Active Retreats

If you definitely don't want to lie lazily on the beach on vacation, but really want to get going, an active vacation is the best choice. Whether it's sports in and around the sea or water, or climbing the mountains. Wild water in a canoe, or up the mountain on a bike? The possibilities are endless. And at any time of year. Active vacations alone or as a couple, but also in a group, are great fun. Recharged and full of energy, you can then return to everyday life.

268 curated retreats 4.8 (212 reviews) from €92

Enjoying France together (women's camp)

Celles-en-Bassigny, France

$1,396 / 8 Days

♡ Move & Rise Retreat in Ibiza in October ♡

Eivissa, Spain

$1,575 / 7 Days

Just Pure Being - Nature Retreat | Madeira | Portugal | 10 days

Ribeira da Janela, Portugal

$696 / 10 Days

WILD HERBS COURSE & YOGA ON THE OBERHORN ALPE IN SCHRÖCKEN

Schröcken, Austria

$756 / 3 Days

Free painting - hiking - yoga for women on the Atlantic coast of Portugal

Sao Luis, Portugal

$969 / 6 Days

5-Day Retreat in South Africa: Back to Nature – Back to Yourself

Piketberg, South Africa

$919 / 5 Days

HIKE. GROW. MOVE FORWARD. - With every step toward greater ease and strength

Elend, Germany

$929 / 4 Days

Time out with horses - for women

Bad Freienwalde, Germany

$232 / 2 Days

"Yin & Yang" Summer Yoga Retreat in Germany

Krölpa, Germany

$1,127 / 6 Days

Yoga Retreat in Tuscany, Italy

Volterra, Italy

$1,047 / 6 Days

Retreat & Rethink: A yoga and mindfulness retreat on the island of Hvar!

Hvar, Croatia

$933 / 5 Days

Retreat KRAFT, RUHE, AUFTANKEN

Immenstadt im Allgäu, Germany

$476 / 6 Days

Yoga & Hike Weekend Chamonix, France

Servoz, France

$988 / 5 Days

Adult Summer Camp on the Baltic Sea: A 4-Day Offline Adventure in Nature

Süsel, Germany

$499 / 4 Days

NATURALLY PRESENT® - authentic and powerful effects through experiencing nature

Ohlstadt, Germany

$406 / 3 Days

WHOLE HEALTH WEEKEND retreat

Briesen (Mark), Germany

$308 / 3 Days

StrongYou Retreat for Women

Köngernheim, Germany

$290 / 4 Days

5 days/17 hours of one-on-one coaching: Systemic Grounding, Relationship Work, and Belief Systems

Wäschenbeuren, Germany

$1,582 / 5 Days

Tai Chi & Qigong School - Gisa Anders

Eberstein, Austria

$407 / 3 Days

Writing trip to Paris

Paris, France

$878 / 4 Days

Nature: A Source of Energy - A Short Break in the Woods

Diesbar-Seußlitz, Germany

$289 / 3 Days

Yoga Retreats with Climbing or Mountain Activities in Trentino - Indria Retreats for Mindfulness

Arco, Italy

$347 / 3 Days

"Your Personal Retreat - Experience Yoga at the Ashram"

Horn-Bad Meinberg, Germany

$107 / 3 Days

5.0

🌺 Yoga Retreat for Beginners - Yoga & Meditation for Greater Balance

Horn-Bad Meinberg, Germany

$191 / 3 Days

4.4

New retreats straight to your inbox?

So you always stay up to date.

We take data protection very seriously. Further information

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is an active retreat?

An active retreat combines sporting activities such as hiking, cycling, surfing, climbing, or water sports with relaxation and personal time out. Unlike a classic sports holiday, an active retreat also focuses on conscious recovery, healthy nutrition, and often yoga or meditation alongside physical activity. This way, you can recharge your energy while actively experiencing nature. You'll currently find 268 active retreat offerings with us.

What does an active holiday cost?

