15 Dreamy Yoga Retreats in Greece [2024]
It may or may not be surprising to you that there are a lot of yoga retreats in Greece! I’ve done the heavy lifting for you and carefully sought out the unique, the luxurious, the inspiring, the crème de la crème. Please enjoy.
I spent several weeks traveling around Greece and am so happy to share with you 15 of the best yoga retreats in Greece. You’ll find a variety of styles and price points represented, as well as a smattering of hybrid retreats that honor the location by incorporating complementary activities.
Greece is a wellness haven and wellness practices have deep roots there. It’s famous for its beaches, spas, cuisine, and secluded islands. The sun, sea breeze, sprawling hills, and blue waters will leave you feeling fresh, rejuvenated, and grateful for this life! Greece is one of my favorite places on this beautiful earth and a perfect location for a yoga retreat.
Top 15 Best Yoga Retreats in Greece
Whether you are interested in practicing yoga multiple times a day, mixing it up with other activities, or hoping to spend most of your time soaking up the sun and sea there is a retreat for you below. Here are my top 15 best yoga retreats in Greece, in no particular order.
1. 8-Day Hatha Yoga Holiday
Location: Paros, GR
Style: Aerial Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Iyengar Yoga, Restorative Yoga
Skill level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Duration: 7 nights
Dates: Retreats offered from April through October (2023)
Located on the beautiful island of Paros, Aliki Yoga School, also referred to as Oona’s Yoga School was named the best yoga holiday in Europe for 2018 by Luxury Travel Guide. The classes can be adapted for each person’s skill level and focus on spinal alignment and connection between mind, body, and breathing.
The owner, Oona, has a lifetime of experience and believes in the healing power of yoga. Oona has several repeat retreat clients and is known for her incredible teaching skills and ability to understand each person’s body and needs. She also donates 10 euros per retreat client to a reforestation project on the island!
2. 8-day Yoga and Pilates Holiday
Location: Santorini, GR
Style: Yin, Vinyasa, Kundalini, & Pilates
Skill level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Duration: 7 nights
Dates: May, July, and September 2023
Of course, I couldn’t leave out a retreat on the famous island of Santorini! This yoga and pilates class will work you out.. twice a day. 1 pilates class and 1 yoga class each day. There are also a couple of hiking excursions included if you want…. of course you could always hang back and lounge by the pool of the beautiful El Greco Hotel where you’ll be staying.
3. Wild Heart Women’s Yoga Retreat
Location: Crete, GR
Style: Variety of styles, breathwork, and dance
Skill level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Duration: 7 nights
Frequency: Courses offered June through October
This is one of the best yoga retreats in Greece because of how unique it is. It’s also on one of my absolute favorite islands – Crete. This one is for all my fellow women. You will join together with other women and celebrate the feminine energy, and learn about the signature energies that accompany each phase of your cycle.
The exact program or style may change depending on the needs of the group. It is a really custom and intuitive experience. You’ll begin your day with meditation, breathwork, and dance, and end with a yoga session tailored to your menstrual cycle. There are also twice-daily women’s circles where you share stories, learn how to access your feminine intuition, and tap into abundance, creativity, and love.
An entire free day is built in to explore the area or go on an excursion. If you choose this retreat I encourage you to stay longer to see more of Crete. Yoga on Crete also offers Iyengar retreats and workshops.
4. 8-Day Laid-Back Luxury Island Yoga Retreat
Location: Zakynthos, GR
Style: Vinyasa Yoga, Yin Yoga
Skill level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Duration: 7 nights
Dates: May 20 – 27, and September 24 – October 1, 2023
The ultimate DREAM luxury yoga retreat. On one of the most stunning islands, Zakynthos, you’ll stay in a luxury villa, practice yoga twice a day, eat organic locally sourced food, sail on a yacht, ride horses in the sea, and enjoy a massage or two. Are you sold yet? Because I am.
!! 5. Hatha Yoga and Mindfulness Meditation Retreat in Palairos
Location: Palairos, GR
Style: Hatha & Nidra
Skill level: Beginner & Intermediate
Duration: 7 days
Dates: FULL – UPDATED 3/16
This 8-day retreat is located on the mainland – on Greece’s western coast. If you’re looking for total relaxation, gentle movement, an introduction to guided meditation, and plenty of time to explore, this is the retreat for you.
You’ll be staying in the village of Palairos but meditation and yoga practice will be set in an olive orchard overlooking the sea just a few minute’s walk. A highlight of this retreat is the PRICE. Can you say affordable?
6. Yoga and Hiking Holiday on Kos Island
Location: Kos Island, GR
Style: Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin, Restorative
Skill level: Beginner, Intermediate
Duration: 7 nights
Dates: Several dates from May through October 2023
Yes, hiking! Yoga on Kos offers retreats along with other activities such as hiking, cycling, and boating. The beautiful island of Kos is located just off the coast of Turkey and is part of the Dodecanese island chain. Kos is famous for its beaches and historical landmarks.
