Meditation offers several benefits, including calming your mind and relaxing more deeply. While meditating on your own can be a great option, there may be instances when you’d want more guidance or to be surrounded by other meditators. To do so, you can take classes online, attend meditation classes or retreats, or take it even one step further by participating in a silent meditation retreat.
Attending a silent meditation retreat can deepen your practice, allow you to unplug, sit in deep silence and enrich your journey to inner peace.
And don’t worry if you have a packed schedule: you can choose from retreats that last anywhere from a weekend to weeklong stays.
What Is a Silent Meditation Retreat?
A silent meditation retreat provides the time and space to sit quietly and focus your attention mindfully on the present moment. The point is to be in a space free of external distractions to meditate, engage with a teacher and listen to talks related to mindfulness.
Silent retreats are often held in serene and secluded locations. However, the structure may differ depending on the program you choose.
For example, participants in a silent meditation retreat may need to remain silent throughout their entire stay except when speaking with the meditation teacher. They may also need to refrain from using electronic devices or engaging in other forms of communication.
Guided meditations may also differ. Teachers may encourage sitting or walking meditation and even some movements like yoga throughout the day.
What to Look for When Choosing the Best Silent Meditation Retreat
Not all silent meditation retreats are the same. When choosing one, consider your needs. Be sure to check each organization’s calendar to find the right program since each location may offer different ones throughout the year.
As you start your research, consider the following key factors.
Location
Not all meditation retreat centers are easy to get to. Ask yourself if you’re looking for a specific setting to access your inner calm (on a lake, in the mountains, etc.). Some retreats may also be more remote, so you’ll want to consider both preference and accessibility. Consider how close the center is to where you live and factor in the time it takes to get there.
Cost
The price of a silent meditation retreat depends on factors like its length and the type of accommodation. Consider whether food is included in the price, and what other amenities you’ll receive throughout your stay.
Focus of the Retreat
Silent retreats may offer more than opportunities to sit in silence, relieve your anxiety and be guided by an experienced meditation teacher. Some may include hikes, yoga classes or other wellness activities like massages. Consider what type of activities you want to participate in (if any), and whether the meditation retreats you’re looking at offer them.
Teacher Leading the Retreat
Consider what you’re looking for in a meditation instructor and learn what you can about them first. Knowing the meditation teacher in advance (perhaps a teacher from a studio you attend) will help you determine if their style matches your needs. Retreats may also have multiple teachers offering different perspectives on mindfulness.
Best Silent Meditation Retreat Places
The positive effects of attending a silent meditation retreat feel endless. Although there are many places to choose from, here’s a list of the top silent meditation retreats, offering a variety of programs with different teachers.
1. The Art of Living Retreat Center
Location: Boone, North Carolina
Price: Starting at $925, including accommodations
Length of stay: Two to five days
Nestled amid the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, the Art of Living Retreat Center bills itself as a place “where health meets happiness.”
The silent meditation retreat center offers more than just guided meditation sessions. You can choose from holistic programs including “R&R Retreats,” “Wellness Escapes” and “Presenter Programs” for couples, singles and friends. Plus, those who want to go deeper into their yoga practice in addition to their meditation can also combine retreats and classes with both included.
Programs run often, making it easier for those seeking flexibility to find a suitable option. It’s also a great fit for those who want to attend a retreat in the mountains with the opportunity to attend more advanced classes.
2. Siddhayatan Spiritual Retreat Center
Location: Windom, Texas
Price: Starting at $25 per day plus accommodations
Length of stay: Two to 30 days
The Siddhayatan Spiritual Retreat Center, founded by Acharya Shree Yogeesh, provides a natural setting away from the city.
This silent retreat option offers many choices, whether you want to stay for a few days or for a month-long intensive. Different accommodation options are available, from basic rooms to ones that offer more comfort. This retreat center is best suited for those wanting the freedom to select their own schedule and classes.
For example, you can choose their “Personal Retreat” option to book a stay anytime. The price starts at $25 per day (not including accommodation) which gets you access to the daily “Mantra and Meditation” session, afternoon tea and plenty of personal time. You can also customize your retreat by paying for Hatha yoga classes.
3. Silent Stay Meditation Center
Location: Montecito, California
Price: Starting at $990, including accommodations
Length of stay: Two to three days
Beginners or anyone looking for a shorter retreat will appreciate that the Silent Stay Meditation Center offers stays of just two to three days. Located at the Pacifica Graduate Institute just outside Santa Barbara, you can easily take an Uber or taxi, as the retreat center is a 25-minute drive from the Santa Barbara airport. Other retreat centers are often not as accessible from an airport.
What makes the Silent Stay Meditation Center stand out are its meals. The retreat center boasts “five-star catering,” accommodating a variety of dietary choices. Retreats also tend to be smaller, with up to 35 people
4. Insight Retreat Center
Location: Santa Cruz, California
Price: Donation-based
Length of stay: One to 29 days
The Insight Retreat Center may be a good choice for those with a limited budget, as the center is supported by donations. The retreat focuses on Vipassana meditation, a method that focuses on teachings from the Buddha and one of the oldest forms of meditation.
You can choose from retreats lasting anywhere from a single day to multiple weeks. The schedule tends to be more structured yet simple, featuring programs such as yoga classes, making this particular center a good option for those looking to get back to basics. Breakfast, lunch and a light dinner are provided, with residents partaking in volunteer work such as cleaning and gardening.
5. Crestone Retreats
Location: Crestone, Colorado
Price: Starting at $300, including camping accommodations, and $560, including studio rooms.
Length of stay: Starting at four nights
The retreats at the Crestone Mountain Zen Center offer a wide variety of meditation retreat options for individuals and groups in a nourishing atmosphere. You may choose a retreat lasting from as few as four nights and up to three months. Teachings are based on Sōtō Zen practices, a specific school of Zen Buddhism, making Crestone a suitable place for those looking to learn more about this particular sect.
Accommodations range from basic guest rooms to camping sites and cabins. You can choose from a personal silent meditation retreat, where you aren’t working with a teacher or beholden to a schedule. Other programs range from guided Zen Buddhist, yoga and soundwork retreats.
6. Sivananda Yoga Ranch
Location: Woodbourne, New York
Price: Starting at $120 plus accommodations
Length of stay: Three days to one month
Sivananda Yoga Ranch emphasizes yoga, music, mantras and peace amid the natural beauty at this New York meditation retreat. You can choose from shorter retreats, like ones that focus on guided meditation and yoga. There are also more advanced options, such as those for yoga teacher training and a month-long residential program.
This retreat center best suits those who want more than just meditation. It offers Ayurveda workshops and yoga vacations, for example, that cater to different levels of experience and interests. To enhance your retreat experience, you can also access hiking trails and a traditional Russian banya (wood-burning sauna).
Deepen Your Practice With a Silent Meditation Retreat
Silent meditation retreats offer you a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and deepen your meditation practice. Sitting in silence and working with a meditation teacher may just be the opportunity that allows you to tap into your mind, reconnect with your body and deepen your practice.
Try one of the silent meditation retreats featured on this list and do further research to see which one best suits your meditation and personal growth goals.
This article was updated June 2025. Photo by Rido/Shutterstock
