WELLNESS HUB

XpatAthens
Beyond the Beach: 6 Unexpected Summer Activities In Greece You’ll Never Forget

@eirini__30
2. Chase Waterfalls in Northern Evia or Pelion
@analytis.mp3
Greece is more than islands; it’s full of lush gorges and waterfalls. Cool off in natural rock pools shaded by plane trees, just a few hours from Athens.
Try: The waterfalls of Drymonas in Evia or Tsagarada’s Fakistra Waterfall in Pelion. Ideal for a day trip with a picnic.
3. Watch a Film Under the Stars at a Greek Open-Air Cinema

@yuksel_pecenek
It’s not just a movie; it’s a ritual. With a breeze in your hair, jasmine scent in the air, and a cold drink in hand, Greece’s θερινά σινεμά (summer cinemas) are pure nostalgia.
Where to go: Cine Thisio in Athens, with the Acropolis glowing behind the screen, or Cine Kalisperitis in Kimolos.
4. Learn Pottery in Sifnos, the Island of Clay

@mrchrissharples
Sifnos is a hub of ceramic art. Sign up for a pottery workshop with a local artist, and get your hands into the same clay that’s been shaped for centuries.
🏺 Best studios: Atsonios or Peristeriona in Kamares.
5. Spend the Night in a Treehouse in Evritania

@dimvsd
Karpenisi in summer, transforms into a green paradise, filled with rivers, forests, and cool mountain air. One of the most magical ways to experience it? Sleeping in a treehouse nestled among fir trees.
Surrounded by nature, you can swing in a hammock, wake up to birdsong, and fall asleep under the stars. It’s the kind of stay that makes you feel like a kid again, whether you're with family, your partner, or on a solo recharge.
6. Spend the Night in a Monastery on a Remote Island

@jcamatsos
If you're craving silence, introspection, or just a break from modern chaos, spend a night (or two) in a working Greek monastery. Many are open to respectful visitors in the summer months, offering basic lodging, shared meals, and early-morning liturgies.
It’s not about religion but about stillness, starlit courtyards, stone cells cooled by mountain air, and waking to the sound of chanting echoing through the hills.
The Best Greek Island Villages We Can’t Get Enough Of
Chora – Amorgos

@annakarin6.0
Mystical and minimal, Chora of Amorgos is a Cycladic masterpiece. Tucked inland and surrounded by windmills and rugged peaks, it feels like a walk back in time. Quiet streets, hidden tavernas, and a strong local character give it depth and allure.
Why it stands out: It's untouched, has zero glitz, and is full of hidden Byzantine chapels, stone archways, and incredible authenticity.
Olympos – Karpathos

@diokaminaris
This village on the island of Karpathos is unlike anywhere else in Greece. Perched high on the mountains, Olympos feels like an open-air folklore museum, where women still wear traditional dress and the dialect is ancient.
This is where time stands still, and every stone street seems carved from history and myth. Remote, wild, and soul-stirring.
Chora - Astypalaia

This butterfly-shaped island belongs to the Dodecanese, but its Chora is pure Cycladic fairytale: white houses cascading below a Venetian castle, blue domes popping out above rooftops, and windmills watching over the main square.
Top vibe: Romantic, peaceful, and unbelievably photogenic. The view of the Kastro (castle) at night is hauntingly beautiful.
Ano Syros – Syros

@i.tsimi
While Ermoupoli is the grand neoclassical capital of the Cyclades, Ano Syros is its medieval crown. Winding uphill streets lead you past Catholic monasteries, domed churches, and arched doorways.
Bonus points: It's the birthplace of Markos Vamvakaris, father of rebetiko music, and the view over Ermoupoli’s harbor is dreamy.
Chora - Serifos
@elena_dim_
Built amphitheatrically up a rocky hill, Chora of Serifos offers dramatic views and classic island architecture. It’s quiet, rugged, and ideal for slow travelers. Once you hike up through its wind-swept alleys, you’ll be rewarded with some of the most panoramic sunset views in the Aegean.
Vibe: A little wild, a little romantic, and totally unforgettable.
Apeiranthos – Naxos
@kidsareatrip
While Naxos’ main Chora is also stunning, Apeiranthos is a marble village that feels like a Cycladic secret. Tower houses, Venetian architecture, and artisan shops nestled in stone-paved alleys offer a refreshing alternative to the classic white-and-blue palette.
Pro tip: Stay for lunch in one of the traditional kafeneia, it’s like eating inside a time capsule.
Chora – Kythira

