Tree pose on the Amalfi Coast (Photo: Book Yoga Retreats)
Italy has become one of the most sought after destinations for yoga getaways in recent years, thanks to its wealth of natural beauty and the relaxed way of life. Here you can flow through sun salutations while basking in the mediterranean climate, with abundant but healthy meals using the freshest local produce, and clean and welcoming accommodation (anything from rustic cottages to an opulent palazzo). Another plus in Italy: thanks to the thriving agriturismo industry, many heritage farmhouses and mansions have now been transformed into guest houses and spas perfect for hosting yoga retreats. Whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced yogi, these retreats will give you the chance to embrace rustic Italian customs and visit the nearby towns during your stay. With the Amalfi Coast, Apennine Mountains, Tuscan hills, and islands like Sicily or Ischia all home to top-notch retreats, look no further than Italy for a soul-nourishing yoga adventure, full of semplicità e buon gusto (simplicity and good taste).
4-Day Authentic Farm Experience Yoga Holiday Abruzzo National Park, Province of Frosinone
Yoga in the Abruzzo National Park (Photo: BookRetreats.com)
Nestled in the parklands of Southern Italy, this four-day retreat combines yoga with cycling and horseback riding to discover the river and valleys of the Abruzzo region (even those with no equestrian experience can participate safely). Accommodation and yoga sessions are on a farm in the village of Pescosolido, enabling you to explore the mountains, waterfalls and hiking trails of the Abruzzo National Park, but also the neighboring ruins, churches and castles. Vegetarian meals are included and locally produced pasta, wine and cheese are all available, but feel free to roam the farm and pick your own fruit and vegetables! Additional activities like cooking classes, paragliding and reiki are optional extras, and with only one hatha class a day, this retreat is ideal for those new to yoga who also want to experience the local life to the fullest. From $249/4 days
7-Day Iyengar Summer Yoga Retreat in the Peaceful Surroundings of Orvieto, Umbria
Iyengar yoga in a monastery in Umbria (Photo: Book Yoga Retreats)
Perched on a rock cliff in southwestern Umbria, the town of Orvieto is home to an old monastery. And that is where the yoga classes will take place during this weeklong retreat with a certified Iyengar instructor. The accommodation in the Casa Di Accoglienza Religiosa San Lodovico is clean, spacious and authentic, with a large garden to relax in. Intensive classes – up to five hours a day spread over two sessions – will be complemented with vegetarian, seasonal brunches, dinners in local restaurants, and time to explore the historic city center. From US$733/7 days
Reserve via BookYogaRetreats.com
8-Day Light Italy Week Private Yoga Retreat in Syracuse
Yoga Like A Local in Syracuse (Photo: Book Yoga Retreats)
This retreat on the Ionian coast of the island of Sicily is an offer you can’t refuse. It includes five hatha yoga sessions in the most stunning outdoor locations on the beach or sea view terraces (weather permitting), as well as a boat tour of Ortigia. Go deeper into the island’s history and culture with optional extras: a walking tour of the town’s ancient ruins, wine tasting or a cooking class with a local chef. Seven nights’ private accommodation will be offered in a typical, cosy Sicilian home. From $1,246/8 days
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5-Day Yoga Retreat, Cultural Tour, and Ayurveda in Puglia, Province of Bari
Yoga retreat in Puglia (Photo: Book Yoga Retreats)
This yoga, ayurveda and cooking retreat takes place at the Montecarretto country house in a peaceful rural area of Puglia in southern Italy. You will have the possibility to stay in one of the charming trulli cottages unique to the region (traditional dry stone hutes with corbelled roof) for a truly authentic local experience. Your guide, Carola, has studied yoga, Ayurveda, pranic healing and meditation extensively in India. After each morning hatha class or a session of healthful Ayurvedic treatments, she and the Vedaguru team will take the group to visit the nearby town of Polignano a Mare on the Adriatic coast, or leave you free time and a bicycle to explore. Meals are simple, rustic Pugliese fare prepared with kilometer 0 practices using local produce and olive oil, with one evening devoted to a cooking class. Nourish your body, inside and out. From $690/5 days
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8-Day Ashtanga and Yin Yoga Retreat with Bela Lipat and Thina Chat in Orosei, Sardinia
Yoga retreat in Sardinia (Photo: Book Yoga Retreats)
