Meditation Retreats

Choosing a meditation retreat

Traditions differ, and a good listing says which one a retreat follows. Vipassana (insight) and samatha (calm) come from Theravada Buddhism; mindfulness courses are secular adaptations of similar techniques; and yoga-based programmes teach meditation alongside breathwork or yoga nidra. Some retreats are silent from start to finish, while others mix silent periods with talks, group sharing or time outdoors.

8 of the 19 retreats here run four days or fewer, a sensible length for a first retreat, and the longest runs 8 days. For fully silent programmes, see silent retreats. 17 of the 19 programmes here start between $257 and $3,271 per person, and the median starting price is $679.

Long periods of silent practice can stir up difficult feelings. If you have a history of trauma or a mental-health condition, tell the teacher before you book and ask what support is on hand.

Length

3–8 days

Median length

5 days

Starting prices, per person

$257–$3,271 (17 of 19)

Median starting price

$679

Prices are converted from each host's currency at the European Central Bank reference rate of October 19, 2026.

Before you book

• Ask for the daily schedule: how many hours of sitting, and when the silence applies.
• Check who teaches, in which tradition, and whether you can speak with the teacher during the retreat.
• Ask about phones, reading and writing; some retreats ask you to put them away for the whole stay.

Frequently asked questions