Moroccans go to traditional hammams, which are bathhouses (sometimes called Turkish Baths), to cleanse their bodies, purify their souls, and be wholly authentic.
Diamond Transfers and Tours knows the most luxurious, trustworthy and authentic Moroccan hammams. We would be pleased to coordinate your visit to one of Morocco's finest relaxing, refreshing bath houses.
Visiting a traditional Moroccan hammam and taking advantage of its wealth of benefits is undoubtedly on the bucket list of every traveler to Morocco. While Turkish and Roman cultures may be thought to be the origin of public bathhouses, the traditional Moroccan hammam offers a distinctive experience.
An ancient tradition
The first bathhouses established by the Roman empire more than 2000 years ago to improve public hygiene serve as the model for Moroccan hammams. Roman authority over North Africa significantly impacted Moroccan culture, as seen by the architecture of Roman remains that are still present all over the nation. The Moroccan hammam is where you can most clearly see Rome's influence in contemporary Morocco.
Hammams purify the body and soul
The ancient bathhouse rapidly grew in Islamic Moroccan culture with a few modifications that made it unique and different from others. Traditionally, Moroccan hammams are located near mosques to facilitate the purification of the body and soul before prayer rituals.
The Moroccan hammam quickly became a traditional weekly ritual among Moroccans, especially since having a bathing room was not common in Moroccan houses.
Another reason the conventional Moroccan hammam grew in popularity is that water is a significant symbol of purification and cleanliness in Islam.
Architecture of Moroccan bath-houses
The buildings are usually significant. Most Moroccan hammams consist of three or four long rooms. These baths, however, don’t have pools like Turkish baths. Instead, bathers participate in the rituals in these large, tiled steam rooms. Each room has a different temperature. Often they have vaulted dome ceilings.
What is a hammam like?
Before visiting a traditional Moroccan hammam, you might be curious about precisely what it is. What are the steps of the hammam experience? What are the benefits of the hammam and what products does one use during the bathing process?
On average, Moroccan men and women bathe in a traditional hammam once a week, alone or with their friends and family, to cleanse themselves, talk about life, socialize, and sometimes even make connections or new friends.
Do men and women bath together, or separately at a Moroccan hammam?
Hammams are usually two buildings that separate the women’s side from the men’s. This division makes it a safe space for bathers who dress in only their underwear in these vast, open spaces. Smaller hammams will schedule different hours for men and women if they don’t have separate facilities to accommodate everyone.
In contemporary Morocco, there are various types of hammams. Moroccan bathers frequent the local, more traditional hammams. These are typically located in smaller towns, though sometimes you can find one in more popular neighborhoods in big cities. These are the hammams that Moroccans regularly use as their public bathhouse.
A modern touch of luxury to pamper your senses
More luxurious, spa-like hammams are found in major cities, often in hotels. In these luxurious spa hammams, you get the whole experience of pampering.
Unlike a traditional hammam, someone assists you with all steps of the process in a spa hammam. You can supplement your bath with spa treatments such as massages, mud baths, oils, and numerous other amenities to pamper yourself. Sip a Moroccan mint tea in an inviting Moroccan salon when you're done.
A third type is a professional hammam, which is more upscale than a day-to-day hammam, less expensive than a luxurious one, and maintains the traditional bathing style of a Moroccan hammam.
Best options for your first visit to a hammam in Morocco
For a tourist’s first time in a Moroccan hammam, visiting a professional hammam is an excellent place to start for a traditional experience. An attendant will accompany you through all the steps of the hammam experience, helping you avoid faux pas or cultural shock but still get the concept of a traditional hammam.
However, after your initial experience at a spa or professional hammam, you will want to visit a local, traditional hammam for a much more authentic experience in the Moroccan culture.
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