06/02/2021
Hammams, the public bath houses in Morocco, are an integral part of Moroccan life. Deeply rooted in everyday communal life the hammam is where people go to socialize, make connections, and perhaps do a bit of business business while they are cleansing. There are hammams throughout the medina; some are hundreds of years old and full of character, with great domed rooms heated by wood fires under the buildings. One thing a traditional Moroccan hammam is not, is a spa-be assured that you will not be in a private room with thick towels and all the other trappings of modern, Western-style spas. Instead, you will be sitting on the floor or on a stool you have brought with you, among other people of your gender. In addition to a stool, you will need to bring a couple of large buckets to fill with hot water, a scoop bucket with handle to easily scoop the water out of the large bucket to pour over you, a scrub glove; soap and shampoo, and a towel. Past the first room, which is the changing area, you’ll enter into the first of (usually) three rooms, each progressively warmer. Be prepared-the hottest room is really hot! While traditional hammams may not be for every guest in Morocco, they are decidedly an integral part of this culture.