Top 10 wellness experiences in Dublin

For period charm with a side of pampering, The Merrion's refurbished Spa and Health Club offers an escape from the hectic pace of the city. This subterranean sanctuary still maintains its original 60-foot pool, decorated with a hand-painted mural, but has otherwise had a thoroughly modern makeover with soft lighting and Irish fabrics. The treatments on offer run the gamut from ESPA facials to every type of massage, from Indian head and hot stone to prenatal and deep tissue, plus signature treatments. Once buffed and polished, wander upstairs for afternoon tea in the pretty courtyard.

Despite its name, there’s no swimming involved. In fact, there’s no water either. The ‘bathing’ involves using all your senses to soak up the special atmosphere of the 33-acre forest in Kilternan by way of meditation. The Healing Forest invites city dwellers ‘to slow down and reconnect with nature’ on one of their guided walks in Ireland’s only forest dedicated solely for therapeutic practices. Who knew trees could be so restorative here.

Media captionTake a meditative walk through The Healing Forest to reconnect with nature.

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Keen to align your chakras? The Space Between on Dublin’s Fenian Street is a cool sanctuary-come-escape pod right in the heart of the city, designed to engage each of your senses. Classes range from yoga (hot, vinyasa flow, hatha, dynamic, or yin) and meditation to Pilates, core strength, cardio and Wim Hof breathwork. There’s even a dog-friendly tearoom. Come for a class or bring a book, plus your pooch, and enjoy one of their speciality teas.

Media captionEngage the bhandas and recalibrate with a yoga or Pilates class at The Space Between.

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Growing from 13 runners meeting in London’s Bushy Park in 2004 to five million members worldwide in 2018, Parkrun has become a global phenomenon. You can join the crowds at beautiful spots across Dublin like Marlay Park, Malahide Castle and Gardens and Fairview Park every Saturday morning for a 5km sprint, jog or walk. It’s free to everyone, including kids – just remember to register before you join. As Ireland’s biggest community-led physical activity movement, Parkrun brings together over 300 people each week, so stick around to meet and mingle with fellow runners.

Media captionGain kilometres and friends with Parkrun.

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Warm up after a bracing sea swim in a traditional Finnish wood-burning sauna and enjoy panoramic view of the Irish Sea. The Sea Sauna is beside Tower Bay Beach in Portrane and can fit up to ten at a time for shared sessions – of either 30 or 45 minutes – in either their box or barrel sauna options. There's no need to worry about getting the best seat as one end of the sauna is made entirely of glass and everyone has a great view of the coastline. On clear days, that view stretches all the way to Lambay Island. 

If you have a busy mind that won’t switch off or just fancy a rebalance, drop into the Dublin Buddhist Centre on James Joyce Street for one of their morning or lunchtime meditations. The centre is known as one of the city’s best ‘oases of calm and insight’, a refuge for those who need to destress in an open, relaxed environment. The hour-long guided classes dip between mindfulness and breathing techniques and are free, although voluntary donations are welcomed. Pull up a chair and sit for five-minutes or link in with a teacher, there to guide both novices and the more experienced.  

Let go of all that workweek stress with a 30-minute outdoor HIIT session every Saturday morning in one of five Dublin parks. ParkHIIT started in Ashtown in 2018 and has since grown to include pop-ups in Donnybrook, Ballsbridge, Skerries, Poppintree, Stoneybatter, plus a permanent weekly class at 10am every Saturday in Phoenix Park. All classes are free and, in some locations, there’s complimentary coffee and porridge post-session – a nice reward for all your hard work.  

Media caption Join an outdoor fitness class to destress and burn calories.

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Behind the tiny doorway of the Buff Day Spa, next to the Gaiety Theatre, is a surprisingly large spa that unfolds like a Tardis into treatment rooms, a sauna, a relaxation area and a tranquillity room. Once you’ve dodged the crowds on Grafton Street, retreat inside and decompress with a warm spiced mud wrap, a hydra-facial or a pretty pedicure. Beauty and grooming treatments abound, with a huge range of transformative tweaks available from their highly qualified cosmetics team, it’s the perfect lunch break treat.  

Fitness bootcamps aren't for the faint-hearted but if you're on the hunt for a good sweat from the pros, head to Barry's. The world-famous gym recently set up their first Irish branch on Dawson Street so, whether you're a tenured fitness enthusiast or a complete newbie, why not give it a try. Go at your own pace at their Ride X Lift spin class or take it up a notch at a HIIT session in their Red Room. You can choose to pay as you go or pick from one of their class bundles. Don’t forget a towel – you’ll be sweating. A lot.  

County Dublin wouldn't be known for its salt water caves, but Salt Cave Paradise out in Balbriggan have created just that. Ideal for stress, muscle soreness and even certain skin conditions, their saltwater floatation pools work to remove the weight of the world from your shoulders. After, feel free to try out the halotherapy dry salt cave rooms, the infrared therapy suites and the rooftop jacuzzi for the ultimate form of relaxation. 

Explore Dublin's nature and wildlife

Wellness and relaxation are ongoing pursuits – find new ways to unwind in Dublin's great outdoors.