If you are fortunate to be traveling in Morocco and considering trying a Moroccan hammam in Casablanca; you are in luck. My hair is still wet from the most incredible experience at Hassan II Mosque Hammam.
I’ve tried Moroccan hammams all over the country. Over our six months of travel in Morocco the weekly ritual of a local Moroccan hammam has become part of our routine. And we look forward to a visit each week.
But a visit to the Hammam at Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca has me now wondering if I just experienced the best hammam in Morocco?!
I can’t WAIT to tell you about it!
So if it is your first time trying a Moroccan hammam or whether you are debating a combined ticket to Hassan II Mosque and Hammam. Here are all your questions answered and a complete and honest review of the hammam experience and different traditional options at Hassan II Mosque Hammam in Casablanca.
- What is a hammam?
- About Hassan II Mosque hammam
- Treatments
- Cost
- How long does it take?
- What do you wear to a hammam?
- What happens at a hammam?
- Treatment process
- Getting to Hassan II Mosque
- Getting to Casablanca
- Where to stay in Casablanca
What exactly is a Moroccan hammam?
A hammam is a traditional Moroccan bath. These public bathhouses are all over the country and are a regular part of day-to-day life in Morocco.
Moroccan hammam are often compared with a Turkish bath. And they are 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 dating back to a time before private homes had running water.
Hammam was a weekly routine outing to a public bathhouse. And still today for many Moroccans the routine continues.
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 the Hassan II Mosque Hammam in Casablanca is a mixture of both.
The hammam at Hassan II Mosque offers a unique experience of local-style Moroccan hammam while in a setting of incredible tradition and luxury…
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 at Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca feeling cleaner and fresher than you have ever felt before!
- Read our complete guide to the Moroccan hammam experience.
About Hassan II Mosque Hammam
Walking out of the Hassan II Mosque hammam the first description that springs to mind is that this is the Rolls Royce of Moroccan hammams. The mosque is truly is spectacular perched right on the coastline and the hammam interior is stunning with influence from traditional Arab and Islamic design.
The mosque hammam is actually located beneath the mosque covering a total area of 6000m². And it is literally right on the incredible Atlantic coastline in Casablanca.
- Fact: One third of Hassan II Mosque is actually over the sea. The position of the mosque is inspired by a verse in the Qur’an which says “The throne of God was upon the water”.
Hassan II Mosque hammam consists of separate hammams for women and men. And each of the hammams occupies an area of 3000m². They are grandly impressive in size!
The male and female hammams are identical in their separate areas and include:
- Reception
- Boutique shop
- Changing rooms
- Showers
- Toilets
- Moorish bath (pool)
- 3x Hammam rooms (cooler, warmer, hot)
- Private treatment booths
- Health bath with heated seawater
What are the treatments available at the hammam?
There is a menu at the hammam reception with the different treatments listed below:
- Simple Ritual: Hammam / Scrub (120 mins)
- Scented Soap Ritual: Hammam / Scrub / Soap (120 mins)
- Traditional Ritual: Hammam / Scrub / Soap / Rhassoul wrap (150 mins)
- Atlas Ritual: Hamman / Scrub / Soap / Argan oil treatment (150 mins)
- Middle Atlas Ritual: Hammam / Scrub / Soaping / Rhassoul wrap /Toning treatment with argan oil (150 mins)
- The High Atlas Ritual: Hammam / Scrub / Soaping / Precious wrap / toning treatment with argan oil (150 mins)
How much does it cost to visit Hassan II Mosque hammam in Casablanca?
The hammam experience is priced differently whether you are bathing yourself or if you request a massage/exfoliation or one of the unique packages at Hassan II Mosque Hammam.
- Entry (male): 40 MAD
- Entry (female): 50 MAD
- Simple Ritual: 100 MAD
- Scented Soap Ritual: 150 MAD
- Traditional Ritual: 200 MAD
- Atlas Ritual: 350 MAD
- Middle Atlas Ritual: 450 MAD
- The High Atlas Ritual: 450 MAD
All treatments have entry to the hammam included in the price.
Combined ticket to Hassan II Mosque, Hammam and Museum
The mosque hammam also offers a ‘Combined Ticket’ with different types of package entry for visitors including mosque entry, museum entry and hammam treatments:
- Traditional Ritual, Mosque and Museum: 400 Dh
- Argan Oil Ritual, Mosque and Museum: 550 Dh
- Grand Ritual, Mosque and Museum: 650 Dh
How long do you need to use the hammam at Hassan II Mosque?
Entry to the hammam is specified for 90 minutes. The treatment packages range from 120 – 150 minutes. Longer, private treatments are available.
- Tip: Allow 90 minutes for your hammam.
What do you need to take with you to the Hassan II Mosque hammam in Casablanca?
This all depends on which treatment you choose. But the good news is you don’t need to take much at all. You can purchase soap, shampoo and an exfoliating mitt (kess) at the reception just inside the hammam where you pay your entry fee.
You need to take a change of clothes and underwear and any specific toiletries you normally use when you bathe.
If you are purchasing one of the hammam treatment packages you will be given a towel. And if you are opting for the self-scrub hammam you will need to take a towel.
There are lockers to store your things. So there is no harm coming prepared.
Take with you to Hassan II Mosque hammam:
- change of clothes
- change of underwear (and underwear to wear during the hammam)
- any specific toiletries you normally use when you bathe;
- towel
All treatments have entry to the hammam included in the price. And the treatment packages come with the according accessories (eg. Black soap and shower gel).
