Yoga Retreat · Catalonia, Spain

YOGA RETREAT
GIRONA

10 – 17 October 2026 · Banyoles, Girona

prices from £[PRICE] per person

A yoga retreat in the heart of Catalonia

This retreat is themed around the lived experience of practice — to invite yoga into your life, consistently, devotedly and over a sustained period of time. The landscape around Banyoles and Girona provides the perfect backdrop for our work: a retreat back into nature, an idyllic and supportive environment to immerse yourself in the potent practices of yoga, asana, meditation and pranayama.

Our home for the week is Can Campolier, 1734 — a beautiful 17th-century Catalonian homestead in Porqueres, near the extraordinary lake at Banyoles. Ancient stone walls shelter a ripening orange grove. There is a swimming pool, a sauna, and the warm light of the Costa Brava hinterland at every turn.

The week belongs to you. Between yoga sessions there is time to explore — whether that means cycling the empty rolling roads on an electric bike, walking down to the medieval town, taking a short day trip to one of the beautiful historic towns nearby, or spending a lazy afternoon in the remarkable old city of Girona. Everything is entirely optional. There is so much scope to do as much or as little as you wish.

This offers you

7 nights in a 17th-century Catalonian homestead
Single, double, or twin rooms available
Two yoga sessions daily — morning and evening
Full board — brunch and supper each day
Outdoor swimming pool and sauna on site
Honesty bar for drinks and beverages
Massages and treatments available to book on site
All yoga mats, blocks and props provided
Road, gravel and e-bikes available to hire on site
An experienced teacher with nearly 30 years of practice

THE YOGA

Our yoga this week is a fusion of the more traditional paths of Ashtanga, Sivananda and Iyengar yoga. This approach has evolved into a flowing, healing and therapeutic exploration of the hatha yoga path — vinyasa, clarity of form and spiritual inquiry. This is a practice to the heart of your essence through yoga teachings and methods, and our interest and theme will be how to incorporate this realistically into life beyond retreat. There are no gimmicks and no goodie bags. My only USP these days is that quite simply the undiluted teachings of just yoga are more than enough for a few lifetimes. Our week is aimed at guests who have a minimum of two years of consistent yoga practice. All mats, props and equipment are provided — in the beautiful Dutch barn or inside the main house, depending on the weather.

THE TEACHER

“I love language, stories, philosophy and poetry which I weave into my classes. My teaching approach combines clarity and precision with a balance of strength and gentle ease. I am a senior yoga teacher with the Yoga Alliance, a yoga elder and a yoga mentor. My quest is to share yoga as a tool to live life fully, simply and gratefully, deeply connected to the natural world. My guides are integrity and joy, and I remain open to finding little adventures in every day.” Emma Spencer-Goodier remains always the student. She has been steeping in the ancient teachings of yoga for nearly thirty years. Her teaching is a heartfelt wish to share yoga in ways that support a well-lived life. Curiously, uniquely, with dedication and devotion.

ACCOMMODATION

Can Campolier, 1734, sits in the quiet countryside of Porqueres, just minutes from the extraordinary lake at Banyoles. Ancient stone walls, a swimming pool, an orange grove and the warm light of the Costa Brava hinterland make this a genuinely beautiful place to settle into for a week. Each room has an en-suite or private bathroom. There is a sauna, bedroom safes, hairdryers and Wi-Fi throughout. Locally produced toiletries are provided in every bathroom. Massages can be booked on site. Check-in is from 2pm on Saturday; check-out by 10am the following Saturday. If you arrive early you are welcome to drop your luggage and explore.

THE FOOD

Catalan food is quite simply delicious. Local, seasonal and plentiful — hearty brunches to set you up for the day, generous three-course evening meals, afternoon teas with homemade cake. One evening we eat out locally. The food here celebrates the flavours of this extraordinary landscape: sun-ripened vegetables, good olive oil, fragrant herbs, and the honest simplicity of Catalan cooking. Most dietary requirements can be accommodated — just let Emma know in advance. There is an honesty bar, and drinks with meals can be purchased separately. ATMs and a well-stocked village shop are in town.

EXPLORING THE AREA

Between yoga sessions, the time is yours. October here is wonderful — warm and sunny, typically in the low-to-mid 20s, with a gentle pace that feels made for a yoga retreat. There is no agenda, and everything is optional.

