If you are traveling through the winding medinas of Morocco, you will eventually find yourself standing before a heavy wooden door marked with steam. This is the entrance to the hammam—the traditional public bathhouse that has been the heartbeat of Moroccan social life and self-care for centuries.
For the uninitiated, the process can feel a little mysterious. Is it a spa? Is it a bath? The answer is both, and it’s likely to be the deepest clean you’ve ever experienced. Here is everything you need to know before you step into the steam.
1. The Setting: Heat and Steam
Unlike a dry sauna, a hammam is a series of rooms that progress from warm to very hot and humid. When you enter, you’ll typically be given a bucket, a mat, and a small stool. You’ll spend the first 15–20 minutes simply sitting in the steam. This isn’t just for relaxation; the heat opens your pores and softens the layers of dead skin, preparing your body for the “scrub of a lifetime.”
2. The Secret Sauce: Savon Noir
Once your skin is prepped, the ritual begins with Savon Noir. This is a thick, dark paste made from macerated olives and potash. It feels more like a gel than a soap. You (or an attendant) will coat your body in this vitamin-E-rich paste and let it sit for a few minutes. It doesn’t lather; instead, it works to break down the bond between your living skin and the dead cells on the surface.
3. The Main Event: The Kessa Scrub
Now comes the part that first-timers find the most surprising: the Kessa. This is a coarse, sandpaper-like glove used to vigorously scrub the body.
If you have hired a gommage (scrubber) to help you, be prepared for a very firm touch. They will scrub every inch of your body, and you will likely see small, dark “noodles” of grey skin rolling off. It’s a bit shocking to see how much comes off, but it’s completely normal! By the time they finish, you are essentially shedding an old version of yourself.
4. Rhassoul Clay and Rinsing
To finish, many hammams offer a treatment with Rhassoul clay, mined from the Atlas Mountains. This mineral-rich mud is applied to the skin and hair to draw out remaining impurities. After a final rinse with cool water—which feels incredible after the heat—you’ll head to a relaxation area to sip on hot mint tea.
Three Tips for Your First Visit:
- Embrace the Nudity: In public hammams, people are very casual about the body. Most women wear just bikini bottoms, and men wear shorts.
- Hydrate: You will sweat significantly, so drink plenty of water before and after.
- Moisturize: Your skin will be brand new and sensitive. Finish the day by applying Argan oil to lock in that famous Moroccan glow.
A hammam isn’t just a bath; it’s a cultural immersion. You’ll leave feeling lighter, incredibly soft, and more connected to the ancient rhythms of Moroccan life.
