Stop Doing. Start Being.

The Art of Being

7 day small group retreat in Portugal for more peace, more quiet, more clarity.

7 Day Retreat on Portugal’s West Coast:
More Peace. More Quiet. More Clarity.

Imagine a place where you can simply be. No one wants anything from you. No to-do-list is waiting for you. No one is judging you. A place where you are welcome, just as you are.

Where you can leave everything behind and just enjoy the space and the openness of Portugal’s raw and beautiful coastline. A place that feels like home and surrounded by people who feel like family.

What makes this retreat special

You're part of a small group (5-7 people) in a steady rhythm. We, Ali & Pedro, your hosts, have created a program where you don't need to worry about anything: good vegetarian food from the garden, comfort, safety, time in nature, deep and inspiring conversations and plenty of time for yourself. Completed by daily yoga and meditation practices, three guided walks and a trip to Óbidos and Nazaré, home of the biggest waves in the world.

Instead of filling your days with activities and learning, we've chosen everything intentionally to help you slow down, reconnect with yourself, and find your way back to inner peace.

How the Week Works

Mornings begin with yoga and breathing practices to reconnect you with your body and mind. Afterwards, you can join Pedro for a quick plunge into the ocean, then we'll have breakfast together.

Throughout the week, you'll join practical workshops with valuable insights on how to gain clarity, peace and quiet in your daily life, and you'll get a one to one Human Design session with Ali.

Three guided walks explore the surrounding landscape to experience the area and spend time in nature. You'll visit the beautiful medieval village of Óbidos and the unique and amazing town of Nazaré, home of the biggest waves in the world. 

Afternoons are completely yours. Journal, rest, walk to the dunes, or simply sit without agenda.

Evenings include meditation or gentle practices that allow the day to settle and we'll have dinner together.

The Setting

We are located in Póvoa de Penafirme, a small village on Portugal's west coast, 50 minutes from Lisbon Airport.

This is not a place designed for tourism or distraction. It's a place where the Atlantic Ocean, the fresh air, and the natural dunes create the conditions for your mind to quiet and your body to rest.

The house is 5 minutes walking from the center of the village and less than 10 minutes from two beautiful beaches. Private rooms with a private bathroom and garden or sea views. Simple and comfortable. Everything you need to rest.

Voices From Past Retreats

GurdeepOutstanding place to stay
This is a brilliant retreat if you are new to yoga or a beginner. Pedro is amazing. Both he and Ali are excellent hosts; nothing is too much trouble. The food is all home cooked, made from fruit and vegetables on the farm. This is a place I really want to return to again and again. A real gem! I loved my stay here. I had been neglecting my health and felt unfit. I wanted to improve my technique and increase my understanding of yoga. I liked the location and was attracted to the fact that it was a retreat for a small group. It looked as if it had a good balance of yoga and other activities. I liked the fact that the meals were provided for and it was great value for money. I have benefitted from the expertise of Pedro who is a great communicator and a brilliant instructor. He has shown me correct alignment of postures and moves. I now believe I can do yoga. My fitness level has already improved.
NadineDo it!!!
After many months of winter hibernation, I definitely needed a health reset. I was already doing some yoga but it wasn't regular and I wanted to get back in the flow.This retreat literally changed my life. It was my first solo trip and I was so afraid! I didn't know if I would get along with anyone or if the yoga would be too advanced. It was also in a country I had never been before and don't speak the language. The people were so amazing. The hosts, Ali & Pedro made sure you are comfortable from the first second you arrive. The other guests seem to be on the same journey as you so it was incredibly easy to connect. I was shocked at how well we all got along ( we are still friends after the retreat!) And honestly, the Portuguese people in general are so friendly. I had the best time. They do offer to pick up/drop off from the airport however my flight was delayed so they arranged for private transport which started and ended the trip perfectly. This trip has inspired me to keep traveling. I would strongly recommend it to anyone who feels they need a little reset to prioritize their well-being. Don't be scared!! Book it, you will not regret it ❤️
Jessica Best Yoga retreat
I highly recommend taking the chance to go on a yoga retreat! I think Ali and Pedro are lovely hosts. It feels like home. We were such a great group and I miss them already. The food was delicious (most from the garden) and Pedro is a great yoga teacher. The meditation with Ali was great too. I needed some time of my own. Also for inspiration for my own Yoga sessions and Yoga Retreat. I wanted to participate in a Yoga Retreat with few practitioners of yoga for a more friendly atmosphere. After spending a week on a yoga retreat my body feels more light and healthy. Now I’m sure that I really want to go in for start my own Yoga shala back in Sweden.

What’s included

  • 6 nights accommodation in a private room with private bathroom
  • Tasty vegetarian meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, fruit) mostly from our garden
  • Tea, Coffee and filtered water throughout the day
  • 6 morning Hatha yoga sessions (75 minutes each), including one Aerial yoga
  • 5 meditation and meditative practice sessions
  • 4 short, practical workshops on gaining clarity, peace, and quiet in daily life
  • 1 Human Design one-on-one session with Ali (20 min)
  • 3 guided walks through the surrounding landscape
  • 1 trip to Óbidos and Nazaré
  • Free airport transfer from and to Lisbon (pick up Sunday 17:00, drop off Saturday 13:00)

Single Room 1499€        Double room* 2099€

* price valid for one room with double occupancy, all inclusive.

