How to Plan a Luxury Wellness Break in Arcadia, Greece | OffTheGrid Travel
Travel Planning · Arcadia, Greece · Luxury Wellness
The Peloponnese is one of the more overlooked regions of Greece for luxury wellness travel, and one of the more straightforward to reach from the UK. After planning trips here for our clients, these are the practical details we share with every traveller before they go. Browse our handpicked properties in our collection.
Getting to Arcadia from the UK
MANNA Arcadia sits at 1,200 metres in the fir forest of Mount Mainalo, roughly 200 kilometres, around a two-hour drive, from Athens.
01
Athens International Airport, direct and best connected
Direct flights operate to Athens International Airport from numerous UK airports year round. Return transfers from Athens are included as standard with a stay at MANNA Arcadia, with private transfers available on request.
02
Kalamata International Airport, closer but seasonal
Kalamata International Airport sits closer to the southern Peloponnese and can shorten the road transfer for guests travelling during the summer charter season, when seasonal UK flights operate. Outside these months, Athens remains the more reliable route.
03
Combine with Athens
A straightforward option for guests wanting to pair the mountain retreat with a night or two in the Greek capital before or after their stay, given the two-hour drive between the two.
When to visit Arcadia for a wellness break
The Peloponnese has a distinct seasonal rhythm, and the right time to visit depends on what you want from the trip.
Summer, our top pick for cooler mountain air.
Summer (June to August), our top pick for cooler mountain air. At 1,200 metres, MANNA's forest setting stays noticeably cooler than the Greek coast, making it a natural retreat from the height of summer heat, with long days well suited to trekking and outdoor dining.
Spring and autumn bring quiet trails through the forest.
Spring and Autumn (April to May, September to October). The best months for trekking the Menalon Trail and the Lousios Gorge, with mild temperatures and quieter trails. Truffle hunting season begins in October and runs through to April.
Winter (November to March). A genuinely different character, crisp mountain air outside and the Cave Pool, forest sauna and fireside yoga taking centre stage. Truffle hunting continues through the winter months with a certified guide and trained dog.
What to do beyond the resort
The hill villages of Dimitsana, Stemnitsa and Vytina, along with Valtesiniko, Magouliana, Lagadia and Karytaina, are made for unhurried village-hopping and sit within reach of the hotel.
The monasteries overlooking the Lousios Gorge can be visited on a guided tour, and Ancient Olympia, along with the Temple of Apollo Epicurius Bassae, both make for a memorable day excursion. For a closer look at the region's food traditions, the Arcadiani Farm runs bread, pasta-making and garden-to-table cooking experiences, and MANNA's own grounds offer telescope stargazing and outdoor cinema evenings for guests who want to stay closer to the forest.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best airport to fly into for Arcadia from the UK?
Athens International Airport is the most direct and best-connected option, roughly 200 kilometres, around a two-hour drive, from MANNA Arcadia, with direct flights available from multiple UK airports year round. Kalamata International Airport sits closer to the southern Peloponnese and can shorten the transfer for guests travelling during the summer charter season.
What time of year is best to visit Arcadia for a wellness break?
Summer, from June to August, is a strong choice thanks to the property's 1,200-metre elevation, which keeps the forest noticeably cooler than the Greek coast. Spring and autumn suit guests who want to combine the spa with trekking on the Menalon Trail, while winter brings a quieter, fireside pace built around the Cave Pool and forest sauna.
Is Arcadia easy to combine with other parts of Greece?
Yes. Ancient Olympia is around 83 kilometres away, and the Temple of Apollo Epicurius Bassae, a similarly short distance, both make for an easy day excursion. Athens itself, roughly two hours by road, is a natural add-on for guests who want to pair the mountain retreat with a few days in the capital.
How far in advance should we book MANNA Arcadia?
For summer stays and the property's two signature wellness retreats, we recommend booking at least two to three months in advance, particularly for the shorter Cocooning Massage and Sleep Serenity programmes, which move quickly during peak months.
Truffle season transforms the forest floor from October through April.
Ready to plan your stay at MANNA Arcadia? OffTheGrid Travel handles everything, transfers, room selection, retreat programme, so you arrive with nothing left to arrange.
Missed the earlier parts? Part 1 covers the resort's history, rooms and dining. Part 2 goes inside the Wellness Suites, the Cave Pool and the two signature retreats that anchor this Peloponnese property.