Are There Hot SpringsAre there hot springs in Greece?
Yes, many. Greece has thermal springs on the mainland and the islands, from free pools at Thermopylae and on the beaches of Kos and Kythnos to historic spa towns like Edipsos on Evia.
Volcanic islands add their own: on Santorini, boat trips stop at the warm bay of Palea Kameni, and Nisyros and Methana have springs heated by their volcanoes. In the north, Loutra Pozar has a warm river in a gorge that is open all year.
Many towns and villages simply called Loutra, which means baths, are named after their springs.
Greece hot springs in brief
Greece has bathed in its thermal springs since antiquity, and many of the best are free, wild pools on the coast or on volcanic islands.
- Swimwear
- Required
- Volcanic islands
- Santorini, Nisyros, Methana
- Best season
- All year; islands are best May to October
- Free springs
- Thermopylae, Kos, Methana, Kythnos
- Spa towns
- Edipsos, Loutraki, Kamena Vourla
- Local word
- Loutra (baths)
- Listed here
- 25 hot springs in 9 regions
Hot springs in Greece map
All 25 hot springs we list in Greece, shaped by type. Open the larger map to zoom in.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Best hot springs in Greece
The hot springs most visitors plan a trip around, free and paid.
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Natural
Thermopylae Hot Springs
Thermopylae, Central GreeceFree sulphur springs at the historic Hot Gates, right beside the road from Athens to Thessaloniki.
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Thermal baths
Loutra Pozar Thermal Baths
Aridaia, Central MacedoniaA warm river and waterfalls in a gorge, with an outdoor pool and private baths, open all year.
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Natural
Therma Beach Hot Springs
Kos, South AegeanA hot pool on the beach where spring water mixes with the sea, down a steep path.
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Natural
Palea Kameni Hot Springs
Santorini, South AegeanSwim from a tour boat into a warm, rust-coloured bay on the volcanic islet in the caldera.
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Hydrotherapy
Edipsos Springs
Edipsos, Central GreeceThe hydrotherapy centre of one of Greece's best-known spa towns, on the island of Evia.
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Bathhouse
Hot Springs of Polichnitos
Polichnitos, LesvosA public bathhouse fed by some of the hottest springs in Europe.
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Natural
Pausanias Baths
Methana, AtticaA free volcanic rock pool on the Methana peninsula where hot water meets the sea.
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Hydrotherapy
Kaiafas Springs Hydrotherapy Center
Zacharo, Western GreeceA spa beside a lake, fed by sulphur springs in a cave, open from about May to November.
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Natural
Loutra Eleftheron Thermal Baths
Near Kavala, Eastern Macedonia and ThraceOld spa buildings in a wooded river valley, with free pools to soak in.
Famous hot springs in Greece
All 25 hot springs we list in Greece, A to Z, from free seaside pools to historic bathhouses.
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Natural
Baths of Lefkada, Greece
Hot springs seeping out along the shore near Agios Kirykos on Ikaria, running into the sea.
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Hydrotherapy
Edipsos Springs, Greece
State hydrotherapy centre in Edipsos, one of Greece's best-known spa towns, with indoor and outdoor pools.
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Bathhouse
Eftalou Hot Springs (Bathhouse), Greece
Domed seafront bathhouse near Molyvos with very hot mineral water and short sessions.
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Bathhouse
Hot Springs of Polichnitos, Greece
Public bathhouse with separate pools for men and women, fed by some of Europe's hottest springs.
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Hydrotherapy
Kaiafas Springs Hydrotherapy Center, Greece
State spa beside Lake Kaiafas, fed by sulphur springs in a cave; open about May to November.
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Natural
Kallyntika Springs (Aphrodite Springs), Greece
Free sulphur pools on the coast near Kamena Vourla, with no facilities.
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Spa
Kamena Vourla Thermal Springs, Greece
Long-established spa town on the Euboean Gulf, known for its radon-rich springs.
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Natural
Koniaviti Baths, Greece
Three free, flowing sulphur pools on the Maliakos Gulf coast, open at all times.
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Natural
Kythnos Loutra (Agioi Anargyroi and Kakavos), Greece
Coastal rock pool at Loutra on Kythnos where warm spring water runs into the sea. Free.
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Hammam
Loutra Agkistrou, Greece
Byzantine bathhouse from the 10th century near Sidirokastro, still in use.
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Natural
Loutra Eleftheron Thermal Baths, Greece
Old spa buildings by a river in a wooded valley, with free pools to soak in.
