8-Day Surfing and Yoga Retreat in Cascais, Portugal

Name: 8-Day Surfing and Yoga Retreat in Cascais, Portugal
Start: 2022-04-18
End: 2022-08-26T20:50:22Z
Location: The Salty Pelican

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Overview Program Accommodation Food Location Instructors What's included Cancellations

Basubu says

PB & J might be a classic combo, but we can do one better – surfing and yoga. On this refreshing getaway in Portugal, yoga enthusiasts and surfers alike can plunge into soothing yoga practices and adrenaline-pumping surf sessions. Start your day with nourishing Yang yoga beside the sea and watch the sun set on a meditation hike at the secluded national park beach of Praia da Ursa. Guests can also look forward to relaxing Ayurveda massages and tasty Portuguese tapas and wine nights!

Overview

Yin Yoga and Hatha Yoga

Suitable for beginner, intermediate, and advanced practitioners

A surf lesson including transport

Morning Yoga by the seaside

Unlimited premium surfboard/SUP rental

All surfing & yoga equipment provided

Free organic teas available all day

Daily meditation

Afternoon relaxing Yin Yoga

Free time to explore Sintra National Park

Delicious buffet-style breakfast daily

Instruction in English

Organiser also speaks Finnish, German, Portuguese, and Spanish

Imagine waking up to the sound of the sea breeze moving through the trees. Meditating at sunrise right by the seaside, practicing yoga and hearing nothing but the sounds of crashing waves, sunset meditation hikes to a beautiful secluded national park beach, relaxing massages and learning how to surf. It’s just such a great combination in so many ways. Relaxing and feeling balanced is a big part of The Salty Pelican retreat for those who are interested. Yang Yoga is the perfect way to prepare your body for the day ahead. Whether it’s through strength, flexibility, or simply just breathing better. Learning how to breathe properly is really important and your body will feel more in tune and balanced. While afternoon Yin yoga will bring beautiful balance within your energy systems and a unique sense of calmness you will feel both physically and mentally. Enjoy the special treat and relish the beauty of the magnificent meditation hike to Ursa beach followed by a sunset picnic on one of the most magical beaches in Portugal. Exploring Portugal's beautiful nature, relax & sleep in a laid back beach retreat, eat well to restore, revive, and feel amazing. The friendly, highly experienced team will help you develop your own yoga practice, take you to the most magical beaches and create the perfect experience. It will be the perfect week of meditation, wellness, yoga, surfing good people and good vibes.

Prices are based on an 8-day, 7-night stay and are indicative only, they vary by season. Please enquire for details

People

Shared dorm

Shared room | Shared bathroom | Shared villa

$1,459

$2,185

$2,915

$729

Program

Whether you are seeking a wellness break or a more active vacation, you will find the perfect balance at The Salty Pelican Yoga Retreat. You can pick and choose your extra activities. Additional wellness treatments and activities like Ayurveda massages, Sup Yoga, Sup & surf lessons, meditation hikes, mountain biking, rock climbing trips or even Portuguese Tapas & wine nights. Create memories of a lifetime and let The Salty Pelican be one of them!

The Yoga Classes

Yoga is for everyone, you don't need to have any prior experience…For sunrise we take you down by the seaside for our morning Yang Yoga followed in the late afternoon with our gentle practise of Yin Yoga which focuses on increasing your inner peace, harmony, love and joy. Practising Yang & Yin yoga will help to harmonize the nervous system, increase your sense of balance with the body & mind and strengthen your lymphatic system.

Traditionally the Yin evening classes are more soft, slow, and restorative to integrate with the day's surfing activities and prepare the body for a great rest overnight. Let yourself emerge into a nice flow of your yoga practice. Enjoy breathing, and relax your body, muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints and also your mind.

Sample Daily Program

07:00 Wake up
07:15 Walk to the beach
07:30 Yang Yoga
09:00 Semi-Private meditation class
09:30 Healthy breakfast buffet
10:30 Surf van departs for morning surf lesson
10:30 Free time / Relax at the beach
15:00 Relaxing Ayurveda Massage / Sunset meditation hike
17:00 Meditation in the peaceful nature park
17:30 Yin Yoga class in the nature park
19:00 Seafood or Vegetarian BBQ or other activity

Massages

On the first morning, a schedule is open to making your massage reservations. Monika our in-house masseuse and her team will pamper your body with a relaxing deep tissue massage. One 45min massage is included in the package.

