Wellness tips
How to prepare for a traditional hammam: the complete guide
Hydration, meals, swimwear, duration, contraindications: everything you need to know before your first Moroccan hammam, so you can enjoy it to the full.
The hammam is one of Morocco’s oldest wellness rituals. Yet many people hesitate before their first session: what should you bring, how long does it last, what exactly happens? Here is everything you need to know to prepare for a hammam, arrive relaxed and leave transformed.
Preparing for a hammam: stay hydrated and eat light
The humid heat of the hammam makes you sweat a lot. Drink water regularly in the hours beforehand, and avoid alcohol and too much coffee. As for meals, choose something light one to two hours before. A full stomach makes the heat uncomfortable, while an empty stomach can cause dizziness.
What should you bring to a hammam?
At a spa, the essentials are provided: towels, bathrobe, sandals, black soap, kessa glove and ghassoul. You can bring a swimsuit if you prefer to wear one during the ritual. Leave jewellery and watches in the changing room: heat, steam and scrubbing do them no good. Also remember to remove your contact lenses if the steam bothers you.
How a traditional hammam unfolds
A Moroccan hammam always follows the same logic, whichever package you choose:
- The steam: ten to fifteen minutes in the hot room to open the pores and relax the muscles.
- Black soap: the therapist applies this black olive paste all over the body and leaves it on for a few minutes. It softens the skin and prepares it for the scrub.
- The kessa scrub: the textured glove exfoliates deeply. The first few times, the amount of dead skin that comes off is often surprising: this is normal.
- Ghassoul: depending on the package, an Atlas clay wrap purifies and softens the skin.
- Rinsing and care: lukewarm then cool water, and a moisturising oil, often argan, to nourish the freshly exfoliated skin.
Preparing for a hammam: how much time should you allow?
A complete traditional hammam lasts about 45 minutes. Packages enriched with a ghassoul wrap, a honey mask or a scalp massage last between 1h15 and 1h30. Then add time for the welcome, the changing room and tea. So allow a good hour and a half for a simple hammam, and half a day if you combine it with a massage.
Are there any contraindications?
We advise against the heat of the hammam in case of fever, infection, unstable cardiovascular problems or marked low blood pressure. During pregnancy, ask your doctor for advice. If you have very reactive skin, a wound, sunburn or a skin condition, tell your therapist, who can then adapt or postpone the scrub.
And afterwards?
Drink, rest for a few minutes and avoid direct sun on the same day: the scrub has just exfoliated your skin, which will be more sensitive. Over the following days, moisturise morning and evening to prolong the softness. You will often feel very tired that evening, followed by deep sleep: it is one of the most appreciated effects of the hammam.
Want to experience the ritual? Discover our hammam packages in Bourgogne, Casablanca or book your session.
