It is not always about checking off countries and counting passport stamps, for us when we go Outside Read More Hi, I'm Priya! It often involves a more elaborate procedure with different temperature steam rooms. While walking down our favourite street off Jemaa el Fna square, we stumbled upon Riad Nesma completely by accident. A visit to a Moroccan hammam (bathhouse) is a wonderful experience and one of the best ways to connect with Moroccans. Now, this might be obvious if you have been to a Moroccan Hamman before. Here, I was asked to choose which oil I would like for the massage from a few bottles of various types of oils. Thank you Bianca! By the same token, dont go with a totally full stomach where you feel all bloated and uncomfortable. Visiting a Hammam in Morocco: A Must-Read Guide - Intrepid Travel This was my experience visiting Heritage Spa in Marrakesh. There are both public and private hammams. For more information on our affiliates and privacy policy at Outside Suburbia see here. Read more, A LOCAL Moroccan Hamman In Essaouira | (What to EXPECT!). I felt more cleansed than after a Turkish Bath. Id see a shadow move near me, and hold my breath for the next drowning. Finally they came back and there were two women for the three of us. Im glad you ended up enjoying it! Wished I could do it once a week for the rest of my life! I'm Jessica, US based writer and founder of My Feet Will Lead Me. A LOCAL Moroccan Hamman In Essaouira | (What to EXPECT!) I escaped in one piece thankfully but my surprised yelps hadnt gone unnoticed we still end up dissolving into laughter each time we remember it. But the Moroccans have put their own stamp on the experience. If you're taking a trip to Morocco, a visit to a local hammam will provide multiple health benefits and can relieve you of these symptoms. A Moroccan hammam spa at a hotel would be much different though. Hammam rooms are gender separate, and expect to be naked or at least almost naked in front of others of your same sex. From midday onwards it is women only. It is common knowledge that the first public bath was created by the Roman empire more than 2000 years ago. That sounds like such an interesting experience! The Hammam is an important part of Moroccan culture. One of those things that you almost decide you love AFTER it is over, haha! I have no idea what she is now saying to me. Maybe it was a peek into my childhood. It is a weekly (at minimum) ritual where members of the same sex get together for socializing. I was alone and it was quite an experience. Ive had plenty of massages in my life, from mediocre ones to great ones. Good luck! This room was dimly it to set the mood and had lots of Moroccan elements to it. Dont worry about showering before you go. When in Phuket, my friend Jade and I decided to get a Thai massage and its one of our best travel anecdotes to date, thanks to the masseuse who seemed intent on yanking my limbs from their sockets. Please feel free to share any posts or leave me feedback on how I can improve. They led me around like a child because I didnt know where I was supposed to go/do. The Hamman I visited was very traditional, in fact, I dont think tourist generally went there, I got lucky and had an introduction from a guy at the hostel I was staying in. Passports and important documents are best left in your hotel room. My driver set up the appointment and they only spoke Arabic. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Click here to support Becky the Traveller via Patreon, Becky the Traveller is a FREE online resource. She starts by soaping me all over, chatting away inFrench. Now I know what not to do haha, thank you for sharing all of your experience including the potentially embarrassing! I'm always trying to escape the 'burbs to find cool places, nice hotels, modern & contemporary art, easy adventures, Read More Join our newsletter and get the inside scoop on cool destinations, earth-friendly hotels, luxury stays, easy adventures, and authentic travel inspiration! Thank you and happy travels! But if you show up empty handed, they will give you a little pair of undies that look like this. Find the best deal, compare prices, and read what other travelers have to say at TripAdvisor. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. Hammams in hotels and riads ask up to 300 to 500 dirham for a hammam experience. Copyright 2022 - Wander with Laura. Nevertheless, the $30US was way cheaper than the $180 it costs to get a hammam in Toronto! