The Dublin Wellness Guide

Image: Monsturo Estudio 

Where to Eat

Where to Exercise

Yoga Hub

A friendly and relaxed place to stretch, YogaHub is a yoga studio in Dublin’s city centre. It offers classes 7 days per week, ranging from Complete Beginner to Advanced, so there’s something suitable for everyone. Mats are available to rent at the studio, or you’re welcome to bring your own. A single class pass is €17, while the shorter lunch time class is €10. 27 Camden Place, off Camden Street, Dublin 2

Samadhi Yoga Studios

Samadhi offers classes in Ashtanga, Iyengar, Hatha kundalini, Mysore and Vinyasa yoga. Serious yoga classes, in other words, but they do cater for all levels. The studio is in Temple Bar, the buzzing heart of Dublin, so it’s a great place to stop after a day of sight-seeing. The Wooden Building, Cows Lane, The Old City, Temple Bar, Dublin 8

The Elbow Room

A well-being hub that offers a mind-boggling number of classes, The Elbow Room has become incredibly popular. Besides having plenty of yoga classes to choose from, the centre also runs pilates, zumba and body conditioning classes. The importance of mixing up your workouts is emphasised, and The Elbow Room offers plenty of advice to runners. Mindfulness courses are also held throughout the year. Most of the classes are open to drop ins, and a class pass is €15 for a 1 hour session. North Brunswick Street, Stoneybatter, Dublin 7

Phoenix Park

At 707 hectares, Phoenix Park is one of the largest urban parks in Europe. The network of paths running through the park is extensive, so there are lots of routes for runners, walkers and cyclists. For runners who prefer varied terrain, a track wind arounds the perimeter of the park. With a herd of wild Fallow deer, a conservation area known as the Furry Glen and a Victorian Walled Kitchen Garden, Pheonix Park feels like a world away from the hectic city centre.

Image: Simon Schmitt

Where to Relax

Dublin Holistic Centre

The Dublin Holistic Centre is the kind of place you can enter at your most frazzled and leave feeling brilliant. Over 50 therapists work at the centre, offering a seemingly endless number of treatments. You can book a massage, try natural medicine, experience body work, or have energy healing. If there’s a holistic treatment that you’ve been meaning to try, chances are you’ll be able to do it here.  28 South William Street, Dublin 2

Dublin Buddhist Centre

The great thing about buddhist centres is that they usually have drop in meditation sessions. This is ideal for travellers who want to continue their daily meditation practice in a quiet space. The Dublin Buddhist Centre runs drop-in meditation sessions, Monday-Friday. The morning sessions run from 7.30am to 8.25am, while the lunch-time practice is from 1.15 – 1.45. They’re silent meditations, with no instruction, but the centre also runs courses throughout the year. Unit 5, Liberty Corner, James Joyce Street, Dublin D01 N5H6

Where to Indulge

Melt

Melt is an award-winning treatment and wellness centre in Dublin. Not a typical spa, Melt is less concerned with flashy surroundings, and instead, aims to provide high-quality and effective treatments. Melt’s acupuncture therapists and on-site physiotherapist are fully qualified, and initial consultations are offered to every client. Relaxing treatments can also be booked, such as aromatherapy massage and the Balancing Balm massage. 2 Temple Lane South, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 ; Melt Temple, The Westin Hotel, Westmoreland Street, Dublin 2

Buff Day Spa

A regular winner in Irish ‘Best Spa’ awards, it’s easy to see why Buff Day Spa continues to impress its customers. Located right beside the Gaiety Theatre, it’s ideal for a lunch-time treat. Buff is the kind of place you can go to for a rejuvenating 30 minute back massage, or a 4.5 hour ‘Half Day Indulgence’, depending on time and budget. 52 South King St, Dublin 2

Image: Conor Luddy 

Where to Escape

Dun Laoghaire

The seaside town of Dun Laoghaire is just a speedy DART ride from Dublin city centre. On a sunny day, nothing beats strolling along with an ice-cream, watching yachts and pleasure boats sail around the harbour. The pier was built during the 19th century, and stretches to the East and the West. The East Pier is more popular, and tends to be busy with runners and dog-walkers on sunny days. If you’re in the mood for a quieter ramble, try the West Pier. It’s a slightly longer walk, and leads to the West Pier Lighthouse.

Howth

Howth seems to be every Dubliner’s favourite coastal village. Fresh air, cliff walks and a busy harbour mean that it’s the perfect place to spend a Sunday. Every weekend, the Howth Market runs near the seafront. The largest of the Irish Farmers’ Markets, it has 40 stalls and a great selection of organic and homemade produce. You don’t even have to feel guilty about devouring freshly-baked cakes, because Howth also has some serious walks. Four walking loops start at Howth Station, the longest of which is known as the ‘Bog of the Frogs‘. A tough 10km walk, it incorporates cliff paths, the hilly Ben of Howth, and some beautiful views.