For tennis enthusiasts, Europe has long been a premier destination, but a new wave of luxury resorts is elevating the experience. According to SmartFlyer's 2026 travel trends report, sports like tennis and golf are driving a shift toward destination-driven itineraries where access to top-tier facilities matters as much as the view from your suite. Hotels across the continent are responding with tailored programmes, private coaching, and immersive experiences for players of all ages and abilities.
Coastal Excellence: From the Aegean to the Mediterranean
On Turkey's Aegean coast, the Mandarin Oriental, Bodrum has opened the Mouratoglou Tennis Center, bringing elite-level coaching to one of the region's most luxurious resorts. The facility features three tennis courts and three padel courts, with programmes inspired by Patrick Mouratoglou, known for his work with champions like Serena Williams. Guests can book private lessons, join clinics, or simply enjoy hitting sessions before unwinding at the resort's private beach, fine dining venues, and expansive wellness facilities. The Mouratoglou brand also operates centres in Costa Navarino, Greece, and its flagship academy on the French Riviera, between Nice and Cannes.
On Spain's Costa del Sol, the five-star Don Carlos Marbella resort is home to the Rafa Nadal Tennis Center, the first of its kind in Spain. Set among tropical gardens with Mediterranean views, the facility boasts seven clay courts and two padel courts. Programmes follow the methodology of the 22-time grand slam champion, with certified coaches and real-time analysis via the Wingfield System. Guests can train seriously or play casually, then unwind with on-site dining, a gym, and an exhibition of Nadal's most iconic trophies. For a two-country tennis trip, the Sani Resort on Greece's Kassandra Peninsula also hosts a Rafa Nadal Tennis Center.
In the hills of Murcia, La Manga Club has long been a leading destination for sports training holidays. Its Racquets Club features 26 tennis courts and 10 padel courts, alongside academies and coaching for all levels. Beyond tennis, the resort offers three championship golf courses, eight FIFA-standard football pitches, and cycling routes. Accommodation ranges from luxury stays at the Grand Hyatt La Manga Club Golf & Spa to apartments and villas.
Alpine and Island Retreats
Perched above Lake Geneva in the French Alps, Hôtel Royal at the Evian Resort offers one of Europe's most scenic tennis settings. Its Tennis & Racket Sports Club features four courts—including GreenSet and artificial grass surfaces—alongside padel and pickleball courts, all set within landscaped grounds overlooking the lake. Guests can book private lessons with LUX Tennis instructors, while off-court experiences range from the evianSPA and Michelin-starred dining to golf, hiking, and wellness activities across the wider Evian Resort estate.
In Sicily, the Verdura Resort, a Rocco Forte hotel, has its own tennis, padel, and pickleball club. Open from March to November, the Verdura Tennis Academy welcomes players of all ages for private lessons, group coaching, and relaxed matches. Expert instructors share techniques inspired by legends such as Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer, while the academy also hosts tournaments, intensive training camps, and special events with former professional players.
On Portugal's Algarve coast, Pine Cliffs Resort is home to the renowned Annabel Croft Tennis Academy. The academy features four floodlit courts—two clay and two hard courts—alongside four padel courts, with private coaching, clinics, and intensive camps available for all levels. Guests can combine training with direct beach access, a nine-hole golf course, the Serenity Spa, and a range of restaurants and bars.
Above Lake Lucerne, Bürgenstock Resort combines dramatic Alpine scenery with world-class sporting facilities. Its striking Diamond Domes house three hard courts, set against a backdrop of mountains and lake. The resort offers a full range of tennis programmes, from casual play to intensive coaching, and guests can also enjoy the resort's spa, dining, and hiking trails.
For those planning a tennis-themed holiday, these resorts represent the best of Europe's growing sports tourism sector. Whether you're perfecting your serve on a clay court in Marbella or rallying under the Alps in Switzerland, the continent offers a wealth of options for players and fans alike. For more on emerging travel trends, see our piece on how hushpitality and inheritourism are reshaping European journeys.
