7 Day Luxury Yoga & Wellness Retreat in the Algarve Hills, Portugal

This retreat is run by Lakshmi Rising, the yoga school founded by Dr. Liz Lindh, and it takes place at the same private estate in the Algarve where the school holds its teacher trainings. As a retreat guest, you share the space with trainees, which gives the week a studious, focused atmosphere without any of the pressure. There's a full program of yoga, meditation, and lectures you can join whenever you want, and nothing is compulsory except the opening ceremony.

The daily rhythm is built around morning practice. You wake to sunrise meditation and chanting with the ocean in view, then move into a 90-minute Lakshmi Rising Vinyasa Flow class. Breakfast is silent and unhurried. Afternoons might include an optional Ayurveda talk, a posture workshop, or time to yourself. Saturday is excursion day, with group trips to places like the Seven Hanging Valleys coastal trail or the Loulé market. The evenings wind down with dinner and, sometimes, a philosophy discussion.

Liz Lindh, who leads the trainings, has been practicing yoga for over 30 years and has put more than 1,200 students through their teacher certification. She blends classical vinyasa yoga with modern integrative medicine, and she wrote the 580-page textbook that anchors the curriculum. When she's not teaching, she's hosting retreats herself, so the hospitality here is personal and hands-on.

The estate itself is a big part of the appeal. There's a saltwater infinity pool, a sunlit yoga deck, and gardens with places to sit quietly. The villa has character, with stone floors and sliding glass doors that open onto the terrace. It's up in the hills, so it feels secluded, but Loulé town is 15 minutes away by car and Faro airport is a 25-minute drive.

What's included

- 6 nights accommodation in a private or shared room at the villa - 3 daily plant-based meals by Gaia Gourmet (breakfast, lunch, dinner) - Fruit and snacks available all day - Water, tea, and coffee served throughout the day - Daily yoga classes - Daily meditation classes - Daily pranayama (breathwork) classes - Opening ceremony with intention setting - Expert-led lectures and experiential workshops (Ayurveda, chakras, yoga philosophy, and more) - Group excursions on Saturday (hiking, market visits, etc.) - Nature hikes with a trusted guide - Use of yoga props (blocks, straps, bolsters) - Access to the outdoor saltwater pool and gardens - Light daily housekeeping and weekly self-serve laundry (detergent provided) - WiFi in designated areas - Pre-arrival orientation materials, travel guidance, and packing list - Post-retreat integration support - Free parking

What's not included

- International or domestic flights - Airport transfers (can be arranged for an extra fee) - Travel insurance - Visa fees - Additional treatments like massages or facials - Activities not listed in the itinerary - Optional excursions not included in the program