A NOTE FROM YOUR CHIEF WELLNESS OFFICER:
I have been visiting Portugal since 2010. For many years, Portugal was an underground, best kept secret…”the California of Europe”. Before all the hype and fancy hotels and secluded estates, Portugal has always been a place for wellness refuge: (nearly) eternal sunshine, beautiful nature and a slow-life pace. Now with the rising wellness scene, I did what any self-respecting CWO would do: I scheduled an “offsite”.
This isn’t a list of fancy hotel spas. I asked locals where they actually go to unwind and built this guide with their inputs and dutifully tested each and every experience personally. Seven experiences and one bonus excursion, across Lisbon and just beyond.
As the French school holiday approaches, it’s a great time to think of your next trip and add these to your must-visit list.
SALDANHA
1. Core Values
Prescription — Pilates Studio (Saldanha)
Av. João Crisóstomo 55, 1050-128 Lisboa
Saldanha · Nearest metro: Saldanha
prescription.pt · @prescription.pilates: see for other studio locations
A full-body audit, set to a 2000s throwback playlist. Efficient, challenging, and somehow still fun.
2. Between the Lines
Tantos Livros — Bookshop
Av. Marquês de Tomar 1B, 1050-152 Lisboa
Saldanha · Nearest metro: Saldanha
tantoslivroslivreiros.pt · @tantoslivroslivreiros
Mostly Portuguese titles, but the vibe translates without a dictionary. Grab an espresso, sink into the couch, and let the shelves give you a read on the culture instead.
3. Power Pause
Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian — Garden
Av. de Berna 45A, 1067-001 Lisboa
Praça de Espanha / São Sebastião · Nearest metro: São Sebastião
gulbenkian.pt · @fcgulbenkian
No meeting notes here. Just shade and permission to do absolutely nothing for twenty minutes.
4. The Refuel
The Happy Salad — Quick Bite
R. São Sebastião da Pedreira 51 C, 1050-208 Lisboa
Saldanha · Nearest metro: Saldanha / Picoas
thehappysalad.com · @thehappysalad.pt
Customizable, filling, and actually delicious, proof a working lunch doesn’t have to be sad desk food.
5. Face Time
The Face Only — Facials
Av. Praia da Vitória 18, 1000-139 Lisboa
Saldanha · Nearest metro: Saldanha
thefaceonly.pt · @thefaceonly.lisbon
After welcoming you with a waffle robe, a tea and a snack, you get a full facial with a scalp massage that makes you forget you had anywhere else to be.
PRÍNCIPE REAL
6. Temperature Check
Hot & Cold Club — Contrast Therapy: Sauna & Cold Plunge
R. da Palmeira 33, 1200-098 Lisboa
Príncipe Real · Nearest metro: Rato
thehotcoldclub.com · @Hotcoldclub
Two saunas, four ice baths, and a crowd young enough to make you feel like you’re at the cool kids’ offsite. Good food, great coffee, even better merch.
PARQUE DAS NAÇÕES
7. User Manual
Seena Integrative Health Centre (with Dr. Vladislava “Vlada” Artemenko)
R. das Musas 13A, 1990-165 Lisboa
Parque das Nações · Nearest metro: Oriente
seenacentre.com · @seenacentre
Officially, it’s called Lifebreath® Manual Therapy. Unofficially, it’s Dr. Vlada reading your body like a diagnostic report. She goes pressure point by pressure point, realigning what’s actually out of order and not just what hurts.
BONUS — OUT OF TOWN: MAFRA
8. Immersion Program
ATMOS Steam Center at DOMA
E.N. 8 Barras, Azueira, 2665-006 Gradil, Portugal
Mafra (day excursion, no metro access) · Nearest metro: N/A — car or taxi required
atmos-steam.com/portugal · doma.pt · @atmos.portugal
Mint in the pit, eucalyptus overhead, and a whole leaf-smacking body ritual.
Next time you’re in the market for a quick wellness jaunt, remember this guide!
Ok, where were you when I visited Lisbon?!! Need to make another trip!