What to Bring for a Hammam Session in Hurghada and What to Leave at the Hotel

If you're getting ready for your first hammam session in Hurghada, the most important question isn't which type to choose, but what to bring with you. The answer is simple: swimwear, your room number or booking confirmation, and almost nothing else. Everything you need in the way of towels, bathrobes, and slippers is provided on site.

What to Bring With You

The list is deliberately short:

• Swimwear: you'll wear it during the sauna, steam, and jacuzzi before the scrub.
• Room number or booking confirmation: the driver will need it when picking you up from the hotel, and the spa receptionist may also ask for it.
• Cash to pay the driver's fee on the day of the trip, since the booking itself is made online and payment is made on pickup.
• If you have any skin allergies or a medical condition, tell the therapist before the session begins.

That's really all you need. There's no need to carry a large bag or extra gear.

What to Leave at the Hotel

Some items are best left in the safe or in your room, since they won't be of use during the hammam and could get damaged or lost.

• Jewelry: heat, steam, and water can affect precious metals, and a bracelet or ring could catch on a towel or slip off during the scrub. It's best to leave it at the hotel from the start.
• Electronic watches: steam and high humidity aren't suitable for most watches, even water-resistant ones.
• Mobile phone and camera: the hammam environment is humid and hot, and these devices don't handle that well. Leave your phone in the room or in a closed bag away from the steam.
• Makeup: the steam will remove it anyway, and it's best to start the session with clean skin.

Contact Lenses and Glasses

If you wear contact lenses, it's best to remove them before the session if possible, since heavy steam and heat can cause dryness or eye irritation. If you need clear vision, bring your glasses instead of lenses that day, and leave them with your clothes in the designated locker while you're in the steam room and sauna.

The Right Timing: Eating and Sun Exposure

A hammam session combines high heat with relaxation, so timing makes a big difference to your comfort:

• Avoid a heavy meal right before the session. A full stomach combined with sauna and steam heat can cause discomfort. A light meal one to two hours before your appointment is enough.
• Drink enough water before and after the session, since sweating in the sauna and steam causes the body to lose fluids.
• If you've spent a day in the sun, wait until the redness on your skin calms down a bit before a strong scrub. If your skin is sun-sensitive, a hammam based on a gentler scrub may be a better choice, and you can read about the different types in the guide to choosing a hammam in Hurghada.
• The session is not recommended if you are pregnant, have heart or blood pressure problems, or have open wounds or skin infections. In these cases, consult your doctor first. The session is also not suitable for children under 12.
• The 12 PM session is reserved for women only, so keep that in mind when choosing your appointment time.

Adding a Massage?

If you prefer a more complete experience, you can combine the hammam and massage in one session through the complete hammam and massage programme, or book a hammam-only session if you'd rather focus solely on scrubbing and cleansing. You can also browse all available spa options on the Spa page.

Booking

Booking is simple: choose the treatment type that suits you, pick a suitable date, and provide your hotel name and room number when completing your booking online. On the day of the trip, the driver will pick you up from the hotel, and you pay the transportation fee to them in cash. Current prices are always shown on the booking page itself. To start booking, go to the hammam only page or the hammam and massage programme page, depending on which experience you prefer.