Summary
These hammam spa tips will help you navigate your first Turkish bath anywhere in the world. If you can survive a Moroccan Hammam, you can survive any hammam. While traveling in Morocco, we went on a walking tour of the Medina (the old city) in Marrakech. When passing by a hammam, the owner invited us in to check out his spa.
Feeling intrigued, we decided to explore the hammam, which turned out to be quite pleasant. This motivated us to return the next day for our very first Hammam experience. What you are about to read will outline what traditional Turkish baths are truly like. This experience doesn’t resemble a luxury spa in downtown Toronto at the Four Seasons; rather, it represents a public bath nestled in the heart of the old city. After understanding the ritual of a public bath, you’ll navigate any spa around the globe with ease.
Hammam Spa Tips
Upon entering the traditional hammam on a narrow street in the Medina, we were filled with uncertainty. What were we thinking? We were initially unaware of what a hammam entailed or the etiquette we should follow.
Visiting an ordinary hammam on the streets of Morocco can be quite a jarring experience. It’s not akin to the luxury hotels in North America or the Caribbean, where staff guide you through the process with careful attention. Instead, you are left to figure things out independently. No one is there to hold your hand. However, this article aims to prevent you from falling into the same pitfalls we did. By following these tips, you’ll feel equipped to enter an authentic hammam in Morocco without a hitch.
What is a Hammam?
A Hammam is a hot steam bath, often followed by scrubbing and cleaning and concluding with a massage. Simple enough, right? However, there’s considerably more to visiting a hammam than meets the eye.
While each hammam in Morocco may vary slightly, most adhere to a similar ritual encompassing bathing, scrubbing, massage, and showers.
A Moroccan massage, frequently referred to as a hammam massage, is closely related to the Turkish bath experience. You often find yourself being manipulated, prodded, and exfoliated from head to toe. The enveloping steam can be confusing at times. In contrast to other places, hammams in Morocco tend to be intense and methodical in their approach to both massage and bathing.
History of the Hammam
Hammams have constituted a pivotal aspect of Moroccan culture for centuries, tracing back to Roman times. The Romans built bathhouses when they established settlements in Morocco, blending their bathing customs with local traditions.
By the 7th century, the Islamic culture began to shape the development of hammams in Morocco. Ritual purity is a fundamental principle in Islam, and hammams emerged as a sanctuary for individuals to cleanse themselves both physically and spiritually. This period saw the hammam evolve to include features like steam rooms and cold plunge pools.
Beyond their cleansing properties, hammams played a vital role in Moroccan social life. They served as venues for relaxation, social interaction, and even business discussions. Often connected to mosques, they held spiritual significance. For women, hammams provided an uncommon opportunity to socialize outside the bounds of home life.
In contemporary Morocco, hammams still hold cultural significance, showcasing a variety of facilities and services. Many locals continue to frequent traditional neighborhood hammams, while others opt for more upscale versions that cater to tourists seeking a luxurious experience.
Our Hammam Massage in Marrakech
Dave and I participated in a traditional hammam experience. Initially, we were each led into separate rooms to commence our 90-minute journey. Dave was directed to the men’s section, while I was shown to the women’s area. It’s important to note that hammams are typically not co-ed.
I followed a petite woman with limited English to a changing room where I received disposable underwear, a towel, a robe, and rubber slippers. After she seated me in a booth, she exited the room, leaving me in silence.
Waiting for my Hammam
As I sat in confusion, unsure of when to follow her, a friendly group of Malaysian women who had just completed their hammam experience informed me of the next steps.
“No time to be shy in here.” they said cheerfully.
“Strip down, sit down and wait. Oh, and don’t put on that robe; that’s for later.”
Thus, I remained in my cubicle, clad in nothing but my disposable black underwear and rubber shoes, awaiting instructions.
Separate Hammam for Men and Women
Meanwhile, Dave encountered a similar initiation process, but in a different setting. He met a staff member who provided him with a loincloth, instructing him to change while standing awkwardly in front of him.
After a brief wait, Dave was led through a door into a wall of steam, marking the start of his own unique experience.
Note: “No cameras allowed in hammam; there are naked people inside.” Thus, the only photos captured were in the waiting areas.
Deb’s Hammam Spa Experience
After what felt like an eternity alone in my cubicle, a staff member entered, took my hand, and led me to a stool where I began my bath.
Scrubbing
The initial phase of the hammam experience focuses on cleansing. Scalding water was poured over me as the attendant washed my hair and body. I winced, yet she remained indifferent to my responses.
Next came a full body scrub, eliminating layers of dead skin. The experience felt interminable as I sat there in uneasy silence, enduring the application of black soap and shampoo. Relief washed over me when she finally rinsed the suds away with warm water.
Once cleaned, albeit with remnants of soap still sticking, I was led by another woman into the steam room, pointed to a corner where I was to sit until further instructions arrived.
