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Last updated: May 2024
Looking to take a break from your hectic schedule and spend some time practicing yoga and meditation in sunny Portugal? This article covers the best yoga retreats in Portugal as recommended by a local, so you can simply relax and enjoy this incredible country!
Going on a yoga retreat abroad allows you to rediscover your center and motivation while exploring a new destination.
A lot of times, our daily routines can take a toll on both our physical and mental health. A yoga holiday is a perfect way to nourish and re-energize yourself.
Now, there are a lot of amazing countries in Europe that offer excellent yoga retreats, but as a Portuguese myself, Portugal is of course one of my favorites. This is why I have specially curated this list of the top yoga holidays in Portugal, based on my own experience and expertise as a certified yoga teacher and savvy solo traveler.
Now all you need to do is choose the right experience for you and take advantage of the country’s good weather and stunning scenery.
In a hurry? Click here to see my personal favorite now!
What to Pack for a Yoga Retreat in Portugal:
- The Absolute 8 Best Travel Yoga Mats
- Top 10 Best Yoga Shoes for Travel & Outdoors
- 10 Best Travel Yoga Pants: Versatile, Comfy, & Stylish
- 11 Best Organic Yoga Clothes for Travel or the Studio
- Wander: A Mindful Travel Journal
Why Do a Yoga Retreat in Portugal?
Portugal is arguably one of the best destinations in the world for your yoga retreat or yoga teacher training for a number of reasons.
Weather
With abundant sunshine, Portugal offers warm and pleasant weather throughout the year.
The shining sun gives a golden glow to your skin and makes it a good place for outdoor activities such as swimming, surfing, kayaking, yoga, and much more.
Nature and Culture
Another reason why you should choose Portugal for a yoga retreat is that it has it all. From mountains to beaches, the country has a wide range of incredible landscapes to enjoy.
If you love nature, you can find yoga holidays amidst greenery, forests, and mountains.
For surfers and beach bums, there is a wide offer of surf and yoga retreats in Portugal right on the beach or near the ocean. In fact, I’m proud to say my home country is one of the world’s best destinations for a yoga and surf retreat, alongside Bali, Australia, or Costa Rica.
Famous for some of the best waves in Europe, Portugal is a great and safe place to learn how to surf for the first time or improve your skills.
On top of all that, Portuguese culture focuses on well-being and relaxation, and the country is quite famous for its motto to enjoy life to the fullest!
Portuguese people are quite lovely too, if I may say so myself, and will make you feel right at home from the first moment.
Food
Portugal is also known for its amazing and freshly made food. While there, you can try a wide range of seafood and other land-based dishes, from the famous bacalhau to the juiciest meat, not forgetting the popular pastéis de nata.
If you are a vegan or vegetarian, don’t worry. These days, there are lots of delicious options available everywhere as well.
Other Activities
One of the best things about choosing a yoga retreat in Portugal is that you can mix it up with other adventure activities such as surfing, hiking, or climbing.
There are many yoga holidays in Portugal that offer surf or SUP lessons, hikes, skating lessons, kayaking, and more so that you can develop a deeper connection with your body and mind.
A variety of wellness activities is also available, from massages and other spa treatments to walks and meditation in nature.
Price
Last, but not least, you will find yoga retreats in Portugal are very affordable when compared to other yoga retreats in Europe.
If you’re looking for a luxury yoga retreat, you will get the best facilities and pampering for a great price.
On the other hand, if you want a budget-friendly yoga retreat, you won’t need to compromise on quality and comfort.
Best Time to Go on a Yoga Retreat in Portugal
Since Portugal has good weather throughout the year, you can do it anytime really.
The summer season, especially July and August, tends to be hot and crowded though. Some places like Lisbon and Algarve are full and more expensive too.
Personally, I recommend you plan your yoga retreat for the shoulder season, ideally from April to October, as there are fewer tourists and the accommodation and retreat prices are more affordable.
But if you decide to go in the high season, or have no other choice, you can still find some excellent deals and offbeat areas outside the main cities and tourist hubs.
Top 10 Best Yoga Retreats in Portugal
SUP and Yoga Holiday in Cascais
Yoga Styles: Hatha, Yin
Skill Levels: All
Duration: 8 days
Meals Included: Breakfast
Nearby Airport: Lisbon Portela Airport
Airport Transfer Included: No
This 8-day SUP and yoga retreat in Cascais, just a short 30-minute drive from Lisbon, is a great option if you’re looking to relax and meditate by the seaside.
With a focus on Yin and Hatha yoga, you’ll leave this retreat feeling more balanced and calm than when you arrived. You’ll also learn to breathe properly and how to prepare your body and mind for the day with the help of Yin and Yang yoga.
Suitable for all levels, it includes 11 yoga classes, daily meditation lessons, and 5 days of Stand Up Paddle, so you can develop your yoga practice and enjoy your time on the beach.
Additional wellness treatments and activities are also available, from Ayurveda massages and awareness hikes with meditation to sunset cruises or wine tasting and tapas nights.
Click here for more info and booking.
