Travel bucket list idea:
Andalusia, Spain
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Of all the Moorish memories in Andalusia, the baths are one thing you can truly experience as the locals did centuries ago.
The Arabs learned about baths from the Romans, and built them throughout Andalusia, but the Christians of the Reconquista thought cleanliness was sinful and closed them down. In 1998, they began to reopen, first in Granada; others have been newly built in historic buildings, and recreate them in spirit.
Each offers the ancient Arabic bath ritual in alternating cold, warm and hot pools, as well as extra massage options, including classic Moroccan exfoliating kessa essential oil massage and black soap scrub on a hot stone.
Seville, Andalusia, Spain
Experience
Set in a 500-year-old Mudejar palace, offering a vast range of experiences and rituals, including a wine bath. Afterwards, relax in the rooftop pool. The night visits are especially magical, and a great antidote to jetlag.
Adult price: £20
Min age 18
Good for age: 18+
Duration: 1-3 hours
Granada, Andalusia, Spain
Experience
Atmospheric, Arab-style baths by Granada cathedral, with a hammam, aromatherapy treatments and exceptional massages including al-hakam, a full-body coating of warm chocolate, pepper and cinnamon.
Adult price: £22
Min age 10
Good for age: 13+
Duration: 1-3 hours
Cordoba, Andalusia, Spain
Experience
Next to La Mezquita, a small hammam in a traditional Andalusian brick, tiles and garden setting. The massages are excellent including the hot stone bed option; it’s so relaxing your two-hour slot will seem to fly by. Book online here.
Adult price: £29
Min age 18
Good for age: 18+
Duration: 1-3 hours
Malaga, Andalusia, Spain
Experience
A monumental, atmospheric complex of inviting pools that resembles a movie set, with a steam sauna and hot table, and 30-minute massages on offer. Client numbers are strictly limited so be sure to book online.
Adult price: £30
Min age 5
Good for age: 13+
Granada, Andalusia, Spain
Experience
Stunningly-restored 13th-century Arab baths, using pure water from the Sierra Nevada in a range of Moroccan-style aromatherapy massages. Numbers are limited to make sure you book online before you go.
Adult price: £30
Min age 5
Good for age: 13+
Duration: 1-3 hours
Jerez del Frontera, Andalusia, Spain
Experience
A hammam in an atmospheric 18th-century house, decorated in traditional Andalusian style, with tiles, stuccoes and woodwork. It’s unique in that especially caters to couples; their ‘Love Ritual’ ends with a champagne dinner on the panoramic roof terrace.
Adult price: £25
Min age 12
Good for age: 13+
Duration: 1-3 hours
Sessions (book online) generally last 90 minutes, and are open to men and women; bring a swimsuit and don’t plan a big activity afterwards; you’ll feel so relaxed you may just want to sleep.
Hammams are generally open all year round seven days a week, from around 10am until midnight.
Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity
Granada
Price €78
Min age 13
Rating 4.39 / 5 [565 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Malaga
Price €60
Min age 5
Rating 4.16 / 5 [436 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Cordoba
Price €60
Min age 0
Rating 4.51 / 5 [316 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Cordoba
Price €45
Min age 0
Rating 4.22 / 5 [93 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
