A superb retreat 10/10 From start to finish, Zarqa and Patricia ensure a personal touch to the visit. The yoga lessons are excellent, varied and soulful. The surf lessons add a more energetic dimension, as well as compliment the purpose of the retreat. The meditation sessions at the end of the day are wonderful and set you up for a perfect night’s sleep. The accommodation is clean, comfortable and spacious. The food is one of the highlights. Simply amazing (and this is coming from a person who loves his steak!) Every meal is different and delicious. No chance of going hungry with ample and generous portions. There are also lots of extra activities that can be added to the itinerary - guided walks, voice workshops, rhythm workshops and another highlight - massages. Both the Ayurvedic and Zenshiatsu are divine. I can not recommend this retreat highly enough. Thanks Zarqa and Patricia for all your hard work in creating this haven.

What a great pelerinage it has been. My wife and I came back a bit floating from our retreat, it took us some time before landing..... We loved our stay at Shamballah from A to Z: great location (sea just 5 minutes away), great atmosphere, great yoga and mediation sessions, very good balance between yoga, meditation and free time, great healthy food, great heterogeneous group (crazy London bankers on a retreat, entrepreneurs, personal development lovers: great mix). Zarqa and Patricia warm but discrete attention was one of the key to our stay. If you want to spend time with them, they are there, if you prefer to be alone, they will know. Their house is a peaceful nest (large nest!) ideal as it offers everyone the possibility to have its own space. I am happy (and proud!) to say that I also managed to learn surfing during my stay, whilst my wife managed to read the 500 books that she had always wanted to read but could never find the time to do. In a nutshell, you can go to Shamballah eyes closed. Tanneguy

I came back two weeks ago from a retreat at Shamballa in Sintra, Portugal. Three words describe the work of Patricia and Zarka: Authenticity, Dedication and Professionalism; every single yoga and meditation session was planned thoughtfully, the food was excellent, and the place was exactly as depicted on the site's pics: a retreat at walking distance from the Atlantic. I came as a solo traveler and felt at home with the group, the hosts, and the place. It is my humble opinion that if each person in this world complied with their job in the manner that this special couple manages their retreat, we would be living in a much better world. NAMASTE.

This is a very amazing retreat, sanctuary and safe place. I have been there multiple times and I have recommended it and sent friends over. Patricia and Zarqa are very welcoming and lovely people who make you feel at home. The food is superbly delicious. The daily practices leave you feeling energised and looking forward to the next one. The program offers many options to choose from while you’re there, from surfing to walking in the magical forest of sintra to hikes along the coast.. it is one of the best experiences I’ve had. Highly recommend it.

I have recently returned from the haven that is Shamballah Yoga Retreats. The experience that Zarqa and Patricia provide is unlike any other that I have had and it was a true privilege to have been welcomed into their home to share even a brief time of their extraordinary life. Very comfortable accommodation, the tranquil setting of Sintra National Park and nutritious tasty food were all key aspects that I enjoyed but the true beauty of this yoga retreat is found in Patricia and Zarqa and in the wonderful way that they have chosen to share their way of life with others. The yoga was wonderful, twice daily I got the privilege of being taught by Patricia - a truly outstanding teacher - who helped and challenged me to progress my own practice throughout the week. The group of people that I was lucky enough to share this experience with brought another element of adventure to the week. Meeting those from different walks of life, initially a group of strangers and bonding as a group, we journeyed through the week together. We formed fantastic memories as we learned the restorative powers that yoga and daily meditative practise can provide and had plenty of free time during the day to explore the stunning town of Sintra and the surrounding coast. I learned more about myself than I could have imagined possible in such a short space of time and am inspired, more than ever, to continue developing my own practise. Zarqa and Patricia are very special people and it was an absolute pleasure to spend the week in their company. I really cannot recommend this retreat more, I came home feeling rested, restored and invigorated and can't wait to further explore the world that this retreat has introduced me too. I'm already thinking about my return trip! Thank you again Patricia and Zarqa x x x

Fantastic experience. Zarqa and Patricia conducted the meditation and yoga classes with incredible attention to detail. Their level of commitment is commendable. The rooms are comfortable and the food was so healthy. Sintra is also great for visiting places and for going on long runs.

I visited Shamballah Retreats for a week's course of yoga, surf and meditation and it was the best thing I've done for a long time. As a busy Journalist I was amazed to discover how much one week in a retreat can enrich creative thinking, help with writing and make you feel that just about anything is possible. The yoga classes with Patricia at sunrise and sunset each day were beautiful, the food absolutely gorgeous and the meditation sessions with Zarqa's flute playing unforgettable. Thank you!

