Amara Valley, Catalonia: our 4-day first-hand yoga retreat review

First-hand review of Amara Valley in Catalonia, an off-grid, eco-conscious yoga retreat with shalas, pool, plant-based cuisine, and founder-led care.

As co-founders of YOGI TIMES, Jesse and I (Sophie) have been fortunate to review dozens of yoga retreats around the world. From jungle shalas, seaside or mountain views to rice field sanctuaries, we’re always hunting for that rare alchemy: a place that doesn’t just relax your nervous system but also rewires it.

When we say the eco-retreat Amara Valley in Catalonia near Barcelona, Spain, is something special, we don’t say it lightly.

We arrived curious, hopeful, a little road-dusty—and four days later, we left nourished in every layer.

Not just because of the breathtaking eco-conscious design or the nourishing plant-based meals (we’ll get to that), but because this place feels alive. Like it’s holding something sacred. Something rising.

You know you’ve found a gem when you’re already planning your return halfway through your stay.

The land holds you.

Picture hammocks swinging above the valley, the steady pulse of cicadas echoing through ancient oaks, and absolutely no neighbours in sight. You look out and see only nature. No rooftops. No cars. Just trees, silence, and sky.

Amara sits in a secluded valley—formerly home to another spiritual community—now reborn with fresh vision and heart. It’s quietly becoming one of Europe’s most sought-after retreat venues for teachers and facilitators who truly embody their values.

We could feel that the frequency of the land is high, but not in a “love and light” floaty way, it’s grounded, vital, real.

Eco-luxury meets earth devotion.

One of the first things we noticed is that the attention to detail is everywhere, but not showy or forced. From the solar panels (crowdfunded by their community) to the compost toilets that don’t make you flinch, every inch of Amara whispers respect for the earth.

You’ll find curated rooms, glamping tents, shalas, a pool with a view, and three caravans with comfort and privacy.

Need solitude? There’s plenty of space to wander, journal, or simply stare at the clouds and contemplate your next rebirth.

Need a connection? That’s waiting in the shared meals, fireside chats, or spontaneous jam sessions by the pool and under the stars.

The food – a love letter to your body.

Let’s talk nourishment, because the food at Amara deserves its own gospel.

Each meal felt like a ceremony, not just in how it was prepared, but how it was felt. You know when the people in the kitchen are cooking with reverence. You feel it in the flavours, but also in your gut, your energy, your wholeness after each meal. That’s what this was.

Everything was plant-based, deeply seasonal, and somehow abundant without ever being wasteful. There was no overproduction, no filler, just “just right.” Colourful plates, warm spices, vibrant textures… every bite was a whisper saying “We care.”

Let’s say we left with our microbiomes dancing and our souls smiling.

Amara Valley is a magic magnets for the like-minded.

Amara seems to attract a particular breed of human: those who walk the bridge between worlds. Over four days, we met:

• Former corporate warriors turned herbalists.
• Yoga teachers and breathwork facilitators from around Europe.
• Artists, DJ nomads, and a surprising number of musicians who made our hearts melt.

A special shout-out to the incredibly talented Tony Galusi, whose trumpet serenade one night left us utterly enchanted, and to Almudena Vega, the mesmerising Indian classical vocalist whose voice could undoubtedly open your third eye. The ethereal beats of DJ Devi Dass also added a magical touch to the experience, making the evening unforgettable.

DJ Nomad (@nomadmmd) and DJ Musafa reminded us that we could move through the night feeling light and inspired.

The people behind the magic – Carlota & Morgan

Every great retreat has a soul, and Amara’s is undeniably shaped by the magnetic duo behind it: Carlota Amargós Rubió and Morgan Palmer Hubbard.

Carlota is a force, warm, wild, deeply intuitive, with the grounded presence of someone who has walked through transformation herself, and now holds space for others to do the same. But more than that, Carlota’s presence is rooted in a deep calling: a desire to stop building up and tearing down temporary spaces, and instead create something that could root, expand, and regenerate life around it.

“We were doing so many retreats, festivals, building and dismantling across Spain,” she shared with us. “At some point, we knew we wanted to create something permanent—or maybe more than permanent—something alive. A place to expand into life fully. And for the community to do the same.”

And that’s exactly what she’s done.

At Amara, Carlota’s gifts come alive. A former professional classical violinist, she spent 25 years touring the world in a highly disciplined artistic field—before choosing to retreat inward and return to the soil. Her music may no longer be on traditional concert stages, but her artistry is everywhere: in the food, in the community, and in the energy that infuses each space.

“This land made me more compassionate, more humble. I’m so grateful to live here. To witness the transformation of every person who comes. And that gratitude became the channel through which my gifts could expand—especially in the kitchen.”