Surf Lesson

After breakfast, the surf van picks you up and you’ll head out to the beach for your morning surf lesson. Our surf school is run by a team of certified instructors who follow a very unique approach to teaching. They will make sure that you learn the proper surf techniques and have loads of fun while doing it. The unique geography of our location means we not only have rideable waves almost every day of the year but that we can almost always find a wave to suit everyone. One surf lesson is included in the package price.

Meditation, Sunset Hikes, and Relaxation

Every Monday & Thursday afternoon there will be a sunset meditation hike down to the beautiful national park beach of Praia da Ursa. Here we will meditate right on the sand with a beautiful sunset with small snacks and wine to finish. We also offer Sup Yoga classes right on the water when conditions are ideal. Attendance to both of these activities is highly recommended. During the week you will also have the chance to join a semi-private meditation class. Ida will guide you through a 20 min session to find balance with your body, emotions and thoughts. Learn to relax with different breathing exercises.

There is one 45min massage, one semi-private meditation class, one surf lesson and one sunset mediation hike included during your 8-day package, giving you plenty of time to relax during the day, swim, go for extra surf lessons, explore Sintra National Park, walk around the Cascais beaches or even discover the narrow streets and hidden restaurants of Lisbon city in a day. Lisbon is just a short 30-minute train ride away ( 2,50 EUR ) and the magical Sintra is just 20 minutes away. It really is the perfect spot here at The Salty Pelican.

Optional activities

The Salty Pelican retreat sits snuggled between the sun-dappled shores of the Cascais bay and Sintra's dramatic mountain range. To relax, you can always grab a beer from the bar, grill up some grub at the hostel barbecue area, or lay back and chill-out in one of the hammocks in the beautiful garden with some mighty good tunes.

Beaches

Cascais is renowned for its glorious stretch of white sandy beaches which are simply stunning, beautiful palaces, cosmopolitan vibrancy and as Lisbons most sophisticated beach destination. You can take a stroll on the seaside promenade and discover many beachfront cafes where you can absorb the clean swathes of golden sand with the wide stretch of the Atlantic sweeping around the bay to Cascais.

Cascais

Exploring Cascais is a voyage of discovery. On the one hand there is the original historic area that has a distinct nautical air about it - with its cobbled winding streets leading down to the cozy harbor where the days fresh catch is still sold by local fishermen in the nearby square.

Guincho beach

Marvel at the unspoilt sand dunes and untamed waves at Guincho beach - part of the beautiful Sintra Cascais National park - with its high waves that attract surfers and kitesurfers from all over the world as having some of the best waves in Europe.

Municipal museum

The museum is so close to the sea that waves often reach the steps at high tide. Have a light lunch at the restaurant or cafe in the charming Santa Marta Lighthouse Museum while checking out its Atlantic views.

Hidden beach of Praia da Ursa

This is an incredible "secret" beach which you can take a beautiful hike down to catch an amazing sunset in Sintra National Park.

Moorish Castle

Right at Sintras highest point, the Moorish Castle offers outstanding views across the mountains and down to the Atlantic.

Nightlife

Cascais is also a magnet for night owls, providing an eclectic range of evening entertainment that offers everything from pubs, cafes, restaurants, glitzy cocktail lounges, to cosy craft beer bars, and to late-night clubbing.

Pena Palace and Park

Many say was the inspiration for Cinderella’s castle in Disney’s magic kingdom.

Quinta da Regaleira Palace

Imagine a place with secret passages, stepping stones, hidden caves and grottos, a library that looks like you're floating in the air, a beautiful chapel and residence - all while being located in one of the most beautiful parks. That would be Quinta da Regaleira, an architectural marvel built at the direction of Portugal's first millionaire and to his exacting specifications. Its really one of the most magical and enchanting places you can visit whilst you're in Cascais. The bus right near The Salty Pelican takes you there in just a 25-minute bus ride.

Visiting Lisbon and Belem

Lisbon city centre is just an easy 25 minute ( 2.50 EUR ) train ride away from The Salty Pelican. It's a great day trip to add to your week here and you can hop off the train at Belem halfway and try one of Portugal's most famous pastel de Belem, a traditional Portuguese custard tart, a treat not to be missed. Belem is also full of sights and scenery to check-out before heading into Lisbon. It's a great little pit stop.

