Wellness & Adventure Escape in the Andalusian Hills: Mountains Meet the Sea, Spain

Hosted by Complete Retreats Europe, run by founders Marilia Stevens and Claire, this retreat is built around getting outdoors in a stunning part of southern Spain without overscheduling your days. Mornings are often optional: you can join a guided hike to a peak for sunrise and healthy snacks, or sleep in and have a slow breakfast on the terrace. Around midday, there’s usually a sea-based activity—kayaking, snorkelling, or paddleboarding along the coves near Nerja—with a beachside lunch. Afternoons are left open for the pool, a massage (one 60-minute treatment is included), or a wander through the narrow streets of Frigiliana. Yoga or Pilates sessions are woven into the itinerary on several afternoons, geared at all levels from beginner to advanced, and focus on loosening up after hiking rather than pushing you to a specific standard. What sets this apart from a pure adventure camp is the food and the slower rhythm: a private chef prepares Mediterranean meals daily, and the evenings turn into proper Spanish experiences—dinner in Nerja or Torrox on sunset, tapas-making followed by flamenco, and communal dinners at the villa. The location is the real draw. Frigiliana sits at the foot of the Sierra Almijara mountains, and the villa’s terraces look straight out over the sea (you can even drive down to the coast in about 20 minutes). It’s quiet, sun-drenched, and almost always sunny—over 300 days a year. The retreat runs with just 6–10 people, so it feels intimate, and the hosts are on site the whole time, handling logistics and making sure everyone’s sorted from arrival transfers to dietary requests. It’s a good fit if you want a proper holiday with structure, not just a checklist of activities—you’ll come away having moved, eaten well, and genuinely switched off.

What's included

- 3 nights accommodation in a private villa in the Frigiliana area - All meals: fresh Mediterranean breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks - Daily unlimited water, tea, coffee and herbal teas - Welcome drink and light refreshments on arrival - 1 x 60 minute personalised wellness treatment - Guided yoga or Pilates session(s) - Guided nature hikes with a trusted guide - Kayaking, snorkelling or paddleboarding excursion - Tapas-making or local cooking experience - Wellness & nutrition workshop - Curated group activities & excursions - Pre and post retreat support from the team - Airport transfers (scheduled times on arrival and departure) - Luggage storage - On-site parking - Wi-Fi connection

What's not included

- Flights - Visa fees - Travel insurance - Additional treatments (beyond the 1 x 60 minute included) - Optional local experiences beyond the scheduled programme - Personal expenses