@Teog79
Technically closer to the Peloponnese than the Aegean, Kythira’s Chora blends Ionian elegance with Cycladic charm. Topped by a Venetian castle, it overlooks the sea and the island’s wild cliffs, dotted with Byzantine chapels and hidden coves.
Best for: Romantics, road-trippers, and fans of moody beauty.
Yoga Meditation & Mindfulness Retreat - Crete
This immersive retreat is an invitation to reset your mind and body through the healing powers of daily yoga, meditation, and conscious living. You’ll enjoy gentle, grounding yoga practices each morning and evening, breathwork, mindful walking, and moments of self-reflection to foster clarity and calm. Each day is nourished with wholesome, plant-based meals prepared from seasonal, locally sourced ingredients.
Let the serenity of Crete’s natural surroundings - from olive groves to turquoise beaches - hold you, while meaningful connections unfold in a safe, intimate group setting. Accommodation is nestled in nature, offering simple yet cozy shared or private rooms designed to support rest and restoration.
This retreat is ideal for anyone seeking to pause, breathe, and realign with themselves - whether you're a beginner or an experienced yoga or meditation practitioner. It’s for those craving calm, clarity, and mindful restoration, and for lovers of nature, simplicity, and soulful connection.
When: September 13-20, 2025
Where: Kissamos, Crete
Price: £975 based on 2 sharing – ensuite – Sea view | £1295 Single occupancy – ensuite – Sea view
Email: info@meditation-is-my-medication.com
Contact Number: +44 7956316497
Organizer's Retreat Page: Meditation is my Medication

Return to Flow – Yoga Retreat in Hydra
When: October 14-18, 2025
Where: Hydra
Email: theresa@theresamoodie.com
Organizer's Retreat Page: Theresa Moodie

5 Reasons We Keep Falling In Love With Greece In The Summer
There’s just something about summer in Greece. It’s not just the weather or the sea, it’s a whole mindset. Things slow down, the days feel fuller (but somehow more relaxed), and life shifts outdoors. If you’ve spent even one summer in Greece, you’ll know exactly what we mean. For us, here’s what makes it so special:
1. Slow living
Summer in Greece feels like permission to pause. The pace changes; less rushing, more doing things just because. Coffee isn’t taken 'on the go', it’s always taken sitting down and typically in conversation with others. Plans are loose, and the best days often come together at the last minute. It’s a reminder that not everything needs to be scheduled for sometimes; life's best moments are unplanned.
2. Late nights & lazy mornings
Everything runs a little later in the summer — dinner at 10, walks at midnight, conversations that last into the early hours. And the mornings? They’re slow and gentle. You wake up to light pouring in, the sound of cicadas, maybe a frappe on the balcony. No urgency, just ease.
3. Outdoor everything
When the weather’s this good, life moves outside. Dinner tables spill onto sidewalks. You catch a film at an open-air cinema or stumble upon a neighborhood panigiri. Even the simplest things — a drink on the balcony, a walk by the sea — feel like mini celebrations of summer.
4. The sea, the sun, the reset
There’s nothing quite like the Greek sea. Whether it’s a hidden cove or a buzzing beach, something about diving into that blue washes everything else away. The sun, the salt, the sound of the waves; it just clears your head in ways you didn’t know you needed.
5. Fruits & veggies that actually taste like something
Summer is peak season for Greece’s local produce. Tomatoes that smell like the sun, peaches so juicy they drip down your chin, sweet watermelon by the kilo. It’s all grown nearby, sold at the weekly laikí (farmer’s market), and picked at just the right time.
Our wish to you this summer in Greece > Savor the bliss of feeling the moment & enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!
Stoiximan AegeanBall Festival Sets Record With 168 Teams & 340 Games In Syros

With continuous flow of games on 4 open courts, Stoiximan AegeanBall Festival set a new participation record, with 590 male and female athletes and 168 teams (70 adult and 98 youth teams, as well as many women’s teams) taking part — numbers that surpass every previous similar event in Greece. Within 3 days, 340 games were held across different categories, offering non-stop action and strong emotions for all ages. Each day, more than 2,500 spectators filled the square, while professional and amateur athletes — aged from 9 to 58 — gave their best, filling Syros with basketball energy. The participants came from Greece, Europe, and America, confirming the international character of the festival.
The importance of the event as a basketball institution was underlined by the presence of Greek Deputy Minister of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, Mr. Giannis Vroutsis, in Syros, reinforcing the significance of Stoiximan AegeanBall Festival both for sports and the local community. In the context of strengthening collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, the festival proceeded with the renaming of the U11 children’s category to U11 Dimitrios Vikelas, paying tribute to the Syros-born author Dimitrios Vikelas, who played a pivotal role in the revival of the Olympic Games in Athens in 1896.
With this initiative, under the auspices and support of the National Organizing Committee for Athletic, Olympic, and Paralympic Education, History & Values, the aim was to highlight the timeless values of sport and bring children closer to the values of sports and education through inspiring role models.


