Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
11 Best Meditation Retreats
11
items Meditation retreats offer a precious chance to step away from distractions and deepen your inner calm, whether you're taking your first mindful pause or immersing yourself in a seasoned practice. In this guide, you’ll find carefully selected retreats...
Disclaimer: Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you choose to book through them, I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.
Disclaimer: Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you choose to book through them, I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.
Sections
4
1: Vipassana Meditation Retreats
2: Silent Meditation Retreats
3: Zen Meditation Retreats
4: Unique & Transformational Retreats
1: Vipassana Meditation Retreats
Vipassana, meaning “insight,” is one of the oldest meditation traditions and is practiced through silence, stillness, and self-observation. These retreats are often immersive and highly structured, making them powerful for both beginners seeking a re...
Tucked away in a peaceful Thai village between Chiang Mai and Pai, Pa Pae Meditation Retreat is a donation-based center praised for its warm community, approachable teaching, and authentic cultural experience.
It is ideal for beginners or travelers wanting an introduction to Vipassana without the intensity of strict monasteries. Guests highlight the simple accommodation, nourishing meals, and heartfelt hospitality.
Tip: Ask the hosts for help with local transport; it’s easy to reach by bus or minivan from Chiang Mai.
It is ideal for beginners or travelers wanting an introduction to Vipassana without the intensity of strict monasteries. Guests highlight the simple accommodation, nourishing meals, and heartfelt hospitality.
Tip: Ask the hosts for help with local transport; it’s easy to reach by bus or minivan from Chiang Mai.
Pa Pae Meditation Retreat - Thailand
Part of the widely respected Vipassana lineage taught by S.N. Goenka, these 10-day residential retreats are donation-based.
Excellent for beginners and seasoned meditators seeking a structured, silent experience.
Tip: Apply early and be prepared for a rigorous schedule of silence and meditation.
Excellent for beginners and seasoned meditators seeking a structured, silent experience.
Tip: Apply early and be prepared for a rigorous schedule of silence and meditation.
Dhamma Giri, India
A charming hybrid of yoga and Vipassana. This retreat is often described as transformational. Guests share experiences of "loving, authentic teaching," memorable homemade vegetarian meals, and a warm, community feel.
It’s especially well suited for beginners or those seeking a caring, holistic introduction to insight meditation.
Tip: The blend of yoga and meditation creates an accessible, integrated experience ideal for travelers and first-timers.
It’s especially well suited for beginners or those seeking a caring, holistic introduction to insight meditation.
Tip: The blend of yoga and meditation creates an accessible, integrated experience ideal for travelers and first-timers.
Mindfulness Project Thailand
2: Silent Meditation Retreats
Silent retreats offer a rare chance to step away from constant noise and rediscover inner stillness. By observing noble silence, no talking, no digital distractions, participants can fully immerse themselves in meditation, mindful activities, and sel...
Set among lush rice fields and jungle, the Bali Silent Retreat is a peaceful eco-sanctuary where guests disconnect from the outside world and immerse in stillness.
Days include yoga, meditation, organic meals, and mindful walks, all within a serene, no-Wi-Fi environment.
It’s especially suited for beginners or travelers who want silence without the intensity of a strict monastic schedule.
Tip: Book early for garden-view rooms they’re the most sought-after for their views and tranquility.
Days include yoga, meditation, organic meals, and mindful walks, all within a serene, no-Wi-Fi environment.
It’s especially suited for beginners or travelers who want silence without the intensity of a strict monastic schedule.
Tip: Book early for garden-view rooms they’re the most sought-after for their views and tranquility.
Bali Silent Retreat (Penatahan, Bali)
Nestled in the quiet countryside of Rhône-Alpes, Hridaya Yoga offers highly praised 10-day silent meditation retreats rooted in heart-centered practices.
Guests highlight the depth of stillness, compassionate teachings, and the transformative balance of yoga and meditation.
It’s well-suited for both beginners seeking guidance and experienced practitioners wanting to deepen their inner work.
Tip: Longer retreats often bring the most lasting insights, so consider booking beyond the 10-day program if possible.
Guests highlight the depth of stillness, compassionate teachings, and the transformative balance of yoga and meditation.
It’s well-suited for both beginners seeking guidance and experienced practitioners wanting to deepen their inner work.
Tip: Longer retreats often bring the most lasting insights, so consider booking beyond the 10-day program if possible.
Hridaya Yoga, France
Set in a serene corner of Ubud overlooking rice fields, Samyama Meditation Center offers 5-day silent retreats centered around non-duality, heart-based mindfulness, and self-inquiry inspired by Ramana Maharshi’s teachings. Participants consistently d...
Ideal for those ready for deep insight without the austerity of traditional monastic settings.
