Mindfulness retreat in silence
Schlangenbad, Germany
$331 / 3 Days
Meditation Retreats
A meditation retreat is often equated with a Vipassana retreat or Vipassana meditation. It comes exactly from this direction, but can also be done separately. Especially beginners who are looking for a suitable retreat center with the thought 'I want to learn to meditate' are not familiar with Vipassana at first. The understanding of where the meditation retreat comes from and what its actual goal is usually only comes gradually. But whether you are a beginner or an advanced meditator - inner peace is desirable for everyone.
421 curated retreats
4.9
(454 reviews)
from
€90
Art of Living Silent Retreat – Silence in the Black Forest with Meditation, Breathing Techniques, and Yoga
Oppenau, Germany
$698
$663
Frühbucher
/ 5 Days
QIGONG Fall Retreat on the Palatinate Way of St. James
Eisenberg (Pfalz), Germany
$405 / 3 Days
Feel.Rest.Return. - Dein Yogaretreat
Wermelskirchen, Germany
$571 / 5 Days
Monastery Retreat: Soul & Relax Yin Yoga, Meditation – Mind Detox – Available as a Preventive Course
Kall, Germany
$274 / 3 Days
Vipassana Silent Retreat – Finding Yourself in Silence
Horn-Bad Meinberg, Germany
$244 / 3 Days
4.7
3 days just for me! – Recharge at the monastery / Last-minute spots available!
Wald-Michelbach, Germany
$397 / 3 Days
4.9
Consciousness development in the monastery
Siedelsbrunn, Germany
$397 / 3 Days
5.0
Time for me! - Mindfulness week on La Gomera - "The journey to yourself!" 2 places available!!!
San Sebastian, La Gomera, Kanarische Inseln, Spain
$797 / 8 Days
5.0
5 Days of Yoga on Norderney – Between Wind and Open Spaces (Certified Prevention Course)
Norderney, Germany
$377 / 6 Days
Time Out: Let Go. Take a Deep Breath. Find Your Center with Somayoga, Sound, Breath, and Meditation
Dornbirn, Austria
$686 / 4 Days
4.9
Personal 2-Week Retreat // Nature, Silence, & Meditation Near Hamburg
Hoisdorf, Germany
$1,864 / 15 Days
5.0
Horse-Led Retreat in the Steigerwald
Eltmann, Germany
$663 / 7 Days
Kloster Auszeit (Münsterland): Slow & Yin Yoga, Mindfulness, Meditation – Cultivating Inner Peace
Glandorf, Germany
$280 / 3 Days
Accredited Educational Leave: Yoga Week on Sylt
Sylt, Germany
$605 / 5 Days
☀️ 7-Day Yoga Retreat – Get 2 Days Free
Horn-Bad Meinberg, Germany
$448 / 8 Days
Mind detox: silent retreat - with yin yoga & meditation - for more peace & clarity in the monastery
Bestwig, Germany
$280 / 3 Days
Personalized 6-Day Retreat for Individuals & Couples // Nature, Silence & Meditation Near Hamburg
Hoisdorf, Germany
$800 / 6 Days
5.0
BERG-RETREAT Zillertal 1800m | Qigong, Meditation, Sound & Hiking | RETURNING TO YOUR TRUE SELF
Kaltenbach , Austria
$789 / 5 Days
4.9
Who I Really Am
Altenfelden, Austria
$807 / 5 Days
VIPASSANA Meditation Retreat
Altenburg, Austria
$286 / 4 Days
5.0
INNER BALANCE - A day of exclusive relaxation with meditation, nature, and Ayurvedic soul food
Hildesheim-Itzum, Germany
$200
$148
Early Bird
/ 1 Day
Personal 4-Week Retreat for Individuals & Couples / Nature, Silence & Meditation Near Hamburg
Hoisdorf, Germany
$3,868 / 28 Days
Retreat Yoga & Transformatives Atmen
Borgwedel, Germany
$452 / 3 Days
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What a meditation retreat actually is
A meditation retreat is a multi-day break in which silent sitting and observation of your own attention form the core of the day: not a single evening hour, but five to seven sitting phases spread across the day.
That distinguishes it from a yoga retreat, even though the transitions are fluid. In a yoga retreat, physical practice sits at the center with asana sequences, breathing exercises and vinyasa flows; meditation accompanies, usually 20 to 30 minutes in the morning and evening. A meditation retreat reverses that ratio. Sitting phases of 45 to 90 minutes, walking meditation and longer silent stretches define the day. Yoga, if part of the program at all, becomes gentle preparation for the sitting, not the main subject.
Many houses offer mixed formats: a large share of the programs listed here combine meditation with yoga, hiking or time in nature, because pure sitting retreats are often too intense for beginners. If you are looking for an exclusively sitting-focused format, you will find it in specialized houses or under the silent retreat category on this site.
421 Meditation Retreat are currently comparable here, from a three-day mindfulness break in a monastery to a two- or four-week deepening in a dedicated retreat center. Five days has emerged in practice as the minimum stretch needed for the mind to actually let go of everyday tempo.
Four schools, four day-feels
Four schools show up regularly here, each with its own method and its own feeling on the cushion.
Guided meditation in a yoga context: by far the most common form among the 421 Meditation Retreat. Meditations led by a teacher at set times across the day, usually combined with gentle yoga units, often in ashram-style settings such as the centers around Horn-Bad Meinberg in North Rhine-Westphalia. The entry barrier is low because the teacher walks the group through each sitting and conveys posture and breathing technique on the spot.
Mindfulness retreats: three- to seven-day programs in which you direct your attention to breath, body and present moment. The background is secular and psychological, not religious. Body-scan and walking meditation structure the day. Suitable if you are a beginner or coming out of high-stress phases looking for quiet.
