7-Day Wellness & Surf Escape in Portugal

This is a seven-day retreat run by Buddha Retreats, a purpose-built yoga and surf centre in the countryside north of Lisbon. The daily structure is simple: morning yoga, surf lesson, lunch and free time, evening yoga, dinner together. Guests who've been before tend to mention the same things — the quality of the teachers, the home-cooked food, and how easy it is to switch off.

The yoga covers a mix of styles depending on the teacher — Iyengar, Hatha, Yin and Vinyasa. Classes are designed with surfers in mind, so there's a focus on core strength and balance, but anyone benefits. Each session ends with at least five minutes of relaxation. The lead teachers this season are Marie, a certified E-RYT teacher with over fifteen years' experience, and Nancy, who teaches Iyengar and visits regularly.

Surf lessons run across five of the seven days, about a twenty-minute drive from the house at some of Europe's most beginner-friendly beaches. João, who grew up in Peniche, leads most sessions and has over a decade of teaching experience. Wetsuits and boards are provided, and the groups are small enough that you get proper attention. The water is chilly — between 15 and 18 degrees — but the 4.3mm wetsuits keep you warm.

The house itself sits in the village of Columbeira, an area known for pear orchards and wineries, with the medieval town of Óbidos a few kilometres away. Meals are served on the terrace in good weather, or inside by the fireplace when it's cooler. There's a pool, gardens, and a yoga shala, plus free parking and wifi. The whole place has a family feel — the hosts live on site and are genuinely involved.

It's worth knowing that this particular retreat is a 7-day version, but Buddha Retreats also runs 4-day and 5-day options, so you can pick a length that suits your schedule and budget.

What's included

- 6 nights accommodation in single or double room - 3 daily delicious and nutritious meals - Free selection of fruit, herbal teas, and water - Water, tea, coffee served throughout the day - 7 yoga sessions with a certified yoga teacher - 5 surf lessons including transfer to and from the beach - Free wifi connection - Parking - Daily healthy and nutritious meals

What's not included

- Flights - Visa fees - Travel insurance - Additional treatments - Additional activities not included in the itinerary