The price range in active travel is broad because the disciplines cost different amounts. The 268 comparable stays here currently start from €92 euros for a weekend format and reach up to €525.000 euros for a week with full board, equipment and guide. The average sits around €3.912 euros. Hiking and cycling tend to land in the lower to middle range because participants often bring their own gear and the day stays simply structured. Surfing, climbing and ski touring sit in the middle to upper range because equipment, insurance and a certified guide are built in. What often is not in the price is your own travel to the start, lunch on the way and personal gear like shoes, helmet or wetsuit. Before booking, it is worth checking the list of included services, because two stays at the same headline price can be calculated very differently.

What activities are offered at an active retreat?

The range of activities is diverse and depends on the specific retreat. Typical offerings include hiking, mountain biking, surfing, stand-up paddling, climbing, kayaking, trail running, yoga, and swimming. Many retreats combine several activities to provide plenty of variety. Among our 268 offerings, you're sure to find the perfect active programme for your taste.

What is the best time to travel for an active holiday?

There is no single best time, there are five, one per strand. Hiking and trekking run calmly in the low mountain ranges from May to October, in the high mountains from late June to early October. Cycling on the major river paths feels most coherent from May to early October, with caution in midsummer because of the heat. Surfing on European Atlantic coasts has a year-round window, with a warm summer for beginners and large waves in autumn and winter for advanced surfers. Winter sport is the clear slot from mid-December to mid-April, with ski touring stretching into May. Climbing and mountain sport are possible year-round, but higher tours need stable conditions between July and September. If you do not want to commit, May, June and September are the most honest universal months because hiking, cycling and sport climbing overlap there.

Do I need to be very fit to join an active retreat?

No, most active retreats offer programmes for different fitness levels – from beginners to advanced participants. Many organisers provide various difficulty levels to choose from, so you can set your own pace. You'll find information about the requirements in each retreat description. If in doubt, you can contact the provider directly to ask whether the retreat is suitable for your fitness level.

What physical requirements do I need?

It depends on the chosen strand and the level of the stay. For a hiking week at beginner level in a low mountain range, it is enough if you walk regularly and can stay out for three to four hours in a row with breaks. For an alpine trekking tour with real elevation, you need several weeks of preparation with stair work, weekend walks and some endurance training. For cycling on a river path, basic fitness and a properly fitted bike are enough; for mountain bike days in alpine terrain, riding technique and load capacity matter. Surfing is more physically demanding than it looks, especially the paddling; comfortable swimming in open water is a precondition. Ski touring needs endurance plus avalanche knowledge; the beginner format builds both in the first days. Climbing and via ferrata require surefootedness and freedom from vertigo. Before booking, ask directly which requirements apply to the chosen level; honest hosts will also give you an honest read on your current shape.

How much does an active retreat cost?

The prices for active retreats vary depending on the destination, duration, accommodation, and included services. On Retreat Urlaub, prices range from €92 to €525.000, with an average price of €3.912. The price typically includes accommodation, guided activities, and often meals as well. Pay attention to the detailed service descriptions when booking to find the best offer for your budget.

Can I combine an active holiday with yoga or meditation?

Yes, and it is in fact the most common model in the retreat format. Hiking plus yoga is the most widespread combination, followed by surfing plus yoga on the coast and cycling plus wellness along river paths. A typical day looks like this: in the morning a yoga unit of 60 to 90 minutes with focus on the areas the day will load, hips and legs before hiking, shoulders and chest after surfing. Then the main activity follows for four to six hours. The evening often holds a short breath or meditation unit that slows the day and makes falling asleep easier. The yoga styles in these programmes are usually Hatha or Yin, slow and holding, because dynamic Vinyasa flows after an active day can overload the body. If you are looking for this combination, pick stays that name yoga explicitly in the programme title or in the daily structure, otherwise the yoga unit stays only an optional add-on.

Which destinations are particularly popular for active retreats?

