Hot Springs Greece: Edipsos, Loutraki, Vouliagmeni and Other Top Thermal Resorts - Healing Water Properties, Key Locations and Everything Worth Knowing Before You Go
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Few people know that Greece is rich not only in unique ancient treasures and luxurious beach resorts. Among other praising epithets, these places can rightfully be called healing: therapeutic thermal springs in Greece have been known since ancient times.
Created by nature, these baths have a healing effect on many ailments and give the body a boost of energy and vigor.
How to choose a thermal resort in Greece and improve your health – I’ll tell you in detail in this article.
Natural thermal springs of Greece - are they worth visiting and where to go?
Greece is a popular tourist destination on a global scale. There are many vacation options here, from beach vacations in summer months and skiing in winter, to cultural and religious tourism, which are relevant throughout the year.
However, the country can boast another year-round vacation opportunity that not everyone knows about. We’re talking about health improvement at thermal springs that have been flowing in various corners of the country for thousands of years.
Greece can without exaggeration be called a natural sanatorium. Here the healing factors are everything: the sea, the sun, and clean air. The favorable climate and abundance of greenery also contribute to health restoration.
Millions of people have already experienced this for themselves. However, for some reason, local thermal springs remain in the shadows, many of which have been known since ancient times.
Thermal spring in Loutra Pozar, Aridea (Macedonia)
List of mineral and thermal springs in Greece
Let’s start by examining the very essence of this natural phenomenon. What do thermal springs represent?
These are underground waters heated above 20°C that have broken through to the earth’s surface.
I’ll say right away that the epithet “thermal” is not always synonymous with the word “healing”. Only those natural pools are recognized as therapeutic waters whose waters are extremely rich in useful and rare minerals.
The number of such unique places is small: out of more than 700 natural Greek thermal springs, there are only 20 healing ones. Their status has been officially recognized and enshrined at the state level by the Ministry of Tourism.
All hot springs of Greece with healing properties are listed in the table below.
Thermal springs not included in the list are also popular among tourists and locals. The properties of these mineral springs contain many useful substances, but their concentration doesn’t allow us to speak of a strong healing effect.
Nevertheless, vacationing at such sanatorium resorts with thermal water pools has a general relaxing effect on the body, helps restore the nervous system and improves skin condition.
One of the best SPA hotels “Thermae Sylla Spa Wellness Hotel” on Evia island at the Edipsos thermal resort
Thermal springs in Greece - features
Among European countries, Greece ranks 1st in the number of natural hot baths: there are more than 700 of them here. The features of Greece’s thermal springs were known to people back in ancient times. They were used for the following medical purposes:
- prevention of rheumatism;
- treatment of colds;
- relief of genitourinary system inflammation;
- fighting infertility.
Later, the composition of waters in hot springs was studied more thoroughly and they began to be recommended for use in diseases of the musculoskeletal system, heart malfunctions, problems with the gastrointestinal tract, kidney, neurological and gynecological ailments.
Today, some Greek thermal springs have transformed from natural pools into modern medical-wellness and rehabilitation centers, whose guests have access to the most diverse healing procedures. Therefore, tens of thousands of tourists come here every year.
Vacationing in sanatoriums at Greece’s thermal resorts is popular even in winter, as almost all of them are equipped with indoor pools. However, even in outdoor reservoirs the temperature doesn’t drop below 20 degrees.
Loutra Pozar thermal resort
Indications and contraindications for staying at thermal resorts
Due to the peculiarities of the terrain, many mineral springs in Greece remain in their pristine state even now. Anyone can freely immerse themselves in these natural pools.
But I note that thermal waters are strongly not recommended to be taken without prior specialist recommendation! What can such self-activity lead to? Deterioration of health. Therefore, before going to wellness resorts, be sure to consult with a doctor and familiarize yourself with the indications and contraindications for visiting thermal springs.
Contraindications.
A number of diseases categorically exclude the use of thermal treatment. Bathing in hot springs is contraindicated for visitors with such diagnoses as:
- oncology;
- acute period of blood diseases;
- ischemic heart disease;
- angina;
- glaucoma;
- asthma;
- diabetes;
- infectious diseases.
