With summer holiday time fast approaching, our Spanish padel expert, Joaquin Serna Sanchez, is back with more recommendations for combining a passion for padel with some Mediterranean sunshine.
If you missed it, you can read part one of Joaquin’s Spanish padel guide here. Then scroll down for part two of his recommendations for the best spots to perfect your bandeja by day and sip sangria by night.
La Manga
In this narrow strip of land bathed on one side by the Mar Menor and on the other by the Mediterranean, you will find good options to play padel while you get a tan under the Murcian sun.
In La Manga you can take a quiet swim in the Veneciola, which features many canals and will remind you of the emblematic city of Venice due to the proximity of the buildings to the water. Nor should you miss Grosa Island, of volcanic origin, to snorkel in its waters full of marine wildlife.
Don’t forget to pair the typical appetizer of fried almonds and mojama with the famous Estrella Levante beer. But what you can’t miss is the incredible atún de ahijada as a main course and the famous caldero, a dish very similar to paella but with rice and fish.
In this area of the Murcian coast, you can play padel tennis at Sirocco Padel Club, which has different courts and facilities prepared to hold big events. You’ll also find Pádel Dos Mares, a specialised centre just a few metres from the sea that offers personalised training to improve your level.
Another place that might interest you is Club MMGR, which had a major refurbishment last year. It has seven courts, gym, a heated pool, stylish new bar and restaurant, an amazing terrace, games room and even a mini-golf course with animal statues as obstacles. If you’re lucky, you can watch professional players train while enjoying a paella cooked on a wood-fired grill on the terrace area.
Other options that may attract you are: Padel Selected Club, Sport Center Montepiedra and Villaescusa Sport.
Valencia
In the capital of the Valencian community, you should visit the old town and the Turia Garden while you drink a horchata, the area’s famous iced drink.
You can’t miss the City of Arts and Sciences or the Malvarrosa Beach, with a long promenade where you’ll find restaurants facing the sea where you can order a good paella or fideuá.
If you also want to take to the court, you can do so at Tu Pádel Valencia, which has the latest generation indoor courts in the centre of Valencia.
If you prefer an option close to Patacona Beach, one of the most famous in Valencia, you can book your game at Pádel Alboraya Indoor, which has courts with the carpet used in the World Padel Tour and a shop with resident equipment experts.
Other options in Valencia are 7 Padel, PadelPaiporta and XV Padel.
Almería
If you’re spending your summer holidays in Almería, you can’t miss the Arrecife de las Sirenas, an emblematic place where you’ll find the best panoramic views of this part of Andalusia and the Mediterranean Sea. It’s also worth a stroll through the Cabo de Gata Natural Park and a swim at the Playa de los Muertos beach, which despite its name is surrounded by green mountains and has transparent water.
Don’t forget to order local tapas in its cosy bars and to visit Mojácar, known throughout Spain as the place where the wildest parties take place.
The perfect hangover cure might be a visit to ProPadel Indoor Club, with seven indoor courts, gym and a good air conditioning to avoid suffering the Andalusian heat.
You can also go to Elite Padel Club Indoor, where they have an app to search for games at your level, as well as numerous tournaments for children to get started in padel. And if you end up too tired, order a cold beer Turia at their bar, which regenerates anyone after leaving numerous smashes in the net.
If you need more options in Almería and surroundings, you can have a look at Colors Padel, Sport Club Liceo Erasmus and Club Bahía Pádel.
