Moroccan hammam in Marrakech: the traditional ritual explained step by step

Your first hammam? You are not the only one wondering how it works, what to bring and in what order the treatments follow. Here is the ritual, explained simply, as we practise it at AVA BAY.

The hammam, much more than a treatment

In Morocco, the traditional hammam is an institution. People come every week to cleanse deeply, but also to meet, talk and take their time. It is a cleansing ritual as much as a social one, and one of the country's oldest wellness traditions.

The steps of the ritual

1. Heat and steam. It all begins with a few minutes in the hot room. The steam relaxes the muscles, opens the pores and prepares the skin. You breathe, you slow down: that is already half the benefit.

2. Beldi black soap. This creamy olive-based paste is applied all over the body and left on for a few minutes. It does not lather: its role is to soften the skin ahead of the scrub.

3. The kessa glove scrub. This is the signature step. Using a slightly rough glove, the therapist exfoliates the skin with long, steady strokes. Dead skin visibly comes away, circulation is stimulated and the skin becomes incredibly soft.

4. The ghassoul wrap. Ghassoul is a natural clay from the Atlas mountains. Applied as a body mask, it deeply purifies and softens the skin.

5. Rinse and hydration. After a lukewarm rinse, the ritual ends with hydration, traditionally with argan oil. The skin is clean and luminous, and stays soft for several days.

Our tips to make the most of it

• Before: avoid waxing and shaving on the day, drink water and keep your meal light.
• During: tell your therapist if you prefer a gentler scrub. The hammam should remain a pleasure.
• After: drink water, rest in the shade and protect your skin from the sun: freshly exfoliated, it is more sensitive.
• Please note: the hammam is not recommended right after certain facials such as peels. If you are pregnant or have any medical concern, ask our team and your doctor for advice.

The women-only hammam at AVA BAY: our rituals and prices

• Ancestral Hammam — 500 MAD: a full one-hour ritual with beldi black soap, kessa scrub, ghassoul and hydration.
• Hammam & massage — 950 MAD: the hammam followed by a relaxing massage.
• Hammam, massage & blow-dry — 1,100 MAD: the complete reset, styling included.
• Children's Hammam Ritual — 380 MAD: from age 6, thirty minutes of hammam adapted for children, followed by a blow-dry or a manicure.

Our advice: book your hammam late in the morning or mid-afternoon, then extend it with some rest by the pool. The body remembers days like these for a long time.

Book your visit

AVA BAY is open Tuesday to Sunday, 8.45am to 7pm (closed on Mondays), in La Palmeraie. Places are limited: book online, by email at reservation@avabay-marrakech.com or on +212 6 55 05 64 05.