Iberian Wellness Retreats at The Yellow House, Spain

Huelva, Andalucía, Spain

Soulful, slow-living escapes for a mindful pause in nature

Once a historic home, now a lovingly restored sanctuary, The Yellow House is set in the whitewashed village of Higuera de la Sierra, deep in Andalucian countryside, and just an hour’s drive north of Seville in southern Spain. Practise yoga in the serene courtyard, walk in nature, commune with rescue donkeys, goats and horses, surrender to sound healing and relax by the plunge pool. If you’re searching for peace, connection and joy, you’ll find them in abundance here.

Queen of Retreats says:

‘Owner Simone A Marca puts her heart into her retreats, with getaways already up and running nearby in Andalucia and also in Portugal. The Yellow House is the newest recruit to this highly nurturing portfolio’

Experiences

Intimate group Yoga and Nature retreats run on set dates and pivot on daily yoga, led by in-house teacher Linne Melinkat, along with meditation and walks off the beaten track. A fire and cacao ceremony for emotional and spiritual healing brings a magical end to the day.

Walk through forests to visit Simone’s nearby organic farm, home to rescued donkeys, goats and horses, or take a horsedrawn carriage ride for a farm-to-table lunch under olive trees. You could also explore the village, Higuera de la Sierra.

Holistic treatments are available at extra cost – quantum shiatsu and intuitive energetic massages are two favourites.

Spaces

Built in the 1800s as a home for the mayor of Higuera de la Sierra, The Yellow House has been restored, with every detail - from the hand-restored shutters and original tiles to the design-led interiors - carefully preserved or reimagined.

Yoga and meditation take place in the shaded courtyard beside the glass-sided plunge pool and sun terrace framed by banana trees and potted palms. You can relax in the drawing room, where you’ll find a grand piano and squashy armchairs.

There are six spacious bedrooms, each with its own bathroom. Expect high ceilings, antique chandeliers, vintage furnishings, and bathrooms fitted with pieces by Thomas Crapper. Bathrobes, slippers, and organic toiletries are provided in every room.

Sustenance

Meals are freshly prepared by the home chef using local ingredients and inspired by the culinary traditions of southern Spain, with vegetarian and vegan options available.

Brunch might be polenta bruschetta with homegrown broad beans, poached egg, and sun-dried cherry tomatoes, or homemade Gravlax with a fresh herb yoghurt dip. There’s also a picnic lunch of seasonal, just-picked produce. Afternoon snacks range from potato tortilla to homemade Moorish sponge cake.

Dinners focus on a main seasonal dish accompanied by thoughtfully prepared sides. These might include stuffed peppers or Andalucian fish stew, with cucumber salad, grilled courgettes with local cheese, or roasted peppers with parsley sauce. Satisfying desserts include panna cotta with fresh fruit coulis, orange and almond cake, or baked figs with honey.

Higuera de la Sierra, Andalucia, Spain