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Spa
Loutra Kyllinis, Greece
Classic sulphur spa in a wooded park near the beach on the western Peloponnese coast.
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Bathhouse
Loutra Nisyros, Greece
Old sulphur bathhouse on the volcanic island of Nisyros.
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Thermal baths
Loutra Pozar Thermal Baths, Greece
Gorge with a warm river, waterfalls, an outdoor pool, hammams and private baths, open all year.
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Spa
Loutra Smokovou Thermal Baths, Greece
Spa in a mountain ravine near Karditsa with sulphur water, a pool, saunas and a hammam.
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Spa
Loutraki Thermal Spa, Greece
Modern thermal spa in the spa and casino town of Loutraki, on the Corinthian Gulf.
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Natural
Palea Kameni Hot Springs, Greece
Warm, rust-coloured water in a bay of the volcanic islet of Palea Kameni, reached by boat trip.
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Natural
Pausanias Baths, Greece
Volcanic rock pool on the Methana coast where hot spring water meets the sea. Free.
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Spa
Sidirokastro Baths, Greece
Modern thermal spa in the hills near Sidirokastro.
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Cave bath
Spilaio Cave Spring, Greece
Cave bath in the village of Therma on Ikaria, used since ancient times.
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Natural
Therma Beach Hot Springs, Greece
Hot pool on a beach on Kos where spring water mixes with the sea; steep path, no facilities.
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Bathhouse
Therma Samothraki, Greece
Sulphur springs in Loutra village with a community bathhouse and free stone pools outside.
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Natural
Thermopylae Hot Springs, Greece
Free sulphur springs at the historic Hot Gates of Thermopylae, right beside the road.
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Hydrotherapy
Traianoupoli Thermal Springs, Greece
Spa with 51°C mineral water near Alexandroupoli; temporarily closed, so check before you go.
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Spa
Ypati Thermal Spring, Greece
Outdoor pool and private baths fed by a sulphur spring in the foothills of Mount Iti.
Rules and etiquette for hot springs in Greece
Greek hot springs are informal, but a few things help.
- Take your rubbish with youWild springs have no bins or staff.
- Leave silver jewellery at homeSulphur water quickly tarnishes it.
- Keep soaks short in hot bathhousesPlaces like Eftalou and Polichnitos are very hot and limit session times.
- Wear a swimsuitSwimwear is expected at springs and bathhouses.
- Watch your footingSeaside pools have slippery rocks and steep paths.
- Check opening timesBathhouses and state spas keep set hours and some close for the winter.
How to visit hot springs in Greece
Timing your trip
All year on the mainland. Island springs are easiest from May to October, when ferries run more often, and some spas, such as Kaiafas, are seasonal. Wild springs are lovely in winter, when they are quieter.
What you will pay
Wild springs such as Thermopylae, Koniaviti and Therma Beach on Kos are free. State hydrotherapy centres and bathhouses charge modest entry, and spa hotels cost more.
Reaching the springs
Thermopylae is on the main highway north of Athens, and Loutraki and Methana are within a couple of hours of the city. Edipsos is reached by ferry to Evia, and the island springs by ferry or, for Palea Kameni, by boat tour from Santorini.
Hot springs in Greece FAQ
Are there free hot springs in Greece?
Yes. Thermopylae, the Koniaviti and Kallyntika pools near Kamena Vourla, Therma Beach on Kos, Methana and Kythnos all have free springs.
Are there hot springs near Athens?
Loutraki is about an hour away, and Methana and Thermopylae are each a couple of hours or so by car.
Can you swim in the hot springs at Santorini?
Yes. Boat trips around the caldera stop at Palea Kameni, where you swim from the boat into a warm bay.
Which Greek islands have hot springs?
Ikaria, Lesvos, Kos, Kythnos, Nisyros, Samothraki and Santorini all have hot springs.
Are the Thermopylae hot springs free?
Yes. They run beside the road at the historic site and have no entry fee or facilities.
Is Loutra Pozar open in winter?
Yes. Pozar is open all year, and soaking in the warm river while it snows is part of the appeal.
Pictures of hot springs in Greece
Photos of Thermopylae Hot Springs, Loutra Pozar Thermal Baths, Therma Beach Hot Springs and Palea Kameni Hot Springs, all hot springs in this guide. We only use photos whose license allows reuse and credit the photographer under each one. The full credits are on our photo credits page.
How we checked this page
This guide was reviewed on . Facts come from the official sources listed below.
- Visit Greece (Greek National Tourism Organisation) (official tourism site)
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