Zen formats: smaller in number but present. Zen is a Japanese Buddhist tradition centered on long silent sitting phases and a very formal upright posture. The atmosphere is sober and reduced, verbal guidance sparse.
Silent retreats in monasteries: three to five days inside a monastic frame, where silence carries the day and meditation alternates with meals, walks and open phases. No religious affiliation is expected; many monasteries explicitly welcome non-religious guests.
Vipassana and MBSR are independent, highly formalized schools and live under their own sub-categories.
Day rhythm: sitting, walking, silence
A typical day at a meditation retreat is structured but not tight. The skeleton resembles itself across schools.
Early morning: first sitting phase, often before breakfast, 30 to 45 minutes. If you come from the secular mindfulness side, you may begin with a body-scan, a guided sweep of attention through the body. Mixed yoga-and-meditation formats add a short gentle yoga unit beforehand that prepares your body for longer sitting.
Late morning: two longer sitting phases, 45 to 60 minutes each, with walking meditation in between. Walking meditation is very slow, deliberate walking across short distances; it loosens the body without breaking the meditative mode. The teacher's spoken guidance stays brief, most of the time runs in silence.
Midday: meal, often eaten in silence, usually vegetarian. The longest open phase of the day, one to two hours, follows, used for walks, rest or journaling.
Afternoon and evening: another two or three sitting phases, sometimes a guided breath meditation, a method that keeps attention consistently with the in- and out-breath. A talk or a conversation with the teacher is often scheduled for the evening.
Among the 421 Meditation Retreat, durations run from three days, typically a weekend in a monastery, up to eight days or more; five days is the most common choice. The amount of silence varies: some houses hold continuous silence from arrival to departure, others only during the day.
Who it actually suits
Meditation retreats fit a wider range of people than the term suggests, but not every format suits every starting point.
If you are a beginner without prior experience, a guided yoga-and-meditation program is the lowest threshold. The teacher carries every sitting phase with instruction, gentle yoga units loosen your back, the day stays loosely scheduled. Three to five days is a realistic first stretch, with one or two of those running in a weekend format. Mindfulness weeks, for example on La Gomera or in monasteries in Hesse and North Rhine-Westphalia, also work well for a first encounter with extended silence.
If you have an established personal practice, longer silent formats in dedicated retreat centers fit better, here up to four weeks. Zen sitting weeks, with their long formal sitting phases and sparse verbal guidance, belong to this line as well. Vipassana courses, a highly formalized school with ten hours of sitting meditation per day, classically ten days long, appear on this site under their own category and are not centrally listed here.
The prerequisites are physically and mentally moderate. Sitting still for 45 minutes without back support is unfamiliar but learnable; cushions and benches are available in every house. If you arrive with chronic back issues, ask about sitting aids in advance or pick a format with a yoga component. Mentally: during ongoing crises, grief or acute strain, seek the conversation with the host before booking, because silence amplifies inner contents; that can be therapeutically helpful but needs guidance.
You will find both explicit beginner formats and programs for experienced practitioners; the filters mark this per offer.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is a meditation retreat?
A meditation retreat is a guided getaway that allows you to fully focus on the practice of meditation. Away from everyday life, you'll explore different meditation techniques, deepen your existing practice, and find inner peace. The retreats are led by experienced teachers and often take place in quiet, nature-rich locations. At Retreat Urlaub, you'll currently find 421 meditation retreats.
Who is a meditation retreat suitable for?
Meditation retreats are suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners. Many retreats offer different levels, so you can find the right course regardless of your experience. Whether you want to try meditation for the first time, reduce stress, or deepen your long-standing practice – there's something for everyone. In the descriptions of our 421 offerings, you'll find information about the recommended experience level.
How much does a meditation retreat cost?
The prices for meditation retreats vary depending on duration, accommodation, meals, and location. At Retreat Urlaub, prices range from €79 to €11.900, with an average price of €1.157. Many retreats already include accommodation, meals, and all course sessions, offering you excellent value for money.
What meditation techniques are taught at a retreat?
Different meditation techniques are offered depending on the retreat. These include mindfulness meditation, Vipassana, Zen meditation, guided visualizations, Metta meditation (loving-kindness), mantra meditation, and walking meditation. Many retreats combine several techniques or additionally offer yoga, breathwork, and journaling. Browse through our offerings to find the retreat that best suits your needs.
How long does a meditation retreat last?
Meditation retreats come in various formats – from weekend retreats (2–3 days) and week-long intensive courses to multi-week silent retreats. For beginners, shorter retreats of 3 to 5 days are recommended, while experienced meditators often prefer longer formats. Among our 421 offerings, you're sure to find the right duration for your needs.
What is a silent retreat and is it right for me?
During a silent retreat, you refrain from speaking and often from using digital devices for the duration of the retreat. The silence helps you dive deeper into meditation, perceive your thoughts more clearly, and have an intense inner experience. Although it may sound challenging at first, many participants report a profound and liberating experience. Some of our retreats also offer gentler variations with partial silence periods.
What should I bring to a meditation retreat?
Generally, you should bring comfortable clothing, warm socks, and possibly your own meditation cushion if you prefer one. Most retreat centers provide meditation mats, cushions, and blankets. A notebook for personal reflections and weather-appropriate clothing for nature walks are also recommended. You'll usually receive a detailed packing list from the organizer after booking.
How do I find the right meditation retreat for me?
At Retreat Urlaub, you can choose from 421 meditation retreats. Start by considering what matters most to you: Do you want to learn a specific meditation technique? Do you prefer a retreat in the mountains, by the sea, or in the forest? How long do you want to go for, and what is your budget (our prices range from €79 to €11.900)? Use our filter and search features to find the perfect retreat. If you have any questions, our team is happy to help.