Tip: If on-site accommodation is full, don’t worry, there are affordable nearby stays that fully support the silent retreat atmosphere.
Ideal for those ready for deep insight without the austerity of traditional monastic settings.
Tip: If on-site accommodation is full, don’t worry, there are affordable nearby stays that fully support the silent retreat atmosphere.
Samyama Meditation Center (2025) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Reviews)
3: Zen Meditation Retreats
Rooted in simplicity and presence, Zen meditation retreats emphasize seated practice (zazen), mindful rituals, and living fully in each moment. These retreats often take place in monasteries or dedicated centers where daily life itself becomes medita...
Tucked deep in the Ventana Wilderness, Tassajara is the oldest Soto Zen monastery in the U.S. and a renowned retreat for traditional Zen practice. Guests experience a rhythm of zazen (seated meditation), chanting, work practice, and nourishing vegeta...
It’s well-suited for practitioners seeking authentic Zen training or visitors curious about monastic life during guest season.
Tip: Retreats are only open to the public in summer, book early as spots fill fast.
It’s well-suited for practitioners seeking authentic Zen training or visitors curious about monastic life during guest season.
Tip: Retreats are only open to the public in summer, book early as spots fill fast.
Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, California, USA
Tucked in the serene landscapes of Beppu, this authentic temple-hosted retreat offers a beautiful blend of Zen meditation, cultural immersion, and Japanese hospitality.
Guests rave about meditating at sunrise on the porch overlooking a peaceful garden, participating in temple chores like harvesting produce, and learning traditional activities like tea ceremonies and Japanese cooking.
It's perfect for those seeking a gentle, culturally rich introduction to Zen practice.
Tip: If you’re not used to sitting cross-legged, consider starting some gentle floor sitting exercises in advance to ease into the experience.
Guests rave about meditating at sunrise on the porch overlooking a peaceful garden, participating in temple chores like harvesting produce, and learning traditional activities like tea ceremonies and Japanese cooking.
It's perfect for those seeking a gentle, culturally rich introduction to Zen practice.
Tip: If you’re not used to sitting cross-legged, consider starting some gentle floor sitting exercises in advance to ease into the experience.
Beppu Zen Retreat, Japan
4: Unique & Transformational Retreats
Not all meditation retreats follow a traditional mold. Some weave in elements of nature, creativity, or healing practices to create deeply transformational experiences. These retreats often go beyond silent sitting or structured schedules, offering a...
Nestled amid tropical gardens overlooking the sea, Zen Resort blends meditation with Ayurveda, yoga, and spa therapies for a holistic wellness experience.
It’s especially popular with travelers seeking both inner stillness and rejuvenation of the body.
The personalized programs, ranging from detox to stress relief, make it a great choice for beginners or anyone in need of balance and renewal.
Tip: Book one of the sunrise meditation sessions by the ocean for a truly unforgettable start to your day.
It’s especially popular with travelers seeking both inner stillness and rejuvenation of the body.
The personalized programs, ranging from detox to stress relief, make it a great choice for beginners or anyone in need of balance and renewal.
Tip: Book one of the sunrise meditation sessions by the ocean for a truly unforgettable start to your day.
Zen Resort Bali, Indonesia
Perched on dramatic cliffs above the Pacific Ocean, Esalen is world-renowned for blending meditation, mindfulness, and human potential workshops in a breathtaking natural setting.
It attracts seekers, creatives, and wellness enthusiasts eager for personal transformation through a mix of classes, community, and healing hot springs.
Suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners, it offers freedom to explore meditation alongside bodywork, art, and movement.
Tip: Don’t miss the iconic cliffside hot springs they’re as restorative as the practices themselves.
It attracts seekers, creatives, and wellness enthusiasts eager for personal transformation through a mix of classes, community, and healing hot springs.
Suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners, it offers freedom to explore meditation alongside bodywork, art, and movement.
Tip: Don’t miss the iconic cliffside hot springs they’re as restorative as the practices themselves.
Esalen Institute, Big Sur, California, USA
Housed in a restored 14th-century monastery, Eremito offers a modern-day hermitage experience where silence, simplicity, and nature take center stage.
Known for its digital detox environment and candlelit vegetarian meals, it’s ideal for those craving deep solitude and reflection away from distractions.
Solo travelers especially appreciate the “Celluzze” rooms designed for contemplation.
Tip: Pack a journal, this retreat’s quiet ambiance naturally inspires writing and self-reflection.
Known for its digital detox environment and candlelit vegetarian meals, it’s ideal for those craving deep solitude and reflection away from distractions.
Solo travelers especially appreciate the “Celluzze” rooms designed for contemplation.
Tip: Pack a journal, this retreat’s quiet ambiance naturally inspires writing and self-reflection.
Eremito, Italy