It is no coincidence that Marbella is a firm favourite among international sportsmen when it comes to winter training. Its mild year round climate, good transport links, luxury accommodation and world class sporting facilities are a magnet for those wanting to put in quality training away from the dismal Northern European winter months.
Happily, for those who have made Marbella their home or want to visit for a sunshine break, these factors apply as well—you don’t have to be a professional sportsperson to enjoy the best of Marbella’s outdoor facilities.
Here are six sports you can take part in and some of the places in Marbella where you can enjoy them to the full.
1. The green, green, grass of golf
When it comes to golf resorts Elviria in Marbella has few equals. With top quality championship courses such as Santa Clara and Santa María nearby, there is also an excellent nine-hole course. Always in superb condition, Greenlife Golf Club is a stunning, undulating course not just for a diverting round or two, but sure to perfect your short game.
For a serious golfing holiday to not just enjoy your game, but improve it too, look no further than the Greenlife Golf Academy in Elviria Hills. There is a range of packages for tuition at all levels, using top class facilities, multilingual professional coaches and on site luxury accommodation. It is the ideal spot to brush up your skills under expert guidance, then enjoy a few rounds on the perfectly maintained nine hole course.
2. Tennis love match
As part of the complete sporting experience on offer in Elviria there is also the chance to brush up on your racquet skills at the Tennis Group Academy. Known as the best tennis academy on the Costa del Sol, many of the top ranked Spanish players train here, as do many keen amateurs, and its students have been consistently getting very good results in national competitions. The academy operates from several sites along the coast, with Elviria boasting two competition standard clay courts with top teaching professionals on hand to tutor every aspect of the game.
Near Elviria in El Rosario, lays the Royal Tennis Club. It boasts eight clay and one hard court, and features floodlighting so you can play in the evenings too. Tuition is also available and the restaurant and lounge areas are worth a visit in their own right.
3. Getting along splashingly
With the Mediterranean sparkling temptingly before you, it is no surprise that water sports are very popular in Marbella. Just a few minutes from Greenlife, Funny Beach, as its name suggests, is a fun place for all the family with a wide range of watersports on offer. From hoverboards, flyboards and jetskis to paddleboarding and parasailing, there is something to keep every water enthusiast happy.
Also available to everyone from beginners to pros is ‘surf’ in all its varieties—windsurf, stand up paddle surf, kitesurf and paddle surf. NaluSur and PaddleSurf Marbella are just two of the many places where you can participate in these fun activities and soak up the cool surfer atmosphere.
Of course, water sports don’t stop at surfing. Marbella has a huge range of aquatic pastimes on offer. Several centres including Marbella Sports Boat, Aquatime and Water Sports Banús specialise in a variety of activities including Wakeboard, water skiing, water sledging (hydrospeed) inflatable banana rides, paracending and much more.
If you are passionate about fishing, then the town has everything you need to enjoy this sport to the full. Beginners can pick up the basics accompanied by experienced anglers, or why not make a day of it by embarking on an excursion with friends and family?
Boats can be chartered in Puerto Banús at Marbella Fishing Charter, Pesca en Barco and Luna Pesca. Other centres, including Náutica Marbella, Oceánica and Marina Marbella, specialise in all types of waterborne excursions to entertain the whole family, including the unforgettable ‘dolphin experience’ and whale watching trips.
If you prefer to explore underneath the waves Bucea en Marbella in the Puerto Deportivo de Marbella (Marbella marina) offers scuba diving classes for all levels, from beginners through to advanced. They also organise group dives and trips for scuba lovers to enjoy their favourite sport. Finally, those of you who want a rush of adrenalin, head over to Marbella Jet Ski,to hire one of their powerful machines for a fun filled experience.
4. Horsing around
The Andalusians love their horses, as you can see at every fair ground when feria is on, where horses and riders in traditional dress take centre stage. There is no shortage of equestrian centres on the Costa del Sol, where you can hire horses and ponies, go on organised treks or follow instruction. Slightly inland at Coín you will find the Centro Ecuestre El Rocío, which offers a wide range of equestrian services close to lovely country routes. You can also check out Escuela de Arte Ecuestre Costa del Sol.
5. Multi adventure sports
Visiting Marbella is a wonderful experience and you can make it even more unforgettable by hiring a Segway from Ensegway Marbella and Marbella Segway Tours. It is the perfect way to explore all the hidden corners, nooks and crannies of the town. For those looking for a little exercise the option of hiring a bicycle is offered by Marbella rent a bike and Bike Tours Marbella.
Heading back to Elviria. For fun-filled afternoons with children we recommend Aventura Amazonia Marbella, where youngsters and their parents can take part in climbing, canyoning , hiking and the popular ‘adventure in the trees’. Also recommended are the activities offered by Expande tu mundo and Team4you where adventure sports such as kayaking, rappel, archery and zip lining mean there is fun for everyone.
If you have ever fancied walking on water, then Zorbing was invented for you! Practitioners can take a stroll on top of the waves, jump, tumble or simply float—all without getting wet—by climbing inside a giant inflatable ball. You can try it out at Aguaspheres and Sphere Mania Marbella.
There is also room for motorsports enthusiasts at Turismo Aventura 1922, Marbella Buggys and Go Karting Marbella which enable you to emulate your driving heroes and put your foot down in Buggies, Karts, and on 4×4 tours.
6. Reach for the sky
The best way to see Marbella is without doubt from the air. For stunning views and an unforgettable experience we recommend a helicopter trip. Helifan is a school that prepares pilots for official tests to obtain their licence and also provides pleasure flights by experienced airmen.
Another unique experience is available from Málaga Vuela Escuela de Paramotor, which offers a unique birds eye view of the Costa del Sol. No experience is necessary as the school provides beginners with lessons and rents all the equipment necessary for powered paragliding.
These are just a few of the many sporting opportunities to be found in the Marbella area. All of them are easy to get to from Elviria, where Greenlife Estates has a fine selection of properties for sale and to let. Please contact us and we can advise you on all aspects of buying and selling a home in Marbella.
Massimo Filippa
