At first glance it may seem that there is nothing to do on the Costa Blanca except spend hours on the beach and enjoy paella and wine in the evenings – but that is far from true. Spaniards and local residents lead a very active lifestyle (although nobody has cancelled evening wine). Today we will tell you about the main sports that locals are passionate about – and one of these sports has even grown into a separate tourism segment for the region.
At Granfield Estate, our team members are active cyclists, golfers, hikers, and padel players — so when we talk about sport on the Costa Blanca, it’s from personal experience.
The game that almost everyone here knows how to play – from children to seniors – is tennis. This sport is very popular all over Europe, but on the Costa Blanca you can, of course, play on outdoor courts all year round, and people in the region actively take advantage of this. Some families even reserve a court for the whole year and come to play with relatives or friends. There are plenty of tennis courts in Torrevieja and Orihuela Costa, and none of them are empty – on the contrary, more and more facilities are opening.
There is another racquet-and-ball game that Spaniards absolutely love – pádel. It is a mix of tennis, table tennis and squash. Pádel courts are often located next to tennis courts, and you will recognise them immediately by their transparent plastic or glass walls. Why the walls? A key detail is that when the ball bounces off the wall, the rally continues, so fans say pádel is more dynamic than tennis and a single game lasts longer. As in tennis, you need a ball (similar in appearance to a tennis ball, but lighter and softer) and a special racket with holes in the face, made of foam-like material and covered on the outside with wood or plastic. Today in Spain pádel has overtaken even football in popularity and, by the way, the very first World Championship in this sport was held here in the Kingdom.
Because tennis and pádel are so popular, many new-build residential developments now include courts in their design, which significantly increases buyer interest.
The sport that brings huge numbers of tourists from all over the world to the Costa Blanca is golf. This type of sports tourism brings around 440–450 million euros a year into the Spanish budget. There are more than 20 golf courses on the Costa Blanca, some of them designed by famous players and course architects. Many local golf clubs have received prestigious awards, and Las Colinas Golf & Country Club has been named the best golf club in Spain multiple times. Thanks to the region’s mild year-round climate, golf lovers can practice in any season. Nevertheless, September and October are considered peak months: at this time all hotels and rental apartments are fully booked and you can see crowds of passengers with golf bags arriving at Alicante airport. Local clubs regularly host major international tournaments, attracting many professionals and fans of this sport from around the world.
A traditional pastime for Spaniards (and not only for them) is pétanque. If you have ever seen a group of men and women throwing metal balls, that is one of the favourite games in many European countries. In Spain pétanque has been known for two centuries. It is especially popular among retirees because it is not too intense or exhausting, but it is very engaging. If you are travelling with older relatives, be sure to teach them how to play – they will immediately find a group of new friends.
Of course, the Costa Blanca coastline is a great place for snorkelling, stand-up paddle boarding and even surfing. For example, on the small beach of Cala Cerrada in Orihuela Costa, wave-chasers gather regularly.
Cycling is also very popular among locals. You will often see parents taking their children to school by bike. There are many cycle lanes, bike-friendly cafés, rental points and repair workshops.
Residents of Torrevieja and the Costa Blanca are very active. At weekends, if they do not go to the courts, they play football in the yard, young people form their own teams for beach volleyball or handball. Perhaps this is how they compensate for the not-so-healthy habit of eating late and heavy dinners – but spending evenings in front of the TV is definitely “not Spanish style”. Life in motion at any age – that is how you can describe the local people. Want to live like that too? Come to Spain and be sure to write to Granfield Estate to find your dream property: with courts, on golf courses – any wish becomes reality with us.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is padel and how does it differ from tennis?
Padel is a racket sport played on a walled court with glass walls. The ball can be played off the walls, like in squash, and the racket is smaller than a tennis racket and stringless (solid with holes). The game is significantly easier to learn than tennis and is very dynamic. In Spain, padel is experiencing a real boom — it has surpassed tennis in popularity.
Can you practice water sports on the Costa Blanca year-round?
Sailing, windsurfing, and kitesurfing are available for most of the year — especially popular in spring and autumn when the winds are most stable. Diving and snorkeling are available year-round, with water temperatures not dropping below +14°C. In the summer months, wakeboarding, water skiing, and jet skiing are added at numerous beaches in the region.
Are there fitness clubs and gyms in Torrevieja and Orihuela Costa?
Yes, and in sufficient numbers. The region has both chain Spanish fitness centers (Basic-Fit, McFit) and independent clubs. A membership costs between €20 and €40 per month. Most residential complexes are also equipped with small fitness areas and pools, so basic workouts are available right at home.
Are cycling and running popular on the Costa Blanca?
Very much. Thanks to the mild climate and developed network of bike paths and walking routes, the Costa Blanca has become one of the main centers for cycling tourism in Europe. Every winter, thousands of cycling enthusiasts from northern countries come here. In Torrevieja and Guardamar, there are convenient promenades for running and rollerblading stretching several kilometers.
Our team at Granfield Estate lives and works on the Costa Blanca year-round. If you’re considering a move to Spain or looking for property in the area, we’re happy to share our local knowledge — get in touch for a free consultation.
Granfield Estate
Av. Bélgica 1, C.C. Parquemar, La Mata, 03188 Torrevieja (Alicante)
Tel: +34 865 44 33 33
Read also
5 Reasons Why People Buy Property in Spain
2026-03-07
A seaside retreat, rental income, a smart investment, a path to residency — every buyer has their own motivation. We break down five key reasons people choose the Costa Blanca coast and what they actually gain. Real advantages, honestly presented.
Valencian Spanish – where, what for and for whom?
2026-03-07
Road signs in two languages, and schools in nearby Guardamar teach in Valencian. If you're moving to the Costa Blanca with children, the language of instruction is a question that needs answering early. We explain where Valencian is the norm and where you can get by perfectly well with standard Spanish.
In Spain an Influx of Winter Visitors from Europe is Expected
2026-03-07
Wintering in Torrevieja is cheaper than paying heating bills in Germany — the Germans and Czechs have already done the maths. Spain introduced the "Iberian exception", keeping electricity prices in check while the rest of Europe shivers. Discover why spending winter on the Mediterranean is becoming not a luxury but a saving.