Popular destinations for active retreats include the Alps (Austria, Switzerland, South Tyrol) for hiking and climbing, Portugal and Spain for surf retreats, the Canary Islands for year-round outdoor activities, Scandinavia for nature and adventure retreats, and Bali and Costa Rica for a combination of surfing, yoga, and tropical nature. Browse through our 268 offerings to discover your ideal destination.

Are active holidays suitable for beginners?

Yes, every one of the five strands has explicit beginner formats. In hiking that means low daily stages of three to five hours with frequent breaks, well-marked trails and a guide who carries the tempo and pulse of the group. In cycling that means river paths without notable climbs and daily stages of 40 to 60 kilometres, often with luggage transport between the overnights. Surfing beginner weeks form their own category on European Atlantic coasts, with foam-wave practice on the first day, dry exercises on the beach and theory on currents. Beginner skiing still finds its place in a ski school or in a guided beginner camp; ski touring entry runs through certified mountain guides because avalanche knowledge is mandatory. Climbing starts indoors or at a secured practice rock, from there the path leads to the via ferrata. What matters is that the programme names beginners explicitly; mixed groups with mixed levels often frustrate beginners because the pace climbs too high.

Can I book an active retreat as a solo traveller?

Absolutely! Active retreats are ideal for solo travellers. You'll meet like-minded people who also enjoy movement and nature, and you can make new connections in an open group atmosphere. Many retreats offer single rooms or the option to book a shared room. Solo travellers particularly appreciate the combination of community and personal freedom that an active retreat provides.

Which equipment do I need, and what is provided?

The rule of thumb is: you bring personal kit, technical and safety equipment is often provided. For hiking you bring worn-in shoes, backpack, water bottle and layered clothing yourself; trekking poles are often available to borrow. For cycling most hosts provide the bike including helmet and repair kit, while clipless pedals or your own saddle can be fitted separately. For surfing, board and wetsuit are almost always part of the price, but bringing your own gear is fine. For skiing you usually rent skis, poles and helmet on site; ski touring kit including avalanche set is provided by the mountain guide or arranged for an extra fee. For climbing and via ferrata, helmet, harness and via ferrata set are often included, while climbing shoes you bring yourself once you know your size. What you always bring are functional underwear, sun protection, travel medication, a charged phone and a jacket against rain. What you never carry in any format are maps, because the guide knows the route.

What should I bring to an active retreat?

The packing list depends on the planned activities. Generally, we recommend comfortable sportswear, sturdy footwear (e.g., hiking boots), sun protection, a water bottle, and depending on the programme, swimwear or special equipment. Many retreats provide sports equipment such as surfboards, bicycles, or yoga mats on site. You'll usually find a detailed recommendation of what to bring in the retreat description.

Active holiday solo or in a group: what fits better?

Both work, and both have a clear character. Going solo means you book a stay in which everything is organised through the group, and you join it on your own. You make connections, because the shared doing carries the day; after a morning hike or a surf session on the beach the group already knows each other well by the evening. Solo travellers are over-represented in active formats, around a third of guests in many houses. Single-room supplements vary widely, some houses offer shared double rooms without extra cost. Travelling with your own group works especially well for stays you book as a unit, for example a hiking weekend with friends or a cycling week with your partner. Pick a programme that matches the middle level of the group, otherwise the group splits along the way. Pure women's groups are a segment of their own, especially in surfing and hiking, and are offered explicitly. Anyone travelling in mixed company finds an easy fit in almost any format.

How does an active retreat differ from a regular sports holiday?

Compared to a classic sports holiday, an active retreat places greater emphasis on holistic well-being. In addition to sporting activities, there are often complementary offerings such as yoga, meditation, mindfulness exercises, healthy nutrition, and wellness treatments. The goal is not just physical fitness but also mental recovery and personal growth. You'll return from your holiday not only fitter but also more relaxed and balanced. Discover our 268 active retreats now and find your perfect getaway.