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I hope to one day get to Morocco, its def on my bucket list and I will keep this experience in mind as well shall I ever make it there! Neighbourhood Moroccan hammams are cheap to enter, separated by gender but youll have to be willing to bare all in front of a group to wash yourself down. In fact, Im back in Morocco in December for a winter hiking trip in the Atlas Mountains. Passionate about clean beauty, organic eats and nontoxic lifestyle, Lisa writes to create awareness. Now, get out there and rule those souks! In short, a traditional Moroccan Hamman is a hot steam bath, followed by a massage. Its an absolute kick! Me, my husband and two teenage daughters opted for the cheap back street trip if 20 each rather than the hotel offer of hundreds of pounds. The chairs are all legless and close to the ground. The hammam is one of five obligatory institutionsfound in every Moroccan neighborhood along with the communal bakery, a fountain, a school and the mosque. , Thanks for reading Erin! Hotels tend to strip away (no pun intended) the best parts of hammams and thats the social side! We had no idea what to expect from our Moroccan hammam experience. Youll be told to lie on your back, and the scrubbing normally starts on your arms. After walking through the windy streets of Essaouira, one of the best cities to visit in Morocco, we arrive at a door, a lady appears and the guy from the hostel says a few words then disappears. But there's a little more to it, as I found out when I visited my first public Hamman in Essaouira, on the west coast of Morocco. You will still be naked but in a more private setting. How to Visit a Moroccan Hammam - First-Timers' Guide - My Five Acres Many people go once more at the end of their break, just so they can arrive home feeling fresh. I made the mistake of not doing this but luckily Heritage Spa had an opening later that evening and took me in! After leavingthe craziness of Marrakechbehind I arrived at my hostel in Essaouira. Visiting Moroccan hammams or Spas is part of many Moroccans daily life. Columbus Direct is a trading name of Collinson Insurance Services Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under firm reference number 311883. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. A private hammam is more like a treatment at a spa. I wish I could too! If you make a purchase through these, I earn from the qualifying links. Forget showers and baths - this is one deep-clean you won't have experienced before. The experience was gentler and more luxurious. Many women enlist a friend or family member to help them clean themselves, but you can hire a lady wholl do the honours for you. She washed me, doing multiple layers of different types of oils and treatments, washed my hair for me, and even gave me an exfoliating mitt to take home. The first one was. When visiting a public Moroccan Hammam Spa you usually get a bucket, a mat to lie on, some black soap, and exfoliating gloves. And you know it because when you look down at your legs and arms, you can see the exfoliated skin which looks like twisted black rolling papers adorning your limbs and trunk. Men get disposable paper/cloth shorts. What I love most about travel is that I get to connect with locals and meet with fellow travelers from around the world. After the treatment we felt hot, parched, pruned and SMOOTH. The hammam provided everything else, though you can bring your own shampoo if you have a specific brand you want to use. Welcome to my blog and thank you for visiting! These moments can often be some of the most memorable parts of life and isnt that what counts? Both times our technician (?) What do you think when you hear Moroccan Hamman or do you not know what it is? Have you had a traditional hammam? Please let me know by liking/commenting below or sharing this post on social media! Typical. The first time, the lady practically laughed at us when we took our robe off and she saw our bikini. Step 1: Undress and get ready Step 2: Detoxify the skin in the steam for a few minutes Step 3: Get soaked in the Moroccan black soap Step 4: Exfoliation time Step 5: Moroccan Ghassoul Mask Step 6: Hair washing Step 7: Skin Hydrating, body Massage, or both Final step: Relax and sip Moroccan mint tea Essaouira, one of the best cities to visit in Morocco, Solo Female Traveller Marrakech Guide + TOP Tips | Morocco, https://savvyfarmgirl.wordpress.com/2016/04/16/the-moroccan-hammam/, My First Timers Guide to Great Lakeland 3Day Event, Walking the Snowdonia Slate Trail Llwybr Llechi Eryri (+ Wild Camping), DIY Campervan Conversion Choosing My Sofa + Bed Foam Mattress, Using a Jackery Solar Generator instead of a Leisure Battery for my Campervan, My Top 3 Therm-A-Rest Camping Items (Celebrating Therm-A-Rests 50th Anniversary). What's a hammam like? Here's what to expect from your first visit By: Lisa Fennessy The word hammam means "the spreader of warmth" in Arabic. Here I was offered tea, mint water and Moroccan sweets. Before my trip to Morocco, I hadnt heard of a Hammanbut that never stops me from trying something new. The entire treatment which lasted over 2 hours total was only $60 USD all-in. Typically I think you have one attendant per person. (But to be fair, they did ask permission to scrub my face and they used a very light pressure). Thank you so much for this insight to a hammam massage. But getting the hammam first gets your body totally loosened up, tingly, and even more relaxed for the massage. For more reading on how to survive the chaos of Marrakech, click HERE. The downside: greasy body and hair that looks like hell when youre done. Apparently you can bring your own bathing suit bottoms and wear that for the scrub (file under: So for the scrubbing