Your European vacation just got a pickleball-inspired upgrade.
Your itinerary might be packed with exploring museums, devouring delicious meals, and strolling the shops, but there’s still plenty of room for a pickleball match or two!
In England alone, pickleball venues have increased by 58%, according to Pickleball52. The sport is also exploding in places like Portugal, France, and other countries around the continent.
In other words, make room in your suitcase for your pickleball paddle! Slowly but surely, resorts are beginning to add pickleball to their list of amenities, and local groups are coordinating play among residents and visitors in many European cities.
Here are some of our favorite pickleball locations in Europe so you can maintain your game while traveling the world.
Lemon Pickleball in London, England
If you’re looking for a match, clinic, or social session in London, start at Lemon Pickleball. The organization hosts activities on courts at local schools and sports centers throughout Greater London, making it easy to find an event near your hotel or rental.
Lemon Pickleball offers lessons and group sessions. Popular among local players, it’s a great way to explore some lesser-known areas of the city, rub shoulders with residents, and learn about some under-the-radar places to visit. Try a lesson or group session, then ask your new friends to recommend their favorite pub for a post-match pint.
Pickleball Paris 19 in Paris, France
Take a break from sightseeing and indulging in exquisite French cuisine for a pickleball match in the heart of Paris. This pickleball club has four indoor courts with permanent lines and portable nets. It also takes reservations so you can fit your match easily into your packed itinerary.
The facility has restrooms and locker rooms, so it’s easy to swing by for a quick match between sipping cafe au lait at a local cafe, enjoying an incredible view of the Eiffel Tower, and browsing the shops for the latest fashions.
Messini Beach Club in Analipsi, Greece
This all-inclusive resort in Analipsi has six outdoor pickleball courts, making it the perfect spot for a luxurious beach vacation for pickleball fans.
It’s an ideal vacation for active families, with lessons available for kids just learning the game, as well as water activities like sailing, windsurfing, and paddle boarding. A restaurant and pool bar will help you cool off and refuel before heading back to the courts or the beach.
Messini Beach Club is a Neilson hotel. The Alana Beach Club in Croatia also offers pickleball but has just two courts.
The Manor and Ashbury Resort in Devon, England
Nestled in Okehampton, this luxurious resort is the ideal escape for pickleball players looking for an English vacation. The Manor resort hosts the pickleball courts, though guests from The Ashbury can book a shuttle for the two-mile trip. There are nine indoor pickleball courts, as well as badminton courts that can be adapted for pickleball if needed. The resort offers lessons, group play, and private instruction.
Visitors at both resorts have access to the facilities. The Manor has several restaurants, including one with picturesque views of the countryside. The Ashbury is the ninth largest golf resort in the world (and largest in the United Kingdom), making it an excellent option for travelers who like to split time between the course and court.
Rocha Brava Village Resort in Carvoeiro, Portugal
Go ahead and take a deep breath. The Rocha Brava Village Resort in Portugal seamlessly blends wellness with play for an incredible experience the entire family will enjoy.
You’ll spend plenty of time on the resort’s four pickleball courts – if you can tear yourself away from the ocean views. There’s also a spa, three pools, and a mini-golf course for the entire family to enjoy.
After your match, pop into the on-site supermarket for fresh local ingredients to create a meal in your room, or dig into Portuguese cuisine at O Farol.
What’s On Your European Bucket List?
This list just barely scratches the surface of the resorts and facilities offering pickleball in Europe, especially as the sport continues to grow worldwide. Whether you’re planning a summer in a Paris apartment, soaking up the culture like a local, or dreaming of a luxurious vacation with your family under the Portugal sun, you’ll be able to continue your pickleball routine abroad. Which European locations are on your travel bucket list?
