Hammam Dress Code: What to Wear in a Dubai Spa

When you step into a hammam, a traditional steam bath rooted in Middle Eastern and North African culture, often featuring heat, scrubbing, and relaxation. Also known as Moroccan bath, it’s one of the most popular wellness rituals in Dubai. But if you’ve never been, you might be wondering: do you need to wear anything? The short answer? It depends—on the spa, the culture, and your comfort.

The hammam dress code, the unwritten rules about clothing in a steam bath setting isn’t the same everywhere. In high-end Dubai spas like Caro Beauty Spa, most guests wear a disposable paper bikini or a provided towel wrap. You won’t see full nudity—it’s not about exposure, it’s about hygiene and respect. Many women opt for a simple cotton robe or swimsuit they don’t mind getting wet. Men usually wear swim trunks or shorts. The key isn’t what you wear, but that you’re clean, modest, and ready to relax. The Moroccan bath, a full-body ritual involving steam, black soap, and exfoliation is designed to cleanse deeply, and that means your skin needs to be directly accessible to the therapist’s scrubbing mitt. You’re not expected to be naked, but you should be ready to uncover what needs to be treated.

What you don’t wear matters too. No jewelry, no perfume, no lotions—these interfere with the scrub and can irritate your skin after the heat. And don’t bring your regular towel; spas provide everything, including slippers and robes. If you’re unsure, ask. Most Dubai spas have clear guidelines posted or staff ready to explain. This isn’t a beach day—it’s a ritual. The hammam etiquette, the cultural norms around behavior, privacy, and preparation in a steam bath is simple: be quiet, be clean, be respectful. You’ll find that the most common mistake isn’t wearing too much—it’s showing up with makeup on or rushing in without showering first.

Whether you’re a first-timer or a regular, understanding the hammam dress code helps you relax faster. You don’t need to overthink it. Just show up ready to sweat, scrub, and unwind. Below, you’ll find real answers from people who’ve been there—about what to wear, what to avoid, and how to make your hammam experience smooth, safe, and truly refreshing.