Hammams in Tamraght: Everything I Wish I Knew

Last Updated on 13th July 2025 by Jessie

No trip to Morocco is complete without a traditional hammam experience. And after days or weeks spent frolicking in the sun and the surf, this is particularly pertinent during your stay in Tamraght.

Whilst the traditional bathing ritual is deeply nourishing for the mind, body, and soul; it’s not for the faint-hearted. Thus, I have compiled some words of warning and wisdom to prepare you for your first visit to the hammams in Tamraght.

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What Is A Hammam?

Hammams; translating to ‘bathhouses’ in Arabic, are a fundamental part of Moroccan culture. Although originally introduced under the rule of the Roman Empire; hammams are intrinsically linked to the Islamic principles of physical and spiritual cleansing and purification.

See my top tips for respecting the local culture in Morocco.

In a land in which water is scarce, historically it was not common for Moroccan homes to have private bathing rooms. In many rural villages in Morocco, this still rings true. Thus, many Moroccans would (and still do) visit hammams as a weekly ritual for personal hygiene. As well as the social element of sharing a communal scrub down with friends and neighbours.

In Morocco, there are two types of hammams: public or private. Public hammams are the traditional option; large communal steam rooms that are segregated into male and female sections. You bring your own soap and mit, and either cleanse yourself; hire a Kessala (hammam attendant) to do it for you; or opt for the old, “You scrub my back, and I’ll scrub yours,” with a fellow patron.

Hammams in Tamraght

There are three hammams in Tamraght; all of which are private. This option is more tailored towards tourists, who generally feel more comfortable with a bit of privacy. You can visit solo, with a partner or a small group, and be treated to the luxury of a slippery steam room all to yourselves.

Although the private hammams are more boujee in nature, the traditional method of steaming, scrubbing, and bathing remains. Naturally, the price is steeper than the public hammams frequented by locals.

Locations

• Mellow Massage & Hammam
  Starting from 350dh (€35) for hammam + massage.

• Tamraght Spa House
  Starting from 550dh (€55) for hammam + massage.

• Taghazout Golden Spa
  (Misleading name, but located in Tamraght).
  Starting from 400dh (€40) for hammam + massage.

Once you’ve conquered the private hammams in Tamraght, perhaps you can challenge yourself to the authentic, local experience in Aourir’s public hammam.  

• Hamam Aourir
  96dh (€9.60) for hammam + massage.

The neighbouring village of Aourir is just 5km from Tamraght. See this post for navigating the taxi ride.

Often surf camps will include a trip to a hammam in their package. Check out my top recommendations for surf camps in Tamraght.

What To Expect

1. You’ll be given a robe and directed to strip down to your underwear/bather bottoms. Make sure you bring a dry pair to change into afterwards. Your clothes and belongings will be stored in a locker or other safe space.
2. Your steam room will await; large cement beds/benches, and a deep tub filling with boiling water creating a sauna-like experience upon entering the room.
3. The Kessala will ask you to lie down on the bench before ladling buckets of hot water over you, and lathering your skin with savon Beldi (traditional Mororccan black soap).
4. The soap is left to sit on the skin for 5-10 minutes before being rinsed off. Methods vary between hammams, but this process is usually repeated with various soaps and clay masks.
5. Oftentimes the Kessala will leave you alone in the room to marinate. You can use this time to reminisce on all of your recent Moroccan adventures; or berate yourself for every poor life decision you’ve ever made. Up to you.
6. At some point the scrubbing will begin. A kess (rough exfoliating glove) is used to scrub every inch of you, sloughing away all of your dead skin cells. Equal parts gross and satisfying.
7. Once your skin is suitably shed, the Kessala will ask you to sit up while they wash and rinse your hair.
8. More buckets of water to rinse you clean, et voilà – you’re a brand-new lizard.
9. The whole ritual takes 30-60 minutes.

If you can splash the cash, it’s well worth finishing your hammam with a massage. After what can be a very humbling experience, it’s nice to calm your nervous system with some gentler care and attention. Plus, your fresh skin will love to be lathered up in argan oil.

Things I Wish I Knew Before My First Hammam

1. Don’t get a hammam whilst sunburnt.

I was not prepared for how fiercely scrubbed my skin would be. The process is not unlike a snake discarding its old layer of skin. Your skin tone will drop a shade or two. Incredibly beneficial; but equally painful on sunburn.

2. There is no place for modesty.

The Kessalas are thorough. Every inch of you will be scrubbed and rinsed. Embrace the normality of nudity.

3. Nor for polite refrain.

Speak up if it’s unbearable. This is a lesson that I still haven’t learnt from every uncomfortable massage I’ve ever had. Opting instead to put aside my agony and lean into the full experience; trusting that the ‘attendant knows best.’ Valid attitude; but I think there needs to be a limit to that level of trust. And for me, the limit was probably when the rough scrubbing started to create open scratches on my back. Lesson: you know the durability of your own skin. If it really hurts, say something.
Tip: You can say, “shwiya” to ask them to scrub more gently.

4. You will feel like a small child.

Hammams are some of the most humbling experiences I have had in my life. To be so deeply nurtured and attended to, whilst simultaneously feeling so vulnerable; it’s akin to having a parent tend to you as a 5-year-old. Sitting nude on a small plastic stool while an older woman ladles water over your head; it’s quite touching.

Visiting one of the hammams in Tamraght is an absolute must.

When your skin begins to resemble old leather from all the sun and the salt after weeks at the beach, it’s a welcome treat.

For more local tips, check out my traveller’s guide to Tamraght.

For more Maroc info and a little less of my own opinions, I’ve created a travel wisdom-sharing hub over on Facebook. Join the group here.