Are you tired of scrolling through Instagram and tiktok, feeling like everyone's living their best life while you're stuck in a rut? Trust me, I get it. Last year, I went on a whirlwind tour of Europe, hoping to find a vacation that mixed adventure, personal growth, and cultural immersion. But every option seemed like it was either party central or a retirement home on wheels. Where were the trips for us—the ones who want to explore, connect, and grow without sacrificing fun?

Fed up with the lack of options that spoke to the wellness generation, I decided to take matters into my own hands. Enter this blog—a curated list of the coolest retreats Greece has to offer in 2024, handpicked for those of us who crave wellness, adventure, culture, and a side of personal development.

The world's waiting—and it's time to make it your playground. First, let’s jump in some commonly asked questions when comparing retreats.

Let's do this!

How much should I pay for a retreat in Greece?

Prices of yoga retreats in Greece vary widely, which can be attributed to various factors. The average cost of a 7-day wellness retreat in Greece is $2,000 euros ( approx $4,000 AUD). Things that contribute to the difference in price are the duration, type of accommodation provided, extra activities included, peak or low season and the different practices involved.

Be mindful of what is included in the price of each retreat, as some vary from all-inclusive to nearly everything is an “add on” disguising the retreat at a cheaper price point than its competitors for it to cost more in the end to add activities such as sailing, snorkelling and cultural experiences. If you’re on a budget, list what you want to see and do and use that as a guide to finding your ideal retreat.

Which is better? All inclusive? or Flexibility

It depends on how much customisation or agency you want over your daily schedule. Some people prefer to rock up and have everything thought of for them, whilst others prefer to prioritise flexibility. Retreats like this 8-day Kefalonia island getaway offer ample free time to explore the island or do nothing. In contrast, an Adventure retreat like this 8-day Paros Women’s Retreat provides free time in the afternoons, with most days jam-packed with activities such as snorkelling and cultural experiences.

Inclusive Meals or not? It is ideal to find a retreat that includes breakfast because Europe has a different breakfast and morning culture than Australia or America. It is rare for a shop to open before 10 am! Lunch and Dinner is a preference; if you are a foodie and excited to explore the local eateries, opt out of the inclusive lunch and dinner food. Most retreats only offer a basic universal “buffet” style hotel food unless you plan on splurging for a luxury retreat with locally sourced farm-to-table options.

Another thing to consider is what perks the retreats offer. This will be what determines the retreat’s value for money. Usually, a yoga retreat in Greece will offer one or two yoga sessions a day, but what about all that free time? Do they have activities planned for those hours?

A retreat usually offers a series of perks to fill that free time, allowing you to customise your retreat a little bit. These perks include one-on-one sessions, counselling, wellness sessions, hiking trips, surfing lessons, cooking classes, spas and massages, healthy eating workshops, and more.

Often, these perks are an additional expense, but sometimes you can choose between one or two perks to be included in the price. It is all dependent on the retreat.

What time of year is best in Greece?

June, July, and August stand out as the peak months in Greece, and it's easy to see why. With temperatures averaging between 21-27 degrees Celsius, it's the warmest time of the year and busiest, which may seem like a con to many…. However, nothing is quite a buzz kill like a deserted island. Yep, we spent 14 days on Naxos with what seemed like not a single other person. If you are looking for this experience, go in May; if you are looking to enjoy the atmosphere of a buzzing island and restaurants, choose the summer months.

If you're into hiking or crave a culture-rich holiday, the months of May, June, and September—known as the shoulder season—might be perfect for you. When I visited Greece at the end of May and early June, a period many blogs claimed was ideal, I found it wasn't quite what I expected, It was cold enough for me to hike to the Acropolis in Athens wearing jeans!

So if you're looking to escape Australia's winter and want the full Euro summer experience, then the summer season is your best bet. Plus, the water in the Aegean Sea was much colder than what I'm used to in the South Pacific Ocean, so warmer the weather the better!

Best Yoga Retreats 2024 - Greece Edition

8-Day Breathwork, Yoga & Adventure Retreat ( Best for all-inclusive activities & female solo travellers )

Paros Island - August 3rd - 10th 2024 - Starting @ 2,918 pp

Includes:

• Breathwork Experiences

• Daily Yoga

• Guided Sleep and Inner Child Meditations

• Daily Breakfast

• Airport and Ferry Transfers

• Snorkelling Tour & lunch - Visit blue caves, experience cliff jumping

• 60 Minute Massage

• Hiking Tour

• 2 x Day trips

8-Day Recharging Yoga & Adventure Retreat ( Best for a budget retreat, ideal for couples )

Corfu Island - Operates all year round - Starting @ 1,127 pp

Includes:

• Daily Yoga Practice

• Spitirual Workshops

• Breakfast and Lunch

• Use of Kayaks'

6 Day Sailing, Yoga, and SUP Retreat ( Best combination of adventure and yoga for those on a budget)

Athens - June 23 - 28th 2024 - Starting @ 2,196 pp

• Daily Yoga Practices

• Sail every day to a different island

• Use of SUP board, snorkelling gear

  —> Similar 7-day retreat <—

8 Day Luxury Yoga Retreat (Best for luxury retreat options )

Amorgos Island - September 22nd - 29th 2024 - starting @4,100 pp

Includes :

• Daily Yoga Practices

• Airport Transfers

• Snorkeling Day trip boat excursion to private beaches and island lunch

• A 30-minute massage

• Complementary use of Lalon Idor Spa facilities (sauna, hammam, Jacuzzi, indoor heated seawater swimming pool, fitness centre)

• Daily dinner and breakfast buffet

6 Night Glow and Radiance Retreat

Kefalonia Island - 22nd - 28th September 2024 - starting @ $6,516

Includes:

• Yoga & Meditation Practices

• Breathwork

• Workshops

• Connection

5 Day Adzenture Retreat

Andros Island - 17th - 22nd June 2024 - starting @ $4,630

Includes:

• Daily Meditation & Yoga

• Workshops

• Catamaran Tour

• Wine Tasting

• Sunrise Hike

• Town Exploration Tour

7-Day Authentic Greek Island Yoga Retreat

Hydra Island - May 25th - 31st 2024 - Starting @ $3980 pp

Includes:

• Morning meditation

• Daily Yoga Practice

• Special welcoming cocktail party & dinner (first night)    

• Group farewell dinner event (last night)

• Daily breakfast

In conclusion, there's no one-size-fits-all regarding retreats—it's all about what works best for you. I hope this blog has shed some light on the various options, helping you narrow down your choices and find the perfect fit. And yes, you may have noticed our upcoming August Yoga and Breathwork Retreat featured in this blog. While it might seem biased, I believe in transparency and empowering you to make your own decisions.

Happy researching, and here's to finding the retreat that speaks to your soul.

With love,

Alycia