Padel players outdoors

Padel and tourism in Spain, a hands-down win

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If you play padel, one of the most trending racket sports in the world, that's just one more reason to visit Spain. You have high quality courts in idyllic holiday destinations, numerous clubs that offer improvement courses for all levels and cities that host tournaments from the most relevant international circuits every year, such as the 'Premier Padel Tour' or the 'A1 Padel'. Get your racquet and your suitcase ready!

As padel climbs up the rankings of the world's most popular sports, Spain is one of the countries that offers the most options for playing at any time of the year. Can you imagine perfecting your serve with San Sebastian's La Concha Beach in the background? Or training surrounded nature, in the Casa de Campo in Madrid, before dining in one of the best restaurants in Spain's capital?These and many other inspiring plans are at your fingertips if you choose to combine padel and tourism in Spain. The large number of padel courts (more than 15,000) and padel clubs throughout Spain means that you can easily incorporate practising this fun sport into your holidays, without having to interrupt your usual training sessions.Take note of this route through some destinations where, apart from playing padel and challenging yourself to improve your technique, you will enjoy a tailor-made holiday to explore all of Spain's attractions.

Padel facilities of the Real Tennis Club of San Sebastián

Padel on the Mediterranean and Cantabrian coasts

Practising padel with ocean views is an experience you can try during your visit to Spain if you choose cities like Barcelona, hotbed of new trends in the world of culture, fashion and gastronomy, and which also has more than 200 outdoor and indoor padel courts. At sea level, by the beach of La Barceloneta or in the upper area of Montjuic, you have all kinds of options.The Region of Valencia is another favourite place for padel fans. Facilities are located in the city centre or on the outskirts – in Valencia you can find possibilities for all levels. In addition, the province of Alicante-Alacant is home to some of the best padel academies in the country, such as the one directed by the Spain's Juan Carlos Ferrero, former number one in world tennis. Since you are in the land of one of the star dishes of Spanish gastronomy, take the opportunity to enjoy a good paella after exercise.

People playing padel on an outdoor court

If you are heading to the coast of Andalusia, you should know that Malaga, as well as being the birthplace of the genius Picasso and a charming cultural destination, is also ideal for padel, thanks to the quality and leisure options available in the places dedicated to this sport. Another point in its favour is that about 50 kilometres away, in nearby Marbella, you can find exclusive clubs and sports centres with luxury facilities.The rise of this sport can also be seen in the northern regions of Spain. In destinations such as Donostia-San Sebastián (Basque Country) or Santander (Cantabria) you can practice pádel and then take a boating tour to enjoy the beauty of the spectacular bays.

Padel court

Padel in the capitals of inland of Spain

The capital of Spain is hands-down another padel paradise thanks to the complementary services that you will find on its nearly 400 courts: cafés, gyms and terraces for your post-game. There are also exclusive schools and wellness clubs where you can add wellness treatments to your trip before you set off to discover the monumental Madrid, with its rich cultural agenda and vibrant urban life.Without leaving the centre of Spain, Valladolid, capital of Castile and Leon, is a reference point for learning to play padel. The existence of more than twenty clubs and prominent academies that organise special events and training sessions with professional players confirms this. Tour the city's palaces and iconic buildings, and above all, its Plaza Mayor, which on more than one occasion has been the venue for prestigious international padel tournaments.

People learning to play padel

Zaragoza, capital of the neighbouring region of Aragón, has also hosted World Padel Tour events. The approximately 150 existing padel courts demonstrate the growing popularity of this sport in a land known for its rich cultural heritage and the warmth of its people.At any rate, bearing in mind that Spain is the country with the most padel courts in the world, you can always rely on search engines to find the most suitable facilities for your holiday destination or even playing partners.

Padel court

2024 professional tournaments in Spain

If you are also drawn to the thrill of live professional padel, in Spain you have the opportunity to attend major international events that attract the best male and female players in the world, such as the Premier Padel Tour or A1 Padel.Every year, different Spanish cities host several competitions on the official calendars of both series.In 2024, A1 Padel will be in: Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Cadiz, from 10 to 16 June; Pontevedra, Galicia, from 24 to 30 June; Asturias, from 2 to 8 September; Madrid, from 23 to 29 September; Seville, from 11 to 20 October and Catalonia, from 21 to 2 October. As part of the Premier Padel Tour, Spanish cities that will host the tournament include Malaga, from 8 to 14 July; Madrid, from 2 to 8 September; Valladolid, from 16 to 22 September and Barcelona, for the big finals, from 18 to 22 December.

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