Vinyasa Yoga, Nature, and Ocean Retreat in Sintra
Yoga Styles: Vinyasa, Yin, Restorative, Ashtanga
Skill Levels: All
Duration: 7 days
Meals Included: All included
Nearby Airport: Lisbon Portela Airport
Airport Transfer Included: Available for an additional $43 per person
For those who wish to deep dive into Vinyasa Yoga, this 7-day yoga retreat in Sintra is a perfect choice. The program includes 2 yoga classes every day to learn the proper posture and alignment when practicing Vinyasa yoga.
Perfect for all levels of yoga practitioners, this yoga retreat focuses on Vinyasa, Yin, Ashtanga, and Restorative yoga styles.
Apart from the daily yoga, meditation, and pranayama sessions, you can also take part in the evening activities, which include mantra, fire circle, gardening, and forest walks.
Located in the Sintra reserve, the retreat is within walking distance from the beach and close to the forest and a river, offering many optional activities for nature lovers, from surfing to biking, hiking, and climbing.
Click here for more info and booking.
Relaxing Surf and Yoga Holiday in Ericeira
Yoga Styles: Hath, Yin
Skill Levels: All
Duration: 4 days
Meals Included: Breakfast
Nearby Airport: Lisbon Portela Airport
Airport Transfer Included: No
Having done a yoga and surfing retreat in Ericeira (which I absolutely loved!), this 4-day surf and yoga holiday in Portugal is my personal favorite on this list.
Ericeira is the first (and only) World Surfing Reserve in Europe and the second place on the planet to receive such a distinction. This picture-perfect fishing village, just a 30-minute drive from Lisbon, is a great place to learn how to surf, practice yoga, and relax by the ocean.
The retreat offers unlimited Hatha and Yin yoga classes, including meditation and morning yoga sessions by the sea, 1 surf lesson, unlimited surfboard rental, and 1 Ayurved massage.
There’s also plenty of free time to explore Lisbon or the Sinatra National Park.
What’s more, you’ll also get to enjoy 3 nights of premium shared accommodation at the new and beautiful Salty Pelican Ericeira, which features a swimming pool with sea views, a sea view yoga deck, an indoor yoga shala, cinema room, wellness center, and much more.
Click here for more info and booking.
Surf and Yoga Retreat in Casais de São Lourenço
Yoga Styles: Hatha
Skill Levels: Not Specified
Duration: 8 days
Meals Included: All included
Nearby Airport: Lisbon Portela Airport
Airport Transfer Included: No
This 8-day program is another great choice for those who wish to enjoy a relaxing yoga and surf retreat in Portugal.
Located close to São Lourenço Beach, a world’s renowned surfing beach paradise, this one-week package includes 2 daily yoga classes, 5 surf lessons, and 1 back massage to relax your body after a long and adventurous day.
All meals are also included, with vegan and vegetarian options, as well as 7 nights of accommodation.
In your free time, you can indulge in other activities at the beach or the nearby areas, from walking and biking tours to spa treatments.
Click here for more info and booking.
Yoga and Surf Camp in Bensafrim, Lagos, Algarve
Yoga Styles: Hatha, Yin, Vinyasa, Ashtanga
Skill Levels: Beginner and intermediate
Duration: 8 days
Meals Included: All included
Nearby Airport: Faro Airport
Airport Transfer Included: No
Another great surf camp in Portugal for those who wish to practice yoga and learn surfing, this 8-day yoga and surf camp in Bensafrim, Lagos, is located in the beautiful region of the Algarve.
This package is perfect for those serious about learning to surf as there are only three guests assigned to each instructor. Also, this is a 5-day surfing program including video analysis, pool techniques, surf theory, and more.
You’ll also enjoy 6 surf-inspired yoga sessions, where you can stretch and restore your body to be ready for the next day’s surfing lessons.
Click here for more info and booking.
Yoga Retreat with Sound Healing in Aljezur, Algarve
Yoga Styles: Hatha
Skill Levels: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced
Duration: 6 days
Meals Included: Daily brunch, dinner, and snacks
Nearby Airport: Lisbon Portela Airport or Faro Airport
Airport Transfer Included: No
This yoga retreat with sound healing in Aljezur, Algarve, was designed to ensure a holistic experience and a deeper connection with your mind, body, and spirit.
The 6-day program offers 2 daily yoga classes, as well as one sound healing session and one relaxing massage. The yoga instructor will guide you through more than just postures to improve your flexibility and strengthen your body, but through a real spiritual experience to re-center your mind and improve your well-being.
The package includes 5 nights of accommodation with breakfast snacks, brunch, and dinner. In your free time, you can relax by the pool or find focus in the co-working area.
The villa is located within the Costa Vicentina National Park and near the stunning beaches of the Algarve and some popular surf spots.
Click here for more info and booking.
Yoga and Meditation Retreat in Santa Cruz
Yoga Styles: Hatha, Yin
Skill Levels: Beginner and intermediate
Duration: 7 days
Meals Included: All included
Nearby Airport: Lisbon Portela Airport
Airport Transfer Included: Yes
This 7-day yoga and meditation retreat near Santa Cruz is a great way to get a deeper understanding of yoga.
