Hammam Ben Abbad review: our verdict
Whitewashed vaults, painted wooden doors, and a black-and-white zellige floor make Hammam Ben Abbad one of the oldest in the Fes medina, a fact its changing rooms alone attest to. The ritual follows tradition without deviation: black soap, a kessa glove, clay, argan oil, a rinse, followed by a massage that is more invigorating than relaxing. Upon exiting, a vaulted relaxation room awaits, illuminated by small colored lights.
This is the address for experiencing a period hammam in the heart of Fes el-Bali, whether alone, as a couple, or after a guided medina tour: someone will pick you up at the riad and bring you back, sparing you from getting lost in the derbs. It is not a palace spa: the scrub is quick, the reception can be brisk, and the changing rooms are small. Those dreaming of a ninety-minute envelopping treatment will go elsewhere.
The insider tip: book the day before, as a deposit is required, and bring the shuttle to the riad. The pitfall: expecting a long-form treatment, as the hammam and massage package hovers around 500 DH (updated for 2026) for a half-hour massage. The best slot: evening around 8 p.m., when the hammam empties; it opens every day from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.