Accessories available to purchase on entry
The reception to purchase entry to the hammam also sells:
- kess (exfoliating mitt): 35 Dh
- savon noir (black soap): 10 Dh
- shampoo: 10 Dh
- shower gel: 10 Dh
- disposable underwear: 10 Dh
- towel (loan): 35 Dh
- Accessories bag (kess, shampoo, shower gel, water bottle, fouta rental): 90 Dh
All treatments have entry to the hammam included in the price.
Where can you store your personal belongings while using the hammam?
You can store your bag in a safe locker in the changing rooms of the hammam.
You will be given a bracelet to scan on entry to the changing rooms. The bracelet has the number of your assigned locker. Just scan the bracelet to open the locker and once you are changed, scan it again to lock.
The lockers are very secure. But as with any travel outing 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?
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.
In the men’s side all men wear underwear or boxer shorts.
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 all over the country and follows a similar pattern.
There are two options;
- Self-scrub hammam
- Treatment (massage/gommage)
The treatment massage and exfoliation scrub by a hammam attendant is the real deal. And this is absolutely what I recommend for your experience at Hassan II Mosque hammam!
Treatment process at Hassan II Mosque hammam
I chose the Scented Soap Ritual (150 MAD / 15 EUR) which included a hammam, scrub and soaping.
Rinse
To summarise the (likely) order of your treatment at Hassan II Mosque hammam:
- 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.
Exfoliation
- Move to the massage table: This is unique to Hassan II Mosque hammam as in local hammams you sit on the floor. Your attendant will guide you to lie down on the massage table.
- Scrub. Using the kess (scrubbing mitt) you will be scrubbed with long hard strokes until the dead skin loosens and begins to roll off. (Sounds gross right? It is. But keep reading!).
- Rinse again: Each area of the body is exfoliated and the area is lightly rinsed straight afterwards.
Soaping and shampoo
- Soap. Using the shower gel (included) the attendant will lather your body with soap including a light massage.
- Rinse. Back to your hammam seat. 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.
- Tip: If you are a female getting a hammam at Hassan II Mosque I recommend you ask for ‘Jacqueline’. She is very friendly, knowledgeable and by far the best hammam experience I have had in Morocco!
Hassan II Mosque hammam truly feels like the ultimate luxury of Moroccan hammams. The whole hammam experience is unlike anywhere else. You are guaranteed to leave feeling fresher and cleaner than you have ever felt before!
Where is Hassan II Mosque hammam?
Hassan II Mosque is located in Casablanca right on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. The minaret is an iconic part of the city skyline and can be seen from across the city.
The address on Google maps:
- Hammam of Hassan II Mosque
Cnr. Boulevard Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah and Boulevard de la Corniche, Casablanca
Getting to Hassan II Mosque hammam
The hammam is 2KM from Casa Port train station in Casablanca along Boulevard Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah. A petit taxi (small red taxi) or shared taxi shouldn’t cost more than 15 – 20 MAD (2 EUR) for the short ride.
From the medina to the mosque is a 30-minute walk through the old city. And if you are walking from the train station it is safe and easy to walk along the corniche.
Casablanca International Airport is located about 30 kilometres away from Hassan II Mosque and hammam. From the airport you can easily take a taxi or a private transfer. It takes 45 minutes and should cost you around 250 Dh (25 EUR).
Getting to Casablanca
Casablanca is Morocco’s largest city and is easily accessible by public transport with bus, train, or taxi.
- Tangier to Casablanca: 3 hr 33 min (338.0 km) via A5
- Rabat to Casablanca: 1 hr 1 min (87.2 km) via A1
- Marrakech to Casablanca: 2 hr 44 min (244.8 km) via A3
Where to stay in Casablanca
Hassan II Mosque and hammam is located near the old medina in Casablanca. There is a range of accommodation in Medina area from backpacking hostels to affordable traditional riads and luxury hotels.
Staying in this area is a great location to explore the city’s history and is in close proximity to the Hassan II Mosque hammam.
- Budget: Hotel Maamoura
Great location in the heart of old Casablanca. Hotel Maamoura is an 8-minute walk from Hassan II Mosque hammam. - Budget: Hotel CasablancaCasablanca Hotel is an elegant and cosy choice, centrally located just a 5-minute walk from the corniche and a 10-minute walk to Hassan II Mosque hammam.
- Mid-range: Seven Hotel
4-star Art Deco hotel in the city centre 2km from the central market of Casablanca and 3.5km from Hassan II Mosque. - Traditonal Riad: Ryad 91
Priced well for Casablanca, close to main attractions and centre of town and close to public transport.
Parking at Hassan II Mosque hammam
There is a large underground carpark beneath the mosque and hammam. If you are visiting by motorhome there is a designated parking area next to the main entry of the mosque.
The underground carpark has a ticket booth and barrier arm on entry with fixed prices displayed. For parking outside the main entry, see the man in the high-vis vest for parking charges.
- Tip: Overnight parking in a motorhome costs 50 Dh (5 EUR).
The verdict?
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.
Enjoy the opportunity to experience a special part of Moroccan culture at Hassan II Mosque hammam. And certainly enjoy the chance to marvel at a truly stunning part of Morocco.
B’saha!
Hammams in Morocco
I told you we have made hammams in Morocco part of our routine!
Other hammams in Morocco:
- Aourir Hammam, Agadir
- Essouira Hammams
- Zagora Hammams
- Marrakech Hammams
- Tafraoute Hammams
- Asilah Hammams