4 Day Yoga, Pilates, and Detox City Retreat in Porto, Portugal

The retreat runs from OM Academy & Mind Spa, a purpose-built wellness centre that hosts a real mix of daily classes as well as retreat guests. Think of it as a gym, yoga studio, and spa all under one roof, with a full timetable of yoga styles—Hatha, Vinyasa, Aerial, Hot Yoga, Power Core Hot Yoga, and Hot Ashtanga—alongside Pilates mat, ball, and Reformer machines (including Konnectors). The fitness side covers GAP (glutes, abs, legs), Body Fit, Crosstraining, Barre, Bungee, Dance Fit, and Power Sculpt. On the retreat you're free to attend as many classes as you like from the daily schedule, and there's real variety to sample even in four days.

A big part of the week is the detox. Each day you'll get a locally made Kombucha in the morning and four 500ml vegetable and fruit shakes spaced through the day (think apple, spinach, celery, cucumber, pineapple and avocado blends, or beetroot, carrot, apple, celery and goji variations), plus detox teas. You're on a juice-only protocol, though the option to add one light solid meal yourself is fine if you need it. The aim is to support your body rather than starve it, and the fresh, daily-made juices are surprisingly filling and genuinely good—the kind of thing you might actually keep doing at home afterwards.

The daily sound bath in the Ganban room is the experience people keep mentioning. The floor is heated volcanic rock, and there's an immersive surround-sound system that creates a deep, meditative state while you lie down. There are also guided meditations on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, and a 90-minute live sound healing concert with crystal bowls, Tibetan bowls, copper gong, shamanic drum, and other instruments—this costs extra on the 6-day retreat but is included in the 4-day program. The body sculpt massage with manual lymphatic drainage is also part of the package, a 60-minute treatment focused on reducing inflammation around the digestive organs and promoting a feeling of lightness.

The team is led by Rui, the founder, who has a 20-year background in investment banking and now runs OM Academy with his partner Adriana, who manages the customer experience and teaches crosstraining. The other instructors cover a wide range of specialties: Ana teaches aerial yoga and bungee, Sandra is a yoga and sound therapy teacher with a background in Traditional Chinese Medicine, and there are dedicated Pilates and physiotherapy specialists. Guests consistently describe them as professional, friendly, and good at making newcomers feel welcome—even in a tough crosstraining class.

Porto itself is a major draw. The Academy sits in a quiet residential area next to the Botanical Garden, a five-minute walk from Boavista Avenue with its cafés and shops, and a 15-minute walk down to the Douro riverside promenade. From there you can continue along the river to the beaches at Foz, or head into the medieval Ribeira district, famous for its port wine cellars and riverfront restaurants. For a surf fix, the team partners with a local surf school and can arrange lessons at Matosinhos Beach, about 15 minutes away by Uber.

What's included

- 3 nights accommodation (choose from 4* or 5* hotel) - Liquid detox: daily Kombucha and 4 fresh vegetable and fruit juices - Water and detox teas freely available throughout the day - Daily relaxation & meditation sessions in the hot stone Ganban room (30-60 min) - Up to 5 daily classes from the OM Academy timetable (yoga, hot yoga, aerial yoga, pilates mat/Reformer, barre, fitness) - 60-minute Body Sculpt Detox Massage with manual lymphatic drainage - 90-minute live sound healing concert with crystal bowls, tibetan bowls, gongs, and more - Wellness workshop on mindfulness, stress, and healthy living (Mondays) - Guided meditation sessions (Tuesdays and Thursdays) - Free wifi at the venue - Access to OM Academy facilities (studios, Ganban room, relaxation areas)

What's not included

- Airport transfers - International or domestic flights - Travel insurance - Visa fees - Solid meals (only liquid detox included; optional half-detox with one solid meal available at own cost) - Additional treatments or massages beyond the included one - Surf lessons and other optional excursions - Personal expenses