Inside the Steam Room
The steam room exuded higher temperatures than any I had encountered before, and while it was meant to promote relaxation, I found myself wishing to escape. Nevertheless, I remained immobile, waiting for guidance from the attendant.
I’ve since discovered that the steaming process boosts circulation and detoxifies the body, but this particular steam room made me question whether it was more akin to detoxification or boiling.
Dave’s Hammam
Dave mirrored my experience of waiting awkwardly, but in a steamy room filled with massage tables. Half-naked, he waited for assistance before finally being escorted to his steam room.
Traditional Hammams Start with a Bath
Interestingly, Dave was instructed to clean himself rather than being bathed, receiving black soap to lather onto his body.
He obediently coated himself in the black soap, expecting staff to return, but disappointment ensued when no one arrived. He remained in the steam for another 10 minutes, uncertain if this was customary.
Back to Deb’s Hammam
Eventually, tranquility enveloped me as I allowed my body to relax in the steam room. I felt rejuvenated when I noticed a shadow entering the steam area, signaling my next transition.
Body Exfoliation is Part of the Hammam Massage
A staff member guided me to a heated marble slab around a fountain for body exfoliation. However, I soon realized that this exfoliation felt more like sandpaper peeling skin than a gentle scrub. At one point I became concerned when I sensed blood trickling down my leg, indicating just how rigorous the treatment was, although I later understood my experience was less intense than Dave’s.
Dave endured a much more rigorous treatment. Eventually, he was led to a massage table where he was scrubbed and roughly handled until every layer of skin was thoroughly removed.
The male practitioners often apply more pressure with the guys. Dave’s skin stung due to the continuous flow of hot water. He became alarmed when he opened his eyes to see layers of skin being sloughed off. The experience pushed him to close his eyes and just endure the treatment.
Nevertheless, everyone eventually reaches the moment they eagerly anticipate—The Massage.
The Strange Moroccan Massage in the Hammam
Emerging half-dressed in disposable underwear and rubber shoes, I was delighted that the long wait was over. Dave, wrapped only in his loincloth, was also nearing the conclusion of the treatment.
The much-anticipated moment had arrived: our aching muscles finally warranted attention. I was led to another room where I lay on a plastic massage table, prepared for my first Moroccan massage.
The half-hour massage encapsulated moments of relaxation intermixed with discomfort. The attendant continually focused on my chest area. With each pass of her hands, she seemed to return to my breasts. “Is this typical in a hammam massage?”
It struck me as odd; I had never considered that my chest carried significant tension. Regardless, I chose to embrace the experience.
What I expected to be a robust massage ended up being a gentle, lightweight rubdown. After the vigorous scrubbing, I had anticipated a deep tissue massage but only received light strokes instead.
Dave’s More Painful Hammam Treatment
Conversely, Dave shared that his massage was intense, filled with stretches and adjustments that pushed his body into unfamiliar positions.
He emerged from his treatment several minutes later with a wide grin, exclaiming, “That Was Awesome!”—a testament to his satisfaction despite the awkward moments and discomfort.
The heat, steam, and vigorous scrubbing transformed Dave’s muscles into a relaxed state, creating a memorable experience. For anyone visiting Morocco, embracing a hammam experience is truly essential.
Relaxation Room
Our hammam ritual concluded in a relaxation room, where we savored mint tea while reflecting on our enlightening experience.
Traditional Hammam vs Modern Hammam
Our experience epitomized a traditional hammam visit, akin to stepping back in time, and we are incredibly grateful for it. Should you find yourself in Morocco or Turkey, seek out a local hammam for an authentic experience. The public hammam differs significantly from hotel offerings, but it guarantees memories to cherish for a lifetime.
What is a Hammam?
A hammam offers a spa experience, initiating in a steam room, progressing to an exfoliating bath, and concluding with a Turkish massage.
What do you wear to a Hammam?
During a hammam visit, it is customary to disrobe. Hammams typically provide a modest towel (or in our case, a loincloth for Dave and disposable underwear for myself).
Do you tip at a Hammam?
Yes, tipping is customary at a hammam. Expect to tip between 10-20 percent of your total massage cost.
Can you wear a swimsuit in a Hammam?
It is advisable against wearing swimwear in a hammam, as heavy exfoliation could damage your clothing.
What Should I bring to a Hammam?
When visiting a traditional hammam in Morocco, avoid bringing valuables. Many facilities lack lockers, so you’d leave your belongings in an open stall. Upscale hammams, however, allow for personal items. Typically, hammams provide essential amenities, including mats, buckets, black soap, shampoo, and towels.
The hammam we stumbled upon in Marrakech during our stroll through the Medina was Hammam Ziani. You can discover how to reach it and enjoy your own hammam experience.
