Al Hammam is a traditional bathhouse in central Athens. This is a great place to take yourself during your time in Greece if you wish to indulge in a little R&R after a long day of sightseeing.
Tucked away down an unsuspecting alleyway in the charming bijou village of Anafiotika Plaka, Al Hammam Athens is a Middle Eastern Oasis in the heart of the Mediterranean.
The bathhouse combines the facilities of an Ancient Greek bathhouse, with chic Arabian-style and decor. This pamper spot has gained something of a cult following over the last few years. Al Hammam has luxurious spas located in Plaka, Athens, and Chania, Crete.
What is Al Hammam?
A “hammam” is a traditional Turkish/Middle Eastern bathhouse. Hammam baths were particularly popular during the days of the Ottoman empire. Historically, hammam facilities were enjoyed in Ancient Greece just as much as they were in Turkey.
In some ways, a hammam can be considered as a relative of the sauna. However, attending a hammam is more of a “wet” experience, and the room that you enter tends to get much hotter than your average Western sauna.
At Al Hammam, you sit in an ornate, circular marble room that is gradually filled with steam. Water taps and small buckets are provided so that you can tip warm or cold water over yourself if you begin to feel a little too hot.
The hammam experience may sound a little different from the usual. However, sitting in the steamy room really opens up your pores and leaves your skin feeling great after.
Al Hammam’s location in Plaka is fitting. It is situated beneath the shadow of the Acropolis, just 100m away from the Ancient Greek bathhouse of the winds. Here, you are just a stone’s throw away from where nobles would relax and soak their cares away in a hammam, all those centuries ago.
Al Hammam Athens Facility
The setting for your spa treatments could not be more charming. Al Hammam is designed like a Moroccan Riad.
Middle Eastern melodies and rhythms of gentle darbuka drums echo through the corridors. Meanwhile, delicate Arabian lanterns hang from the vibrantly
Treatment Packages at Al Hammam Athens
There are a plethora of different treatments available at Al Hammam Athens. These range from simple hammam/steam room access, to spa packages.
The latter includes massages, body wraps, hair washes, facials, and scrubs. The full Al Hammam treatment menu can be found here.
During my visit to Al Hammam, I had the Sultana Hammam package. This included:
- 30 minutes in the hammam
- 15 minutes body exfoliation with a kese glove
- 30 minutes olive soap bubble massage
- Hair washing and deep conditioning
- A selection of teas and treats served on the charming veranda after the treatment
Prices for traditional Al Hammam treatments start from 25 euros. The Sultana treatment is priced at 68 euros, for a 75-minute treatment.
In addition to the traditional hammam treatments, Al Hammam Athens also boasts a menu of modern beauty treatments. An array of modern massages (Oil, hot stone, aromatherapy, etc) can be booked on-site. Manicures and pedicures are also available.
The Sultana Treatment at Al Hammam Athens
Upon arrival at Al Hammam Athens, you are provided with a towel and slippers, and led into a small changing room. From here, you can store your things inside your assigned locker before making your way into the hammam.
The changing rooms are a little small. However, they have everything that you need. If you need to wash off your makeup before entering the hammam, toiletries and skincare products are provided here.
Entering the Hammam
After removing your shoes, you can enter the hammam. I was fortunate that when I entered on a Wednesday night in the midst of winter in Athens, I was the only person inside!
However, it should be noted that typically the hammam is a shared, unisex facility. This is with the exception of Wednesdays which are reserved for ladies only.
Ladies can opt to either go topless inside the hammam, or wear a swimming suit. If you are choosing the former, disposable paper underwear is provided.
As you sit inside the hammam, the atmosphere gets increasingly hotter and hotter as more steam is pumped out into the room. You are provided with fresh bottled drinking water. As previously mentioned, there are also taps and buckets provided so that you can tip water over yourself to cool down.
In all honesty, it does get very hot inside the room. Al Hammam is much hotter than your average sauna and it’s easy to start to feel a little claustrophobic if this is your first time inside a hammam.
With that said though, it’s possible to step outside the room to cool down at any time. So, if it all gets a little too much then you can easily leave the room for a moment for a breather. After 30 minutes in the hammam, the Massage Therapist will call you when it is time for your treatment and take you into a separate room.
Body Exfoliation
Hammam style massages are very different from “dry” massages because a lot of water is used in the process. If you have ever visited a Korean jimjilbang, hammam massages are very similar. As you lay on the table, bowls of water are gently poured over you to start.
The Massage Therapist started the process by commencing the exfoliation with a
Admittedly as someone who has been to a lot of hammams and jimjilbangs over the years, I was a little disappointed with the exfoliation at Al Hammam. It was a little too gentle to really have any effect and the Massage Therapist only briefly moved the glove along my arms and legs.
Although it sounds a little grim, typically when you have a body scrub at a traditional hammam, the Therapist will do it so vigorously that you see big rolls of skin shedding from your body like a snake! Gross, yes, but your skin will feel phenomenal afterward.
Olive Soap Bubble Massage and Hair Wash
After exfoliating with the
A wonderful 15-minute hair wash followed. Then, I was rinsed with cool bowls of water once again, and left to go back to the changing room.
After the Hammam Treatment
After my treatment at Al Hammam Athens, I headed back to the changing room and took a shower. The changing rooms are filled with everything that you need to get on with the rest of your day.
You will find everything from luxurious “Al Hammam” bath products and hair items to hair dryers. So, you can venture back out into the city while looking completely presentable!
Your day at Al Hammam draws to a close with tea and treats being served up on the beautiful Veranda. Since my appointment was in the evening, it was nice to see Anafiotika and the Acropolis both illuminated with twinkling lights.
For the best views and photo opportunities though, Iconsiderbooking your appointment during the day if possible. Fragrant Turkish tea was provided in a fabulous ornate Middle Eastern teapot, with a side of delicious Rose loukoumi. This is a Greek dessert that is essentially the Greek answer to Turkish delight.
Al Hammam Athens
In the heart of Athens, Al Hammam stands as a beacon of tranquility and rejuvenation, bridging the rich cultures of the Middle East and the Mediterranean. It offers more than just a spa experience; it’s a journey through time and tradition, where every steam, soak, and massage carries the essence of centuries-old wellness practices. As you step out of Al Hammam, wrapped in serenity and steeped in history, you carry with you not just the glow of refreshed well-being but also a deeper connection to the cultural tapestry that binds the Mediterranean to the Middle East. Whether you’re seeking solace from the hustle of city life or looking to immerse yourself in a unique cultural experience, Al Hammam Athens awaits to envelop you in its warm embrace.
Treating yourself to a pamper session at Al Hammam Athens is a wonderful way to unwind during your Athens itinerary. No doubt you will spend most of your time rushing about on your feet so what better way to take a load off?
Disclaimer: Tourist Tales was a guest of Al Hammam Athens. That said, all opinions expressed here are our own and honest. The photos included are the property of Al Hammam Athens and Tourist Tales.
