Athens is a fast-paced city, but you’ll find plenty to soothe your senses too. Bathe in a thermal lake, enjoy spa treatments based on ancient Greek remedies, and dine on healthy Mediterranean food. Follow our Athens wellness and fitness itinerary to experience the ancient Greek ideal of “healthy body, healthy mind”.
Mindful workouts and free exercise classes
Want to keep up your workout routine on holiday? NYSY Studios, a studio for yoga, Zen meditation and Pilates, was founded by a former filmmaker from San Francisco. Drop in on a wealth of different yoga classes, from aerial to pre-natal, at their new Aiolou street premises, or sign up for a Pilates class at their Nikis street headquarters. English sessions are available at both locations.
Soma Yoga hosts regular yoga classes in the National Garden. But if you’re in town for more than a couple of nights, you might want to consider a special class at the foothills of the Acropolis or the Temple of Poseidon. You can’t get more spiritual than that.
The Zen Centre Athens, on Agia Irini Square, offers yoga, Zen meditation and Pilates sessions, suitable for English-speaking participants (as well as regular meditation weekends). The calming space is on the first floor of The Perianth, a design hotel in a Bauhaus landmark, and classes are free for guests.
If you’d rather work out in the Athenian sunshine, head to Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre, a beacon of green design. Outdoor fitness classes are held throughout the year. Join the locals at a free morning yoga or mat Pilates class in the park. Breathe deeply: the scent of oregano, thyme, lavender and rosemary from the Mediterranean garden will boost your wellbeing. Early birds can catch the sunrise (and Olympian views of both city and sea) from the solar-powered Lighthouse.
Get your zen on in a natural setting with Soma Yoga.
Courtesy: Soma Yoga.
Get your vitamin kick at a juice bar
Juice bars are popping up everywhere in Athens. Join the digital nomads at Join Juice Bar on pedestrianised Romvis street. It has the feel of a campus club with a funky soundtrack. Their Rambo smoothie (pear, spinach, organic matcha and pollen) will put pep in your step. Or pop to Pura Vida, a perky sit-down space on nearby Perikleous street, run by a friendly brother and sister. Sip on a detox juice (celery, cucumber, green apple and lemon) from a glass pineapple.
A bowl full of goodies at Join Juice Bar.
Courtesy: Join Juice Bar