7 Day Conscious Yoga & Ashram Stay in Portugal's Sintra Nature

The ashram is a small, intentionally simple space in São João das Lampas, a rural village about 45 minutes from Lisbon. The property is surrounded by green countryside, with the Sintra reserve a short walk or drive away and the beach reachable on foot via a valley path. This winter edition of the retreat runs from late January to the end of February, when the landscape is at its greenest.

The daily program is gently structured. Mornings begin with meditation and pranayama, followed by breakfast and two hours of karma yoga — you might help in the kitchen, the garden, or with cleaning. It's a chance to practice mindfulness through work and contribute to the community. Afternoons are largely free, leaving time for walks, rest, or catch-up work using the wifi. Evenings bring a 60-90 minute Iyengar yoga class led by Samuele or Lavinia, followed by dinner.

What sets this retreat apart is the caliber of the teaching. Samuele and Lavinia are both certified E-RYT 1000 teachers with an extensive list of trainings in Hatha, Ashtanga, Kundalini, and Yin, but their current focus is Iyengar Yoga, which they've been studying with senior teachers in India, Europe, and South America. Their classes are known for being clear, therapeutic, and quietly intense — guests with 15 years of practice and beginners alike come away learning something new.

The food is vegan, gluten-free, and mostly local, with some ingredients from the garden. Meals are simple but high quality, and the emphasis is on sattvic foods: fresh vegetables, grains, legumes, and mild spices. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all included, and there are snacks, plus water, tea, and coffee throughout the day.

Guests rave about the atmosphere: the plants in the living space, the always-burning fireplace, the hammock in the garden, and the deep quiet. It's a place to slow down, breathe, and get out of your own way. The group is capped at 12, but typically has 5 to 12 participants, so you'll get to know everyone quickly, often through shared meals and karma yoga shifts.

What's included

- 6 nights accommodation in shared or twin room - 3 daily meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) plus snacks - Daily yoga classes (Iyengar style) - Daily meditation sessions - Daily pranayama (breathing) sessions - Morning karma yoga (community service) - Mantra circle and philosophy chats - Water, tea, and coffee throughout the day - Free wifi - Free parking - Kitchen and laundry facilities

What's not included

- Flights to Lisbon - Airport transfers (available at extra cost) - Travel insurance - Visa fees - Additional treatments (massages etc.) - Additional activities not in the itinerary