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Padel combines quick reactions, strategy and teamwork making it easy to pick up but challenging to master. Matches tend to be fast and social, with plenty of long rallies that keep all four players involved. Rather than relying purely on power, success often comes down to positioning, control and communication with your partner, which is a big part of what makes the sport so engaging. 

A Brief History of Padel  

There is an interesting story behind the history of padel, which takes us back to Acapulco, Mexico, in 1969. Mexican businessman Enrique Corcuera adapted an area of his home to create an enclosed court, developing a game that combined elements of traditional racket sports with the unique possibility of using the surrounding walls during play. 

Padel soon made its way across the Atlantic. After discovering the sport in Mexico, Prince Alfonso de Hohenlohe introduced it to Spain and built courts at the Marbella Club in the 1970s. From there, its popularity began to grow, particularly along the Costa del Sol, while the sport was also gaining a strong following in Argentina. 

What started as a relatively unknown game has since become an international sport. Today, Spain is one of the world’s leading padel destinations, with thousands of courts across the country and a strong social culture surrounding the game. 

Rules of Padel  

Padel is normally played in doubles on a 20 x 10 metre enclosed court. The surrounding glass walls are part of what makes the sport unique, as the ball can rebound off them after bouncing and remain in play. 

To serve, players first bounce the ball and hit it at or below waist level. The receiving player must let the serve bounce before returning it, while during the rest of the rally players can hit the ball before or after its first bounce. Volleys are allowed during normal play. 

Like tennis, the ball can only bounce once before it must be returned, and traditional padel scoring follows the familiar tennis system. One of the sport’s most spectacular features is that, on courts designed for out-of-court play, players can even run outside the court to retrieve certain balls. 

Why is padel so popular in Barcelona? 

Fun fact: Spain has one of the highest numbers of padel courts in the world, and it’s easy to see why the sport has become such a big part of everyday life. Padel fits perfectly into Spain’s social sports culture, as it’s usually played in doubles and is as much about spending time with others as it is about competing. The country’s warm climate also makes it possible to play outdoors for much of the year. More than just a sport, padel has become a way to connect with friends, meet new people and be part of a community. 

Where to play  

Fairplay Padel Club  

The first of places to play padel in Barcelona, is Fairplay Padel Club in Montjuic, which offers nine courts where you can take classes, participate in leagues, events and tournaments. Whatever level you want to get to, you can’t go wrong here.  

Location: Carrer del Foc, 2, 08038 Barcelona  

Club Natació Atlétic-Barceloneta  

How does this sound, playing a game of padel right on the beach, not bad right? Well, let us introduce you to Club Natació Atlètic-Barceloneta! Offering a range of wonderful courts, it makes for the most ideal location to have a friendly game of padel whilst enjoying the ocean breeze. With flexible prices, you can be assured to find your match here!   

Few places in Barcelona offer a better setting for a game than Club Natació Atlètic-Barceloneta. Located right by the Mediterranean, the club has four padel courts where you can enjoy a match with the sea breeze and lively atmosphere of Barceloneta in the background.  

Location: Plaça del Mar, 08003 Barcelona  

Club Tennis De La Salut  

Despite being known as a tennis club in Barcelona, Club Tennis De La Salut also offers both outdoor and indoor courts. You can even bring your kids here to have a go at a new sport in a friendly environment. As well as padel, this club offers fitness classes for members and non-members alike, giving you a chance to warm-up well before hitting the court!  

Location: Carrer de la Mare de Déu de la Salut, 75, 08024 Barcelona 

Padel Barcelona- El Prat  

Located slightly further out from the centre of Barcelona, Padel Barcelona – El Prat is a padel club that offers classes for all ages and skill sets. The growing popularity of this sport means clubs such as Padel Barcelona – El Prat can respond by hosting tournaments and competitions. Beyond the courts, its large outdoor terrace, indoor restaurant and social events create a lively community atmosphere, making it a great place to socialise, relax and spend time after a game. 

Location: Parc del Riu, 3-4, Ronda de Llevant, 08820 El Prat de Llobregat     

Club Esportiu Laietà    

Teamwork, positive energy and fun are just a handful of the values held at Club Esportiu Laietà, a club that encourages enthusiasm towards any sport! Here, you can learn to play padel on one of their eleven courts or attend padel classes with Juan Alday. As well as this, Club Esportiu Laietà offers the option to participate in a variety of other sports or simply enjoy a post-workout dip in the pool or relax in the sauna after a fast-paced padel game.   

Location: Carrer Pintor Ribalta, 2-8, 08028 Barcelona   

Sarrià Pàdel Club 

Set away from the hustle and bustle of central Barcelona, this padel spot offers the perfect setting to enjoy a game surrounded by a more peaceful atmosphere. Located within the impressive grounds of the Escola Pia de Sarrià-Calassanç, the facilities feature four outdoor padel courts, ideal for making the most of Barcelona’s sunny weather. And there’s an added bonus: its location offers beautiful views towards Tibidabo, providing a unique backdrop while you play. Whether you’re looking for a friendly match or simply want to experience padel in a different setting, it’s a great option on the outskirts of the city. 

Location: Carrer de la Immaculada, 25-35, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, 08017 Barcelona 

How to find padel players in Barcelona? 

Meetup  

Meetup is an app that gets people who share similar interests together. It is used for all things from art classes to book clubs, this app can also be used to connect people who want to play tennis or padel. Therefore, be sure to keep an eye out for a padel Meetup group to meet new people and improve your game on your next visit to Barcelona!  

Group Classes 

Group classes with a coach and other players are another great way to improve your padel skills while enjoying the social side of the sport. Training alongside people at a similar level makes each session more dynamic and gives you the chance to learn, practise and connect with others at the same time. 

Tips for playing padel in Barcelona 

• Most courts must be booked in advance via the club’s website  

• Some places are strict about clothing so make sure you are wearing sports clothes and the appropriate shoes  

• You can hire equipment in a lot of these places so check the website in advance to see if this is an option  

• Some places require you to be a member but most of the ones in this list are open to visitors  

Whether you’re already a padel fan or you’re picking up a racket for the first time, Barcelona is a great city to get on court. From clubs close to the beach to larger sports centres outside the city centre, there are plenty of places to experience one of Spain’s favourite sports during your stay.  

And if paddle isn’t quite your thing, discover more ways to stay active with our guide to free outdoor activities in Barcelona