0 Weekend Silent Meditation Retreat in Alentejo
This two-day introduction to silent retreat practice takes place at an organic farm in the heart of Alentejo, surrounded by cork oak forest and wildflower meadows. Participants observe noble silence from Friday evening arrival through Sunday afternoon departure. The programme follows a traditional Vipassana structure: alternating sitting and walking meditation throughout the day, with a morning dharma talk and optional individual teacher interviews. Meals are simple, wholesome and eaten in silence. There are no phones, no reading and no journalling — just the practice and the land. This retreat is suitable for complete beginners and experienced meditators alike. Our maximum group size is 16 participants. The Alentejo landscape itself is part of the practice: the vast silence, the starry skies and the unhurried pace of rural Portugal create conditions for internal quiet that are genuinely rare in modern life. We offer this retreat monthly and recommend booking at least 8 weeks in advance.
What's included:
2 nights accommodation in shared dormitory (same-sex), all simple vegetarian meals, full guided programme, 1 optional teacher interview, evening dharma talk.
- 2 nights accommodation (shared dormitory)
- All simple vegetarian meals
- Full programme
- Teacher interview
Who is this for:
This weekend retreat is open to anyone — no prior meditation experience is required. It is particularly valued by those who have attended day programmes but want the deeper immersion that comes from continuous practice over multiple days.
What to expect:
Arrive Friday at 5pm. After a shared vegetarian dinner, the retreat begins with an orientation and the start of noble silence at 9pm. Saturday runs from 5:30am to 9:30pm with alternating sitting and walking meditation, a morning dharma talk, and three simple meals. Sunday closes at 2pm with a gradual return to speech and a closing circle.
How to get there:
The retreat farm is located 25km from Évora. We offer a paid group transfer from Évora train station (Friday 4:30pm, return Sunday 2:30pm, €20pp). Évora is 1h30 from Lisbon Oriente station by IC train.
Questions about this retreat
I have never meditated before. Can I do a silent retreat?
Yes — many participants at this retreat are complete beginners. The silent format actually makes it easier to sink into practice, because the usual social energy of group settings is removed. Our teacher will guide you through every session.
Is the dormitory really shared?
Yes — our dormitory accommodation is 4-bed, same-sex. Private room upgrades are available on request at an additional cost of €80. Email us to check availability before booking.
About the organiser
Marco Ferreira
Vipassana Teacher Training (Goenka tradition), 12 years practice
12 years of experience
Marco has been practicing and teaching Vipassana meditation in the tradition of S.N. Goenka for 12 years. He trained at Dhamma Neru in Portugal and has served on the teacher's assistant team at multiple international 10-day courses.
Enquire about this retreat
Send a message directly to the organiser. They'll reply to your email.
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