portion of the treatment they applied two masks. While both are traditional Riads, one was more of a modern boutique hotel. Now the one and only thing I was told, was notto have a shower beforehand. Shortly after arriving at your hammam, you will be expected to strip naked and don a tiny, baggy paper thong (see above). I was also given disposable underwear. This is telling because essentially a hammam is getting scrubbed down/cleansed in a very warm room. Check out these Quick dry, lightweight travel towels. While we were trying to suppress our giggles, the stocky attendant came back and poured water over my head and all over my body. I enjoyed reading and learning about it. Have a lovely time, Im sure youll enjoy it , Your email address will not be published. The ritual is essentially the same in both. Now check your email to confirm your subscription. If you purchase an item via one of these links, we may receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. Hammam treatments appear on the spa menus of almost every luxury hotel in Morocco, and I highly recommend trying one during your stay. Unless you (and your hammam buddy) have strong arms, wed recommend hiring a member of staff to help. a full change of clothing savon beldi (a blackish looking soap made with olive oil) a kess your own regular soap and shampoo water bucket and small cup or bucket for scooping water a small foldable mat for the floor razor, facewash and any other toiletries you use when bathing a towel and/or robe plastic flip flops or other shoes that can get wet One woman had me stand up. You can go more upscale and pay upwards of $100 USD which is still a bargain compared to US spas. Read my post on the famous Riad Yasmin HERE. In Marrakech, I finally got the opportunity to try out a hammam, which I really had no idea what to expect ahead of time. At most places you can opt for your mint tea to be sweetened or not. Im Lisa, the founder of TNK,an ethical lifestyle site for women. Tempted to try it for yourself? Designed by Penci Design, The girl who took this picture asked me to tell Am, Chapmans Peak drive in . What to expect from a Moroccan hammam experience | Mr & Mrs Smith The only bits that didnt get scrubbed down were my V and my toes. How long does the soap stay on? Your email address will not be published. Like, how can face up and face down sound the exact same!? You can also hire someone to exfoliate you. The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes. This is at no extra cost to you. Omg, so true. All I knew was it was the same concept as a Turkish bath, which I also hadnt experienced. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi! The word hammam means the spreader of warmth in Arabic. Us girls were together! All I knew was it was the same concept as a Turkish bath, which I also hadnt experienced. The hammam ladies were chuckling at my inability to tolerate the heat! Wed recommend this option if youre new to hammams. If you're wondering what happens in a hammam, read this post before you go. Thank you and happy travels! Required fields are marked *. While the treatments vary by hotel, the general process is that you first soak in water or sit in a steam room (naked), then you get rinsed, exfoliated, and massaged. She is doing some serious scrubbing, it feels like layers of skin are coming off and all she keeps saying whoa, not just once but over and over again. I didnt ask this question. For more squeaky-clean stays, check out our polished boutique hotels in Marrakech. You may find that almost every inch of your body is cleaned this is par for the course. After de-robing (disposable undies can stay), the attendant (If I recall correctly her name was Ameena) asked me to lay on the mat for a few minutes. You can enjoy an expansive view of the Medina from the 72s roof terrace, watch the beautiful sunset, or even enjoy dinner under the stars. Dont expect to be given any warning as to what will happen to you, or in what order. Just got back from Agadir. x. It sounds really relaxing. Aww yay! I wish it was near by. Book during your stay or check out some options in advance: If youve ever been to a Moroccan hammam, what did you think? . As a first-timer, Im like; The hammam experience happens between three basic rooms. The scrub was followed by a 45 minute massage and at the end I couldnt remember ever feeling that my body was so smooth. They let us stay on the tables for like 15 minutes while me and my husband fell in and out of the best sleep/shavasana ever. If you begin to feel a bit sore, just say so. They even shampoo and condition your hair! Plan ahead depending on what kind of spa you are going to. Of course, if youve hired someone to help, theyll assist with the soap application. Our guide in Marrakech recommended a hammam that was still traditional enough to give us the authentic Moroccan experience (which meant it was affordable), but still more expensive and luxurious than what a local public hammam would be like for us Westerners. What to expect from a traditional Moroccan Hammam Alterantely, you can pay a little extra to enjoy a hammam as a tourist and this