Thank you dear Patricia and Zarqa! We had amazing experience in your retreat and great time and you made us feeling very welcome and at home! The house is located in beautiful surroundings, you can choose from several amazing beaches, the nearest beach was actually my favourite and just 10-15 mins walking distance away. We travelled with small baby, so not sometimes possible to hike with stroller ;), in this case you have uber which is so cheap (4-5 euros) and was always available for us. We arrived at the state of stress and tiredness and after one week of eating healthy food, doing yoga, meditation and enjoying the nature, we feel totally recharged and relaxed. We loved good energy of hosts and the house, yoga and meditation sessions were really good, food was tasty and healthy. Would definitely come back ;) Rgds, Turguna and Albin

Amazing retreat with beautiful people, food and good energy. You can walk 8 minutes to the cliffs (amazing) just read and focus on your Self. Highly recommended!

I came back a week ago from an amazing stay at Shamballa resort in Sintra! Thank you Patricia and Zarqua for making my stay fantastic! The mediation and yoga classes were really special, I have been practicing yoga and meditation for several years, and still I learned so much from you!! I so much appreciated the great surprise concert, it really completed the magic of my stay! Thanks also to Fabi for the most delicious food, and a special thanks to Gustavo for the best massage Ive ever had! Shamballa resort Sintra get my best and most sincere recommendations!!

I have just come back from my second stay at Shamballah and I could not recommend the retreat more. Patricia and Zarqa are such warm, kind, and loving people and I instantly feel at home in their space and company. I thoroughly enjoyed my stay back in February 2020 (hence why I returned!) but I have enjoyed my April 2023 stay even more. The meditation, yoga, food, activities, and location have all been perfect. I have arrived home feeling renewed and ready to apply the tools I’ve learned during my stay to my daily life. I just wish that I had Fabi, the exceptional cook, at home to prepare her delicious meals every single day ❤️ I have been lucky to have stayed at Shamballah both times with a very close friend. However, this retreat is certainly solo traveller friendly as the other guests have been such wonderful company - Patricia and Zarqa attract very lovely people. I have been home two days and I am already looking forward to our next stay at Shamballah. Thank you Patricia and Zarqa, and the rest of the team, for all that you do. You have provided me with a truly life changing week and I’m very grateful to have met you 💕

The retreat in Shamballah was a unique experience. Patricia and Zarqa have been able to create a structure within which every guest can experience a "I'm exactly where I want to be" feeling. From the interpretation of yoga and meditation practices, to the kindness of the people involved in Shamballah, to the beauty of the surrounding places: everything contributes to making the stay pleasant and inspiring small or big changes, even after the retreat is over, to cultivate a deeper relationship with yourself. Obrigado!

I wanted to thank Patricia and Zarqa for showing me an alternative way of living. I found what I learned at shamballah really beneficial. The homemade vegetarian food was so good. Really appreciate all the help and love. Highly recommend to anyone who needs a break from city life and slow down a bit to enjoy life.

I can’t speak more highly of this retreat. Zarqa and Patricia were absolutely fantastic, and I left the retreat with friends for life. The passion radiating from these two is palpable. There is clearly so much thought, heart, and soul put into this beautiful oasis. Not only did I learn so much about deepening my yoga and meditation practice, but the conversations shared between the group allowed for such an intimate experience. I am still in contact with the other participants, and I cannot express how much I value the connections I made at this retreat. The entire team is so genuine and caring, and they go above and beyond to make their guests feel like old friends. Fabi is sunshine in human form, and you can taste the love and devotion she infuses into the food. The packed lunches feel like the perfect pairing of mom’s cooking and gourmet nutrient-packed goodness. The location is absolutely stunning with a short walk to beautiful cliff side beaches. The garden and balcony are perfect spaces to read, journal, and recharge. Being a quick drive from Sintra, I would highly recommend the tour of Quinta da Regaleira palace with Carla. She is a wealth of knowledge and if you’re interested in the esoteric, architecture, botany, or history, you cannot miss this tour. This retreat was the perfect recharge for my soul and I absolutely will be returning. Thank you to the Shamballah team, this experience was better than I ever could have imagined.

Being with Patricia and Zarqa was more than just a week retreat. When you allow yourself to open up and share your experiences, you gain insight into your own fears and joys. And the ability to share those feelings. It could have been longer and because it ends when it is at its best, there will be a next time. To trust and feel and share are the most beautiful experiences. Yoga and meditation are not only taught but lived. The food is terrific. Thank you for everything!

I’ve returned to this retreat three times as it’s the best I’ve found in the world over the last 10 years. It’s build on the loving relationship of Patricia and Zarqa who go out of their way in every aspect. You’ll learn so many new ways to breathe, move and eat - leaving feeling more connected nurtured and nourished. It’s set up for whatever you’re up for; surfing, beach walks, treatments or doing nothing… I can’t recommend it highly enough, I’ll be back :)