Sintra

Biking and mountain biking

Cascais has an amazing coastline and it's an easy fun way to explore by bike, with self-guided trips or organized trips for all levels of ability. You can ride through the amazing scenery of Sintra National Park with its spectacular views over the Atlantic Ocean and dense forests. Visit archaeological sites, fantastic beaches, and unspoiled villages as you pedal along some of the nicest routes in Europe. The more adventurous choose to ride a mountain bike downhill from the top of Sintra National Park all the way down to The Atlantic and finish with a wine and sunset right on the beach.

Swimming

Nearby the retreat you have an abundant amount of beautiful beaches, saltwater swimming pools and hidden coves all within very short walking distances.

Other activities:

Enjoy an Ayurveda or Thai massage at The Salty Pelican
Enjoy peaceful walks or bike rides along the beautiful seaside promenade
Explore the Cascais region: Boca do Inferno, Guincho, Cabo da Roca, Sintra or Lisbon
Chill-out, relax in our quiet garden with a book and some sunshine
Try you hand at some of the amazing daily activities from awareness hiking, SUP, rock climbing, SUP yoga, wine tasting and sunset cruises
Take it easy and just lie on one of the many beaches all day, that are all within a very short walk away.
Taste great Portuguese tapas in our garden with some wine tasting

Accommodation

Beach setting

Caters for vegan and vegetarian diets

Shopping

Bar

Garden

Lounge

Bicycle rental

Dry cleaning

Laundry

Tour assistance

Board rental

Table tennis

Barbeque facilities

Kitchen

Luggage room / storage

Conference room

Free Wi-Fi

Library

Patio

Check-in

14:00

Check-out

11:00

The retreat just went through a complete renovation from top to bottom, so you'll find everything new, comfortable, modern, secure, and clean with comfy new beds, personal lockers, a fully equipped guest’s kitchen, laundry facilities, luggage storage, a herb garden and new super clean bathrooms.

The Salty Pelican has been converted into a stunning traveller's meeting point, featuring a cosy lounge, an awesome chill-out barbecue terrace, and peaceful gardens. So whether you’re up early to go check out the beach or stretch out those achy muscles with our sunrise beach yoga, joining our learn to surf classes, or you’re just after a few lazy craft beers on the terrace before hitting the town, all your needs will be taken care of.

The accommodation includes a comfy bed in a spacious room with shared bathrooms and a delicious breakfast. Besides the amazing time, you will have learning new yoga postures, the retreat offers all the comforts of a home.

The retreat has a beautiful garden to relax about all day in, with comfy XL bean bags, hammocks and a large nation with free BBQ facilities. If The Salty Pelican's all-day menu of delicious healthy smoothies doesn’t tempt you, they also have a big kitchen for you to cook up a storm in. To explore Cascais, you can rent either a bicycle or longboard skateboard from the reception. The retreat also offers female-only accommodation in a four-bed dormitory where available.

Important note: Check-ins arriving after 10 pm are only accepted with prior notice by email or phone call. Reception closes at 10 pm without prior notice.

+ 20

Shared dorm

Shared room | Shared bathroom | $729

Shared villa

Food

The retreat includes daily buffet-style breakfast with freshly baked bread, jams, cheeses, hams, freshly cut fruits, vegetable slices, delicious teas, coffee, fruit-infused water, natural yoghurt, eggs, and dried fruits, and mixed seeds & nuts, soy milk and freshly baked pastries. You can also enjoy our twice weekly seafood BBQ and our delicious Portuguese tapas & wine nights. You have one of each included in the package price. You will also find a menu serving delicious healthy detox smoothies, white & red wines, ciders, sangria, local craft beers and some healthy snacks at an additional cost.

The Salty Pelican crew cooks up a yummy Seafood BBQ including delicious grilled vegetarian options and we also have a separate Portuguese tapas & wine night including grilled chorizo sausage, a variety of pinchos, local olives, bacalhau fritters, calamari, sun-dried tomato bruschetta, batata fritas and garlic & coriander grilled prawns. . We love to bring every one of our guests together to eat, drink, socialise and make new lifetime friends. The dinners are served outside in our garden usually and include all the sides and locally sourced wines. We have 4 nights scheduled for these dinners and two of those dinners are included in the package price.

