Europe is one of the most diverse and exciting destinations on the planet. Nowhere has so much rich culture, history, food and scenery so close together. With most of the popular Asian yoga destinations like India, Bali and Thailand closed to tourists due to the pandemic, luckily there are many amazing yoga retreats in Europe to choose from. Many yoga schools from Asia have even set up in Europe so you don’t need to travel so far to find the perfect yoga holiday!
Just Relax Yoga Retreat in Corfu, Greece
Best Countries for Yoga Retreats in Europe
There are yoga retreats in every country in Europe and they all offer a unique and beautiful experience. The best countries with the biggest range of yoga retreats in Europe are Spain, Portugal and Greece. These countries offer great weather, beautiful beaches, amazing food and a wide range of excellent yoga retreats that have implemented enhanced hygiene, safety and distancing measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus. (Note that the photos in the article were taken before Covid-19)
Be aware that the situation in Europe could change at any time so double check the entry requirements for the country you want to visit and the re-entry requirements for your home country when you return. I find this regularly updated article by Wanderlust Magazine about which countries are open for tourism really useful. It’s also more important than ever to have good travel insurance that covers coronavirus – mine is with SafteyWing.
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There are so many yoga retreats in Europe to choose from with fantastic teachers in stunning locations but it’s even more important than ever to thoroughly research and check reviews. I find www.bookyogaretreats.com really useful as you can read reviews from people who’ve already been there as well as see photos, information about the teachers and accommodation.
To help you choose your perfect Europe yoga retreat check out my top 5 picks
The 5 Best Yoga Retreats in Europe
La Crisalida Retreats, Playa del Albir, Alicante, Spain
One of the most recommended yoga retreats in Europe, La Crisalida Retreats is located along Spain’s gorgeous Costa Blanca coast. You will enjoy a morning meditation and be practicing yoga everyday on a roof terrace that offers stunning views of both the mountains and the glistening sea. There are 12 yoga classes each week with a variety of great teachers, mostly in the Hatha style but there’s also the opportunity to try other yoga styles.
This fantastic yoga retreat also offers lots of other activities to enjoy, like guided walks, cooking classes, mindfulness workshops and fitness class or you can just relax by one of the two swimming pools. Three tasty and healthy vegan meals per day are included using locally grown ingredients, You can also try a juice diet if you prefer.
Accommodations here are extremely cosy and included in the yoga retreat package. Stay in a private apartment, in a shared two-bedroom apartment or in a twin room. If you’re on a budget then you could opt to stay in the multi-share apartment that can sleep up to four people. All apartments have a basic kitchen, eating area and lounge area with a TV and DVD player. Transfers from Alicante airport are also included.
What makes this one of the best yoga retreats in Europe is that there are so many classes and activities included making it great value for money but it’s up to how much you want to participate in. Click here for info, photos, reviews and to book.
Read More: Best Yoga Teacher Training Courses in Europe
Omassim Guesthouse, Ericeira, Mafra, Portugal
Located in the the surfing capital of Europe, this yoga retreat in Portugal is the dream of Lia & Eduardo, who opened Omassim Guesthouse in 2014. Not only is it a bright, homely and friendly place to stay, but it’s also a haven for yoga, meditation and Ayurvedic medicine. This eight-day Portugal yoga retreat includes five morning Vinyasa yoga classes and five evening Yin yoga classes, as well as guided meditation and a 1-hour full body massage.
When you’re not practicing yoga, it’s only a 15 min walk to the beautiful beach of Ribeira D’Ilhas which is also a world surf reserve. I highly recommend trying surfing, as you are in one of the best surf spots in Europe and Omassim can arrange surfing lessons with experienced instructors or you can also join the surf and yoga retreat package which includes 5 surfing lessons as well as yoga. There are also some wonderful hiking and biking opportunities nearby.
Back at the retreat there is also a fully-equipped fitness room, a sweat lodge and a swimming pool onsite. You can even try fire walking, which is also included in this Europe yoga retreat package. The spiritual practice of walking on fire is truly the union of body, mind and soul and a unique experience to try.
Locally sourced, vegetarian breakfast and lunch are included and there’s a kitchen you can use to prepare dinner or check out the nearby restaurants. Click here for more info, prices, to read reviews and to book.
Read More: Best Yoga Retreats in Portugal
Just Relax Yoga Holidays, Almyros Beach, Corfu, Greece
Located on the stunning Greek island of Corfu, Just Relax Yoga Holidays offers you a place to take a break, relax and reconnect with your senses while practicing yoga in a villa that’s surrounded by refreshing gardens. The villa itself is a traditional Corfiot sea-facing villa in a beautiful location on peaceful Almyros Beach and enjoying views of the Albanian coastline.
Enjoy a a 20-minute welcome massage session to relax you into the retreat and both morning and evening yoga sessions in restorative, yin, vinyasa, ashtanga and hatha yoga styles suitable for all levels with experienced international yoga instructors. There’s also plenty of free time in between, this could be spent at the beach, exploring the island or relaxing in your traditional Greek Ionian themed room. On Tuesdays, a boat trip to Cape Drastis, the location for a magical sunset yoga session, is included.
Traditional Greek vegetarian breakfast and dinner are included and for lunch you can use the kitchen in the villa or try one of the local Greek tavernas on the beach or in the village. For more info, photos, to read reviews or to book, click here.
Tuscan Fitness, Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy
This seven-day wellness retreat offers yoga, guided hikes, fitness classes and much more in the middle of the gorgeous Tuscan countryside. Relax and recharge by practicing yoga, eating delicious and healthy food, hiking through stunning scenery and surrounding yourself with nature.
This is one of the best Europe yoga retreats for those who want to get in shape too because as well as twice daily Hatha or Vinyasa yoga sessions they also offer fitness sessions, like HIIT, Barre and circuit training. So not only will you be stretching, relaxing and meditating, but also building muscle and burning calories.
Enjoy six nights accommodation at the beautiful Hotel La Forra, which sits on a green Tuscan hilltop. This is one of the best all-inclusive yoga retreats in Europe, with all meals and classes being included but it’s still up to you, with the advice of your personal trainer, to decide how much you want to participate in. You will also get the chance to go on a wine tasting tour of a local vineyard , go hiking in the stunning Tuscany countryside and go horseback riding. You can also simply relax at the two swimming pools, lounge areas and outdoor yoga deck. For more info, photos, reviews and to book, click here.
The FrogS’House, Saint Jeannet, Alpes-Maritimes, South of France
The FrogS’House is a guesthouse perched on a hilltop in the beautiful medieval village of Saint-Jeannet with stunning views of the famous French Riviera. It’s been a wonderful location for some of the best yoga retreats in Europe since 2006. This is a fabulous off-the-beaten-path retreat that gives you the chance to mingle with the locals, experience French culture, admire the beautiful landscape and taste delicious regional products.
Every day you will enjoy a morning yoga or meditation session, an afternoon activity and an evening yoga session. Hatha, Ashtanga and Yin Yoga classes are offered and taught by experienced teachers. You can also join classes in mediation, yoga philosophy, communication workshops, medicinal and aromatic plants workshops, Tibetan healing sound bath, cheese and wine tasting, French cooking classes as well as mindfull walks and sightseeing trips.
Homemade organic breakfast is served on the sunny terrace and there’s some fabulous local restaurants you can try for lunch and dinner. There is also a kitchen that can be used where you cook up your very own French meals. Comfortable accommodation complete with balconies with mesmerizing views is also included. Click here to get more info, prices, read reviews and to book
Have you been on a yoga retreat in Europe?
I’d love to hear about your expereinces in the comments below 🙂
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Yoga Retreats in Greece