Pregnant women and children are also prohibited from bathing. However, there are situations when doctors prescribe thermal water treatment to minors. In such cases, the procedure should not last more than 10 minutes.
Indications. As for indications, they depend on the mineral composition of hot waters. Only a qualified specialist can prescribe effective treatment that helps get rid of troubling ailments.
Therefore, it’s better to go to an equipped sanatorium with experienced and qualified staff for a healing “miracle”. And for those who just want to catch some relaxation, “wild” thermal springs will do.
In any case, each resort has its own specifics, which I’ll discuss in detail in the next section.
Most popular healing resorts of Greece with thermal springs
The sea climate and sunny weather by themselves give vacationers a boost of positive energy. And when the climatic advantages for which Greece is famous and thermal springs combine into a single whole – the vacation turns out not only unforgettable but also healing.
But how to choose a suitable resort among such a variety of options? We offer you a description of the best Greek places with thermal springs.
Edipsos
A thermal spring located in the north of Evia island, 100 km from the city of Chalkida.
This place was popular even among ancient Greeks: the first information about local hydrotherapy appears in an ancient text dated to the 5th century BC. Today the resort remains Greece’s most popular health resort, however it now heals not only Greeks but also tourists from all over the world.
The spring’s waters are saturated with calcium, iron, chlorine, radon and sodium salts. The bath’s temperature indicators reach 78°C, which is one of the highest indicators.
The healing properties of local waters help correct malfunctions in the endocrine and nervous systems, eliminate gynecological and skin ailments, and correct pathologies of the musculoskeletal apparatus.
A special feature of the resort is cosmetic procedures and a detox program. Guests are also offered to participate in procedures for body correction and cellulite treatment.
Might be useful: See all tours to Edipsos hot springs at this link
Thermal spring in Edipsos
Loutraki
The largest wellness resort with developed tourist infrastructure. Located in southern Greece on the coast of the Corinthian Gulf.
According to legend, this thermal spring was chosen for relaxation by the gods of Olympus themselves. With a temperature of about 33 degrees, water comes from underground at the highest speed, creating ideal conditions for SPA procedures.
Therefore, in addition to open pools, numerous hydrotherapy centers are located in the city, the largest of which is Loutraki Thermal Spa.
Local waters have a weakly alkaline balance, saturated with calcium, magnesium and sodium chloride. Due to their properties, they can be used both for bathing and for drinking therapy. Vacationing in Loutraki is effective in treating:
- diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
- gastrointestinal problems;
- nervous system disorders;
- skin ailments;
- liver failure;
- kidney stone disease.
In addition to medical procedures, guests are offered relaxing baths and jacuzzis.
Might be useful: See all tours to Loutraki hot springs at this link
Thermal SPA in Loutraki
Vouliagmeni
The nearest thermal springs to Athens. They’re only 20 km away from the Greek capital. It should be noted that we’re not talking about the settlement of Vouliagmeni, but about a salt lake: it’s located north of the city.
Lake waters are fed by underground springs, and the reservoir’s bottom is cut by numerous tunnels and caves. Perhaps they served as the basis for the legend that a mermaid lives here who drags young men to the sea bottom.
Also, these places are known as a habitat for Garra Rufa fish (used in cosmetology for peeling procedures).
The bath temperature fluctuates from 20 to 30 degrees, as water is constantly renewed due to the movement of underground springs. Minerals, metals and alkalis contained in water flows positively affect arthritis, rheumatism, skin and gynecological ailments.
Might be useful: See all tours to Vouliagmeni hot springs at this link
Thermal lake and resort in Vouliagmeni
Agia Paraskevi
The village of Saint Paraskevi didn’t stand out among other Greek villages for a long time. However, in the middle of the last century a hot spring was discovered here, which fundamentally changed the settlement’s life.
A small sanatorium was built in Paraskevi, which in the early 2000s transformed into a large modern SPA center. After which, in a few years, Agia Paraskevi became equal in popularity with other wellness resorts of Greece.
