Welcome to Rabat! Rabat is a great starting point for Morocco. The city is large, clean, and friendly. There is history to see and food to taste. And if you are curious to try a traditional hammam in Rabat it is a great place to experience an essential part of Moroccan culture.
Rabat is the capital city of Morocco. It is home to some amazing traditional Moroccan hammam.
Here is a complete guide to the hammam experience our review of the best traditional Moroccan hammam in Rabat.
- What is a hammam?
- Private spa in Rabat
- Public hammam in Rabat
- What do you need to take to a hammam?
- What do you wear?
- Costs
- Tipping
- Toiletries
- Choosing a hammam in Rabat
- About the experience
What exactly is a Moroccan hammam?
A hammam is a traditional Moroccan bath. These public bathhouses are where the authentic Moroccan Hammam experience lies.
Hammam are often compared with a Turkish bath. And it is a similar experience but typically in Morocco it is 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 Rabat. It is a great location to try your first experience of a Moroccan hammam!
- Read our complete guide to the Moroccan hammam experience.
Private Spa and Hammam – Rabat
- So SPA (Prestigia)
- Zen Attitude
- Villa Diyafa Spa
Public Hammam – Rabat
- Marassa Hammam
- Hammam Tkatek
- Laalou Hammam
- Chourafaa Hammam
- Buiba Hammam
- Al-Attarin Hammam
Private spa vs. local hammam?
There is a range of both private and public hammam in Rabat 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. While a local hammam is a unique and traditional Moroccan experience.
Even for a private spa in Rabat 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.
But do note that cost-wise it is more expensive to visit a private spa.
- Tip: Expect to pay 500Dh – 600Dh for a private spa depending on the treatment and timeframe you have chosen.
And now, because less guidance is needed for the private spa options. The following is our guide to choosing, navigating and experiencing a great local hammam in Rabat!
Where are the local hammam in Rabat?
All of the above listed local hammam in Rabat are in the medina (old city) and the closely surrounding area.
Hammam in Rabat (inside Rabat medina):
- Laalou Hammam
- Chourafaa Hammam
- Buiba Hammam
- Al-Attarin Hammam
Hammam in Rabat (outside Rabat medina):
- Massara Hammam
- Tkatek Hammam
Temara (28 min (17.7 km) via Av. Moustapha Assayeh/R322)
- Charazat Hammam
- Albassantine Hammam
How much does it cost to visit a traditional hammam in Rabat?
Entry to a traditional, local hammam in Rabat is priced differently whether you are bathing yourself or if you request a massage/exfoliation.
Costs for a hammam in Rabat:
- Entry/Self Scrub: 15 – 25 Dh
- Exfoliation Massage: 50 – 150 Dh
The nearby hammam in Temara (Hammam Charazat and Hammam Albassatine) are slightly cheaper:
- Entry/Self: 15 Dh
- Exfoliation Massage: 50 – 70 Dh
You can also purchase toiletries on entry to all of the local hammams in Rabat.
See below for details of what you need to take to the hammam and what you need to buy on entry (below).
Hammam in Rabat – treatments and costs
Prices for the hammam vary depending on whether you bring your own toiletries or purchase a package (toiletries included).
Entry to the hammam is standard and ranges from 15 – 25 Dh.
The exfoliation is usually listed as ‘Scrub’ and assumes that you have purchased or brought your own exfoliating mitt, soap, and shampoo.
Tkatek Hammam
- Entry: 15 Dh
- Scrub: 50 Dh
- Package: 150 Dh
Marassa Hammam
- Entry: 23 Dh
- Scrub: 70 Dh
- Package: 150 Dh
Al-Attarin Hammam
- Entry: 15 Dh
- Scrub: 60 Dh
- Massage and scrub: 120 Dh
Hammam Chourafaa
- Entry: 13Dh entry
- Package: 200 Dh
Is it expected that you tip at the hammam?
It is polite to offer a 10 – 20% tip to your hammam attendant.
What do you need to take with you to the hammam?
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 underwear and any specific toiletries you normally use when you bathe.
And for most 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 hammam in Rabat?
