5 Best Sports Resorts in Europe

Where to stay when you want to get active and stay at a sports resort in Europe.

If you’re searching for the best sports resorts in Europe, you’re spoiled for choice.  Whether your idea of a great holiday involves perfecting your tennis serve, squeezing in a few rounds of golf, hitting the bike trails or simply keeping the family active while enjoying some sunshine, there’s no shortage of incredible options. I’ve picked five of what I think are the best sports resorts in Europe that combine top-class facilities with luxury accommodation and beautiful surroundings.

From the famous sporting heritage of Grand Hyatt La Manga and the world-class tennis academy at Puente Romano to the alpine adventures at Stanglwirt, the championship courses at Quinta do Lago and the vibrant sporting scene at Forte Village, these resorts prove you really can have an active holiday without compromising on luxury.

These are the 5 best Sports Resorts in Europe

Grand Hyatt La Manga, Murcia, Spain

Following a major refurbishment a few years ago, The Grand Hyatt La Manga Club Golf & Spa is one of Europe’s best known sports resorts. Set across a huge 1,400 acre estate in the hills of southeast Spain it combines luxury accommodation with some seriously impressive sporting facilities.

If your idea of a holiday involves staying active, this one is hard to beat. The resort has been named Spain’s Leading Sports Resort. Golf is the headline act with three championship golf courses covering nearly six square kilometres.  The racquet centre is home to one of Europe’s largest tennis facilities featuring 26 courts, with coaching academies for all abilities and one to one lessons for adults and children in tennis, padel and pickleball.

Pool area with sun loungers at Grand Hyatt La Manga

La Manga has long been a favourite training base for professional sports team. The football centre includes right FIFA standard grass pitches used by clubs from across Europe. The cricket facilities include six grass pitches and 28 practice nets. Add in cycling, rugby, netball and a range of water sports and there is enough to keep even the most energetic travellers busy.

Despite its sporting reputation, it’s set up well for families. There are family rooms, kids’ clubs and children’s menus while adults can still sneak away to quieter spaces including adult only pool areas. The 1,700 square meter wellness centre is also worth making time for with a hydrotherapy pool and multisensory thermal circuit that’s ideal after a day on the golf course or tennis court.

Set just inland from the Mediterranean coast, the resort is close enough for an easy beach trip if you fancy swapping the sports kit for a sun lounger in the afternoon.

How to get here:

The closest airport is Murcia around a 40 minute drive away from the resort. Alicante is another good option about 1 hour 20 minutes away. Both airports have regular flights from UK are served primarily by Ryanair and easyJet with a flight time of around 2 hours 45 minutes.

Forte Village, Sardinia

Set on Sardinia’s southern coast, Forte Village is less a hotel and more of a luxury holiday village. Spread across the coastline, it is one of Europe’s most decorated resorts regularly picking up awards for everything from sports and wellness to fine dining and family holidays. Once you arrive, it’s easy to see why it’s considered one of Europe’s best sports resorts.

The resort is huge with eight hotels, 13 luxury villas, 40 suites and more than 700 guestrooms spread across the beautifully landscaped grounds by the beach.

Food is taken just as seriously as sport. The culinary offering includes 21 restaurants, 80 chefs and an impressive wine collection with more than 600 labels. Michelin starred chefs regularly appear throughout the season, while budding cooks can even join the resorts gourmet cooking academy. There is also dedicated children’s restaurant which parents will probably appreciate more than the kids.

Children participating in the nature village at Fort Village in Sardinia

Sport is where Forte Village really stands out. There are over 20 sports academies catering for everyone from beginner to pro. Football fans can train with coaches from the Real Madrid Foundation and during peak season there is a daily football match if you fancy getting involved.

Racquet fans are well looked after with 13 clay and synthetic tennis courts with floodlights for night time play, plus dedicated courts for padel and pickleball with lessons and training available.

The activity list keeps going: a 27 hole golf course, basketball, boxing, fencing, chess, climbing, dance, rugby, triathlon and netball. The water sports include sailing, scuba, swim and rowing.

Recovery is just as impressive. The Acquaforte Thalasso & Spa is a standout feature combining serious wellness with a heavy dose of luxury. The six pool thalassotherapy circuit is designed to detox and recharge. From ayurvedic massages and sea mud therapies to cutting edge health assessments, sports medicine and personalised nutrition programmes. There is also a private spa for a more exclusive experience, plus a range of wellness classes.

How to get here:

Fly direct to Cagliari Elmas Airport in around two hours from the UK with primarily with Ryanair (from London Stansted) and British Airways (from London Gatwick). From the airport it’s around a 45 minute drive to the resort.

Stanglwirt, Austria

Set in the Austrian Alps, Stanglwirt is one of those places that’s been around for centuries. For anyone looking for sports resorts in Europe that combine mountain adventures with luxury wellness, it’s a unique choice. It started life as a miner’s tavern back in 1609 and has now evolved into a five star bio hotel. It’s tucked beneath the dramatic Wilder Kaiser mountains and even has its own organic farm and alpine dairy where they make their own cheese.

