Solo Wellness Escape: Yoga & Meditation by the Atlantic in Sintra, Portugal

The retreat takes place at Shamballah, a guesthouse run by Patricia and Zarqa in the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, about 40 minutes from Lisbon. Patricia, a certified fitness and Pilates instructor who has taught bodywork for over 20 years, leads the morning vinyasa classes in the barn. Zarqa, who spent years in a meditation school and trained in Ayurvedic massage, guides the meditation sessions. Together, they've created a program that's structured enough to give shape to your days but loose enough that you can opt out and just be.

A typical day starts at 8:00 with yoga, followed by meditation at 9:15 and a long breakfast of fresh sourdough, garden fruit, and proper coffee. The rest of the morning and afternoon are yours. Some days the group walks forty-five minutes through pine forest to cliff-top villages with natural swimming pools, or drives to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of continental Europe. Other days, nothing is scheduled, and you might find yourself in a hammock with a book or helping harvest tomatoes.

What makes this retreat different is the host's own background. Patricia and Zarqa both spent over four years in a meditation school — not weekend certifications, but sustained practice — and they bring that depth to the teaching. There's also a genuine emphasis on solo travelers, who make up the majority of guests here. The house has communal spaces for gathering and quiet corners for retreating, and the max of thirteen guests keeps it feeling personal. The ocean is a constant presence, and the natural park around the house offers some of the most beautiful coastal walking in Portugal.

What's included

- 5 nights accommodation in shared or private room - 5 healthy breakfasts - 5 lunch buffets (or take-away packages) - 5 dinner buffets - 5 morning yoga classes - 5 evening yoga classes - 4 surf classes with all equipment and insurance - 10 guided meditations

What's not included

- Flights to Lisbon - Airport transfers (available for €50 per way) - Additional treatments or activities not listed - Travel insurance