With abundant sunshine, fertile land, and a stunning extended coastline, it’s no wonder Greece is considered one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Picturesque landscapes and a mild, Mediterranean climate make the capital city of Athens an idyllic place to take time out from the daily grind!
The Greeks have reaped the rewards of traditional healing practices, bathing routines and exercise for years – the importance of wellness following a long journey (or exhausting battle!) goes all the way back to Homer’s legendary 8th-century poem ‘The Odyssey’. Ancient Greek women pioneered the use of extra virgin olive oil as part of their beauty regime – and they certainly were onto something good, as most Greek beauty brands today use olive oil in their soaps, body butter, and hair masks!
Legendary Greek philosophers and scientists (Hippocrates, Pythagoras, and Plato to name a few!) believed in the therapeutic benefits of mineral waters and the importance of harmony between the body and the environment. While things may have evolved just a little over the (thousands of!) years, you’ll find a wide range of wellness options here, from ancient mineral water springs to contemporary spa and wellness centers.
Spa & Beauty Services
I-Spa
Awarded the 2017 Greek Best Luxury Hotel Spa at the Luxury Spa Awards, I-Spa at the Athenaeum InterContinental Hotel is a sanctuary for relaxation in the heart of Athens. End a busy day of exploring with a massage, facial, or body treatment, or chill out in the hammam, sauna or outdoor pool. If you’ve still got the energy to burn, there’s a fully-equipped fitness center too!
89-93 Leoforos Andrea Siggrou, Athens 117 45. Tel: +30 21 0920 6000
Holmes Place Spa Athens
Discover one-of-a-kind wellness at the Holmes Place Spa Athens. Only the purest organic products are used, so sit back, relax and enjoy a soothing massage or beauty treatment.
Boukourestiou 4 & Stadiou , Athens 105 64. Tel: +30 21 0325 9400
Hammam Baths
Sink into an oriental bath or indulge in a luxurious treatment at Hammam Baths, the only authentic hammam in the city. Set in a building that blends traditional architecture with modern interiors, you’re bound to feel rejuvenated after spending time here. The basic hammam experience costs €25 and when you’re done relaxing you can retreat to the lounge for tea and Turkish delights until you’re ready to venture back into the real world!
17 Agion Asomaton & 1 Melidoni, Thissio, Athens. +30 21 0323 1073
Tips to Toes Beauty Center
Still, need a little (more!) pampering? Unwind in the hands of an experienced therapist at Tips to Toes Beauty Center on Syngrou Avenue. Treat your toes to a pedicure (from €20) or renew and refresh with a face or body treatment (list of services and prices available on request).
66 Syngrou Avenue, Athens 117 42 – (near Syngrou-Fix Metro Station). Tel: +30 21 0922 3362
Mineral Springs
Lake Vouliagmeni
You won’t have to venture far to check out the benefits of Greece’s healing mineral spring waters – you’ll find the crystal-clear Lake Vouliagmeni right by the ocean, just on the outskirts of Athens! With healing properties for eczema, arthritis, and sciatica, this natural lake is surrounded by beach loungers and parasols, plus there’s a café-bar-restaurant nearby too. Why not try a hot-spring bath, physiotherapy, or hydrotherapy treatment to ease your aches and pains?
Entry fee: €12 weekdays/€15 weekends (discounts available for children and students). Free parking, lockers, beach loungers, and parasols, but bring your own towel!
EO91 9, Vouliagmeni, Attica 166 71. Tel: +30 21 0896 2237
Eating Well
Greece arguably boasts one of the best cuisines in the world – and you’ll be spoilt for choice in Athens, with its abundance of fresh local produce and healthy eateries. Contrary to popular belief, Greek food is not all about the meat – colorful dishes filled with a rainbow of vegetables, grains, and pulses mean there are still plenty of choices if you’re vegan or vegetarian!
Small sharing plates (mezes) are the order of the day here – after all, variety is the spice of life – so pick a selection to share a delicious and sociable meal in true Greek style. Gemista (meaning ‘filled with’ in Greek) is a traditional recipe available all over Greece. Peppers, tomatoes, or other vegetables are stuffed with a tasty mixture of rice and herbs before being baked. Stuffed zucchini flowers are worth a try (yes, really!) – these rice-and-herb-filled blossoms make for a mouth-watering taste sensation!
More and more locals are choosing to follow in the footsteps of their ancient Greek ancestors with many rediscovering the importance of a healthy diet in their quest for wellness. Here’s our pick of the best healthy places for a bite to eat in Athens.
