Beginner Surf & Yoga Escape in Sintra, Portugal

The retreat runs over six days and five nights, with five days of surf sessions led by experienced instructors. Each morning, you'll head to a beach chosen for the day's conditions—usually a mellow beach break near Sintra that suits beginners. The instructors stay in the water with you during the lessons, giving quick corrections and plenty of encouragement, so you're never just left to figure it out alone. By the end of the week, most guests can catch a wave unassisted, and some even venture to slightly bigger breaks for the final session.

Yoga is a secondary but valuable part of the package. You'll have three sessions, all in the house on the dedicated yoga deck. The classes are beginner-level and focus on mobility and strength for surfing—opening up the hips and shoulders, stretching the back, and working on core stability. The yoga instructor, Maria, trained in India and keeps the sessions gentle and accessible, so you don't need any prior experience.

The Peak House itself is the kind of accommodation that makes the trip memorable. It's a large, modern house in the Sintra hills, with a pool, a terrace with views toward Pena Palace, a tennis table, and plenty of communal chill-out spaces. The whole place is designed for socializing, and meals are eaten together around a big table. The vibe is what a guest called a 'family-feel environment'—warm, welcoming, and easygoing.

The hosts, Diogo and Duarte, are two brothers who grew up in Sintra and have traveled extensively chasing waves. After years away, they returned to create The Peak House as a way to share their hometown's best features: the surf, the sunsets, the hikes, and the local culture. They're present throughout the retreat, driving guests to the beach, joining meals, and suggesting things to do in the afternoons. There's also mention of a bouldering package and an 8-day surf-and-yoga option, so if you like this trip, there's room to do more.

What's included

- 5 nights accommodation - 3 daily meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) - Water, tea, and coffee throughout the day - 5 days of surf sessions (2 hours each, on weekdays) - 3 yoga sessions at the house - Transportation to the beach - Access to all house facilities: pool, yoga deck, tennis table, chill-out zones - A lot of fun

What's not included

- Flights - Travel insurance - Airport transfers (available at extra cost) - Personal expenses