What a spiritual retreat is, the main types (religious, silent, meditation, yoga and holistic), how much it costs, how to choose a good one and where to go, in the UK and abroad.
What is a spiritual retreat? A spiritual retreat is a period of time, from a weekend to two weeks, when you step out of your routine and go somewhere quiet for practices such as silence, prayer, meditation or time in nature, almost always in a group and with someone to guide you. It can be religious, like retreats in abbeys, monasteries and shrines, or non-religious, like meditation retreats, yoga retreats and holistic retreats in nature. What they all have in common is stopping, switching off and turning inwards.
In this guide we explain the types of spiritual retreat, how much one costs, how to choose a good retreat, where to go on a retreat in the UK and abroad, and why we are taking a group to Sao Tome and Principe for an equinox retreat, right on the Equator.
In this article
- What is a spiritual retreat
- Types of spiritual retreat
- What a day on retreat looks like
- How much does a spiritual retreat cost
- How to choose a good retreat
- Where to go on a spiritual retreat
- Spiritual retreat in Sao Tome and Principe
- What to pack
- Frequently asked questions
What is a spiritual retreat
The word comes from religious tradition: withdrawing from the world for a few days to pray and reflect. Today the term is broader. A spiritual retreat is any organised stay where the main aim is not sightseeing but looking after your inner life: slowing down, listening to your body, gaining clarity about a decision, coming to terms with the end of a chapter or simply resting properly.
A retreat almost always has three ingredients: a place away from the noise, a programme with daily practices and a group with a facilitator, priest or teacher to guide it.
Types of spiritual retreat
Religious retreat
Organised by a parish, abbey, monastery or shrine, with prayer, Mass, reading and silence. Across the UK and Europe, abbeys, monasteries and the retreat houses of religious orders welcome guests and groups throughout the year.
Silent and meditation retreat
Days with little or no conversation, several sessions of sitting and walking meditation, and a simple timetable. It is the most demanding format, but also the one you feel most when you get home.
Yoga retreat
Yoga classes in the morning and late afternoon, with carefully prepared food and free time. It is the most popular choice for people who want to bring body and mind together.
Holistic retreat in nature
Combines meditation, breathwork, rituals and exercises to connect with nature, often outdoors: in the forest, by the sea, in the mountains. It may include practices such as energy cleansing, healing meditations or ceremonies linked to the cycles of the moon and sun, such as the equinoxes and full moons.
Travelling retreat
A more recent format: the retreat takes place during a journey, with one practice a day in a different place. It combines the effect of a complete change of scene with the stillness of a retreat. This is the format of our retreat in Sao Tome and Principe.
What a day on a spiritual retreat looks like
- Start of the day: meditation or prayer at sunrise, before breakfast.
- Morning: the main practice, a silent walk or a visit.
- Lunch: simple, light food, often vegetarian.
- Afternoon: free time to rest, write, read or be in nature.
- End of the day: a second practice, a sharing circle or a sunset ritual.
Good retreats leave space. A programme packed with activities from 7am to 11pm is more tiring than restful.
How much does a spiritual retreat cost
The price depends on three things: the length, the accommodation and whether travel is included.
- A weekend retreat in the UK: the most affordable format. Guest stays at abbeys and monasteries are usually the cheapest; yoga or holistic retreats in country houses and rural hotels cost more.
- A week-long retreat in the UK: accommodation and meals make up more of the price.
- A retreat abroad: add the flights. Always compare what is included: flights, nights, meals, transfers and who leads the practices.
For comparison: our spiritual retreat in Sao Tome and Principe costs €2,850 per person and includes direct flights from Lisbon, 8 nights' accommodation, half board with vegetarian and fish menus, all excursions and the daily practices.
How to choose a good spiritual retreat
- Know what you are looking for: silence, faith, body, nature or company. A silent retreat and a holistic travelling retreat are very different experiences.
- Check who leads it: the facilitator makes the retreat. Find out about the experience and approach of the person guiding it.
- Read the day-by-day programme: there should be practices every day, but also free time.
- Group size: up to 20 people allows for sharing without losing intimacy.