The island is also a popular destination for cyclists and you will have the opportunity to explore the island by bike on this retreat if you’d like. Included excursions include a visit to thermal baths, two hikes, and a sunset meditation at a historical landmark. This is a great retreat for anyone wanting to explore more.
Note: If you are a more advanced yogi this retreat may seem too beginner/basic. You also might want to bring your own mat if you value quality mats 🙂
7. 5-Day Restore and Reset Retreat for Body and Mind
Location: Paiania, GR
Style: Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin, Restorative
Skill level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Duration: 4 nights/5 days
Dates: Year-round (This retreat starts any day of the week and lasts for 5 days)
This retreat is located in Paiania, on the mainland just outside of Athens. Yoga Skyros offers several programs including yoga teacher training, yoga therapy, and yoga intensives. Particularly of note is their “7 Days Pure Yoga Retreat” where you practice yoga for four hours a day in a variety of styles. If you are looking for a yoga-heavy retreat to improve your skills you might be interested in this one.
For the purpose of this blog, I chose to feature their Restore and Reset retreat because it is a partially customized program based on an initial assessment and incorporates other healing therapies. For example, based on your needs you may receive massage, nutrition guidance, kinesiology treatments, or other remedies.
This a well-rounded wellness retreat program for people who are overworked stressed, and in need of rehabilitation. There is time built in daily to explore as well.
8. 7-Day Luxury Hiking and Yoga Retreat
Location: Dikastika, GR
Style: Vinyasa, Restorative
Skill level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Duration: 7 days/6 nights
Dates: April 23 – 29, September 17 – 23, October 1 – 7 (2023)
Located on the northeastern side of the mainland, Nefeli Nine offers a handful of retreat options. From a weekend refresh to a full week of yoga and hiking or kayaking, and massage, you’ll be sure to leave having eaten well and recreated a lot! The 7-day hiking and yoga retreat is their signature retreat but I encourage you to take a look at some of their other offerings as well.
Nefeli Nine focuses on holistic well-being and has based its program on the Blue Zone habits (these are the 5 zones in the world where people are the healthiest and live the longest). They incorporate a Blue Zone-inspired diet, daily stress management practices, exercise, and opportunities to balance and reset.
!! 9. 5-Days of Yoga at a Luxury Island Villa
Location: Santorini, GR
Style: Vinyasa, Yin, Power Yoga, Restorative Yoga
Skill level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Duration: 7 nights
Dates: FULL – UPDATED 3/16
If the more fitness-oriented retreat on Santorini sounds too much, consider this 5-day retreat that offers a more gentle schedule. You’ll practice meditation each morning followed by Vinyasa and close the day with a more gentle restorative flow.
In between, you have lots of excursion options with the group or on your own! Cynthia, the instructor, is known for her patience and attention to each individual. Several of her clients have attended many of her retreats around the world. A great retreat option to meet people and explore Santorini – you will love where you are staying!
!! 10. 7-Day Self-Care Escape
Location: Amorgos, GR
Style: Nidra, Vinyasa flow, Yin yoga, & Kundalini
Skill level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Duration: 7 nights
Dates: June 5 – 11, 2023
Want to stay clear of tourists? Head to the beautiful, off-the-beaten-path island of Amorgos for a blissful 7 days of yoga and meditation. You will certainly leave this retreat feeling centered and reconnected to yourself.
You’ll be staying at a 5-star hotel with full spa amenities (indoor/outdoor pools, sauna, hot tub, and services). You’ll have to visit the amazing beaches Amorgos is known for, and maybe even go scuba diving, hiking, or just wander the quaint streets.
11. 8-Day Holistic Holistic Rejuvenating Yoga Retreat
Location: Crete, GR
Style: Hatha
Skill level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Duration: 7 nights
Dates: August 6 – 13, 2023
This retreat takes place on the South of Crete on the Libyan Sea – away from the hustle and bustle of any city. Qigong is incorporated into daily yoga and meditation classes to melt away stress.
The south of Crete is incredible. It’s peaceful and mountainous, and the beaches are world-class. Everyone raves about the instructor, Angelos, and leaves feeling recharged and reconnected. You can also go through yoga teacher training with Angelos if that is something you are interested in. This is one of the best yoga retreats in Greece.
12. Yoga in Mykonos
Location: Mykonos, GR
Style: Vinyasa, Yin
Skill level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Duration: 7 nights
Frequency: 4 retreats offered in June and September
Practice yoga twice a day on one of Greece’s most famous islands, stay at a five-star hotel with a private beach and leave with 10-15 new friends.
Yoga Escapes retreats offer a lot of flexibility. If you want to sleep in or go explore on your own, you can. You are encouraged to take what you need, and leave what you don’t. Yoga Escapes embraces total freedom and relaxation. Schedule? What schedule?
13. Silver Island Yoga Retreat
Location: Silver Island, GR
Style: Varies
Skill level: All levels
Duration: 6 nights
Dates: Retreats offered from April through October, 2023
Silver Island is a 60-acre private island in Greece. The owners run an intimate off grid eco-retreat that is sure to be an impactful experience. The owners hope to inspire mindful living and provide an oasis for a true digital detox.