Healing waters with a temperature of 37.5-39 degrees contain bromine, potassium, sodium, carbon dioxide and chromium in their composition. These chemical elements allow effective therapy of the following diseases:
- osteochondrosis;
- arthritis;
- muscle tissue pain;
- skin diseases;
- musculoskeletal system diseases;
- gynecological and urological ailments.
In addition, local waters have a beneficial effect on old fractures.
Might be useful: See all tours to Agia Paraskevi hot springs at this link
Aridea
Loutra Pozar (Aridea) is a thermal spring located in a picturesque natural corner. Open pools are located in the shade of a cool forest, from where a view of Mount Voras and the Thermopotamos River opens.
It’s also notable that there’s a natural massage shower here: a turbulent waterfall with hot and cold streams flows into one of the pools, providing a relaxing effect.
The temperature in the reservoirs reaches 37°C. This spring is characterized by a high content of metals and acids that help heal gynecological and skin ailments, as well as diseases of the respiratory system and joints.
The beauty of nature and the healing properties of local waters make the expressions Loutra Pozar and peaceful relaxation almost synonymous.
Might be useful: See all tours to Aridea hot springs at this link
Kallithea (Rhodes island)
Even in ancient times, the fame of a miraculous spring located in the area of Kallithea town on Rhodes island was born. White thermal baths were built here, in which Roman warriors immersed themselves to heal received wounds. Later the complex was abandoned and came back to life only at the beginning of the 20th century.
In 1927-1929 the composition of local waters was thoroughly studied and their healing power proven, which allowed opening a medical sanatorium on the territory. The health resort became popular: tourists visited Rhodes no less often than Loutraki. But unfortunately, 40 years after opening, the water supply was exhausted, and the resort was abandoned again.
Kallithea received a new round of development in 2007. The Greeks managed to restore the spring’s functioning, but the medical building began to carry a purely architectural function: now only drinking therapy is conducted here.
Properties of healing water: cool (19°C), presence of chlorine and sodium noted. Used for therapy of gastrointestinal diseases, as well as adrenal gland disorders.
Might be useful: See all tours to Kallithea hot springs at this link
Thermi and Souroti (Thessaloniki)
The second largest city in Greece after Athens, Thessaloniki is famous for the Thermi and Souroti thermal springs. Both represent an inexhaustible supply of mineral waters that are useful for prevention and therapy of gastrointestinal diseases.
But the Pikrolimni medical complex is much more popular with tourists, where many wellness procedures are conducted. It’s located not far from Thessaloniki (30 km) on the shore of a salt lake. This is a modern sanatorium with qualified medical staff and high-quality equipment.
The temperature in the spring’s pools reaches 38 degrees. Local waters and mud have healing therapeutic and rejuvenating properties. Treatment in Pikrolimni is indicated for patients with such ailments as rheumatism, skin and gynecological diseases, gout, musculoskeletal tissue pain, excess weight, and cellulite.
Might be useful: See all tours to Thermi and Souroti hot springs at this link
Basic methods of thalassotherapy and SPA
Bathing in thermal springs should not be confused with services called thalassotherapy and SPA. This is a separate type of medical-cosmetic procedures.
Thalassotherapy is a treatment method using seawater and related elements: algae, salt, mud, plankton. Accordingly, the main requirement for such a center is location right on the seashore, because only fresh seawater is suitable for procedures.
The largest Greek thalassotherapy centers are located on the Aegean Sea islands (Crete and Rhodes), as well as on Corfu island.
SPA is a complex of relaxing and cosmetic procedures related to massage and aromatherapy. Every large Greek hotel can boast its own SPA center.
Wellness vacation in Greece is a popular direction that’s gaining momentum every year. Combining beach entertainment with thermal therapy will allow you to relax not only fun but also beneficially for the body.
My TOP-10 thermal springs of Greece
Greece has a large number of healing mineral springs. Many of them are known, others are not fully utilized, for example, the thermal springs of Xanthi.