- Food: on a retreat, food is part of the experience. Check whether there are vegetarian options.
- Be wary of healing promises: a retreat does you good, but it does not replace a doctor or a psychologist. Anyone who promises to cure illness is not to be trusted.
- Check who is selling it: if the retreat includes travel and accommodation, it should be sold by a registered, bonded travel company that protects your money. Jaca Voyage is a licensed travel agency (RNAVT 4155).
Where to go on a spiritual retreat
In the UK there are religious retreats in abbeys and monasteries that offer guest stays, meditation centres such as Gaia House in Devon, and yoga retreats in quiet countryside. These are good options for a first weekend retreat.
Featured trip
Spiritual Retreat in Sao Tome and Principe: 10 Days at the Spring Equinox, Flights Included
Further afield, many of the best-known retreat destinations are long-haul and involve connecting flights. That is why we chose a different destination, just 6½ hours on a direct flight from Lisbon: Sao Tome and Principe.
Spiritual retreat in Sao Tome and Principe: the equinox on the Equator
Sao Tome and Principe is one of the least visited countries in the world: rainforest that tumbles down to the sea, almost deserted beaches, old cocoa and coffee plantations (roças) and people who live at a "leve-leve" (easy does it) pace. And it is crossed by the Equator, marked by the Equator Marker (Marco do Equador) on Ilhéu das Rolas.
From 17 to 26 March 2027 we are taking a group of up to 20 people on a spiritual retreat in Sao Tome and Principe, led by Luciano Baetz, founder of Jaca Voyage:
- One practice a day, in a different place on the island: activities to connect with Mother Earth, energy cleansing and healing meditations, in the forest, by the Cascata Milagrosa waterfall, facing the ocean at Boca do Inferno or in the shade of the baobabs.
- The spring equinox at the Equator Marker, on 20 March: the day when day and night are the same length, celebrated with a meditation of balance on the line that divides the two hemispheres.
- Full moon on 22 March, with a meditation by the sea.
- The Chapel of St Michael the Archangel, a remote place of silence and prayer in the south of the island. Find out more in Archangel Michael: who he is, the St Michael prayer and his chapel in Sao Tome.
- Three nights at Ecolodge Inhame, near the beaches of the south.
- Vegetarian and fish menus, prepared with care, and a lunch with chef João Carlos Silva.
To get to know the destination, read our Sao Tome and Principe travel guide.
What to pack for a spiritual retreat
- Comfortable, loose clothing, in light colours if the destination is hot.
- A notebook for writing.
- A small mat or cloth to sit on the floor or the sand.
- A reusable water bottle.
- Walking shoes and sandals.
- For tropical destinations: sun cream, insect repellent and a light rain jacket.
- A willingness to switch off your phone.
Frequently asked questions about spiritual retreats
How much does a spiritual retreat cost?
It depends on the length and what is included. A weekend in the UK is the most affordable option; a retreat abroad includes flights. Our 10-day retreat in Sao Tome and Principe costs €2,850 with direct flights from Lisbon, accommodation, half board and all the practices.
Where can I find a spiritual retreat in the UK?
In abbeys and monasteries that offer guest stays, in meditation centres such as Gaia House in Devon, and on yoga retreats in quiet countryside.
Do I need to be religious to go on a spiritual retreat?
No. There are religious retreats, but also meditation, yoga and holistic retreats open to anyone, with or without faith.
How long should a retreat last?
A weekend is enough for a first experience. To feel a real change, a week or more is ideal.
Can I go on a spiritual retreat alone?
Yes, and many people do. The group comes together in the first few days.
Does a spiritual retreat replace therapy?
No. A retreat is good for your wellbeing, but it does not replace medical or psychological care.
What is a holistic retreat?
It is a retreat that looks after the whole person, body, mind and emotions, with meditation, breathwork, carefully prepared food and time in nature.
Book your place on the equinox retreat
The group is limited to 20 people. See the full day-by-day programme of the spiritual retreat in Sao Tome and Principe, 17–26 March 2027, or get in touch with any questions.