Loutra Pozar (Pozar Thermal Baths)

What to expect

Loutra Pozar is the best known thermal site in northern Greece and one of the few in the country where the main attraction is outdoors. The water rises at the mouth of a narrow, wooded gorge above the village of Loutraki, on the lower slopes of Mount Voras (Kaimaktsalan), and runs down the Thermopotamos, the “thermal river”. The name is usually explained as coming from a Slavic word for fire or heat.

The site covers about 7 hectares at roughly 360-400 m above sea level. A cold stream meets the warm water here, so the gorge is green and shaded, with plane trees, footbridges and rock walls. The springs come out at a steady 98.6°F37°C. That is body temperature: warm enough for a long soak in January, gentle enough for children.

The complex has three parts, and most visitors use the outdoor one.

The outdoor pools and waterfalls

Along the river there are stone-edged natural pools, two waterfalls and a large outdoor pool next to the snack bar. One waterfall runs at about 98.6°F37°C; the other is mixed with cold stream water and runs at about 86°F30°C. Standing under the warm fall is the signature Pozar experience. The large pool is often described as Olympic-sized and sits beside the river at the same temperature as the springs.

The indoor pools

The Alexandreio hydrotherapy centre has 11 private pools, each about 3 by 3 m and 1.5 m deep, with artificial waterfalls. Ten hold six people and one (Erato) holds four. The Old hydrotherapy centre has two larger shared pools, one for men and one for women, about 3 by 6 m, and two hammam-style pools at about 100.4°F38°C. Changing rooms serve each area.

The operator markets the water for rheumatic, joint and skin complaints and runs medical bathing programmes. Its own advice is to stay in for about 20 minutes at a time.

Getting there

Pozar is in the Almopia district of the Pella regional unit, close to the border with North Macedonia.

• From Thessaloniki: It is about 100 km (62 miles). Drive west toward Giannitsa and Edessa, then north into the Almopia basin to Aridaia. From Aridaia follow the signs to Loutraki and Loutra Pozar, about 13 km (8 miles).
• From Edessa: Head north to Aridaia and continue the same way.

There is parking at the entrance, by the reception building. The indoor centres, ticket desks and the large pool are a short walk from the car. Reaching the upper river pools and the main waterfall means walking up paved paths, steps and footbridges, some of them wet.

When to go

Pozar is open all year.

• Winter is the busiest and most atmospheric season. Snow on the hills and steam on the river make the outdoor pools the main draw, and weekends are the busiest time. Go on a weekday if you can.
• Summer is quieter in the warm pools. Locals come to cool off at the cold stream and the shaded gorge, and the trails are dry.
• Late nights are a Pozar habit. The indoor pools and Waterfall 1 stay open until 2 a.m., and 4 a.m. on Saturdays and holidays, so you can soak after dinner.
• Medical season: The operator takes EOPYY (national health insurance) bathing patients from June 1 to October 31, 2026, and is part of the 2026 thermal tourism programme from June 4, 2026 to February 28, 2027.

Prices and booking

The 2026 price list from the operator:

What	Price
Each of the three open-air pools	€4 (reduced €2)
All-day ticket, three open-air pools, two entries	€7 (reduced €5)
Large outdoor pool	€5; children 6-12 €3.50; under 6 free
Private indoor pool or hammam, 30 min, 1-2 people	€13
Same, 3 people	€15
Six-person pools, 4, 5 or 6 people	€18, €21 or €24
Hammams and men’s or women’s pools, each extra person	+€3

Reduced outdoor prices apply to disabled visitors, members of large-family associations and students. The all-day ticket does not include the large outdoor pool. Residents of the Municipality of Almopia pay €5 per person in the indoor centres from Monday to Thursday.

• Booking: The private pools are sold in 30-minute slots, booked and paid in advance online (book.loutrapozar.com.gr) or by phone on +30 23840 91300.
• Towels: You can rent a towel at reception for the hammams and the men’s and women’s pools. Bring your own for the outdoor pools.
• Clothing: Swimsuits in all shared and outdoor pools.

Upgrades

In 2025 the Ministry of Tourism approved an investment of about €655,000 to upgrade the 11 Alexandreio pools, improve access for disabled visitors, landscape the grounds and reopen the Alexandreia hotel. Expect some works on site.

Where to stay nearby

• Loutraki, the village just below the baths, has many traditional guesthouses and tavernas within walking distance or a short drive.
• Aridaia, 13 km (8 miles) away, is the main town of Almopia, with shops, fuel and more rooms.
• Edessa, the capital of the Pella regional unit, is the larger town to the south if you want a city base.

Safety notes

• Keep soaks short. Even at 98.6°F37°C, long sessions tire you out. The operator suggests about 20 minutes, then a break.
• Footing: Rock edges, steps and footbridges around the river pools stay wet and slippery, and can ice up in winter.
• Caves: The gorge has dozens of caves and shafts. Entry is not allowed for safety reasons. Stay on the marked Speleopark paths.
• Late nights: If you soak until the small hours, the mountain road back to Aridaia is dark and can be icy. Stay in Loutraki instead.

Nearby stops worth adding

The Speleopark is a network of marked paths through the gorge past cave entrances, with finds from the caves shown in the small folklore and nature museum at the baths. Fitter walkers can continue about an hour through the forest to the 12 m Kounoupitsa waterfall. Farther along, the Tsanarka gorge and its Mavro Potami river have more waterfalls and the blue pools known as Galazia Nera.