The most famous thermal springs in Greece for their healing properties are the hot springs: Kamena Vourla, Edipsos and Ikaria due to the radioactive composition of their waters. The thermal spring on Lesvos island is the hottest spring in the world (92.5°C).
Kamena Vourla thermal spring (Fthiotida)
And yet, which resort to choose?
I compiled a list of the 10 best, in my opinion, thermal resorts of Greece. Which one to choose and go to – is up to you to decide.
- Thermal springs of Loutraki (Corinthia)
At a close distance from Athens (about 85 km), lies the town of Loutraki, located on the side of the Corinthian Gulf, at the foot of Mount Gerania. The world fame of Loutraki’s thermal waters goes back to deep antiquity, annually attracting a large number of visitors.
- Thermal springs of Edipsos (Evia island)
The small village of Edipsos is Greece’s largest resort, thanks to the presence of hot springs (there are more than eighty here), which are suitable for treating many diseases. Two thousand years ago, ancient Greeks found healing from ailments in Edipsos’s springs, knowing the healing power of thermal waters.
Diseases for which Edipsos’s thermal waters are recommended: peripheral neuritis (neuralgia-myalgia), arthritis, rheumatic diseases, radiculitis, lumbago, migraine, tendinitis, angiopathy. In addition, you can combine thermal baths with mud procedures and drinking mineral therapy.
- Thermal springs of Loutra Pozar, Aridea (Macedonia)
Loutra Pozar thermal springs are located in the foothills of Mount Kaimaktsalan, 90 km from Thessaloniki. The resort’s thermal waters with a constant temperature of 37°C have been flowing from the mountains for millennia, where they create an impressive natural landscape.
Visitors come here from all corners of Greece and other countries to experience the beneficial properties of thermal waters and relax surrounded by magnificent nature.
- Thermal springs of Kamena Vourla (Fthiotida)
The region receives healing water from different sources with different chemical compositions. The hot waters of Kamena Vourla are classified as radioactive, water temperature ranges within 30-42°C.
Diseases for which hydrotherapy in Kamena Vourla’s mineral waters is indicated are some kidney and heart diseases, arthritis, rheumatism, gynecological diseases. The resort is 170 km from Athens.
- Thermal springs of Methana (Attica)
On the Methana peninsula, at the foot of a volcanic mountain, are Methana’s thermal springs. According to Pausanias, the springs in this area, which suddenly appeared in the mid-3rd century BC after a volcanic eruption, were popular even among ancient Greeks.
In 1912, the first hydrotherapy center was built here, and in 1917 – a large hydrotherapy center that can be seen today. Hydrotherapy is indicated for treatment of: joint diseases, rheumatism, skin and gynecological diseases.
- Thermal springs of Ikaria (Eastern Sporades archipelago)
Ikaria is known for its healing springs, in recent years the island has become an important tourist destination in Greece’s medical-wellness tourism. The composition of Ikaria’s mineral springs water is known worldwide for its radioactivity.
Indications for treatment are arthritis and dermatitis, respiratory and musculoskeletal diseases, cardiovascular diseases, gynecological ailments.
- Thermal springs of Apollonia (Lake Volvi)
Nea Apollonia’s hydrotherapy baths are located near the Thessaloniki – Kavala national road, 50 km east of Thessaloniki. Nea Apollonia’s hydrotherapy center has modern hydro equipment, a complete reconstruction recently took place here.
- Thermal springs of Lagada (Thessaloniki)
The resort town is located west of Lake Koronia, 2 km from Lagada town and 18 km from Thessaloniki.
Lagada’s thermal waters help in treating heart and kidney diseases, rheumatism, neuralgia, gynecological and skin diseases.
- Thermal springs of Kaiafa (Zacharo)
Guests of the Kaiafa mineral resort enjoy hydrotherapy in a picturesque landscape with pines and eucalyptus, resting and relaxing away from noisy cities.
Nearby is Ancient Olympia – the birthplace of the Olympic Games.
- Thermal springs of Kyllini
Kyllini is a harbor village of Elis (Peloponnese). Kyllini’s thermal resorts are located 9 km from the city, surrounded by beautiful forests.