In the small village of Orosei on the east Sardinian coast, pristine coastline and sparkling waters meet rugged, mountainous landscape. It’s a spectacular destination for yoga on this eight-day retreat with two experienced and caring instructors from Greece and the Philippines, trained in Sivananda and Ashtanga styles of yoga. Daily Ashtanga, pranayama breathing, meditation and gentle yin sessions will be completed with two technique and alignment workshops to take your yoga discipline to the next level. In the villa run by your Italian host Renata, guests can enjoy breakfast and dinner al fresco with a stunning seaside view. The property features a pool but is just a three-minute walk from the beach. The group will also be taken on a boating trip to visit the Gulf of Orosei and the jaw-droppingly beautiful caves of Blue Marino and Cala Luna. From $1,159/8 days
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3-Day Yoga, Pranayama, Reiki and Spa Retreat in Tuscany, Italy
Yoga retreat in Tuscany (Photo: BookRetreats.com)
This deeply relaxing three-day retreat in the Tuscan hills is the ideal self-care package. Deep within a park in the heart of the Casciana hot springs, the spa of Villa Borri was originally an 18th-century Tuscan farmhouse. Here you can enjoy the springs and access to the spa as part of your stay, which includes daily pranayama breathwork, followed by 90-minute dynamic ashtanga and gentle yin in the evenings (Alice is a highly qualified yoga instructor who has taught in India, Australia and her native Italy). Daily farm-style brunch is included; add on optional extras like ancient Roman massage or Reiki treatments, or explore the nearby villages of Lari and Volterra. It’s only 40 minutes by car to the Leaning Tower of Pisa – shouldn’t that be a yoga pose? From $617/3 days
5-Day Deluxe Yoga Holiday with Hot Spring Visit and Wine and Olive Tasting in Casperia
Sunflower Retreats, Casperia (Photo: Book Yoga Retreats)
In a panoramic oasis of green in central Italy, the historic town of Casperia and the Sabina mountains are the ideal backdrop for yoga. This retreat features three 90-minute invigorating morning classes, an afternoon restorative yin and meditation session, plus everything you need to enjoy the great outdoors: a private swimming pool overlooking the mountains, bicycles, free time to enjoy hiking trails, wine and olive tasting, or why not a trip to the nearby hot sulfur springs? You will be staying in the splendor of the 16th-century Forani Palazzo, once home to the Count and Countess of Casperia. From $970/5 days
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7-Day Chakra Healing Yoga Warrior Hiking Sea View Retreat on the Cliff of Amalfi Coast
Tree pose on the Amalfi Coast (Photo: Book Yoga Retreats)
It doesn’t get much more secluded and peaceful than this. The only way to reach The Sacred Cliff retreat is a steep hike to this now uninhabited village along the Path of Gods on the Amalfi Coast in southern Italy. Between sea and sky in the Lattari Mountains, you will hike daily to be able to practice yoga on secret beaches and with the most incredible views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Morning hatha yoga will prepare you for the treks, with guided meditation sessions and a cacao ceremony in the evenings. Three organic meals will be provided daily, with the opportunity to lead local horses out along the picturesque trail at sunset. From $1,704/7 days
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8-Day Yoga Retreat in Ischia Island
Yoga on the island of Ischia (Photo: Book Yoga Retreats)
Picture yourself flowing through sun salutations while looking across the sparkling water towards the island of Capri. Off the coast of Naples, Ischia boasts volcanic soil, rich greenery, and long expanses of beach – no wonder it’s the ideal place to salute the sun. Among the brightly-colored houses in the small town of Sant’Angelo, you will find the converted farmhouse, villa and restaurant, Il Giardino del Nonno (Grandfather’s Garden). Enjoy two daily hatha classes on the sunny deck, and spend free time lounging in one of the many spa facilities scattered around the grounds: hot thermal pools, hydro massage, natural saunas and even a steam bath carved into ancient tuff caves. Tranquillo!
From $1,133/8 days
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8-Day Jivamukti End of Summer Equinox Yoga Retreat in Sicily
Jivamukti yoga in Sicily (Photo: Book Retreats)
Led by a former pupil of the renowned founders of the Jivamukti style, Sharon Gannon and David Life, this retreat is bound to offer one of the most intensive yoga programs you can hope to find in Europe. Anja will welcome you at a 17th-century villa on a 40-acre (16 hectares) Masseria in southeast Sicily, just 10 minutes from the Mediterranean Sea. This particular retreat has been designed to coincide with and harness the energy of the Summer Equinox. Those craving as much yoga as possible during their stay will relish Anja’s daily three-hour morning workshops (followed by a shorter asana practice in the afternoons, guided by other Jivamukti teachers on staff). There are also optional meditation, chanting and sutra readings throughout the retreat. But don’t worry – there will still be time to explore the surrounding nature park and nearby town. In keeping with Jivamukti teachings, all meals are plant-based, prepared creatively by the Italian head chef of vegan restaurant Jivamukti Canteen. From $1206/8 days