is what we decided to treat yourselves to. The lady washing you will be gentler. Your email address will not be published. After a few minutes, the attendant rejoined us to rinse the mud away although I was slightly unprepared for the first bucket of water that hit my face and kindly washed our hair before letting us towel off. Its a place where people go not just to cleanse their bodies but also to relax their minds. (An Honest Review), Overtone Hair Color for Gray Hair (Before & After Pictures). by Jane Mountain on May 8, 2018 How to Visit a Moroccan Hammam - First-Timers' Guide Even if you're not usually a spa person, visiting a Moroccan hammam is an essential part of any Moroccan holiday. The Roman Baths allowed citizens to visit local bathhouses to cleanse themselves and maintain good hygiene. I Got Naked in a Moroccan Hammam Spa: Here's What It Was Like Please feel free to share any posts or leave me feedback on how I can improve. 2023 All Right Reserved. It, Since I shared my packing reel a couple months ago, Scenes from Dubrovnik Try to relax! As I first walked in, I was checked in and ushered into a nice waiting room. Which I was kinda disappointed about the toes. Required fields are marked *. But let me set your mind at ease: if you know what to expect, it can be a fantastic and invigorating experience. Read more here. is going to help me in this situation. Do I want a scrub, massage and a bath? Well, of course, I opted for everything, I wanted the full Moroccan Hamman experience. It really is an invigorating, cleansing and relaxing experience. At the time, I wished Id known what to expect but looking back, I cant help being kind of glad Ive got this story to tell. Take your time. What to Expect at a Moroccan Hammam - SHORT GIRL ON TOUR Youll be shown to a changing room where you undress, and you can hang your clothes on nearby hooks. No! It struck me while I sat naked in front of this woman who was washing my hair a child-like sense of weightlessness washed over me. Well.this time was different friends. And the cool relaxation room. If you are planning a trip to Marrakech and looking for an authentic experience, plan a meal, hammam, and a stay at 72 Riad Living. And we stayed there. Types of Hammams There are both public and private hammams. It was such a tiny moment but it left a huge impact one thats still reverberating. Hopefully you will get to go back to Morocco and experience one another trip . Although the girls were mortified at being butt naked and boobies scrubbed. We, however, went in woefully unprepared and spent the majority of the time trying not to audibly giggle. Haha x. Just lie back and think of England resistance is futile. xo, Lisa. hammams Always bring a change of underwear and clothes, your flip-flops, hairbrush and toiletries. But now that Im here, I wasnt so sure. Click HERE to access them! Subscribe to get my latest content by email. Dont be alarmed by the black soap on offer youll be amazed by its cleaning qualities. I meant to do a video of the whole experience, but once I got there, it seemed nearly impossible. Morocco didnt get the memo. A pleasure Kristof, until I went to Morocco I had no idea what one was either!! Put simply, if you want an authentic experience, you wont need a bikini. Let me know when you go because I would love to go back! I dont think, O est la boulangerie? (Where is the bakery?) Then head back to your mat, grab your soap and start your wash. Use your bowl to cover your body with warm water, then grab your soap. What to Expect from a Moroccan Hammam | Wander with Laura I honestly had no idea what it really involved but after experiencing my first Hamman it wouldnt stop me from doing it again. As a first-timer, Im like; Where do I go? An ancient ritual that's as integral to Moroccan life as tagine and mint tea, visiting a hammam (public bath) offers respite, and a way to get a deeper understanding of the culture and people. As strange as it was, I couldnt help but wonder what a different hammam would be like. But the idea of a hamman (and also an Onsen in Japan) really intrigues me. We went with, Maybe I was overwhelmed with nostalgia. The Hamman feels very medieval with all the rusty fixtures and fittings on the wall. You definitely should. Luxury | Sustainability | Cultural and Experiential Family Travel & Lifestyle, Posted onSeptember 30, 2020February 4, 2021AuthorPriyaLeave a comment. How Much to Budget for a City Break in Marrakech, Lisbon Calling Review: Where to Stay in Lisbon, Whale sharks and fireflies: a guide to Donsol, Come prepared: wear a bikini if you dont feel comfortable stripping down but expect the attendants to move it around, Bring a spare pair of underwear for later and some clothes to change into, Dont wear contact lenses: the steam will dry them out quickly and youll have water poured over you from the head down several times. Then you can proceed and either clean yourself or hire someone to exfoliate you. If you're visiting Morocco this year, a hammam should be on your to-do list. It is now, whilst lying practically naked on a tiled floor I have that embarrassing moment. Deciding to stick