Find serenity on a yoga retreat in Crete.
Yoga Retreat in Crete | October 2024
28 September–5 October 2024
We’ve planned a yoga retreat in Crete with yoga classes by the sea and a healthy dose of luxury and pampering. Our yoga terrace is just steps from our private beach, and we’ll be staying at a 5* hotel with views out to sea and a heavenly spa. Charming Chania town is just a few minutes away and we’ll wander into town most evenings for delicious meals. This is a beautiful part of Crete and we’ll be happy to show you all our favorite places.
Our yoga teacher Karen Francis will teach two yoga classes a day – an active Vinyasa flow class in the morning and a slower Yin yoga class in the afternoon. We have people joining us from all over the world, and many solo travelers.
Karen will offer modifications so everyone can practice at their own pace. All yoga levels can join – come along even if you’re just starting out.
We love delicious food and enjoy wine with dinner, we don’t have any restrictions and don’t mind if you sleep in, it’s all part of the holiday!
Crete Yoga Retreat
Highlights
- Yoga twice a day by the sea
- 5* adults-only hotel
- Seaview rooms
- Spa treatments
- Private beach
- No rules, no strict schedules
- Warm and friendly atmosphere
- Delicious healthy meals
- Day trips to gorgeous beaches
- The prettiest town in Crete
Crete Yoga Retreat Highlights
- Yoga twice a day by the sea
- 5* adults-only hotel
- Seaview rooms
- Spa treatments
- Private beach with sunbeds
- No rules, no strict schedules
- Warm and friendly atmosphere
- Delicious healthy meals
- Day trips to gorgeous beaches
- The prettiest town in Crete
What to expect
We handpick our yoga teachers to give you the most amazing yoga classes by the sea, but we also believe that the holiday part is as important as the yoga part. We know the island well and two of us will be there to show you around and take care of everything.
We’re very easygoing, we enjoy eating out at delicious restaurants, we’ll plan day trips to beaches and nearby towns, but completely understand if you just want to relax by the pool with a book. Many people join us on their own, it’s your time out so everything is optional, including the yoga classes. If you feel tired and want to skip a class – we won’t judge!
The weather in Crete is perfect in early October – warm enough to go for swims and eat at the lovely outdoor tavernas, but not too hot so we can still practice yoga outdoors on our covered terrace. The ideal time of year to visit this wonderful Greek island.
To book our luxury yoga retreat in Crete, contact Laura:
Prices
28 September–5 October 2024:
Shared seaview room per person: prices coming soon
Single-occupancy seaview room: prices coming soon
Let us know if you would like to be notified when prices are published.
Deposit: 30% to secure your place
Balance due: 90 days prior to start of the retreat
A separate tourist hotel tax of €4 per room per night is charged by hotels in Greece directly to guests at check out.
Price includes:
- Morning 1.5 hr Vinyasa classes
- Afternoon 1 hr Yin yoga classes
- 5* adults-only hotel
- 7 nights in seaview rooms
- Full buffet breakfast
- Private beach with sunbeds
- Gym and fitness classes
- Rep on site to plan trips & dinners
Price includes
- Morning 1.5-hour Vinyasa yoga
- Afternoon 1-hour restorative yoga
- 5* adults-only hotel
- 7 nights in Superior Seaview rooms
- Full buffet breakfast
- Private beach with sunbeds
- Wi-fi throughout the hotel
- Gym and fitness classes
- Rep on site to plan trips & dinners
Luxury Accommodation
5* Atlantica Kalliston Resort
We’re hosting our yoga retreat in Crete at the 5* Atlantica Kalliston Resort & Spa – a beautiful adults-only hotel with a private beach in a quiet area just minutes from town. The hotel has a modern contemporary feel and has recently been refurbished. We’ll be staying in Deluxe Seaview rooms with terraces and views out to Glaros beach.
The hotel has three swimming pools facing the sea just steps from the beach, one has a swim-up bar, and there’s also a jacuzzi.
The high-end spa has all sorts of pampering treatments – the massages and facials are wonderful (we do love to treat ourselves!). And there’s also a sauna, steam room, indoor pool, gym, and a variety of fitness classes.
There are several international restaurants, including an Italian trattoria, a typical Greek taverna by the beach, and an Asian option. During the day there’s also a poolside restaurant. Total relaxation!
Local Cuisine
The food in Crete is absolutely delicious – even the Greeks admit that the local ingredients in Crete are second to none. The pure olive oil, the fresh vegetables and salads, the fruit, grilled fish and meat, olives, cheeses, slow-cooked oven dishes and home-made pastries – eating is a true pleasure.
Crete has also become famous for its wine, and we enjoy a glass with dinner. The nearby island of Santorini has produced some wonderful wines due to its volcanic land, and we can find many of those wines on Crete as well. The Santorini Sigalas white is one of our favorites!
Eat and drink what you like
You can eat and drink what you like on our yoga retreats – we don’t have any restrictions, in fact we encourage you to try out all the options from vegetarian dishes to fish, meat, and casseroles. All healthy, delicious, Mediterranean food with pure natural local ingredients. And there are plenty of options for vegetarians, vegans, gluten-free, or if you have a specific dietary need.
We’ll have a large buffet breakfast together after yoga, with many choices including eggs, pancakes and toasts, fruit juices, veggies, fresh fruits and cheeses, yoghurts, and a gluten-free selection. This keeps us going for most of the afternoon, but some people enjoy a light lunch or afternoon snack.