Restaurants & Cafes
Avocado
For unique Greek and oriental tastes, try Athens’ original vegetarian/vegan restaurant, Avocado. This restaurant encourages living well, and with a menu of appetizing, wholesome meals that don’t cause harm to the earth or its creatures, you’ll find the feel-good factor here too! Lunch will set you back around €20, with Indian soups, Greek salads, falafel, vegetarian paella, and vegan burgers to choose from.
St. Nikis 30, Athens 105 57, Tel: +30 21 0323 7878
Nova Gea
Thirsty? Sip on a super juice at Nova Gea, located in the city center. The vast menu includes the Nurturing Juice Blend, which claims to provide all the essential nutrients, fats, and proteins you need to maintain a healthy body and mind! If you’re peckish, choose from a delicious selection of energy bowls, salads, and sandwiches.
Vakchou 2, Athens 105 58, Tel: +30 21 1401 7427
Stoa Allios
Mingle with the locals at I Stoa Ouzeri, a popular family-run traditional taverna offering fresh fish and seafood in a home-from-home setting. This is the place to go if you want a simple yet tasty meal in an authentic Greek setting.
Themistokleous 11, Athens 106 77, Tel: +30 21 0382 5961
Health Stores
4 Seasons Bio Shop
Explore a haven for health enthusiasts at 4 Seasons Bio Shop, a dedicated health store located in Athens’ vibrant St. Nikis neighborhood. This renowned shop offers an extensive range of vegan products, from meat and cheese substitutes to organic wines and other wholesome foods. Step into a welcoming environment where quality meets sustainability.
4 Seasons Bio Shop is committed to offering organic and vegan options that cater to diverse dietary preferences and lifestyles. Whether you’re seeking plant-based alternatives or organic pantry staples, you’ll find a variety of products to support your healthy lifestyle.
St. Nikis 30, Athens 105 57, Tel: +30 21 0322 9078
Bamboo Vegan
Discover a treasure trove of vegetarian and vegan products at Bamboo Vegan, a must-visit grocery and health store nestled in Athens’ eclectic Exarcheia neighborhood. This beloved establishment offers a diverse selection of vegan cheeses, superfoods, and dry fruits, perfect for health-conscious shoppers.
In addition to pantry staples, Bamboo Vegan is your go-to spot for delicious food on the go. Indulge in vegan sandwiches, pies, and cakes prepared with wholesome ingredients, ensuring a satisfying and nourishing meal wherever your day takes you.
Zoodochou Pigis 36, Athina 106 81, Tel: +30 21 0330 0018
Street Markets
Each city in Greece hosts a ‘Laiki’ Street Market, where farmers and vendors from the villages come together to sell seasonal vegetables, fresh fruits, organic honey, and local spirits. And in large cities like Athens, there’s usually more than one market on offer!
“Take a deep dive into the history of Athens and get a taste of Athenian life as you explore the markets with Athens Local Adventures with our Athens Markets and Chronicles tour! Check out the markets and legendary traditions within, step back in time to get inside knowledge of the city’s famous landmarks, before wandering through the famous neighborhood of Plaka, where you’ll stop for coffee at a local’s favorite joint”.
Varvakeios
Explore the lively atmosphere of Varvakeios, Athens’ main city market located on bustling St. Athinas. This vibrant marketplace offers a sensory feast, with meat, seafood, and fish stalls lining one side, and colorful displays of fruits and vegetables on the other.
Varvakeios Market awakens all the senses with its bustling activity from early morning until late afternoon, Monday to Saturday. Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and aromas of this iconic market, where local vendors showcase fresh produce and a wide array of culinary delights.
Operating Hours:
Monday to Saturday: 07:00 am – 06:00 pm
Athinas 42, Athens
Kolonaki Farmer’s Market
Discover the charm of Laiki Agora, Kolonaki’s renowned organic farmer’s market, open on Friday mornings at Sq. Dexamenis. This vibrant market offers a delightful array of fresh fruit, vegetables, flowers, and herbs sourced directly from nearby countryside farms.
In addition to seasonal produce, Laiki Agora showcases locally produced treasures such as honey and olive oil, ensuring visitors experience the best of regional flavors and artisanal craftsmanship.