The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:

Gluten-Free
Seafood

If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate them to the organiser when making a reservation

Location

The Salty Pelican yoga & surf retreat sits snuggled between the sun-dappled shores of the Cascais Bay and the Sintra's dramatic mountain range. Cascais is renowned for its glorious stretch of white sandy beaches which are simply stunning, beautiful palaces, cosmopolitan vibrancy, and Lisbon’s most sophisticated beach destination. With over 300 days of sun per year, you will spend most of your time outdoors, even during winter.

The whole coastline offers a seemingly endless amount of dramatic and ever-changing scenery, culminating in the extraordinary town of Sintra, the end-of-summer getaway for royals over 100 years ago and now an official World Heritage site. Truly one of the most unusual and magical places to experience in Europe, the centrepieces are undoubtedly the Pena palace and park, which many say was the inspiration for Cinderella’s castle in Disney’s “Magic Kingdom”, the mystical and symbolic Quinta da Regaleira palace with its tunnels, magical grottos, fountains, and gothic architecture, and right at Sintra’s highest point, the Moorish castle offering outstanding views across the mountains and down to the Atlantic.

Marvel at the unspoiled sand dunes and untamed waves at Guincho Beach - part of the beautiful Sintra Cascais National Park - with its high waves that attract surfers and kite surfers from all over the world as having some of the best waves in Europe. Exploring Cascais is a voyage of discovery. On the one hand, there is the original historic area that has a distinct nautical air about it - with its cobbled winding streets leading down to the cosy harbour where the day’s fresh catch is still sold by local fishermen in the nearby square.

Don’t miss the Seixas palace, a magnificent 19th-century palace overlooking the sea, or the municipal museum so close to the sea that waves often reach the steps at high tide. Have a light lunch at the restaurant and café in the charming Santa Marta lighthouse museum and check out the Atlantic views.

Distances

Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS) - 20 minutes
Monte Estoril train station, 750 meters

Nearby Towns

Estoril

1 km

Cascais

2 km

Oeiras

9 km

How to get there

Driving directions from Lisbon

If you’re arriving by car, the fastest way to arrive in Cascais is by taking highway A5, you have to pay a toll of approximately 1.30 EUR.
You also can take the N6 (Via Av. Marginal) along the more scenic coastal drive to Cascais.

Arrival by airplane

Please book your flight to arrive at Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS). Transfer from and to this airport is available upon request.

Arrival by train

If you are coming from Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS), take the red metro line towards Sao Sebastio and get off at the Alameda station. Here you must change to the green line that will take you directly to the Cais do Sodre train station (end of the line). The approximate journey time is 20 minutes and the ticket price is around 1.40 EUR.

From Lisbon’s city center, starting from the above ground Cais do Sodre train station, take the train that connects Lisbon to Cascais and get off at Monte Estoril Station (second last stop). Sit on the left side of the train for the best views. The approximate journey time is 30 minutes and the ticket price is 2.15 EUR.

Arrival by taxi

From the Monte Estoril train station, you can take a taxi for about 4 EUR or walk the short 550-meter distance to the retreat.

Nearest airports

LIS Lisbon Portela Airport

Transfer not provided

25 km

Nearest train stations

Monte Estoril

1km

Estoril

1km

Cascais

1km

Instructors

Ida

Ida, the in-house yogi goddess from Finland, will help develop muscular strength, stamina, flexibility, balance, and breathing. Ida will bring balance to your body and mind during your morning practice by the sea, so that you build your bodies to be light and strong for the day. She teaches both Ying and Yang yoga along with meditation sessions.

Gabby

Born in England and went to high school in Portugal, at heart, Gabby is a true South African and the beach has always been a great part of her life. She will make sure you are not only progressing with surfing, but that you have a smile on your face the whole time.

Monika

Monika is one of the co-founders of The Salty Pelican and she is also the hostel "mum". She is always happy no matter how bad the day may seem. Monika will always find a way to make you smile and cheer you up. Not only that, she is also a qualified masseuse with over 10 years experience and available everyday to help you relax with a beautiful Ayurveda massage.

Tina

Tina is from Germany and she organizes all the SUP activities. She will help you learn to paddle, take you on sunset paddle tours or relax with some SUP-Yoga sessions. The good vibe extends from The Salty Pelican to the beach, its one team with a shared vision on what we offer to our guests to make sure that their overall experience is unique.

Anna

Anna is from the UK, and she will take care of some the yoga classes and SUP yoga classes out on the water. She teaches both Hatha and Yin yoga styles.