4-Day Yoga & Wellness Escape in Portugal's Green Hills

Buddha Retreats is a family-run yoga and surf centre in the village of Columbeira, about an hour's drive north of Lisbon. The house sits in the countryside where the region grows pears and produces wine, with the medieval village of Óbidos a few kilometres away. The proximity to the Atlantic means the hills stay green most of the year, which is what you see from the terrace and the pool.

The retreat itself is a four-day, three-night package built around six yoga sessions spread over the stay. There are two classes most days — a more energising morning session and a more restorative late-afternoon one — taught by fully qualified instructors who rotate through Hatha and Vinyasa styles. Each session ends with at least five minutes of relaxation. The teachers adjust for different levels, and the schedule keeps a restful pace: breakfast around 8.30, yoga at 10, lunch at 1, afternoon free, another session at 5, and dinner together at 7.30.

Guests stay in the main house, which has rooms spread over four floors, no more than four rooms per floor. Options range from a shared twin room with a shared bathroom to a private single with an ensuite. The house has a pool, a terrace, a garden, and a yoga shala, and there's free parking and wifi. The whole property can also be rented exclusively between March and November for bigger groups, but during this retreat you'll share it with a maximum of 17 other guests.

Stephan is your host, and along with his team he also runs surf weeks here, so you can add a couple of surf lessons to this yoga retreat if you want to try the water. The mix of mountain quiet and beach access is a big part of the appeal — you can do nothing at all, or you can take the provided transport to Peniche for a surf lesson and come back to a home-cooked dinner.

What's included

- 3 nights accommodation in a single or double room - Daily healthy and nutritious meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) - 6 yoga sessions with a certified yoga teacher - Free selection of fruit, herbal teas, and water - Coffee and tea served throughout the day - Free wifi connection - Free parking - Use of pool, garden, and terrace

What's not included

- Flights - Visa fees - Travel insurance - Airport transfers (available at extra cost) - Additional treatments (e.g., massages) - Additional activities not in the itinerary