Operating Hours: Friday: 07:00 am – 03:00 pm
Dexamenis Square, Xenokratous Street, Kolonaki, Athens
Exarcheia Farmer’s Market
Join the bustling atmosphere of Exarcheia farmer’s market, a vibrant local farmer’s market held every Saturday on St. Kalidromiou in Exarcheia. This lively market is a treasure trove of fresh produce, offering a wide selection of fruits, vegetables, and other local goods straight from nearby farms.
Embrace the community spirit as you browse through stalls filled with seasonal delights and regional specialties. Whether you’re looking for fresh ingredients for your next meal or simply soaking in the lively ambiance, Exarcheia Laiki promises a delightful Saturday morning experience.
Operating Hours: Saturday: 07:00 am – 03:00 pm
Kallidromiou Street, Exarcheia, Athens
Mind, Body & Soul
Yoga & Pilates
Yoga Tara’s Home
Join in with a tourist-friendly hatha yoga or pilates class at Yoga Tara’s Home, a cozy and colorful yoga studio in Koukaki.
Kavalloti, Athens 117 42 Tel: +30 697 676 6389.
Evergreen Yoga Studios
Practitioners at Evergreen Yoga Studios in Exarcheia specialize in Vinyasa Krama yoga; a modern expression of traditional hatha yoga which brings breath and movement together to purify the body and mind. A one-off drop-in class will cost €15; if you plan on going more than once you can buy a 4-class subscription for €40.
Valtetsiou 50-52, Athens 106 81 Tel: +30 698 088 2888.
Peaceful Places
Goulandris Natural History Museum
Take a 30-minute train ride from downtown Athens to the Goulandris Natural History Museum, located in the leafy Kifissia neighborhood. Devoted to the study, conservation and protection of the natural environment, there’s a host of permanent exhibitions to feed your mind here, including botany, zoology, marine biology and paleontology. Reflect on what you’ve learned over a cuppa in the amazing café-restaurant, set in the museum’s tranquil gardens.
13, Levidou, Kifisia, 145 62 Tel: +302108015870
Find the Numismatic Museum inside a neoclassical building once owned by legendary archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann. There’s an exceptional collection of coins to admire here, with examples from as early as the 14th century! The building itself is magnificent (both inside and out!) and there’s a superb ‘hidden’ garden café where you can enjoy a moment of calm, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Eleftheriou Venizelou 12, Athens 106 71 Tel: +30 21 0363 2057
Ilias Lalaounis Jewellery Museum
Located a stone’s throw from the Acropolis, the Ilias Lalaounis Jewellery Museum is dedicated to contemporary jewellery and decorative art. Lalaounis’ beautiful micro sculptures and jewellery were inspired by biology, nature and astronomy, and you’ll get to see over 4,500 of his pieces here. If you’re feeling creative, the museum offers jewellery workshops too!
Kallisperi 12 & Karyatidon Str., Acropolis, Athens 117 42, Tel: +30 21 0922 1044
Keeping Fit
The Athens Authentic Marathon is an epic sporting event – a showcase of human determination and an incredibly tough challenge for anyone taking part! Each year, thousands of runners join the route which starts close to the ancient battleground by the coast, climbs the base of Mount Pendeli, and finishes in the center of Athens – at the old marble stadium which was built for the first modern Olympics in 1896! Basic registration costs €30 and there will be road races, fun runs, and power walking alongside the main event.
The 10k Athens Fast Run Race offers a unique route with scenic views of Athens’ attractive coastline. With its flat, asphalt course, this fast race is one of the most popular running events in the city, attracting more than 2500 participants each year! In 2019, the race takes place on 24 November (basic registration costs €30) and there’s a shorter 2km race for the kids too!
Gyms & Health Clubs
Planet Fitness & More
Keen to stay on top of your fitness regime in Athens? No sweat! Take advantage of the special packages available at Planet Fitness and More which boasts more than 13 fitness clubs across the city, with state-of-the-art fitness equipment, trained instructors, and a super cool environment! A daily pass will set you back just €10 and if you plan to go more than once, a weekly pass is €25. As well as use of the gym facilities, you’ll also be able to join in a workout with the locals in a fitness class.
Leof. El. Venizelou 206, Kallithea 176 75 Tel: +30 21 6900 1887
Holmes Place Club
This gym provides a range of tourist-friendly services to help you achieve health, balance, and enjoyment during your time in Athens. There are plenty of modern facilities here, including a fully equipped gym, large pool, fitness studios and free weights.
Boukourestiou 4 & Stadiou, Athens 105 64. Tel: +30 21 0325 9400
