Athens Guide: Vouliagmeni Lake and Health Spa
You don't
have to go all the way to Edipsos
or Lesvos to find
healing mineral springs.
There are some right in Athens.
Landing in Athens is always a thrill for
me. I really love flying over the islands
as we make that big turn to come in from
the south. For about 30 years I have
noticed what looks like a volcanic crater
filled with the bluest water I have ever
seen, which comes into view outside the
right window about a minute before the
wheels touch ground. It is called Lake
Vouliagmeni and it is a mineral spa that
is reported to have many healing
properties for such ailments as eczema and
dermatological diseases, neuralgia,
headaches, disfiguring arthritis, chronic
gynecological diseases, lumbago, sciatica
and other problems.
The lake is about 50 centimeters above sea
level and so it is constantly overflowing
and being replenished by the hot springs
beneath it. The composition of the lake is
brackish and full of such minerals as
potassium, natrium, lithium, ammonium,
calcium, ferrum, chloride, iodine and is
slightly radioactive (the good kind, I
guess). These minerals are known for
giving relief to bone and muscle problems
as well as those listed above. The lake is recognized as a wonder of
nature because of its unique
appearance and the surroundings.
Scientific research and studies have
discovered that millions of years ago,
where the lake is now, there was once
a large cave with a large number of
hot springs. Eventually the high
temperature and moisture of these
springs caused the roof to
collapse.
The lake is surrounded by beach
chairs and umbrellas and there is a
cafe-bar-restaurant too. The lake is
excellent for swimming for therapy as well
as for pleasure and there is equipment for
helping those who find it difficult or
impossible to get into the water on their
own. During the summer Lake Vouliagmeni
offers hotspring baths, hydrotherapy and
physiotherapy. English is spoken as are a
number of other languages. Children are
welcome.
The Lake is across the street from the
very popular Vouliagmeni beach, one of
the best in the vicinity of
Athens. There are many hotels in the area
including the very nice
Armonia Hotel on the beach. There are
also plenty of cafes, bars, tavernas and
restaurants nearby. From Athens the lake
is about a half hour drive. If you require
assistance contact George Kokkotos, the
famous taxi driver through his website at
www.greecetravel.com/taxi (We stopped
on the way back from Sounion.)
There are also several buses that stop at
the entrance of the lake and you can find
these at
www.athensguide.com/schedules/localbuses.html
The lake is open year round. In the winter
season the hours are from 8am to 5pm. In
the summer from 6:30am to 8pm. For more
information you can call them at 210 896-2237,
896-2238, 896-2239 or Fax 896-2351
See Also
Sirens
Resort for the Physically Disabled
Greece
for the Disabled
Spas
of Lesvos
Spas
of Edipsos
George
the Famous Taxi Driver
Beaches
of Athens
Information
for Wheel Chair Users