She dreamed and built the kitchen at Amara from the ground up. The food served here isn’t just delicious—it’s orchestrated. Nourishment as a composition of colour, balance, and power, where guests often leave saying, “I didn’t know vegetarian food could make me feel this energised.”

Morgan? He’s the quiet mountain mystic, less visible at first glance, but deeply present in the infrastructure, energy flow, and regenerative systems that make Amara hum with alignment.

This couple doesn’t perform leadership. They embody it. One moment you’ll find them flipping compost, the next carrying a tray of gluten-free pizzas to be fired, or facilitating a cacao ceremony under the stars. Their reverence for the land and invisible systems is just as impactful as any yoga class. They are building more than a retreat centre—They are shaping a living ecosystem for a new culture to emerge.

Together, Carlota and Morgan live and breathe Amara more than running it. Their energy weaves through everything: from the design of the shalas, to the playlist gently echoing in the valley, to the community of stewards and volunteers who show up daily, not because they “have to,” but because they’re lit up by the opportunity to give.

“Amara has the power to become a center for revolutionary art,” Carlota says, eyes sparkling. “A place where different disciplines, cultures, and ways of seeing the world collide and collaborate. Where creativity flows from freedom. That’s the art of the future. One that’s deeply therapeutic.”

Collective effort for an innovative result.

And that’s what Amara Valley is; a canvas for collective healing and innovation. A retreat in the truest sense of the word, not an escape, but a return to what’s real.

And you feel it ripple, attracting other leaders to support this community project such as Leon Peña, the general manager, keeps Amara Valley humming, coordinating operations with precision and heart. His keen eye for detail and love of beautiful, functional spaces shape the calm, welcoming atmosphere guests feel in every corner.

We also met Jason Hadjikyriacou, the site manager, a physics-trained coder and holistic bodyworker keeps Amara running by building, fixing, and optimizing (yes, rocket pizza stoves included). On the mat, his strength-focus becomes precise, playful handstand coaching.

We spent a great amount of time with Suzi Jonker, the kitchen Goddess. She is an intuitive South African chef, and blends flavours from her travels with open-fire alchemy. Around the flames she brings people together, infusing seasonal dishes with that smoky, caramelised magic.

Clàudia Vicario, the volunteers coordinator and host. Rooted in service since early on, Clàudia welcomed us (and every guest) with a radiant smile while guiding volunteers through rich, well-supported experiences. Drawing on years between India and Mexico, she weaves yoga, women’s circles, cacao ceremony, and holistic ritual into heartfelt community care.

A living, breathing ecosystem of humans

There’s something powerful about the ecosystem of people keeping Amara Valley alive. At any given time, around 20 full-time staff ensure that every detail flows—from the hand-tended gardens to the clean, welcoming spaces.

But the true soul-food of the place is the volunteers.

We met writers, bodyworkers, permaculture students, and nomadic souls who had paused their journeys to offer their energy to Amara. And the beautiful thing is that they were not just working; it seems they were thriving.

Everyone we spoke to described their time at Amara as a gift, a chance to contribute their skills in a regenerative, heart-led environment. This is far from just volunteerism in the “free labour” sense; it’s a conscious exchange, where every person’s presence matters.

You can taste it in the food, feel it in the stillness, and see it in the joyful eyes of the team gliding effortlessly around you.

Yoga & wellness – Come as you are, leave rewired

Amara doesn´t seem to be aiming to be a typical large retreat brand. And we like that, it feels refreshing.

Instead, it’s a living sanctuary for transformation. Whether you’re hosting your own retreat or joining a program, the yoga and wellness offerings here are as diverse as they are embodied.

We were guided through deeply grounding morning flows, intuitive breathwork, and even spontaneous sound journeys where healing happened between the notes. There’s no dogma, no pressure to perform, just space.

Space to breathe.
To remember.
To release.

Pau (@serendipau), the yoga guide for a heart-opening morning practice, alongside energy masters Sara (@kundalinienergy.activation, also ????? (@kundalini.alignment), the vibrant Inci @yogibarcelona held space like seasoned shamans.

With two gorgeous shalas, indoor and outdoor practice areas, and endless nature trails, this is the kind of place where practice extends beyond the mat.

Sleep – tents, shalas, and starry Dreams

Accommodation at Amara ranges from cosy private rooms to eco-glamping tents and even three funky caravans, each equipped with a top-notch sound system for those late-night soundscapes or early-morning ambience.

The bedding? Crisp, comfy, unfussy, but you’re not here for thread counts. You’re here to sleep deeply. To wake to the wind rustling the trees.

This is not a place for digital detox because it’s trendy; it’s because you’re too present to care about your phone. Wi-Fi exists, but somehow you forget it does.

Unique Touches – this is where soul meets soil

What makes Amara Valley so different? It could be the solar panels supported by a passionate community. Maybe it’s the compost toilets that don’t stink (seriously), or the fact that every drop of water is treated with care.

