Best Hammam and Spa in Granada
Reserve time on your trip to Granada to discover the ancestral ritual of the Andalusian hammam and all its health-giving properties, a magical experience that will awaken your senses!
The interior of Hammam Al Andalus | ©Hammam Al Andalus
Granada is one of the most beautiful cities in Spain. Its historic centre has an endless wealth of monuments and there is always something fascinating to see around every corner.
However, if after so much sightseeing you need a break, I suggest you visit the Arab baths in Granada to enjoy a unique hammam experience in a magical place with the essence of the traditional baths of Al-Andalus.
Granada Hammam Al Ándalus with Massage
Relax with a hammam experience on your way through Granada
Enjoy a traditional Arabic ritual in one of the most exclusive hammams in the city. Try different relaxing experiences to unwind after a long day of sightseeing.
Located in the old quarter of the city, this hammam in Granada was the first to be opened in Spain to recover the tradition of the Arab baths five centuries after their closure following the conquest of the Nasrid kingdom.
The hammam experience begins as soon as you enter the building, as the decoration inside is designed to stimulate the senses and relax the mind. The staff at these Arab baths receive visitors with great courtesy and before starting the ritual they will inform you about the different types of pools and how they work, although you can do the tour at your own pace.
In these Arab baths in Granada you will enjoy 1 hour and a half to complete the hammam ceremony and try up to three baths at different temperatures. Then you can enhance your experience by opting for a 15 or 30 minute massage with essential oils.
Recommended if... you want to relax after a long day of sightseeing and enjoy a typical modern day Arabian experience.
What is the Hammam and why are the Arab baths in Granada recommended?
In addition to being an important social gathering place in the medieval Islamic world, from the East to Al-Andalus, the hammam is primarily a form of steam bath that the ancient Arabs used to relax the mind and cleanse the body.
To feel for yourself what the hammam ritual of the ancient Andalusians was like, a great thing to do during a trip to the south is to visit the Arab baths of Granada, which have preserved this wonderful ritual to this day.
The secret of the hammam lies in a combination of heat and cold with water steam. This contrast of temperatures has many benefits for the body, such as reducing stress, relaxing the muscles, eliminating toxins from the skin and improving circulation and breathing, among others. If you are looking for the best, you have it at Hammam Al Andalus Granada.
What is so special about Hammam Al Andalus Granada?
If you have never been to the hammam before, this getaway to the ancient Nasrid kingdom can be a great opportunity to do something different and original in Granada.
There are plenty of Arab baths in the city but if you want to experience the authentic hammam ceremony in Granada, I recommend you to visit the Hammam Al Andalus Granada because it is located in an ancient 13th century building at the foot of the Alhambra, where centuries ago an original hammam was located according to archaeological excavations. Amazing, isn't it?
Once you enter these Arab baths in Granada you will see that this is not your typical spa, but the rooms are characterised by their Andalusian-style decoration with Islamic arches, tiles with geometric motifs and beautiful ceilings with starry skylights that allow natural light to enter, creating a very pleasant and intimate atmosphere.
What I like most
If there is one thing that fascinated me about the Hammam Al Andalus Granada, it was the relaxed atmosphere of its rooms, where time seems to stand still and silence reigns, interrupted only by the gentle murmur of the water in the thermal pools.
Immersed in this calm atmosphere, the dim candlelight, the perfumed air and the Andalusian music make you feel like a sultana and transport you for a moment to the splendour of ancient Al-Andalus.
What is this hammam ritual like?
The ritual, step by step
- To begin with, I advise you to take a warm shower and move to the warm room (36ºC) in order to maintain the same body temperature at the start of the session.
- Then, the hot room (39°C) and the Turkish bath (90°C) await you. The action of the heat and steam encourages sweating and the pores to dilate, thus eliminating toxins and deeply cleansing the epidermis.
- The relaxation process continues in the massage area, where you can choose your own massage oil from a selection of rose, lavender, amber or pomegranate essences - a delight for the senses!
- Finally, in the cold room (18ºC), the action of the cold water will activate your blood circulation and decongest your muscles.
- Once out of the water, you can rest to recover your usual temperature while sipping a delicious Moorish mint tea. You will leave the hammam very relaxed, with a feeling of lightness in your body and peace in your mind.
Organise your experience in the hammam of Granada
How far in advance should I book?
As places are limited and the hammam in Granada is an activity in high demand, I advise you to make your reservation as soon as possible.
How does the booking work?
You will receive confirmation within 48 hours of booking, depending on availability. Once you have chosen your preferred service and time you will need to contact the local provider to confirm the exact start time of your experience at this hammam in Granada.
Where is the hammam?
Hammam Al Andalus Granada is located at the foot of the Alhambra and behind the church of Santa Ana, at Calle Santa Ana 16 next to Plaza Nueva.
Frequently asked questions
When will I receive the massage?
The massage time is included in the hammam ritual and you can receive it at the beginning, in the middle or at the end of the tour, so you don't have to worry about when it's your turn. This way you don't have to worry about when it's your turn, you only have to worry about enjoying yourself!
Are children allowed?
This hammam in Granada allows children between the ages of 6 and 17 to enter, provided they are accompanied by an adult who must sign a disclaimer. Children under 6 years old are not allowed in the Arab baths.
The Arab baths are spaces for rest and relaxation of body and mind. Their thermal pools are not recreational pools, so during the hammam ritual you are required to speak quietly to maintain a peaceful atmosphere.
What to bring to the Arab baths?
All you need to bring is your swimming costume. You enter the hammam barefoot but, if you wish, you can buy latex booties at the reception desk to wear inside the baths as pool shoes are reserved for the changing rooms.
This hammam in Granada provides a towel to dry yourself and the changing rooms have everything you need to get ready after your bath: shampoo, conditioner, gel, hairdryer and lockers to store your personal belongings.
Do I have to wear a bathing cap in the hammam?
No, you don't have to, but they do ask customers with long hair to tie it up in a bun or ponytail.
Can I take photos inside the Arab baths?
In order to maintain the privacy of all visitors to the hammam, the use of video or photo cameras is not permitted.
Can I eat or drink inside the hammam?
The only drink you can have inside the hammam is mint tea and water, which is available to guests in the relaxation area. As for food, you are not allowed to eat inside the hammam.
Apart from visiting the Arab baths in Granada, what else can I do in the city?
There are few places more beautiful and charming than Granada to enjoy an unforgettable getaway. A city full of dreamy corners for its enormous beauty and its long and interesting history.
Sierra Nevada and the Alhambra are its most popular attractions, but they are not the only ones. If you want to discover all that the ancient Nasrid kingdom has to offer during your holidays, don't miss my article on what to see and do in Granada. You'll fall in love with it!