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When I travelled in Andalusia, the southern region of Spain for 1.5 weeks, I treated myself to a visit to the hammam Al Andalus in Granada and booked a Kessa massage. Turned out, their relaxing baths and massage was just what I needed! When people research their travel destination, they look for places to see in Andalusia, things to do in Seville and food to eat in Malaga! As I already covered that part extensively, I will add another question to your Spanish travel preparations: how to relax when you travel in Spain?
I have the answer for you: book a session at the hammam in the Arab baths and a Kessa massage.
Sounds luxurious, doesn’t it? Do you think you don’t deserve the luxury of a visit to the hammam and get a massage? Think again. I give you 5 reasons why you deserve a Kessa massage when you travel in Spain.
Image by Hammams Al Andalus
What is a Kessa Massage?
Kessa is the name for the traditional way of exfoliating massage with a Kessa glove. This glove is coarse and with a nice soap, the masseur will knead your body, soaping it up and exfoliating all the dead skin from your body. It is a perfect way to relax and feel reborn again.
Image by Hammams Al Andalus
Read more: 5 Awkward Questions about Hammams in Andalusia Answered
Kessa Massage at Hammam Al Andalus Granada
I was invited by Hammam Al Andalus in Granada to try their baths and Kessa Massage. As always, all opinions are my own but I simple loved it. I absolutely needed a nice massage and some R&R time after my whirlwind travels in Andalusia. For prices, you can check their website. They have several discounts for bath visits and massage and student discounts too.
Waiting for the start of my session at the hammam in Granada
Reasons why you deserve a Kessa massage
Now, I did feel a bit guilty, did I deserve a bath and massage? Wasn’t it too expensive to treat myself to such decadency when I was travelling on a budget? I discovered I absolutely deserved it and I think you deserve it too! Here are my 5 reasons why I think me and YOU deserve to treat ourselves to a Kessa massage when you travel in Spain.
Travel is hard on the body
Yea. Hard and tiring. During my 10 day Andalusian Road Trip, I dragged myself and my suitcase from place to place. Over the cobble stones, up the numerous steps of another cheap budget hostel. I walked around ancient cities like Malaga and Seville. Climbed all kinds of hills (I am looking at you Granada) and searched for the best views in Ronda.
I travelled in November, so the temperatures where just about right, but a little bit hotter and you’ll be sweating your ass off. Long story short: travel is hard. Especially on your body.
What better way to relax your muscles in the baths before the massage?
So what better way to treat your tired body, than with a nice visit to the hammams of Al Andalus and a relaxing Kessa massage? Rinse away all the sweat and muscle aches in the baths and feel reborn again after the massage.
You’ll be so relaxed you don’t think about anything
Travel is not only hard on the body. Also on the mind. Where am I going? What is the Spanish word for understanding again? What time does my bus leave? How much money do I still have left? Constant impressions of the beautiful sights of Andalusia, the vibrant colours and the people. All can be really exhausting!
Image by Hammams Al Andalus
As I entered the dimly light bath complex of the hammam in Granada, I settled in the soothing warm bath. I felt my muscles loosen up but also my mind came to a complete stand still. Zombie mode! Just follow the masseuse and let her work magic on my body and soul! All I could think off was: owhhhh this is nice!
Treat your body to some well deserves R&R
It doesn’t matter if you’re a digital nomad, work a full time job and travel as much as you can or just go on a vacation once a year. When you’re in Andalusia, Spain, you treat yourself to la vida loca. Time stands still and you just savour life. Relax, enjoy, talk, laugh, eat and drink. And relax.
Image by Hammams Al Andalus
It doesn’t matter how often you travel, trips abroad are always a treat. I work hard to get the time off and I deserve to treat myself to something nice and luxurious. I don’t buy stuff, but I have unique experiences. What better experience is there, than to unwind in the ancient Arab baths and feel brand new again?
Exfoliate and leave all the dirt behind
When I travel, I get dirty. Of course, I take a shower every day, but after walking around in a warm city all day, it feels the city leaves small pieces of itself everywhere on my body. Your pores are stacked up on invisible dirt particles and no matter how hard you scrub, you can’t get 100% clean finger nails. I hate that feeling.
The good thing about the Kessa massage is that it is an exfoliating massage. They use a glove and some delicious smelling soap and they take all the dirt away from your arms and legs. I didn’t want to see what the masseuse lady took off me, but I’m sure it was 10 days of city dust and some old skin.
Image by Hammams Al Andalus
I felt reborn again. Like a lizard shedding his skin behind once every year.
You can keep the Kessa glove as a souvenir
After my massage, the lady gave me the piece of soap and the Kessa glove, neatly wrapped together in a mesh little bag. What a nice souvenir! Now every time I use it at home, it reminds me of my great road trip through Andalusia and the tranquil time I had at the hammam in Granada.
Are you planning your travel to Spain? Will you visit Malaga, Córdoba, Madrid or Granada? Consider to treat yourself to the bath and massage with Hammam Al Ándalus in one of these cities. Because you deserve it!
Have you ever had a massage abroad? Share your experiences in the comment section below.
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Spain is high on my list especially a road trip. Would love to visit and opt for Kessa massage someday. Looks like an experience. Nice they gave you a soap too , how thoughtful !!
I have been to Spain 6/7 times but I’ve never heard of this type of massage, can you believe it!! That’s crazy! But it does sound amazing and since I’m heading back to spain this summer I’ll make sure to get one for sure! thanks for sharing! 🙂
I want to have a massage right now. Traveling is exhausting. I wish that I could have visited a spa and resort in my previous travels. It is also exciting to experience this kind of local massage. I’m sure the massage oils there smell wonderful.
After walking on those cobbled streets of Seville, you definitely earned a Kessa massage, especially if you had your suitcase with you on those streets!! You body must feel so rejuvenated after the Kessa. You photographed the baths brilliantly, thanks for introducing me to the Kessa massage.
Everytime I travel to different countries, I always pamper myself with the local massage. It has always been part of my relaxation. Kessa sounda very indulging and relaxing. I will surely have this when I visit to Spain.
Travel is hard, totally agree on that one! I should pamper myself more often and you are just giving a great example. Never heard of a Kessa massage but I will book one as soon as I go to Spain. Awesome you got to take the glove home.
Honestly, it doesn’t take much to convince me I deserve a massage, but you have me convinced! I would love to try a kessa massage. If we make it to Spain, I will splurge on this for sure. I am more relaxed just looking at this post.
Wow that looks like a relaxing activity to do. I know the Hammam Al Andalus of Malaga and they do a great job. Next time I ll try the Kessa Massage
I agreew with you – some travel days are hard. While living in Thailand I realized the wonders of massages. A frustrating day on the road can be turned around with some R & R, followed by an ice cold beer! I’ll def be keen to trying a kessa massage out when I make it to Spain!