Portugal Travel Guide: Exploring Lisbon, Ericeira & Beyond Through the Lens of a Yoga Retreat

When I first booked my trip to Portugal, my main reason was simple: I was heading to Ericeira to host a yoga retreat. I didn’t realize just how much more I would fall in love with the country itself. From vibrant cities to sleepy coastal villages, Portugal offered me the perfect mix of culture, nature, and community—the very things I try to bring into my retreats.

If you’re considering joining me for a yoga retreat in Portugal (or planning your own trip), here’s a glimpse of my journey and the places that left the biggest impression.

Lisbon: A Perfect Starting Point

I’m not usually a big city person, but I really enjoyed Lisbon. It’s colorful, walkable, and easy to get around with Uber and trains. Three days felt like the perfect amount of time, but with the trains being so accessible if you had more days you could potentially enjoy more coastal towns on the train!

For me, Lisbon was just about walking around and getting a little lost, seeing the different neighborhoods, eating a lot of pastel de nata, and just enjoying the European way of life of taking 3 hours to sip espresso and enjoy the sights.

One of my favorite side trips was taking the train to Cascais, a charming coastal town nearby. With beaches, restaurants, and markets, it has that “summering in Europe” vibe—laid back, slightly upscale, and very picturesque!

 Extra tip: choose your hotel location wisely, as the neighborhood can really shape your experience. I stayed near the coast just east of the Rua Augusta Arch, and I was super central to a lot and felt very safe!

Ericeira: My Retreat Home Base

This was the heart of my trip and the reason I came to Portugal in the first place. Ericeira is a magical surf town, full of young energy, live music, and a welcoming community vibe. The beaches are stunning (and busy on weekends), and the coastal walks are breathtaking.

For me, it was the perfect spot to host a yoga retreat—small and intimate, yet full of life. Between morning practices, ocean dips, and afternoons wandering cobblestone streets, Ericeira offers the balance of rest and play that I want people to feel when they travel with me.

If you’re someone who loves the ocean, daily movement, and that “live like a local” small-town charm, Ericeira is pure bliss.

*Day Trip: Sintra was a magical day trip from Ericeira for our retreat group. The castle was gorgeous, the lands to walk around had many trails and were beautiful (you must buy a ticket per person, I reserved our time about 2 weeks prior to going online), and the town of Sintra has lots of cute restaurants and shops. We did about half a day there, and honestly next time I'll book a full day to enjoy all the sites!

Peniche & Óbidos: A Tale of Two Stops

We drove north to cute and sleepy Peniche. While the coastal cliffs were beautiful for a hike, the town itself felt too quiet. It was a great stop to slow things down for a moment and play card games with friends. And this will be surprising coming from me, someone who loves the quiet & off the beaten path spots, but f I could do it again, I’d skip staying here overnight.

Instead, I recommend Óbidos, a walled medieval town that feels like stepping back in time. Narrow streets, unique shops, and a storybook European vibe make it worth at least a full day.

Nazaré: For the Wave Lovers

Our stop in Nazaré was a dream, especially because of our obsession with big-wave surfing. Beyond the waves (although big wave season is in the winter), the town itself was lively and full of surprises: long sandy beaches, delicious restaurants, and a fun lift that carries you up to the upper town with stunning views. I easily could have spent another day here.

Coimbra: Culture & Music

This small college town ended up being a lot more fun than I anticipated. It’s known for its history, stunning architecture, and live Fado music. It’s also where we stayed in one of our most unique hotels!

Peneda-Gerês National Park: Nature’s Playground

If you want to escape into pure nature, Peneda-Gerês National Park in northern Portugal is a must. We stayed in an Airbnb surrounded by mountains and spent our days hiking, swimming in lakes, staring at stars, and soaking in the peace and quiet. This was one of the biggest highlights of my trip, and if you’re visiting Portugal for a retreat or wellness experience, I can’t recommend it enough. You will need a car to get here!

Porto: A Vibrant Finale

Our last stop was Porto, and it was the perfect ending. It’s a bustling city with steep hills (prepare for leg workouts!), endless restaurants and cafes, and the most magical sunset gatherings by the river. 

Tip: head to the Gaia side of the river with a picnic to experience an incredible sunset with thousands of people!

The energy here felt festive and unforgettable! I’m so glad this was where we rounded out our time in Portugal.

Why Portugal is Perfect for a Yoga Retreat

Traveling through Portugal reminded me why I love creating retreats in special places like Ericeira. I love going to towns that are not well-known, but are being slowly discovered. Traveling for a yoga retreat is about way more than practicing yoga asana—it’s about the actual practice of YOGA (to yolk, or unite) — to feel into the culture, the community, the chance to unplug from daily life, and feel at home far away from what we call home. A lot of magic can happen when we give ourselves the space to breathe a little easier.

Portugal has a little bit of everything: vibrant cities, charming coastal towns, peaceful nature escapes, yummy food (especially at the retreat center OH MY GOODNESS don’t get me started), and warm, welcoming people. It’s the kind of place where you can fall in love with life again—whether through a yoga retreat or your own adventure.

✨Want to experience it for yourself? You know I’m going to have to go back, so keep an eye out for my upcoming retreat dates for Portugal or join me on another adventure! Retreats are my way of sharing the magic of travel, yoga, and connection—and Portugal was the perfect reminder of why I do this work.