Each day you’ll have the opportunity to participate in two yoga classes, eat three locally sourced and homemade Mediterranean meals, and participate in various activities (kayaking, paddle boarding, snorkeling, art projects). A truly unique and magical experience.
!! 14. 7-Days of Yoga, Wellness, Fitness, & Adventure
Location: Milos, GR
Style: Restorative, Yin, Vinyasa, Hatha
Skill level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Duration: 6 nights
Frequency: Annually in May (May 13-19, 2023)
Located on the absolutely beautiful island of Milos, this retreat truly has it all. You’ll start each day with a meditation practice followed by a fitness class (HIIT or strength training), and close each day out with a harmonizing yoga practice. In between, you will be served two authentic Greek meals and have time to explore.
One massage and one sailing adventure are included in this retreat, as well as a designated beach day. The accommodations are also stunning. This list is in no particular order but if I’m being honest this would be at the top of my list of best yoga retreats in Greece. I’m thinking about how I can join next year as I type this.
15. 7-Day Yoga and Sailing Retreat
Location: Kefalonia, GR
Style: Hatha, Restorative, Yin, Vinyasa, Ashtanga
Skill level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Duration: 6 nights
Frequency: Year-round!
Are you a fan of the sea and sea-focused activities? If so then this might be the retreat for you. Spend 6 nights sailing around Kefalonia Island on a luxury catamaran and practice yoga on a different lagoon beach every day!
You will have a private chef, skipper, and instructor on board with you. There are private and shared cabin options. Spend your day paddle boarding, hanging at the beach, or exploring coastal towns.
Reasons To Go on a Greek Yoga Retreat
Retreats are practices in self-care. They are an opportunity to connect to yourself. They invite change and renew inspiration. Retreats are often transformative and healing.
A yoga retreat, specifically, will teach you how to quiet your mind and build awareness of your body. Leave all of your worries and distractions at home and turn inwards.
Now a yoga retreat in Greece, specifically, is the ultimate gift to the self. There are truly endless reasons to go on a retreat in Greece, including its history in healing and wellness. But beyond that, there are 5 reasons that I like to call the 5 C’s.
The 5 C’s:
Climate
Mainland Greece sees hot, dry summers but also long and cold winters. The islands, however, see long sunny summers with clear skies and mild winters. The islands get a light breeze from the sea that is energizing and cooling in the summer. The weather is truly dreamy most of the year.
Coastlines
You will find some of the world’s best beaches in the Greek Islands. There is variation from island to island but they all feature crystal clear water and undeniable natural beauty.
Cuisine
“Let food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food” – Hippocrates. Greece is the epicenter of the Mediterranean diet. The food is TO DIE FOR. The cuisine is a huge part of the culture in Greece and is founded on the foods that are plentiful to the region, specifically olive oil, wine, legumes, honey, and fish. Greece is also home to 1 of the 5 Blue Zones in the world (where people live the longest and are the healthiest) and this is partly attributed to their diet of mostly plants, some fish, daily glasses of wine, and copious amounts of olive oil.
Culture
Greeks value community and family above all. It is an essential piece of their wellness. They look at life and self objectively, accept the nature of things and let go of what is beyond their control (generally speaking of course). The ancient Greeks understood the mind-body connection and you can see this alive and well in modern Greek culture today. The people are known for their amazing hospitality. They are kind and welcoming and everyone moves slower and more intentionally. Prepare to be on island time, and to make some lasting connections 🙂
Cost
Once you make it to Greece, it’s quite affordable. The more popular islands like Santorini and Mykonos can be VERY expensive but if you stay off the beaten path food costs and lodging are reasonable if not rather delightful compared to some other Mediterranean vacation destinations.
When To Go
Personally speaking – September. The crowds are starting to thin, allowing you more opportunity to connect with locals and have a more authentic experience. The weather is also a couple of degrees cooler than the hottest months of summer.
That being said, really anytime between May and October is nice and most of the yoga retreats on the islands are offered during this time. The skies are typically clear and there is a light (sometimes strong) breeze from the Aegean Sea, known as the meltemi. The meltemi winds blow from mid-May to mid-September, are strongest in the afternoon and typically die down at night. During the day they provide the perfect summer breeze, and in the evening they can be a bit chilly.
There are so many islands to choose from you can find both solitude and amazing weather anytime between May and October – just bring a light sweater for the evenings 🙂
The Wrap-Up: 15 Dreamy Yoga Retreats in Greece
I’ve narrowed the best yoga retreats in Greece down for you based on location, cuisine, reviews, programs, and accommodations, now you have to do the hard job of choosing between the 15!
Whichever path you choose I can almost guarantee you’ll have an amazing experience. How could you not – practicing mindfulness and yoga throughout your day, wandering the quaint Greek alleys, and ending your day sharing a meal with new friends overlooking the Aagean sea?
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