Greece's Best Natural Hot Springs

With the North Macedonia border nearby, you can find Irene’s Resort nestled within beautiful, towering mountains. Surrounded by dense vegetation and gorges, this luxe hotel has a lovely seasonal pool and a laid-back restaurant serving traditional dishes. Rooms evoke a sense of calm, with wooden details and muted palettes. When you’re in need of a good, long soak, the Pozar Thermal Baths are nearby.

As the name suggests, Pozar Salt Cave Hotel has a cave filled with mineral salt (thought to have healing properties). When you’re not immersing yourself in the cave (or partaking in one of the 45 massage and body treatments available at the spa), it’s best to lounge on your four-poster bed or take in the views of pretty Loutraki Aridaias village from your private balcony.

Just a 15-minute drive from Krinides in northern Greece, Egnatia City Hotel & Spa overlooks the glistening Thracian Sea from a hilltop spot. Rooms are modern, most with private balconies, underfloor heating and hydro massage shower cabins – but the majority of your time will be spent dining on the roof garden (at sunset with the gentle sea breeze is best) or making the most of the sensory hotel spa.

For a sleek option in central Kavala, it’s got to be The Anthemion House. With rattan fixtures, a rich palette, tiled floors and walk-in showers, the décor here is photo-worthy. We love the attic room, with its high-beamed ceilings, cosy reading nook, muted green accents and private jacuzzi room. Whichever room you opt for, a hearty, delicious Greek breakfast is served in-house each morning, which will set you up perfectly for a trip to Krinides.

With Astir Beach a short walk away , plus views of lush pine forests and the shimmering sea from most rooms, The Margi proves why an Athenian Riviera mini-break should be at the top of your to-do list. Even the smallest of rooms offers a high-end stay, but if you’re feeling flush opt for the expansive, private beachfront villa for direct access to the Med. When you can pull yourself away, the spa and restaurant are world-class too. Vouliagmeni Lake is a five-minute drive away.

Just steps from two of Athens’ best beaches (Vouliagmeni and Okeanida), Azur Hotel is a chic option for a beach holiday. Rooms are monochromatic, with marble-clad bathrooms and geometric detailing – opt for one of the suites with private pools to make the most of the famed Greek heat. When peckish, the all-day Cinq Restaurant serves traditional Mediterranean dishes. Combine ocean time with a trip to the warm waters of Vouliagmeni Lake.

A visit to a spa town like Edipsos means maximising your relaxation time – so why not stay in a dedicated spa hotel? 9 Queens Spa Hotel features a wellness centre and spa with its very own hot springs, and suites also come with double spa baths. Hot tubs are available on request. While you’re in such a deep state of relaxation, it’s best to book in for a massage too.

A spot for serious spa buffs, Mitsis Galini Wellness Spa & Resort’s 3,000sqm (32,291sqft) is thought to be one of the world’s biggest. With its own thermal water pools, the hotel also has a sea pool, 100 different types of massages, face and body treatments, a rasul, a hammam, a sauna and a solarium. Personalised health programmes can be designed too. While most of your time will be spent in the spa, rooms offer mountain views and there’s also a beach on your doorstep.

Forget the Greek Islands, those in the know are heading to Loutraki on the Greek mainland for a quiet seaside break. Here, it’s best to stay at the seafront Pefkaki Boutique Hotel Loutraki where you can spend your days taking in lungfuls of fresh sea air. Opt for one of the bungalows if you can – one has its own a private beach while the other has a private pool. When parched, head for a cocktail at Perla Bar with a glorious backdrop of the Gulf of Corinth.

A short drive from the thermal springs of Kaiafas, Hotel Natura Club & Spa is an adults-only haven. With its hilltop location and sea views, pink-tinged sunsets are a given – best seen from the hotel’s lofty pool or from the privacy of your own balcony. Those looking to unwind should head to its spa where you’ll find a jacuzzi, sauna, hammam and an infrared cabin.

Kaiafas Lake Hotel sits – as you would expect – just 800m (2,624ft) from Kaiafas Lake, a teal-hued body of water known for its healing properties. Rooms here are basic, but most of your time will be spent in the aforementioned lake, the hotel’s pool or dining on Greek fare at the onsite restaurant. Visit in late summer to dine al fresco on balmy evenings, surrounded by birdsong and lush trees.