The Arab Baths of Elche are a 10th-century hammam preserved underground in the old Moorish quarter of the city. They were built during the period when Elche was part of the Caliphate of Córdoba, and the remains are substantial: a cold room, warm room, and hot room survive, with the characteristic star-shaped skylights piercing the vaulted ceiling — small oculi that let in shafts of light and allowed steam to escape. They are among the best-preserved examples of Moorish bath architecture in the Valencia region.
The baths were only rediscovered and excavated in the 20th century, having been buried beneath later construction for hundreds of years. They now sit in a small archaeological space accessible via a staircase descending below street level. The visit is short — the space is not large — but the quality of the preservation and the atmosphere of the underground chambers make it memorable. The baths are close to the MAHE museum and the Basilica de Santa María, so they fit naturally into a morning walking the old town.