We’ll plan a group dinner at a different restaurant each evening. We’ll take the group into Chania town some evenings, and other evenings we’ll eat at one of the restaurants on the beach near the hotel. We know the best ones!
The buffet breakfast / brunch is included in the price. We purposefully didn’t include snacks and dinners so everyone can decide what they like to eat and spend accordingly, rather than have pre-set dinners at the hotel which would be more expensive. You only pay for what you eat and drink, there are many nice restaurants and they’re very reasonably priced.
Where we are going
Where is the yoga retreat located?
Our yoga retreat in Crete is located on the western side of the island, just minutes from the gorgeous town of Chania (see Chania on a map).
Our 5* hotel is on a peaceful quiet beach away from the holiday crowds – it’s a great place to tune out and relax. We have a large section of the beach just for ourselves, and our yoga terrace is just steps from the beach, with wonderful views out to sea.
But there’s also plenty to see and do nearby – more gorgeous beaches, towns, hiking, shopping, watersports, boat trips. And the hotel is just a few minutes from Chania town, so you won’t be bored if you get a bit antsy.
Chania is also quite easy to get to – there are direct flights from London and from several other European cities. The closest airport to fly into is Chania International Airport.
About Chania town in Crete
Chania is the most beautiful and picturesque town in Crete and a great place to sit by the water and people-watch.
The beautiful harbor is the central meeting point, lined with restaurants and cafés leading to the old port and lighthouse. And behind the harbor is the pedestrian old town with many boutique shops – the perfect place to wander.
We specifically decided to host our yoga retreat in Crete near Chania because it’s so charming, we’ll go into town often for dinners and a stroll. The town still has small workshops, local artisan stores, and family-run tavernas – they’ve managed to keep that old school authentic Greek feel.
What yoga means to us
Yoga is at the heart of our retreats, and we offer the real deal. You’ll definitely get a good workout, but the goal of the physical practice is to challenge you physically so you can begin to let go and quiet the mind. That’s what yoga is all about – calming the mind. And that’s what we teach on our yoga retreats. You will feel re-energized and restored both physically and mentally.
Vinyasa Yoga and Yin Yoga
We offer two yoga classes a day on our yoga retreat in Crete: an active morning Vinyasa flow class to get you going, and a slower Yin class in the afternoon. Both classes are suitable for all levels.
Your yoga teacher and host
Karen Francis
Karen Francis will teach two yoga classes on our yoga retreat in Crete – an active Vinyasa flow class in the morning and a slower Yin yoga class in the afternoon. She will challenge you but will also offer alternatives for each pose, so you can join the yoga retreat even if you’ve never tried yoga before.
Laura will also be with there to make sure everything runs smoothly and to make sure you have a wonderful yoga week!
Find out more about our teachers: Meet the Team
A Typical Day
We’ll practice yoga twice a day, with plenty of time to relax on the beach, take a day trip, and indulge at the spa:
Activities & Excursions
There’s plenty to do in between yoga classes:
Take a boat trip to Santorini and discover one of Greece’s most famous islands with its picture-perfect cliffs and views. This excursion can be done in one day.
Chania town is filled with boutique shops selling everything from local olive oil and sweets to lovely summer dresses, hats and jewelry – something for everyone.
Take a hiking trip along one of the pretty gorges in Crete – tackle the famous Samaria gorge that leads down to the sea and end the hike with a refreshing swim.
Treat yourself to a relaxing spa treatment in between yoga classes, get pampered with a facial or a massage and give your body some well-deserved attention.
Enjoy a stroll along the Venetian harbor, have lunch at a waterfront café, wander into the pedestrian streets of the old town and visit Chania’s famous market.
Take a boat trip, go snorkeling, join us on a day trip to the stunning Falasarna beach, or simply lounge on our private beach.
Have a question we’ve not yet answered? View our FAQs
What people are saying
“Practicing yoga outside by the sea was a special treat, everything was arranged to perfection, thank you for making me feel so good again.” Laura, Dublin
Here’s a blog post about our Crete yoga retreat by one of our yogis.
In the words of Patty:
“What struck me the most is the depth of the conversations with strangers. We came from various corners of the world, different walks of life but all came together in the same place. While food, wine, and being in a beautiful place might have helped, it’s the people I’ll remember the most about my time in Crete.”
Patty, October 2021
Getting to Crete
Plan to arrive at some point on the 28 September 2024, we’ll have a group dinner that evening for those who can make it, and yoga classes will start the next morning. The last class will be on the afternoon of the 4 October and people will depart throughout the day on the 5 October 2024. If you wish to arrive earlier or stay longer, please let us know, we can help arrange that with the hotel.
Chania in Crete can be reached by airplane or boat:
By Air:
Some airlines fly directly to Chania international airport (Easyjet from London Gatwick for example). We strongly suggest booking your flights in advance – airline prices increase substantially.
You can also fly to Athens and take an internal flight to Chania on Aegean Airlines. Alternatively, many airlines have direct flights to Heraklion in Crete, you can rent a car or take a taxi from Heraklion to Chania, the car journey is two hours.
By Boat:
There are overnight ferries from Athens leaving at 9pm and arriving into Chania at 6am. For other boat schedules, visit the Greek Travel Pages website.
+44 (0) 791 869 5085
laura@yoga-escapes.com
Please check your Spam folder – sometimes our replies get stuck in there!