On Saturday, at the Adidas 3 Point Contest, the winner was Pinelopi Pavlopoulou, while in the L’Oréal Paris Men Expert Shoot All Around, Eleanna Christinaki stood out. Dionysia Alexandri won the KOIS Long Shoot, while the SEIKO Hangman was conquered by Nikos Plotas, and in the Blue Star Ferries Free Throw, Nelly Bibiri distinguished herself.
Vangelis Mantzaris impressed and won the Stoiximan Shooting Star, while in the Intersport Knock Out, the winner was Dimitris Mavroeidis, who also claimed the Stoiximan Shooting Star on Sunday. Sunday’s contests continued with the COSMOTE TELEKOM Skill Challenge, which was won by the event’s visionary, Georgios Printezis. In the Trident Looong Shoot, Theodoros Papaloukas made the decisive shot that gave him the win. Ismini Prapa emerged victorious in the Seneca 3 Point Contest, while Giannoulis Larentzakis stood out in the Nespresso Shoot All Around, and the Snappi Hangman was won by Giorgos Fillios. Among other things, what truly sets the event apart is that many players offered the valuable prizes they won to the crowd, further enhancing the purpose of the event and reinforcing the message of giving and generosity.

Strategic Media Sponsors: EUROHOOPS, SPORT24
The event was held under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, the Cyclades Basketball Clubs Union, and the Cyclades Amateur Basketball Referees Association, as well as with the kind support of the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO).
#StoiximanAegeanBallFestival #ΓιαΤηΣύρο #WeAreSyros
www.aegeanball.gr | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok
Taxisnet – Greece’s Online Tax System
- Submit annual income tax returns.
- Register leases, purchases, or changes in property ownership.
- View archived property documents, filings, and contracts.
- Access and download tax clearance certificates (often needed for loans, property sales, or official applications).
The AFM is your personal tax ID in Greece. You can get one by visiting the local tax office (DOY), or by assigning a tax representative to do it for you, especially helpful if you don’t speak Greek or are still abroad.
Once you have your AFM, the tax office will issue your TaxisNet credentials, a unique username and password. These are essential for accessing the online portal.
Head to TaxisNet and log in using the credentials provided. From there, you can manage your tax filings, update your records, and access key documents related to your residency and financial affairs in Greece.
Your Guide To AMKA In Greece
- Access public healthcare
- Pay social insurance contributions
- Receive pension benefits
- Book medical appointments
- Renew or issue your health booklet
- Medical care: Required for booking hospital or GP visits.
- Employees: Employers use your AMKA to register you for social insurance.
- Pensioners: It’s necessary for pension applications.
- Self-Employed & Freelancers: You need AMKA to contribute to EFKA, the main national insurance fund.
- A valid AFM (Greek tax number):
- Proof of address in Greece (e.g. rental agreement, E9 document, or hospitality declaration)
You can apply without a residence permit or additional legal documents.
- Any KEP (Citizens Service Center)
- A KEM (Center for Migrant Integration)
- An EFKA/IKA office
- Passport or national ID
- Residence permit (for non-EU nationals)
- Birth certificate (for minors, translated into Greek)
- AFM number
- Proof of Greek address
EFKA: Greece’s Public Health & Social Security System
What is EFKA?
- Doctor visits and hospital care
- Dental care, including:
- Preventive treatments
- Orthodontics for children under 13
- Denture replacements (every 5 years)
- Rehabilitation and physiotherapy
- Prescription medications (typically with a 10–25% contribution; free in some cases)
- Medical transport in emergencies (via EKAB)
- Support items, such as eyeglasses, prosthetics, and hearing aids (25% contribution or free in certain cases)
- Self-employed/freelancers: Choose from six insurance categories annually, starting from around €136/month
- Employees (private sector): 14.12% of gross salary
- Employees (public sector): 15.33%
- Employers (private sector): 22.54% of gross salary
- Employers (public sector): 24.33%
ENFIA: Greece’s Real Estate Property Tax
Who Pays ENFIA?
- Full or bare ownership
- Usufruct and occupancy rights
- Surface rights
- Exclusive use of parking spaces, storage areas, and swimming pools
- Location
- Area and use
- Age of the property
- Floor level and number of façades
> Supplementary Tax (Legal Entities Only): 0.55% of property value; reduced to 0.1% if the property is used for business activity.
ENFIA applies to all real estate acquired in Greece.
Log into the AADE platform and file the E9 form to declare your property’s details, including:
- Address and size
- Use and age
- Floor level and special features
The AADE system processes your E9 and generates your ENFIA assessment.
You’ll be notified via the AADE platform (and optionally by email). Pay:
- In full by the end of the next month after issuance, or
- In up to 10 monthly installments (minimum €10 each), with the final payment due in February.