Journal

Hammam, clay and argan: the Essaouira journal

Practical guides to prepare for your hammam and understand Morocco's wellness traditions.

Essaouira8 min read

A relaxed plan for Morocco's windy Atlantic town — medina, ramparts, port, beach — with the best moment to slot in a traditional hammam.

Wellness6 min read

Circulation, skin, muscles, stress and sleep: what a steam-and-scrub session actually does, and who should check with a doctor first.

History7 min read

How the communal bath travelled from antiquity into the heart of the Moroccan neighbourhood.

Guide5 min read

Both leave you relaxed, but they are not the same thing. A quick comparison so you pick the right one for your trip.

Ingredients6 min read

The tree that grows only near Essaouira, and the leaf powder used for centuries to strengthen skin and hair.

Ingredients5 min read

Why a rough woven mitt does more for your skin than any scrub cream, and how to use one without overdoing it.

Ingredients6 min read

Where rhassoul is mined, why it is different from other clays and how to use it on skin and hair.

Ingredients5 min read

The dark olive paste at the start of every hammam. What it is made of, what it does for your skin and how to use it at home.

Guide7 min read

What to bring, what to wear, how the scrub feels and the small rules that matter. A calm, practical checklist for first-timers.

Traditions6 min read

The hammam is Morocco's steam bath and social ritual. Here is what it is, how a visit unfolds and why locals go every week.

Want to live all this for real?

We take you through Essaouira's beldi hammam, among women.