The small kiosk to purchase entry to the hammam also sells:
- kess (exfoliating mitt): 10 Dh
- savon noir (black soap): 2 Dh
- shampoo (small bottle): 15 – 20 Dh
- shampoo (single sachet): 2 Dh
Most hammam in Morocco (even the smaller ones) have a fairly decent selection of toiletries for purchase including soaps and razors; and even a hairbrush or toothbrush!
Storing your belongings at the hammam
All of the hammams have a small reception desk inside the changing area.
You can leave your bag (including towel) on the changing room benches. Or you can hand it over to the attendant to store your bag behind the counter.
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 hammam?
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 Rabat – about the experience
Hammam Tkatek, Laalou, Chourafaa and Marassa Hammam in Rabat 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 and a small peephole to pay and buy toiletries separately from both the male and female 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.
How long do you need to use the hammam?
It takes around 1 – 1.5 hours for the full hammam experience.
- Tip: Allow 60 – 90 minutes for your hammam.
Choosing a local hammam – about the process
We tried Marassa Hammam in Rabat and can really recommend it as a great hammam experience.
Marassa Hammam is one of the larger public hammams in Rabat (outside of the medina).
Gavin really rated the men’s side and the friendly hammam staff. (There seem to be lots of staff and hammam attendants on both the male and female side of Hammam Marassa). He even got to see the huge wood fire where they heat the hot water for the hammam.
And I had a great experience in the female side too. The staff are very friendly and despite any worry over the language barrier we had a good laugh and they made me feel comfortable and welcome. And VERY clean!
- Tip: Marassa Hammam in Rabat even has an Instagram page @hammam_marassa with over 70,000 followers. (It has lots of great reviews!).
We both recommend Hammam Marassa for a great local hammam experience. And we have been to check out each of the other five nearby hammams in Rabat.
The following is a guide to the hammam process (regardless of which Rabat hammam you end up choosing!).
1. Rinse
To summarise the (likely) order of bathing at a hammam in Rabat.
- Find your hammam space. (If you have requested a hammam attendant she will first cleanse your chosen area before you sit down).
- 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 soap all over your body. Your attendant might give you the black soap to rub on your body while she prepares the hot water.
2. Exfoliation
- Scrub. Using the kess (scrubbing mitt) you will be scrubbed with long hard strokes until the dead skin loosens and begins to roll off*. Your attendant will guide you to sit, lie down and turn over as needed.
- Rinse again: Each area of the body is exfoliated and the area is lightly rinsed straight afterwards.
*(Sounds gross right? It is. But keep reading!).
3. Soaping and shampoo
- Soap. Using shower gel or soap (purchase before) the attendant will lather your body with soap including a light massage.
- Rinse. Again. This stage is a short rinse to wash off the soap and any remaining exfoliation.
- Shampoo. Your attendant will wash your hair and tie it back up.
- Rinse. The final rinse. You will be directed to sit and stand as necessary. And it is normal to remove your underwear and wash yourself to finish.
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!
Cash or card?
Payment for all of the public hammams in Rabat is cash only.
- Tip: There is an ATM (Attijariwafa Bank) just outside the main entrance to the medina (across Avenue Hassan II Road).
Parking for the hammam in Rabat
For the hammams inside Rabat medina there is no parking available.
Outside of the medina there is limited parking on the road for Hammam Marassa and Hammam Tkatek.
There is a large, paid public carpark on Avenue d’Egypte just across the road from the medina.
- Tip: Parking Bab Al Had is a paid public carpark on Avenue d’Egypte.
Getting to Rabat
Rabat is the capital city of Morocco and is easily accessible by plane, train, bus and private car or taxi.
- Casablanca to Rabat: 1 hr 18 min (89.9 km) via A1
- Temara to Rabat: 28 min (17.7 km) via Av. Moustapha Assayeh/R322
- Tangier to Rabat: 2 hr 46 min (244.9 km) via A5
The verdict?
As always I 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.
Enjoy the opportunity to experience a special part of Moroccan culture at a local hammam in Rabat.
B’saha!
Read more about hammams in Morocco
I told you we have made hammams in Morocco part of our routine!
Other hammams in Morocco:
- Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca
- Aourir Hammam, Agadir
- Hammams in Zagora
- Hammams in Marrakech
- Tafraoute Hammam
- Asilah Hammam
Wondering where to stay in Rabat?
- 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.
