Our Hammam Experience in Essaouira: at Riad Raoud Rayhane

Traditional spa with hammam at Riad Raoud Rayhane in Essaouira

During our stay in Essaouira, we tried the spa at Riad Raoud Rayhan and the experience was excellent.

Upon arrival, we had the impression that the manager and staff were somewhat cold in their approach, but nothing could be further from the truth: they’re simply very professional. That feeling disappeared quickly. The massage therapists and hammam staff are very friendly, attentive, and caring, making you feel completely comfortable from the very first moment.

Which hammam treatment should you choose?

We decided to book the hammam and massage separately instead of a package, since for only €3 more you get 30 additional minutes of treatment.

👉 We chose:

Hammam 20 minutes
Massage 30 minutes

💡 Pleasant surprise: in the end, the complete experience lasted around 1 hour and 40 minutes, instead of the 50 minutes expected. Something we really appreciated.

If you’re in doubt, we recommend the following treatment:

👉 Relaxant Hammam Scrub with Black Soap

What is a traditional Moroccan hammam session like?

The first thing you need to do is undress completely and put on a bathrobe or towel (provided by the spa). Then, they take you to the hammam room.

💡 You can keep your underwear on if you prefer, or ask for a disposable slip.

Once you’re ready, you enter a hot room with two stone beds heated from below. The temperature is quite high, but very bearable.

The hammam ritual in 5 steps

1. Application of black soap
2. Rinse with hot water
3. Exfoliation with gloves
4. Application of various natural products (soaps and oils) that smell wonderful
5. Final rinse with hot water

👉 Result: your skin feels incredibly soft.

✨ A much-appreciated extra: they washed our hair, even though it wasn’t included in the treatment.

Rest time after the hammam

After the hammam, we enjoyed a few minutes of relaxation:

1. They settle you in a comfortable chair
2. They wrap you in a warm bathrobe (feels amazing)
3. You relax while they prepare the massage room

Relaxing massage after hammam is the best

We chose a back and leg massage, which we totally recommend. It includes:

1. Back and leg massage
2. Arm massage
3. Scalp massage

You can tell them how much pressure you want, and they adapt to your preferences.

At the end, they offered us a small bottle of water to rehydrate, a nice touch to help you recover.

The best hammam in Essaouira: value for money

Hammam 20 min → €15
Massage 30 min → €15

👉 Total: €30 per person

Considering the duration, products, and quality of service, we can say this is one of the best options you can find in Essaouira.

The only small detail that would have made the experience perfect would have been a Moroccan tea at the end, which is common in many traditional hammams.