Are you on holiday in Morocco and go to the discovery of Marrakech? What better than relaxing in one of the many hammams in Marrakech? All our tips to discover Turkish baths in Marrakech!
Marrakech is one of the obligatory passages when visiting the Morocco . We appreciate his souk, his Medidina and its atmosphere. Near the Atlas Mountains, you can even ski in winter! Marrakech is also known for its many hammams.
Enjoying Turkish baths in Marrakech is a unique experience for all those who want to discover this practice dating from Antiquity. Wanderlix offers a comprehensive guide on Turkish baths and baths in Marrakech.
History of Turkish baths and baths in Marrakech
Photo credit: Shutterstock – javi_indy
Meaning "hot water bath" in Arabic, the hammam finds its origins in the Roman baths. The expansion of the Romans to the Mediterranean allowed the natives of the future Morocco to discover this tradition. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the premises preserved it and subsequently transformed it under another influence.
The seventh century marks the conquest of the region by the Arabs. The Roman baths were then transformed into "murder baths", later Turkish baths. There is only a real difference between the two. In the Romans, after a session in full heat, you can cool yourself in a cold water pool. While the Arabs prefer water jet, which is considered more hygienic.
The Turkish baths in Marrakech are part of the history and culture of the city since its foundation. It is found throughout the city, of Roman or Arab influence.
Our tips to visit the hammams and baths of Marrakech
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Philip Lange
To best appreciate the hammams of Marrakech, various elements are to be taken into account. Some depend on the traveller’s choice, others do not.
Accessibility for men and women
This is the essential point to know! Turkish baths in Marrakech offering mixing are almost non-existent . They are usually found in large hotels and the fare is very high.
The hammams in Marrakech therefore offer all separate crenates, times or rooms for men and women. Sometimes Turkish baths in Marrakech spend a day on women, much more rarely on men. Some hammams in Marrakech are even accessible to women or men alone.
So we have to. check upstream times and accessibility because no exception will be made at the entrance.
Nudity
Like the sauna, the hammam normally practiced naked because it allows to purify the body. Only a towel is usually provided but not always.
If the choice is left to each person to wear a bathing suit, then wait for some to make the same choice.
Heat and humidity
The steam room is less hot than a sauna ( 55°C against 90°C approximately). Nevertheless, moisture is 100% ! So we are quickly sweating and breathing is heavy.
If this is your first time, stay no more than five minutes And find a normal breath. After several passages, you get used to it and enjoy the sensation.
Precision may seem amazing but it is better to prevent than cure: alcohol consumption before entering the hammam is forbidden because your heart will not appreciate... However, a bottle of water nearby is a much better idea!
The damage
A good hammam always ends with a black soap shower and a scrub . The pores in the skin are open, eliminating dead skins and other toxins.
Various damages are offered: face alone, other part of the body, whole body... Your choice!
The situation in the city
The majority of Turkish baths in Marrakech are in the heart or near the Medina Old town. Others will be placed not far from there, in the Wintering district with its large hotels.
Finally, the least known are in peripheral and less frequented areas, such as Camp El Ghoul, or Kasbah.
Attendance
Some hammams in Marrakech attract tourists. They find themselves regularly crowded, and lose their Moroccan charm. On the contrary, others are more confidential and very local. You may be the only stranger to meet him!
How do I recognize a local hammam? If you see a pile of wood and a fire below a staircase You found your happiness! This fire is used to heat the hammam.
It is therefore up to you to know what you want to live your hammam experience.
The best Turkish baths and baths in Marrakech
Mouassine
Photo credit: Facebook – Hammam Mouassine
? Location: Sidi el Yamani Street – 40,000 Marrakech
? Note: ★★★
i in Good to know: Have a half day in this hammam which is the oldest in the city
Opened in 1572, Mouassine is the oldest hammam in Marrakech. If the interior has been repeatedly renovated, it has kept this authentic soul from the Turkish baths in Marrakech of the sixteenth century. Mouassine is a traditional place where you like to find the premises.
So take the time to dive back centuries, taking advantage of the benefits of hammam and rubble or massage if you wish.
Essalama
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Hammam Essalama
? Location: Boulevard Prince Moulay Abdellah – 40,000 Marrakech
? Note: ★★★
i in Good to know: Have a half day to enjoy this hammam, very little attended by tourists
Located close to the Majorelle garden, Essalama is one of the most frequented hammams in Marrakech. For those who want to avoid being in the midst of tourists, this Turkish bath is for you!
The interior is a clever mix between modernity and traditions. Although he does not have the ancestral authenticity of Mouassine, Essalama is still a magical place for rest. Also visitors boast the quality of the damages performed by the staff.
Les Bains de Marrakech
Photo credit: Facebook – The Baths of Marrakech
? Location: 2 Derb Sedra – 40000, Morocco
? Note: ★★★
i in Good to know: You can enjoy this hammam a whole day if you want it
When we talk about hammams in Marrakech, there are two categories: traditional hammams and spas. The Bains of Marrakech are part of the second category. It is also the most famous spa/hammam in the city and has many amenities, including a swimming pool.