— Hire a road, gravel or electric bike and explore the extraordinary empty roads and trails of this area at your own pace
— Walk down to the beautiful medieval town of Banyoles, with its weekend market, lakeside cafés and quiet squares
— Swim or paddleboard on the crystal-clear waters of Lake Banyoles, one of Catalonia’s most beautiful natural lakes
— Short day excursions to the small medieval villages and historic towns scattered through the Catalan countryside
— A half-day or afternoon in the magnificent old city of Girona — the ancient walls, the cathedral, the coloured houses reflected in the river
— Simply rest, read, swim, and let the week unfold at its own pace

TRAVEL ADVICE

Fly into Girona-Costa Brava Airport (GRO) — just 35 minutes from Can Campolier. We can co-ordinate shared taxi transfers at around €60 split between guests. Alternatively, fly into Barcelona El Prat (BCN) and take a direct train to Girona (40 minutes), then the TEISA E1 bus via Banyoles. If you’re driving, head for Porqueres near Banyoles — secure parking is on site. Girona Airport is served by Ryanair from many UK airports. For UK citizens, no visa is required for visits of up to 90 days; your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay. The designated arrival day is Saturday, 10th October 2026.

PRICES

10 – 17 October 2026

from

£[PRICE]

per person, full board

Booking can be secured with a £300 non-returnable deposit

For yoga tuition, accommodation, brunch and supper each day

RESERVE YOUR PLACE

Terms and Conditions

YOGA RETREAT GIRONA – FAQ

All the practical details about the October yoga retreat near Banyoles, Girona.

Who is this retreat aimed at?People who love yoga and want a genuinely immersive week of practice in a beautiful setting, with good food and warm company. It suits those with a minimum of two years of consistent yoga practice. Non-yoga partners are very welcome — there is plenty to explore.

Can I come on my own?Absolutely. Solo guests are very welcome. You can choose a shared room to keep costs down, or a single room for more privacy.

Do I need prior yoga experience?Some experience is needed — this retreat is not designed for complete beginners. A short beginners' course beforehand will help. The practice draws on Sivananda, Ashtanga and Iyengar traditions and Emma does not dilute the teachings.

How do I get to Can Campolier?Flying — Girona Airport is 35 minutes away. Shared taxi transfers at around €60 split between guests. Train — TGV from Paris to Girona, then the TEISA E1 bus via Banyoles. Driving — head for Porqueres near Banyoles. Secure parking on site.

What is the weather like in October?Typically warm and sunny. Daytime in the low-to-mid 20s°C, cooler in the evenings. Perfect yoga weather.

Where will we be staying?Can Campolier, 1734 — a beautiful 17th-century Catalonian homestead in Porqueres, Province of Girona. Ancient stone walls, a swimming pool, orange grove and the warm light of the Costa Brava hinterland.

What are the check-in and check-out times?Check-in from 2pm on Saturday. Check-out by 10am the following Saturday.

What facilities are there?En-suite or private bathroom in each room. Sauna, outdoor swimming pool, bedroom safes, hairdryers and Wi-Fi. Massages can be booked. All yoga equipment provided.

What is the food like?Local, seasonal and plentiful. Hearty brunches, three-course evening meals, afternoon teas with homemade cake. One evening we eat out locally. Most dietary requirements can be accommodated — let Emma know in advance.

Is alcohol available?There is an honesty bar and drinks can be purchased with meals, in addition to the retreat price.

How many yoga sessions are there?Two sessions daily — morning at 07:30 and restorative evening at 17:15 — for most days of the week. One day off for rest and exploration.

Where is the yoga held?Either alfresco in the Dutch barn or inside the main house, depending on the weather. Both are beautiful.

Do I need to bring any equipment?No — all mats, blocks, straps and props are provided.

Can I hire a bike?Yes — road, gravel and electric bikes from Rocacorba Cycling on site. From €75 per day (€55 per day for a six-day hire). Or bring your own.

What else is there to do?Banyoles lake is beautiful for swimming and paddleboarding. The medieval town has a market every weekend. Day trips to Besalú, Pals, and old Girona — the ancient walls, the cathedral, the coloured houses reflected in the river. Village shop open daily 08:00–19:00.

What does a typical day look like?07:30 Meditation, pranayama and morning yoga. 08:30 Brunch. Morning and afternoon yours to fill — bike hire, walking, swimming, a trip to Girona, or simply rest. 17:30 Restorative evening yoga. 19:30 Dinner. Thursday is a day off — no classes, no agenda. The perfect day for Girona.

‹

Testimonials

★★★★★

“Emma is the real deal. She has a deep knowledge and understanding of yoga — the philosophical as well as the physical — which she shares with humility and lightness. She interweaves her yogic wisdom with beautiful and pertinent poems and readings. I loved the time I spent with her on retreat.”

Caroline Holt

★★★★★

“Wanted to say a huge thank you again for such an amazing holiday. It was a wonderful week away, and I feel blessed to have experienced it all. I truly loved your classes and teachings — what a beautiful spot, with awesome people.”

Susi Schafer

★★★★★

“I’ve been on five yoga retreats with Emma. She is the best yoga teacher I’ve ever had the opportunity to practise with — so authentic and committed in her approach to yoga, and such a lovely person to be around. Just the best retreats.”

Neil Emmott · Google Review

›

The retreat in pictures