All our prices include taxes

At 4elements retreat we speak English, Portuguese and German fluently. Our Thai, Italian and French knowledge is a bit rusty, but serves for emergencies. The program will be held in English.

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We’re Ali & Pedro - Your hosts

We’re Ali & Pedro and we created this retreat because we realized: what people need most isn't another self-improvement project. They need permission to stop. They need real rest. They need a place where they can just be themselves.

We opened our doors in 2018 on the land where we live. This isn't a separate business—it's part of our daily life, our values, and what we've learned through our own journeys.

During your week: Pedro will guide you through yoga and meditation practices and take you on the trip to Óbidos and Nazaré.

Ali will take you on guided walks, guide one yoga nidra session, and facilitate your one-to-one Human Design conversation.

We'll be present for meals and always approachable. We host and facilitate together, supported by Pedro's parents who care for the house and garden.

Is This For You?

  • You’re looking for more than a holiday and feel drawn to a week that supports real reflection in a small group.
  • You’re open to questioning familiar perspectives and seeing situations from a different angle.
  • You want to recognize your patterns instead of being unconsciously driven by them.
  • You value clarity in decision-making and want to focus on what truly matters to you.
  • You're overwhelmed and restless, and you're tired of feeling this way
  • Your mind doesn't stop spinning—even at night, even on weekends
  • You're caught in patterns and cycles you can't seem to break
  • You know something has to change, but you need space to figure out what
  • You want to feel like yourself again—peaceful, quiet, grounded
  • You're willing to rest and be present (not looking for a productivity hack)

 

Note: Our house is lived-in and real. Matteo is around in the evenings and on weekends. We have two outdoor cats, a friendly dog named Nina who visits, and chickens. You don't have to interact with any of them—they're just part of the place.

FAQ

If you travel alone - like most of our guests - you'll always have a private room with private bathroom. Only if you prefer to share a room with a friend, family member or partner that you travel with, you can also book a double room.

Our rooms have double beds. One room is large enough to add a separate bed (€150 surcharge). Contact us if you'd like to arrange this to see if there is still availability.

We will pick you up from Lisbon Airport Sunday at 17:00 (your plane should therefore land until 16:00) and drop you off again Saturday at 13:00 (departure of your flight after 15:00).  Other pick up places than Lisbon Airport are not possible.

If you are arriving earlier than 16:00 or leaving later than 15:00, we can give you some tips on how to spend the time well rather than hanging out at the airport. There are lockers to leave your luggage, so you can move around more freely. If you spend time before in Lisbon, please come back to the airport for the shuttle, we don’t do pick ups in any other place.

If you arrive later and don’t make it to the shuttle at 17:00 please contact us so we can give you tips on how to get here. The main possibilities are a private cab/uber or taking the bus. Please note that arrival at the retreat after 22:00 is not possible, since we start the program at 7:30 on Monday morning.

You can find more about this in our retreat info pdf that we will send you after your booking.

We can accommodate vegan and gluten-free diets (25€ per person).

If you have other allergies or intolerances, please contact us before booking so we can clarify whether we are able to support your needs.

Meals are prepared as a shared vegetarian menu, and we are not able to cater to individual preferences or dislikes.

Our classes are suitable for beginners. We teach in small groups (less than 10 people), so we can address different levels and needs. 

Morning practice is based on traditional Hatha Yoga. Sessions include postures, breathing techniques, and moments of stillness, with a steady and accessible pace.

During the week, we also offer one aerial yoga session, using suspended silks to support and explore the poses from a different perspective, and one evening Yin Yoga class, a slower and more meditative practice.

You can book directly through the link under this FAQ section. We require a deposit of around 30% to fix the booking, the remaining amount will be due upon arrival. The deposit can be paid via credit card or PayPal. The remainder can be paid in cash (Euro), by bank transfer or via credit card (Visa and Master).

If you must cancel your attendance 30 days prior to the retreat start date you can reschedule or receive a voucher for the entire amount. If you wish a refund of your deposit, we will refund you the amount minus a small service charge (15€) for bookings made directly through our website.

If you cancel less than 30 days prior to the retreat start date, a refund of the money is not possible. Therefore, we strongly recommend travel insurance. You can read all the details in our Terms & Conditions.

No. We'll run the retreat even with one guest. If this is the case, we'll let you know beforehand.

No, we provide yoga mats and props like blocks, belts, bolsters and blankets. If you prefer to bring your own mat, please feel free to do so.

No. We'll simply extract what is relevant for you in this moment without going into the technical details.

To create your individual Human Design chart, we will ask for your birth date, exact birth time, and place of birth after booking.

Yes. Two cats (Freddy & Shanti), 8 chickens, and Nina, the small friendly dog of Pedro's parents.

Optional 1:1 sessions like massage or an extended personal Human Design reading can be booked on site if you want to deepen your experience.

You can also add surf lessons, simply let us know. After booking you'll get all the information incl. prices of the additional options.

The week follows a steady rhythm, with a balance between guided sessions and free time. While some days include excursions, others remain more open for rest and reflection.

A sample day may look like this:

07:30 – Morning yoga (breathwork, postures, and relaxation)

08:45 – Optional ocean plunge

09:30 – Breakfast

10:30 – Practical mini workshop on more peace, more quiet, more clarity in daily life

11:00 – Guided walk/trip

14:00 – Lunch

Afternoon – Time for reflection, journaling, or rest

19:00 – Dinner

20:00 – Meditation/Reflection Time

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