8 Day Juice Fasting and Yoga Wellness Retreat in Portugal's Algarve

Moinhos Velhos has been running juice detox retreats in this secluded Algarve valley since 1992, making it one of Europe's pioneers of the format. Named one of the world's top 10 detox retreats by The Sunday Times, it draws on the traditions of Bernard Jensen, Swami Sivananda, and Dr Gerson, blended with yoga, meditation, and natural therapies. The programme is structured to give your digestive system a break while keeping you supported with juices, broths, supplements, and a full schedule of gentle activity.

Each day runs to a steady rhythm. Around 08:00 there's a yoga class suitable for absolute beginners through to people who practice regularly — expect gentle movement, stretching, breathwork, and relaxation rather than a hard workout. Between juices there's time to use the saltwater pool, the Finnish-style log-fired sauna, or the QRS magnet healing bed, or to book one of the optional therapies. The team is made up of long-serving facilitators, several of whom have been here for over a decade, and the atmosphere is warm and personal rather than clinical.

The retreat is set within a nature reserve near the Bravura reservoir, surrounded by several thousand hectares of protected land. According to the team, the hills here are naturally laced with quartz crystal, which they believe contributes to the place's unusually energising atmosphere. Whether or not that's your thing, the remoteness is real — it's a quiet, unspoilt corner of the Algarve, a long way from the strip of tourist resorts on the coast. Once a week there's a group trip to one of the beautiful local beaches for a change of scenery.

All guests take part in the fasting programme — this isn't a retreat where some people eat and others don't. Fresh juices and vegetable broths are prepared throughout the day, and guests are supported with supplements like digestive enzymes, chlorella, and psyllium husk. For those who want it, there's also the option to use a gravity-style colonic cleansing kit during the stay. The intent is to give you a reset — and many guests report that the benefit lasts well beyond the week.

What's included

- 7 nights accommodation - Daily yoga classes - Initial health check-up and final check-out - Daily meditation classes - All fresh juices and broths - Specialized wellness workshops - One 1-hour treatment included - Nutrition and health workshops - Personal use of colonic cleansing equipment - Pills, powders, and other supplements - Use of Finnish-style sauna - Use of QRS magnet healing bed - Use of saltwater swimming pool - Lemon water and herbal teas (freely available all day) - Welcome drink - Course manual - Wifi connection - Parking - Group excursion to a local beach or beauty spot

What's not included

- Airport transfers - Travel insurance - Visa fees - Flights costs - Additional treatments (beyond the one included)