# Euphoria Retreat: holistic wellness below Mystras, Greece > Euphoria Retreat is a holistic wellness resort in Mystras, near Sparta in Greece's Peloponnese. It suits adults who want a personalized programme mixing ancient Greek ideas, Chinese medicine and modern health testing, with a large spa and forest walks on the slopes of Mount Taygetus. Source: https://www.retreatvacations.net/euphoria-retreat/ Last checked: 2026-10-20 Location: Mystras, near Sparta, Peloponnese, Greece Type: wellness, spa, detox, longevity, medical wellness Official website: https://www.euphoriaretreat.com/ Best for: Adults wanting a guided, personalized programme for detox, longevity, weight or emotional reset Setting: Forested foothills beside the UNESCO-listed site of Mystras, near Sparta Programmes: 3, 5, 7, 10 or 14 days, with themes from detox to longevity and leadership Spa: Sphere pool, Byzantine hammam, salt room, Watsu pool, saunas and cold plunges Minimum stay: 5 days suggested Nearest airports: Kalamata (about 1 hour, seasonal), Athens (about 2.5 hours) As recommended in: - Forbes Australia, "Wellness destinations to visit in 2025" (2025-01-08) https://www.forbes.com.au/life/wellness/wellness-destinations-to-visit-in-2025/ - World Spa Awards, "World Spa Awards 2025 winners (announced 23 Sept 2025)" (2025-09-23) https://worldspaawards.com/winners/2025 ## What it's like Euphoria sits at the foot of a private forest in Mystras, in the southern Peloponnese, a short walk from the Byzantine ruins that UNESCO lists as a World Heritage Site. Trails lead from the forest up onto Mount Taygetus, and modern Sparta lies across the valley. The retreat is the project of Marina Efraimoglou, who survived cancer in her late twenties and later burned out in a high-pressure investment banking career. Traditional Chinese Medicine and the Five Elements helped her recover, and she built Euphoria around that experience. The family-run team calls its approach the Euphoria Methodos: ancient Greek ideas about health combined with Chinese medicine and modern precision medicine, aimed at body, mind, emotions and social wellbeing. The spa is the heart of the place. It has a sphere pool meant to feel like a symbolic rebirth, a Byzantine hammam, a salt room, a sensory deprivation pool, a Watsu pool, a Finnish sauna, an infrared sauna, a cold plunge and an ice fountain, plus indoor and outdoor pools. Forbes picked it as one of its wellness destinations for 2025, and the World Spa Awards named it Greece's best wellness retreat the same year. ## The programmes Wellbeing programmes run for 3, 5, 7, 10 or 14 days, and each includes a personalized nutrition plan. Themes include: - **Advanced Cellular Detox** and **Immunity Reset** - **Advanced Longevity & Metabolic Optimization** - **Advanced Weight Loss** and **Euphoria Fitness** - **Emotional Harmony** and an **Emotional & Physical Transformation Retreat** - **Integrative Female Health** - **Conscious Leadership** - **My Odyssey**, a five-day programme, and **Euphoria Escape for Couples** Daily group sessions are included for everyone, covering meditation, yoga, qi gong, tai chi, Pilates, walking and workshops. You can also stay without booking a programme, although the retreat recommends one, and its classic rooms are only sold together with a programme. ## Food The Gaia restaurant serves three-course lunches and dinners, with vegan and vegetarian menus available. If you're on a programme with the 3GL assessment, your meals, smoothie and snack are tailored to your results. The retreat suggests going alcohol-free, and there's no alcohol in the minibar, though drinks can be ordered at the bar. ## Who it suits (and who it doesn't) Euphoria is a strong pick for people who want a structured, personal plan with testing behind it, and who enjoy a big, varied spa. It's also accessible, with accessible rooms and step-free public areas, restaurant and spa. It's not a family resort. Guests need to be 14 or older. If you're only after a couple of nights of pampering, note that the retreat suggests at least five days. ## Getting there Kalamata airport is about an hour's drive, but it mainly runs seasonal flights. Athens International Airport is about two and a half hours away by road. The retreat can arrange private transfers on request at extra cost. ## Frequently asked questions ### What's the minimum stay? The retreat suggests at least five days, though programmes start at three. ### Do I have to book a programme? No, but it's recommended, and some room types are only available with one. ### Can children come? Guests aged 14 and over are welcome. It isn't set up for younger children. ### Which airport should I fly into? Kalamata is closest, about an hour away, but it's seasonal. Athens is about two and a half hours by car. ### Can the kitchen cater for vegans? Yes, the restaurant has vegan and vegetarian menus. Find programme details on the [official Euphoria Retreat website](https://www.euphoriaretreat.com/).