Ideal for beginners and intermediate yoga practitioners, this yoga retreat offers two yoga sessions, a meditation session, and a pranayama or relaxation session a day.
An excursion to the best spots in the area such as Nazare, home to the biggest waves in the world, a walk on the dunes, and trekking along the Alchabrichel River are included in the program. There are also many other hiking and walking trails to explore near the retreat farm.
Delicious vegetarian meals and wine tasting at a local winery complete this farm and garden yoga retreat.
Click here for more info and booking.
Surf and Yoga Holiday in Peniche
Yoga Styles: Hatha, Vinyasa
Skill Levels: All
Duration: 5 days
Meals Included: Breakfast, Snacks, and Drinks
Nearby Airport: Lisbon Portela Airport
Airport Transfer Included: No
Discover the joy and benefits of Hatha and Vinyasa yoga at this 5-day Surf and Yoga Holiday in Peniche. Combine your yoga sessions with surfing lessons in one of the best surf destinations in Portugal, where you can enjoy amazing sunsets, listen to the waves, and meet new friends.
A total of 4 yoga and 4 surf classes will help you develop a connection with your mind and body, learn to calm your mind and prepare yourself for meditation practices while overlooking the gorgeous ocean.
Since this is a flexible yoga retreat, you have sufficient time to explore around after your yoga and surf lessons. From Peniche, you can easily explore the island of Berlenga, visit the picturesque Óbidos village, or take a day trip to Lisbon and Sintra.
Click here for more info and booking.
Fluidity Yoga and Surf Camp in Porto
Yoga Styles: Yin
Skill Levels: Beginner, Intermediate
Duration: 8 days
Meals Included: Breakfast and Drinks
Nearby Airport: Francisco de Sá Carneiro Airport
Airport Transfer Included: Available for an additional $70 per person
This 8-day Fluidity Yoga and Surf Camp in Porto is perfect for anyone who wishes to find an inner natural flow and improve their daily performance.
The retreat offers 8 Yin yoga sessions and 6 days of surf lessons under experienced and trained professionals.
In your free time, you can book a massage, try SUP, explore the beach, learn about the culture, bike around the area, or visit the beautiful city of Porto.
Access to a swimming pool, fitness center, and sports area is also included.
Make the most of your 8 days on a virgin and secluded beach in Portugal, as you start your day surfing on the waves and end it with a sunset yoga session.
Click here for more info and booking.
Yoga, Meditation, and Healthy Nutrition Retreat in Odeceixe
Yoga Styles: Hatha, Iyengar
Skill Levels: All
Duration: 4 days
Meals Included: All included
Nearby Airport: Faro Airport
Airport Transfer Included: No
Enjoy daily nourishment to your body and soul during this 4-day yoga and healthy nutrition retreat in Odeceixe, Portugal.
Located in the middle of nature, on the border between Alentejo and Algarve, this invigorating yoga retreat is designed to help you bring balance into your life, leave behind old bad habits, and learn to integrate yoga into your daily life.
Enjoy daily guided meditation, pranayama, and yoga sessions to strengthen your body and mind. In addition to yoga classes, you can also get a Deep Tissue, Ayurvedic, or Swedish massage to relax your body.
You also have the flexibility to include other activities as a part of your daily schedule, such as kayaking, surfing, stand-up paddling, canoeing, and more.
Click here for more info and booking.
Trust me, Portugal is one of the best countries in Europe, and even the world, to go on a yoga retreat. Whether you wish to take a break from your routine, be by yourself, meet new people, or up your yoga practice, a yoga retreat in Portugal is the perfect solution.
This list covers the best yoga holidays in Portugal for all budgets, skill levels, and interests. From mountains to beaches, nature to cities, this is my pick of the top yoga retreats in Portugal so you can easily find the right match for you.
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Attending a Yoga Retreat in Portugal? Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
As with any other kind of physical activity, joining a yoga retreat is not without its risks. While yoga is generally safe, accidents and injuries can happen anywhere and, if you’re anything like me, you’ll want to be prepared for the worst, especially when you’re in a foreign country.
That’s why travel insurance is so important and you should never leave home without it! I use and recommend SafetyWing travel medical insurance for travelers, remote workers, and nomads.
They cover overseas medical assistance in case of accident or illness, a wide range of sports and activities including yoga, travel delay or interruption, lost checked luggage, emergency medical or political evacuation, natural disasters, and personal liability, at very competitive prices.
You can subscribe online here for a minimum of 5 days to a maximum of 364 days, or opt for a monthly subscription instead.
Read More:
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- Top 10 Best Yoga Retreats in France
- Top 10 Best Yoga Retreats in Italy
- Top 10 Best Yoga Retreats in Spain
- Top 10 Best Yoga Retreats in Ireland
- Top 10 Best Yoga Retreats in Greece
- Top 10 Best Yoga Retreats in Europe
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Neha says
Hello Vanda. I find this article very useful. Is it possible to connect with you for clarifying certain things regarding the retreats in Portugal. Please reply.
Regards
Neha.
Vanda says
Hi Neha, thank you for reading and reaching out! Please let me know any questions you may have and I’ll be happy to help 🙂