Welcome to Marrakech! Marrakech is a great starting point for Morocco with a long list of amazing things to do. But one of the best experiences is the chance to try a traditional Moroccan hammam, Marrakech.
Here is a complete guide to the hammam experience with all your questions answered and our review of the best traditional Moroccan hammam in Marrakech.
- What is a Moroccan hammam?
- Spa vs. local hammam?
- What is it (really) like?
- Mouassine Hammam, Marrakech
- The Hammam Process
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3 - How much does it cost?
- What do you wear to a Hammam?
- What to bring
- Where to stay in Marrakech
What exactly is a traditional 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. Albeit 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. Thus, the hammam ritual 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
The great news is that there are options for both private and public traditional hammam in Marrakech.
It is a great location to try your first experience of a Moroccan hammam!
- Read more about the Moroccan Hammam experience.
Private spa vs. local or traditional Hammam, Marrakech?
There is a range of both private and public hammam in Marrakech.
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 Marrakech you don’t need to book too far in advance. Just 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 Marrakech!
Choosing a Moroccan hammam in Marrakech
The concept of visiting a hammam in Marrakech is definitely not new.
Remember, travellers to Morocco have journeyed across the Sahara for centuries.
There are numerous Moroccan hammams in the old city inside the Marrakech medina. Plus there are a range luxury spa-style Moroccan hammam attached to hotels and just beyond the medina.
Which traditional Moroccan hammam in Marrakech do we recommend?
The oldest and most popular traditional Moroccan hammam in Marrakech is Hammam Mouassine.
This hammam was established in 1652 and just the experience of being part of something so historically and culturally significant is incredible!
Hammam Mouassine is nothing like the images of private-room luxury spas.
Rather, it is the wonder of age-honoured tradition there for more than 350 years that makes it so popular.
It is certainly the traditional Moroccan hammam experience that we recommend in Marrakech.
How much does it cost to visit a traditional hammam in Marrakech?
Entry to a traditional, local hammam Marrakech is priced differently whether you are bathing yourself or if you request a massage/exfoliation.
Costs for a hammam, Marrakech:
- Entry/Self Scrub: 15 – 25 Dh
- Exfoliation Massage: 50 – 150 Dh
We recommend getting the ‘scrub’ or exfoliation package. This means you really experience the full, traditional Moroccan hammam experience.
But you can also purchase toiletries on entry to all of the local hammams in Marrakech. With this option you can enter the hammam, take your own toiletries and use it as a public bathhouse.
- Tip: See below for details of what you need to take to the hammam and what you need to buy on entry (below).
About Mouassine Hammam – Marrakech
Mouassine Hammam, Marrakech is the oldest and most popular traditional Moroccan hammam in the city.
This hammam was established in 1652 and has been in public operation since then. (Is that amazing or what?).
It is an incredible cultural experience in Morocco.
Though do be prepared for a local experience. Hammam Mouassine is nothing like the images of private-room luxury spas (or the Rolls Royce of Moroccan Hammams at Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca!).
But it does have the wonder of age-honoured tradition to add extra sparkle to this privilege experience…
What is it like? Really?
There are separate hammam entrances for males and females.
Inside, Mouassine Hammam in Marrakech 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.
Afterwards, you will be welcomed to drink tea (as is custom) in the main entrance room before heading back outside into the bustle of the medina.
Forget anything you have heard or read about it being anything but an ageless tradition that is a privilege to experience as a visitor.
It really is an amazing cultural – and historic – experience in Morocco.
Choosing a local hammam in Marrakech
We tried Mouassine Hammam as our first Moroccan experience of a hammam in Marrakech. Though if I’m honest, I’ve lost count of how many times we’ve been since during eight months of travel in Morocco. (We are officially hooked on Hammam!).
Hammam Mouassine is one of the larger public hammams in Marrakech.
Certainly it is the oldest as well.
I had a great experience in the female side.
Though I admit I was nervous going the first time as it was my first ever hammam expriece in Morocco. But Mouassine Hammam, Marrakech is the perfect first-time experience.
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!
It is popular with tourists in Marakech. Albeit there are many locals who use Hammam Mouassine as their regular hammam. But you won’t be the only tourist.
- Tip: Mouassine Hammam, Marrakech has huge ratings on Google Reviews and TripAdvisor with great feedback!
Is Mouassine Hammam in Marrakech just for females?
Mouassine Hammam in Marrkaech is long established as a traditionally operating Moroccan hammam. There are entirely separate hammam entrances for females and males.
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 Mouassine).
- Tip: Both sides of the Hammam use the same wood fire to heat the hot water. Ask one of the staff to show you!
About Mouassine Hammam, Marrakech – what to expect
The following is a guide to the hammam experience and what to expect.
Regardless of which Marrakech hammam you end up choosing, each of the local hammam have a similar procedure.
Part 1 – Reception and the changing room
Make your way to the female entrance of Mouassine Hammam, Marrakech.
Enter down a few stairs to the female reception area to choose your package and pay.
Depending on which Marrakech hammam you have chosen, there will be different means of storing your personal belongings.
At Hammam Mouassine you will be given a bag and a locker key for your belongings.
There is a simple squat toilet in the reception area.
From the reception, the first official room of the hammam is framed with long benches where you can change (remove your clothing).
- Tip: Put your towel or robe on and take your personal belongings back to the front reception area to store in a locker.