Located in the Kasbah area, this spa can welcome you and its staff is used to tourists. The decors are modern and adapted to a less local clientele. It is mainly intended for those who want to spend the day and who prefer to be in a place more frequented by an international clientele. Reservation is recommended.
Hammam of the Rose
Photo credit: Facebook – Hammam de la Rose Marrakech
? Location: Sidi Abdelaziz Road – 40000 Marrakech
? Note: ★★★
i in Good to know: This spa is renowned for keeping traditional influences
This may be the only Turkish bath in Marrakech that can be qualified both from old hammam and spa. The Hammam of the Rose indeed takes over the codes of the ancient Ottoman hammams while having the quality of modern and tourist spas.
This hammam in Marrakech is intended for people wishing to combine authentic architecture and a staff accustomed to tourists. Think about booking upstream in high season.
Les Bains d’Orient
Photo credit: Facebook – Les Bains D’Orient Marrakech
? Location: 214 rue Arset Aouzal – 40 030 Marrakech
? Note: ★★★★
i in Good to know: The East Baths is the best-noted hammam of visitors
If some like to rely on the rating criterion, here is among the hammams in Marrakech, the best rated spas available with more than 200 reviews. Without saying that it is better than others, this spa is of high quality, impeccable cleanliness and a very professional reception.
It is also one of the very few Turkish baths in Marrakech to allow online booking and payment.
Les Bains d’Azahara
Photo credit: Facebook – The Bains of Azahara
? Location: Rue Lalla Fatima Zahra, Derb Ezzaouiya No1 – 40,000 Marrakech
? Note: ★★★
i in Good to know: This hammam offers “local” touches that others don’t always have
For the general public, all hammams are similar and offer the same services. Purists will see a slight difference in this hammam in Marrakech. It is indeed a true Moroccan hammam, with local touches as you see less elsewhere.
For example, it offers Moroccan baths (mint, rose petals...) which are not necessarily offered elsewhere.
Rosa Bonheur
Photo credit: Facebook – Hammam Rosa Bonheur
? Location: 35 Derb El Aarssa – 40,000 Marrakech
? Note: ★★★★
i in Good to know: You will have the opportunity to restore yourself to the place
If the name is known to Parisian parties, Rosa Bonheur is also one of the best Turkish baths in Marrakech. Located close to the Bahia Palace, this hammam is also one of the few to own a real restaurant!
Dar el-Bacha
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Philip Lange
? Location: 20 rue Lalla Fatima Zahra – 40,000 Marrakech
? Note: ★★★
i in Good to know: The architecture of Dar el-Bacha is a real added value
Among the hammams in Marrakech, the Dar el-Bacha is undoubtedly one of those with the most beautiful architecture that unlocks us during the first look.
It is also a local public hammam, not frequented by tourists. A bucket for those who want to be away from the city's tumult.
Spa Royal Mansour
Photo credit: Facebook – Royal Mansour Marrakech & Shutterstock – steve estvanik
? Location: Abu Abbas El Sebti Royal Mansour, 40,000 Marrakech
? Note: ★★★★
i in Good to know: Located in a luxury hotel, the services offered here are unmatched
Of course, it is the hammam in Marrakech best rated. Nevertheless, it is quoted for form and especially for those who want to make a (big) pleasure for a day.
This spa is located in a luxury hotel and offers high-end services. The places are beautiful, the marble floor is always warm, all the details are splendid, not to mention the high quality products and the staff. There is also a swimming pool.
In short, we are close to perfection, but it must be a price! In fact, reservations are mandatory here if you want to have a chance to access this spa.
The Blue Bath
Photo credit: Shutterstock – The Blue Bath
? Location: 32 Derb Chorfa Lakbir – 40 008 Marrakech
? Note: ★★★
i in Good to know: High-end, the Blue Bath is still accessible
If it is not as luxurious as the Spa Mansour, Le Bain Bleu is nevertheless one of the highest-end Turkish baths in Marrakech.
Its great advantage is to offer such services for a fairly affordable price! Here and unlike other hammams, you can plan a full day to take care of yourself.
How much does a ticket cost to a Turkish bath or hammam in Marrakech?
For public hammams, the hammam/gommage combo costs about 150 dirhams (13,50 €), 200 dirhams (18 €) if you add henné. Some of these hammams allow to pay only the steam bath, usually less 100 dirhams (9 €). Careful, for these hammams, it is often necessary to bring its own towel or, more rarely, soap and glove.
For the spas and the Blue Bath, the same services pay between 200 dirhams and 450 dirhams (41 €), up to 800 (74 €) for massages, not always offered in public hammams.
Finally, the Royal Mansour is apart: 1,400 dirhams (129 €) to 3,200 dirhams (296 €), hammam/gommage with massage included.
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