attendant.
Most women wear their underwear bottoms.
- Note: It is worth noting that not only are you nearly naked and in your underwear – but so is the lady who scrubs you.
In the men’s side all men wear underwear or boxer shorts.
Private vs. local hammam in Essaouira – about the experience
Hammam Ghita, Laafou, and Zahra Hammam in Essaouira are all similarly set up in the style of typical local Moroccan hammam.
The set-up is separated for men and women.
- For each hammam you will spot a sign (in Arabic or Amazigh) on the outside of the building and see the two signposted entrances for male and female.
There is a small kiosk to buy a ticket just at the entrance to the hammam. The kiosk usually has a window to the outside entrance of the hammam as well as a small peephole to pay and buy toiletries from both the male and female separate entries.
Inside, the hammam consists of three main rooms – warm, warmer, and hot. Plus, a changing room and small reception where you can store your belongings while you bathe.
About the hammam ritual
In Morocco, Hammam-goers all have their own way of performing their hammam ritual.
But the process of what to do at a Moroccan hammam is generally the same and follows a similar pattern.
There are two options on entering any hammam in Morocco;
- Self-scrub hammam
- Massage (gommage)
The massage/exfoliation and scrub by a hammam attendant is the real deal. And this is what I recommend for your experience of a local hammam in Essaouira!
- Albeit I often do wonder how many Moroccan hammam I have to visit before I feel truly as comfortable as a local! But already after more than six months traveling in Morocco I know I am going to miss the hammam experience when I leave.
Choosing a local hammam – about the process
To summarise the (likely) order of bathing at the Essaouira hammam:
- Choose a spot. Find your hammam space. Wash out your area. (If you have requested a hammam attendant she will first cleanse your chosen area of the floor with the first bucket of hot water).
- Rinse. With hot water. Moroccans use this stage of rinsing with hot water to bring themselves to a sweat and open the skin pores.
- Black soap. Rub a layer of savon noir olive soap all over your body. Your attendant might give you the black soap to rub on your body while she fills buckets of hot water.
- Scrub. Take the kess (scrubbing mitt) and scrub with long hard strokes until the dead skin loosens and begins to roll off. (Sounds gross right? It is. But keep reading!). Exfoliate each area of your body and rinse the area straight afterwards.
- Soap. Take the rest of the savon noir or a bar of soap and lather all over your body.
- Rinse. This stage is a short rinse to wash off the black soap and any remaining exfoliation.
- Shampoo. Your attendant will wash your hair. Don’t be alarmed if she borrows a small plastic hairbrush from a neighbouring bather to brush your soapy hair.
- Rinse. The final rinse.
You are ready to leave. If you brought your towel into the steam room, grab it. Otherwise wander on out in your underwear and get changed.
The hammam experience is unlike anything else. And you are guaranteed to leave feeling fresher and cleaner than you have ever felt before!
The verdict?
Trying a local hammam in Essaouira is another of Morocco’s unique experiences that will be something to remember long after you leave.
Even now; two days later I still feel unbelievably refreshed and very thankful to the amazing hammam attendants in Essaouira for another great hammam experience!
Read more about hammams in Morocco
I told you we have made hammams in Morocco part of our routine!
Other hammams in Morocco:
Wondering where to stay in Essaouira?
- We use Booking.com to book all our accommodation for travel around the world. Find the best rates on accommodation in Morocco with filters for price, facilities and free-cancellation policy.