Or maybe it’s the fire circle, where one night you’re dancing to tribal beats with strangers, and the next you’re shedding old stories by the flames. Maybe it’s just the sense that every inch of this land is in conversation with the people who walk it.

Or perhaps the most unforgettable moment: on our final afternoon, we gathered with nearly 70 souls in the outdoor shala for a cacao ceremony led by Carlota. Something shifted. There was stillness, presence and the unspoken magic of a collective heart beating in rhythm. We closed not just a retreat, but a chapter, feeling seen, held, and deeply connected to everyone in the circle.

Whatever it is, it’s real and rare.

A few realities to keep in mind (a.k.a. ‘challenges’)

Let’s be clear—no place is “perfect,” and that’s exactly what makes Amara feel so human.

If you’re someone who craves daily excursions, nightlife, or the hum of city buzz, you may find this experience too inward-facing. Amara invites stillness—and not everyone is ready for that.

Getting there requires intention: it’s 20 minutes from Banyoles and about 1 hour 40 minutes from Barcelona’s Plaza Catalunya. You won’t be hopping in and out for a quick gelato run. But the tradeoff? Silence. Space. Sovereignty.

And yes, this is a working eco-retreat. Compost toilets, shared showers, conscious energy use—it’s all part of the ethos. Not “roughing it,” but rewilding with elegance. If you need marble bathtubs and daily linen changes, this is not your place. (Also, you’re probably not reading YOGI TIMES.)

This retreat is for you if…

• You’re a yoga teacher or retreat leader looking for a high-vibe, fully equipped venue in Europe
• You’re a solo traveller craving soul community, nature, and a safe space to drop in
• You’re a burned-out entrepreneur, healer, or creative,e ready to refill your well
• You love spaces where you can go deep without having to explain yourself
• You’re seeking genuine transformation, not a curated Instagram “journey”

Not ideal if:

• You need a Starbucks within walking distance
• You’re allergic to silence, stars, or singing frogs
• You think “eco-retreat” means matching linen sets and influencer lighting

Our final verdict? We left lighter (but fuller)

After reviewing so many retreats around the world, we’ve become discerning—not jaded, but clear.

Amara Valley doesn’t try to be everything. It just is what it is: deeply nourishing, rooted in purpose, and radically real.

We left lighter, not in weight, but in mental static, in unnecessary layers, in that ache for more that only gets quiet when you’re finally where you’re supposed to be.

This is not a place that shouts for attention. It whispers. And if you’re listening, you’ll hear the invitation to come home to yourself.

Rating: 5/5 stars – earned in sweat, laughter, sound, and stillness.

Practical info – Planning your pilgrimage

How to get there?

• Fly into Barcelona El Prat Airport.
• From Barcelona city centre, it’s about 1h40m drive to the retreat.
• Rent a car, take a train or a bus to Banyoles (20 minutes from Amara).
• Taxis are available from Banyoles; organize with the centre directly.
• There are always people travelling there; ask for the opportunity to carpool.

What to pack?

• Layers (mornings can be cool, afternoons warm)
• Journal and pen to capture your wandering thoughts
• Reusable water bottle (you’ll use it!)
• Your own cup to keep it easy on the kitchen staff
• An open mind and unhurried spirit
• Instruments, if you’re a musician, trust us, you’ll want to jam
• Natural Sunscreen and mosquito repellent
• An antihistamine if bees are not your best friends (summertime)
• Your own towels.

Best time to visit?

• Spring & early autumn are magical, mild temps, rich colours, fewer bugs.
• Summer can be very warm, but the pool and shade make it glorious.

Feel called to explore Amara Valley?

Whether you’re looking to host your next retreat or just need a soft place to land, Amara Valley might be calling you, too.

If you do go, tell them Jesse & Sophie from YOGI TIMES sent you. And if you’re running a retreat centre, reading this, our inbox is open at editors@yogitimes.com

We’re always searching for the next sacred space to share with our global tribe.

Booking:
Explore Amara Valley Retreats • Instagram • Website

About Jesse & Sophie
As co-founders of YOGI TIMES, we have spent 25 years curating and reviewing conscious travel and wellness experiences. Our retreat reviews focus on first-hand experience, sustainability, facilitation quality, and guest care.

How we review
We only publish reviews from first-hand stays. We score seven factors (Food, Teaching, Accommodation, Land, Leader Support, Community, Access). We interview founders/facilitators when possible and verify key details with the retreat.

Disclosure: Our stay was hosted by Amara Valley. As with all YOGI TIMES reviews, editorial opinions are our own and cannot be purchased. If we recommend a place, it’s because we’d been there or we have sent one of our staff editor.

Corrections: See something we should update? Email editors@yogitimes.com