A lady enjoying a picnic while looking out over the Alps at Stanglwirt in Austria

The spa is significant. It spans 12,000 square meters with five saunas, three steam baths, whirlpools and waterfall grottos for anyone who likes to indulge in post workout recovery.

On the sports side there is plenty going on. A standout tennis centre with eight outdoor and six indoor courts run by Peter Burwash International Tennis School. There is a 500 square meter fitness centre, a boxing ring, a ski school during winter months and a dedicated children’s water world with a 1,000 square meter family pool and giant water slide.

The real showstopper though is the hotels private Lipizzaner stud farm. There are 24 of the famous white horses an indoor riding arena, a riding school, lessons for all abilities, and guided trail rides through the surrounding countryside. Even if you’re not a rider, it’s hard not to be impressed.

How to get here:

Fly direct into either Munich or Salzburg. The flights to both airports take around 2 hours from UK and are available with most regional carriers; Ryanair, Jet2, easyJet, Tui and British Airways. From Munich it’s about one and half hours by car (120km) to reach the resort and from Salzburg its takes about an hour (80km).

Puente Romano, Marbella Spain

Sitting right on Marbella’s famous Golden Mile, Puente Romano is one of those resorts where you could happily spend a week without ever needing to leave. It’s a luxury beachside retreat with a laid-back Mediterranean feel, packed with restaurants, sports facilities and plenty of places to unwind. It’s also home to the globally recognised Nobu Hotel, giving the whole resort an extra touch of glamour.

If you’re into racquet sports, this place is hard to beat. The resort’s renowned tennis club features ten courts and regularly hosts international tournaments and events. There’s also a well-established junior academy, along with padel courts, fitness classes and wellness sessions. If you’d rather swap the baseline for the fairway or the sea, golf, sailing and a range of water sports are all easy to arrange.

Pool at Puente Romano Hotel with mountain in the distance.

When it’s time to recover the Six Senses Spa offers a true haven of peace and relaxation.  Guests can enjoy a full menu of treatments, therapies, and wellness rituals complemented by a hydrotherapy pool, cold plunge, ice showers, and a traditional hammam.  Whether you’ve spent the day on the court or simply by the pool it’s a pretty good place to recharge.

The resort is home to a luxury dining village with over 20 bars, restaurants and beach venues. Ranging from lively nightlife spots and elegant fine dining to laid back beach clubs.  Internationally recognised brands including Nobu, Coya, Cipriani, and La Petite Maison all have a home here making it one of Marbella’s most sought after dining destinations.

How to get here:

Take a 2 and a half hour flight to Malaga airport with a number of different airlines; BA, Ryanair, Easy jet or Whizz Air. From the airport, its around 40 car drive to the resort.

Quinta do Lago, Algarve Portugal

Quinta do Lago is less of a resort and more of a luxury lifestyle destination. Set in the Algarve next to Vale do Lobo. It’s a sprawling community of hotels, private villas, championship golf courses, restaurants and sports facilities all surrounded by beautiful coastline and nature.

The major differentiator from any other resort is The Campus, one of Europe’s leading high performance and sports wellness centres. Not just for your average holidaymaker, professional athletes, sports teams and serious amateurs all come here to train. Facilities include a hybrid grass pitch for football and rugby, tennis and padel courts, a 25 meter heated pool and cycling and triathlon facilities. The Campus is home to a high performance gym with personal trainers and an outdoor balcony for workouts. If your idea of exercise is a little less intense, there are also classes ranging from Pilates to barre to Zumba. 

The Campus, A high performance training centre at Quinta Do Lago

When you are not training there is plenty to explore. Quinta Do Lago sits alongside the Ria Formosa Natural Park with wooden boardwalks winding through the sand dunes down to the coast. Peaceful coastal lagoons known for wildlife, walking trails and miles of golden beach. It’s the sort of place where you can spend the morning in the gym, and the afternoon watching flamingos by the water.

The accommodation is just as varied as the activities. You can choose from luxury hotels, private villas, stylish holiday rentals and if your bank balance allows properties withing a gated development.

How to get here:

Fly to Faro in around 2 and half hours with airlines including British Airways, Ryanair or easyJet. From the airport take a 20 minutes drive to Quinta do Lago.

Lets wrap up the 5 best Sports Resorts in Europe

If you’re looking for the very best sports resorts in Europe, these five destinations offer something a little different. Whether you want championship golf in Spain, world glass tennis in Marbella, luxury wellness in the Austrian Alps, elite training facilities in Portugal or unrivalled academies in Sardinia, there’s a resort to suit every type of active traveller. The beauty of these sports resorts in Europe is that you never have to choose between staying active and enjoying a luxury holiday – you can have both, all the while exploring some of Europe’s most spectacular destinations.

Read Next

Where to stay in Marbella: Your Ultimate Area Guide & Hotel Picks