A relaxing massage is a slow session with light to moderate pressure, designed to help your body and mind slow down. At RHEA it is the Swedish massage, given in your own home. It costs from 85 € for 60 minutes, with travel and equipment included.
Key takeaways
- "Relaxing" is what you are after; Swedish massage is the technique that gets you there.
- Pressure stays comfortable from start to finish and adjusts to what you ask for.
- For old, stubborn tension in one area, deep tissue is usually the better choice.
- At home, all you need is a clear space for the table. We bring everything.
- With RHEA it costs 85, 99 or 115 € (60, 75 or 90 min), travel included.
Think of the end of a long day. The light is low, the house is quiet and warm towels are waiting for you. A relaxing massage at home is exactly that: an hour that is only yours, with no traffic and no rush.
In this guide we explain how the session works and what you will feel. We also show you how to prepare your space and what to do afterwards. At the end, you will find prices and how to book with RHEA.
What a relaxing massage is
A relaxing massage has one simple aim: to help your body and mind slow down. It is not about fixing an old knot or working on an injury. It is about calm.
To get there, the therapist uses long, flowing strokes. The pressure is light to moderate and should never feel uncomfortable. The rhythm is slow and steady, a little like easy breathing.
Almost every relaxing session shares the same ingredients:
- Comfortable pressure, from start to finish.
- Long strokes across the back, legs, arms, shoulders and neck.
- Hypoallergenic oil, so the hands glide smoothly.
- A calm setting, with soft light, ambient music and a comfortable temperature.
You notice the result quickly. Your shoulders drop, your jaw softens and your breathing deepens. Many people say they sleep better that night.
Relaxing or Swedish: the same session
You will see both names a lot. "Relaxing" describes what you want. "Swedish" describes the technique the therapist uses to get you there.
At RHEA, when you want a relaxing massage, you book the Swedish massage. It is the classic technique of long gliding strokes and gentle kneading. The pressure adapts to you, every time.
Would you like a little more firmness on your shoulders? Just ask. The session stays relaxing, as long as it does not move into the slow, deep work of other techniques.
How the session begins
The therapist arrives at the booked time with everything needed. They ask where you would like the massage. Setting up the table takes a few minutes.
Before starting, there is a short chat. The therapist asks about injuries, health conditions and any allergy to oils. They also ask which areas need more attention and what pressure you prefer.
There are no right or wrong answers. If it is your first massage, just say so. The therapist explains each step and checks in with you as you go.
Then the music softens and the light dims. You lie on the table, covered with professional sheets, and the session begins slowly.
What you will feel
The first few minutes let your body get used to the touch. The hands are warm and the strokes are predictable. Little by little, you stop thinking about your to-do list.
Slow pressure helps the body unwind. Your heart rate settles, your breathing deepens and your muscles let go of the day. It is normal to feel sleepy, to feel warmth in your muscles or to hear your stomach rumble. These are all signs of rest.
You do not need to talk. Many people prefer silence from start to finish. The therapist will only speak to check the pressure or to tell you they are moving to a new area.
A relaxing massage should not hurt. If a spot feels too tender, say so. The therapist will adjust straight away, and nobody will think twice about it.
When to choose another massage
Some tension needs more than calm. Think of shoulders after months at a desk, with one spot that never lets go. Light pressure feels lovely, but it does not reach that far.
In that case, deep tissue massage is the right choice. It uses slow, firm pressure on specific areas. Our article on relaxation vs deep tissue massage will help you decide.
If you train regularly, sports massage works on the muscles you use most. If you are pregnant, the right choice is pre-natal massage, with its own positioning and care.
There are also times to speak to your doctor first. A fever, an infection, a recent injury, open wounds or a health condition under monitoring all justify that conversation. Massage may help ease everyday tension, but it does not replace medical care.
Your home, before and after
You need very little. We bring everything: the professional table, hot towels, linens, oils and music. All you need is a clear space where the table fits, with room to walk around it.
A living room or a bedroom usually works well. A comfortable temperature makes a difference, because you will be lying still for an hour. Wear comfortable clothes. Throughout the session, you stay covered with professional sheets.
A few small things help:
- eat something light rather than a heavy meal;
- leave your phone in another room;
- agree an hour of quiet with anyone else at home;
- dim the lights or close the curtains, if you like.
Our guide on how to prepare your home for a massage has more practical ideas.
Then comes the best part. When the session ends, there is no car to fetch and no traffic to face. You can go straight from the table to the sofa.
Get up slowly. Sit up first, take a few breaths and only then stand. Drink a glass of water and let the rest of the day run at an easy pace.
If you enjoy the feeling, you can make it a habit. Our guide on how often to get a massage helps you find your rhythm.
What it costs with RHEA
RHEA brings the massage to you in Lisbon (including Cascais, Estoril, Sintra and Oeiras), Porto (Foz, Boavista, Gaia, Matosinhos and Maia) and the Algarve, from Lagos to Tavira. Our therapists are certified. RHEA assigns the therapist based on your area and time.
The price you see is the price you pay. Travel is included, as are the table, hot towels, linens, hypoallergenic oils and ambient music. Aromatherapy is a paid extra.
- 60 minutes, 85 €: covers the whole body at an easy pace.
- 75 minutes, 99 €: gives extra time to the neck and shoulders.
- 90 minutes, 115 €: for when you want no sense of hurry at all.
If two of you would like a massage, there is the couples massage. One after the other costs 170, 198 or 230 €. Two people at the same time, with two therapists, costs 187, 218 or 253 €.
- Hours: every day, 7am to 10pm. The session must finish by 10pm.
- Same day: book with 4 hours' notice.
- Plans change: cancel or reschedule free of charge up to 24 hours before. Inside 24 hours, the session is charged.
- Booking: at www.rhea.pt/booking/en or on WhatsApp at +351 920 540 239. We reply within minutes.
Would you like to give this to someone? A RHEA gift card can be used for a Swedish massage. Your calm starts here.
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Book a Massage →Frequently Asked Questions
In practice, almost always. "Relaxing" describes what you are after and "Swedish" describes the technique, with long gliding strokes and gentle kneading. At RHEA, for a relaxing session, the option to book is the Swedish massage.
Sixty minutes is enough to cover the whole body and find the pressure you like. If you know you hold tension in your neck and shoulders, 75 minutes gives those areas extra time. Ninety minutes is for when you want a session with no rush at all.
No. We bring everything: professional table, hot towels, linens, hypoallergenic oils and music. You only need a clear space where the table fits, with room around it, and a room at a comfortable temperature.
Yes. The pressure in a Swedish massage adjusts to what you ask for, and a little more firmness on the shoulders is still relaxing. If you want slow, deep work on one specific area, deep tissue massage is the technique designed for that.
Yes, with at least 4 hours' notice and if there is availability in your area. Sessions run every day from 7am to 10pm and must finish by 10pm. Keep that in mind when you choose the length.
Yes. A fever, an infection, a recent injury, open wounds or a health condition under monitoring all justify speaking to your doctor first. During pregnancy, the right choice is pre-natal massage. Tell the therapist about any relevant condition before you start.
