Serving Up Fun in Marbella: The Best Padel Courts
Padel fever has officially taken over Marbella. With sunshine almost year-round and a community obsessed with staying active, the sport - somewhere between tennis and squash has found its dream home here. From beginners to seasoned players, Marbella’s top clubs offer something for everyone, proving why the town has become a magnet for padel enthusiasts across the globe.
And after trying quite a few padel courts myself (yes, I’ve fully joined the obsession), I can confidently say these spots have become my absolute favourites. Whether it was the atmosphere, the coaches, the courts, or, let’s be honest, the food - these clubs stood out and genuinely made me fall in love with the sport even more.
Why Marbella is a Padel Paradise
If you’ve ever been to Marbella, you’ve probably noticed how popular padel has become - it’s everywhere, from fancy hotel resorts to local sports clubs. The sport actually has a pretty interesting history. It started in Mexico in the 1960s but really found its home in Spain when Alfonso de Hohenlohe built the first courts at the Marbella Club in the late 1970s. Back then it was mostly a game for the Spanish elite, but over the years it has exploded into a national craze. By the 1990s, padel was Spain’s second most played sport after football, and Marbella has always been at the center of it.
It’s easy to see why it took off here. The weather is practically perfect year-round, which means courts are always busy, and Marbella’s mix of locals and international residents has made padel a social hub. The sport itself is super approachable - much easier to pick up than tennis, but still a great workout. And since it’s usually played in doubles, it’s a really social way to get active. Walking past a court, you often see everyone laughing, shouting, and celebrating points like they just won Wimbledon.
For anyone thinking about picking up a racket while in Marbella, you’re in luck. The city is packed with great courts and clubs that cater to all levels. Below, I’ve rounded up some of my favorite spots, all places I’ve visited or personally recommend if you want to enjoy padel the way it’s meant to be played - fun, social, and a little addictive.
Bel Air Tennis Club
If you’re serious about padel..or just want a fun spot to swing a racket without looking completely lost - Club Bel Air is where it’s at. It’s tucked into a lovely area that’s easy to get to whether you’re coming from Estepona, Marbella, or anywhere in between. The courts are laid out on different levels, which makes wandering around the grounds a little adventure of its own. Honestly, even just standing there, watching others play, feels oddly satisfying.
They have five pristine glass courts that are maintained so well you could practically eat off them (not that I tried). High-level players train here regularly, and if you’re lucky, you might even spot a pro casually smashing a winner while you’re still figuring out which side of the racket to hold. Beginners and seasoned players are equally welcome, and the instructors running the classes are friendly, motivating, and surprisingly patient with people like me who occasionally forget the rules mid-rally.
Club Bel Air isn’t just about courts. There’s a café if you need a coffee or something to fuel your questionable athletic performance, racquets available to hire, and staff that are genuinely helpful - from booking your session to restringing your racket. Mix-in sessions and social games are a blast if you want to meet other players without the pressure of serious competition. And for anyone itching for a bit of challenge, their tournaments are a perfect excuse to pretend you’re a pro for a day.
Here’s a funny little bonus: somehow, the weather always seems to cooperate at Club Bel Air. It might be raining up in Benahavis or Cortes, but here, miraculously, the courts stay dry. Perfect excuse to keep playing while everyone else complains about the drizzle.
Whether you’re there for a class, a casual rally, or a tournament, Club Bel Air makes padel feel social, fun, and a little addictive. Honestly, I couldn’t recommend it more - and yes, I may have taken a victory lap after one particularly impressive serve, even if it was just by accident.
Racquet Club Villa Padierna
For anyone craving a padel experience that’s truly on another level, Racquet Club Villa Padierna is the kind of club that makes you stop and think, “Alright… this is proper padel.” They’ve got 15 courts spread across three different areas, so even on busy days it never feels cramped. The whole place has this clean, modern vibe, and the atmosphere is super sporty without being intimidating - you’ll see total beginners warming up right next to players who look like they're training for the World Padel Tour. And honestly, the coaching here is on another level. The Prodigy Padel Academy team trains out of the club, so if you’re traveling through Málaga and want to squeeze in a proper training session, this is the spot.
One thing I love is how easy they make it for you to get involved. You can join classes, organize a private tournament for your group (family, friends, coworkers - whoever you’re brave enough to play with), or just book a court and do your own thing. And once you’re done pretending you’re a pro, there’s a restaurant right on site where you can recover, eat well, and chill out without feeling rushed.
Some locals swear this is the best club in the entire Costa del Sol, and honestly, I get it. Great facilities, friendly staff, players who actually say hello, and the bonus of being right next to a quiet beach. Not a bad setup if you ask me. Whether you’re here to improve your game or just sweat a bit before hitting the sunbeds, Villa Padierna makes it ridiculously easy to enjoy padel in the best possible way.
Alhambra Padel Club
If you prefer your padel clubs with a bit of soul (and maybe a plate of amazing croquettes on the side), Alhambra Padel Club Marbella is going to feel like a warm hug. It’s not flashy or corporate - it’s the kind of place where people actually say hello, remember your face, and might even cheer for you when you accidentally win a point. With six glass-wall courts, it’s big enough to feel lively but small enough that you won’t get lost wandering around like you’re in a sports-themed IKEA.
Court rentals range between €22–32 per hour, and for the price you get spotless facilities, chilled vibes, and a surprisingly good restaurant. And let’s talk about the croquettes. They’re homemade, dangerously delicious, and very capable of convincing you that you “earned” them after exactly 12 minutes of warm-up.
The club has a cozy viewing area, a pro-shop for when you inevitably blame your racket for your mistakes, and a community-driven atmosphere that makes you want to come back - even when your legs say otherwise.
Their Padel Alhambra Academy caters to everyone: adults, kids, complete beginners, and those “I’ve-only-played-twice-but-I-swear-I’m-talented” types. Classes are small (maximum four people), so you actually get attention instead of feeling like you’re in a PE class. They even run summer camps and beginner-friendly intro packages that make the sport feel accessible, not intimidating.
If you’re looking for a padel club where you can improve your game, eat well, and laugh at yourself a little along the way, Alhambra is exactly the spot.