to our underwear, we trooped into the next room imagine a more glamorous, tiled version of a sauna where we waited apprehensively for what was to come next. Next, the scrubbing begins, itsvery ferocious and she puts all her body weight into it. Set in the heart of the Medina, 72 Riad Living was warm and welcoming. Once youve allowed the soap to penetrate your skin and youve rinsed yourself off, the real wash begins. That would be completely pointless. I have found an article useful like this; you can check it out here. Maybe I was just delirious form dehydration but all I know is the weight of the world melted just for a second as I let someone take care of me. It is a weekly (at minimum) ritual where members of the same sex get together for socializing. Komani Lake, Alban, Can you relate? Marrakech hammams: What to expect - Travel on a Time Budget Hammams are definitely a weird experience. Visitors move through these rooms where, Check in and get escorted to the locker room, Change and lock belongings with provided locker and lock (curse because you didnt bringing your own bathing suit bottoms see below), Get escorted to the co-ed quiet waiting room with plunge pool, Get called into the warm stone wet room (this is a private room or you can opt for a shared room with your friend/partner), 45 mins of rest, sweat/detox, scrubbing + body masks, Soak in waiting room plunge pool for 5-10 minutes to get any remaining product off, Get escorted back to a cool relaxation room to chill and wait for massage, 45 min massage (private or you can opt for a shared room with your friend/partner), Back to relaxation room for biscuits and mint tea. She finds that very funny. : ). What to Expect at a Moroccan Hammam Spa at a Hotel The receptionist said "take everything off" when she handed over a robe, paper thong, and flip flops. Essentially, you scrub clean and exfoliate yourself in large steam rooms among everyone else, using your bucket and water from a tap. Lets make some change. Following an hour massage, each of the women in my group was brought together to drink mint tea and relax for a while. I am not really sure what to say, so I smile and nervously laugh. Youll be amazed at how much dead skin comes away, especially if youve never had a hammam before! And go for it! This is a Women only Hamman so the front door is as far as he is allowed. I wish I could find one close to home. If you want to try this at home, Kahina Giving Beauty offers a Moroccan black Beldi Soap and a traditional kessa (scrubbing mitt). Armpits, neckeven your face! Youre not hammam-ing as you should be unless you do it authentically. Winner of Post Office's Affordable Travel Blog of the Year. I had no idea what a hamman was about so glad to have stumbled upon this article! This 2-hour experience only cost me Dh120*($12) and I got to keep theexfoliating glove. The hammam experience happens between three basic rooms. Much like aTurkish bath, a Moroccan Hammam is a Spa with a communal steam room where people go to clean themselves. After all, every hour counts! This is a Morocco experience you dont want to miss. Then Im instructed to lie face down on the tiled floor. She returned a few minutes later and motioned for us to undresscompletely. A guide to Moroccan Hammam - STORY Rabat All Rights Reserved. Women: if youve never had a boob massage, thats probably about to change. Little did I expect that getting a hammam would spread warmth both inside and out. Hammams definitely arent about rushing. We had two rooms and each had a different vibe. The clay mask looks like this: Ive said it before and Ill say it again. Although there are different combinations of treatments you can opt for at most hammams (just like Western spas), the most common option seems to be a 30-50 minute traditional hammam and a one hour massage. I wasnt too sure what to wear so I opt for my bikini. I wanted our family to have a private and authentic hammam experience, and 72 Riad Hotel had promised just that. Eventually, she gets someone from outside to translate what she is saying. Think of it like an extra intense bathing experience and youll be grand. Its a very surrealimage, I am not really sure where I am supposed to look! Alternately, if I had read your blog that would have sufficed enough that I could have relaxed and enjoyed it fully. Ill have to remember the Japanese spa if I ever visit. Find me talking honestly about travelling on a budget and trying to live more sustainably. I recently had a Moroccan Bath and message in Jordan. The ledge itself was hot and hot water dripped from the ceiling. Shes definitely more than a double D, thats all Im going to say! I sit nervously on the wooden bench wondering what is going to happen next. Great post! You know that moment at the end of your massage when you are in that place thats between sleeping and awake? Check outwhat I look like now that I stopped dying my hair! I was given a free soap and the kessa glove that the attendant used on me to take home. But as always images and opinions are our own. Its also naturally rich in vitamin E. It goes on super thin and looks like it is barely there.