Part 2 – enter the first warm Hammam room
Assuming you have made the executive decision to have the full hammam experience and paid for a scrub your time starts now.
You will be assigned to one of the female hammam staff.
Wearing your towel, follow her into the warm room.
- Tip: Expect to find a warm, steamy room with an area of the wall with taps and large buckets of water, and other ladies lying, sitting and scrubbing or being scrubbed.
Follow the directions of your assigned attendant to hang up your towel, tie up your hair and sit down on the rubber mat.
She will guide you to sit and turn or lie down and roll over as needed while she first rinses you with warm water. Then expect that she covers your body with black soap and begins the traditional scrub…
- Tip: Expect the upcoming scrub – with the exfoliating mitt to be firm; bordering on rough. It is further debatably bordering on painful (especially in the more sensitive areas).
Part 3 – Rinse
From there, follow her instructions for the scrub and exfoliation.
To summarise the (likely) order of bathing at a Mouassine Hammam, Marrakech:
- Find a 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. Your attendant will rub a layer of savon noir (black soap) all over your body. She may give you the black soap to rub on your body while she prepares the hot water.
Part 4 – 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!).
Part 5 – Soaping and shampoo
At Mouassine Hammam, Marrakech there is often a queue of ladies waiting at this point. (Don’t be alarmed!). This is all part of the hammam experience.
You might be directed to the hot (hottest) room of the hammam and indicated to lie down. This is kind of like a sauna experience where you can relax for a while and wait for the final rinse.
- Soap. Using shower gel or soap (included in your package) 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. 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.
On the female side they will be shocked if you leave without covering your wet hair. So it is an idea to bring a hat or scarf if you have one with you.
Head back through to the main hammam entrance for tea.
Part 6 – Moroccan tea
It is traditional after a Moroccan hammam to take the time for a glass of hot mint tea.
We couldn’t believe the first time how unreally clean we felt!
The hammam experience is unlike anything else.
Hammam Mouassine in Marrakech – treatments and costs
Prices for the hammam in Marrakech vary depending on whether you purchase a package scrub or if you bring your own toiletries and wash yourself.
- Entry: 15 MAD
- Scrub (package): 170 MAD (17 EUR)
However, I am pretty sure at Mouassine Hammam, Marrakech they discourage tourists using it as a bath and instead encourage the packages anyway. It is well worth it!
What do you wear to a Moroccan hammam?
Are you fully naked in the Marrakech hammam?
This is a very fair question.
But, no.
At Mouassine Hammam in Marrakech you just wear your underwear. (No bra; just underwear bottoms).
But it ultimately depends on how comfortable you are. You need to be comfortable to enjoy the hammam experience!
The slightly confusing thing about visiting a Moroccan hammam in Marrakech is that you will find yourself amongst a mixture of local women and tourists. (As opposed to tying a local one in the rural areas or smaller towns).
Local women visit the Marrakech hammam routinely and scrub themselves and bathe themselves. So don’t get a surprise when you enter into the steam room and see other women topless and often washing themselves for a final rinse without underwear.
What do you need to bring to the hammam in Marrakech?
The Marrakech hammam is used to and prepared for tourists. You really just need to bring a change of clothes and underwear for afterwards.
- A complete change of clothes for afterwards
- Underwear you don’t mind wearing during the hammam
You can bring your deodorant, razor, moisturiser and any toiletries you would normally use during or after bathing.
If it is winter, bring a warm hat to wear back to your accommodation afterwards. (Your hammam attendant won’t like you to leave with wet hair!).
- Read about the best time to visit Morocco and travel during Ramadan.
Finding Mouassine Hammam in Marrakech Medina
One last tip before your Moroccan hammam experience is about signage. That is the heads-up that often hammam aren’t easy to see from the street!
The entrances are separated for men and women and typically the female side is not signposted or advertised as the males side is. This is for reasons to be discreet.
For Mouassine Hammam, Marrakech you will see the main sign above the entrance way inside the medina.
Enter (both male and females) through the main doorway. The first hammam area is for men. Continue through (past the fire) to the narrow laneway out the back to find the discreet female entrance to the hammam.
Is it expected that you tip at the hammam, Marrakech?
It is polite to offer a 10 – 20% tip to your hammam attendant.
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 eight 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 traditional hammam in Marrakech.
B’saha!
Read more about Moroccan Hammam
As well as Mouassine Hammam, Marrakech, there are local and traditional hammam to choose from all over Morocco.
Read about the experience in:
I told you we have made hammams in Morocco part of our routine!
Where to stay in Marrakech
Marrakech is well known for its seemingly limitless range of beautiful accommodation.
From traditional riads to modern hotels and AirBnB’s you will definitely find something to match your budget.
Here is our pick of the best range of budget and mid-range riads and luxury hotels in Marrakech to choose from.
Budget riads in Marrakech
Mid-range riads in Marrakech
Luxury riads in Marrakech
Where to next on your Morocco itinerary?
Marrakech is centrally located in Morocco. By road it is within a few hours’ drive to other key destinations.
- Read more about the things to do in Chefcahouen, Casablanca, Tangier, Tetouan, Fes and Rabat.
More about planning for travel in Morocco and beyond
These are the companies we use and can recommend for planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. It is easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally.
- 12GoAsia – Book trains anywhere online.
- Skyscanner– This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world. Everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home). Make sure you have insurance before embarking on all the great things to see in Marrakech, Morocco!