Marbella: Europe’s new hub for high-performance athletes

In recent years, Marbella has established itself as one of the most attractive destinations in Europe for high-performance athletes, chosen by professional sportsmen and women, international clubs and national teams to prepare for their seasons.

Its mild year-round climate, first-class infrastructure and high-quality medical and recovery services make the Costa del Sol a true hub for professional sports tourism. From elite footballers and triathletes to tennis players and professional cyclists, more athletes are choosing Marbella not only for its facilities but also for the opportunity to train, recover and rest in a privileged environment between the sea and the mountains.

Sports Visa for high-performance athletes in Spain

Spain offers a specific visa for professional athletes and coaches that allows them to reside and work legally in the country during competitions, training periods or temporary contracts. This visa, recognised at European level, facilitates the stay of international teams and athletes who choose Marbella for physical preparation, injury recovery or pre-tournament training camps.

Thanks to this framework, clubs, federations and academies can organise full pre-season programmes with the reassurance of operating within the legal system and with the flexibility required to train, travel and compete. The proximity of Marbella to Málaga International Airport, with direct connections to more than 130 destinations, also makes logistics simple and efficient for international teams.

The best high-performance training centres and elite academies in Marbella

Marbella and its immediate surroundings are home to some of the best sports facilities in Europe, capable of hosting both elite individual training and professional team camps. Among the most notable are:

Marbella Football Center

Considered one of the world’s leading references in football preparation, Marbella Football Center welcomes dozens of professional teams every year who choose the Costa del Sol for their pre-seasons and friendly tournaments. Clubs such as Borussia Dortmund, Celtic, Malmö FF and Dynamo Kyiv train at its facilities thanks to its FIFA-standard natural grass pitches, specialised gym, data analysis rooms and a comprehensive medical and physiotherapy team.

In addition, the complex offers a highly controlled environment that allows clubs to carry out micro-cycles of work with complete privacy. Its internal organisation facilitates the logistics of long-term stays, including transport, accommodation and support services, making Marbella Football Center a preferred option for season planning, recovery after demanding competitions or specific training camps designed to improve physical and tactical performance.

Málaga High Performance Centre (C.E.A.R.)

Located less than an hour from Marbella, the High Performance Centre is one of the best-equipped complexes for Olympic athletes and national federations. Its facilities include dedicated areas for disciplines such as athletics, weightlifting, aquatic sports and endurance events. It also has physiological analysis laboratories and advanced monitoring equipment.

Its multidisciplinary approach makes it possible to integrate strength, endurance and technical training with continuous evaluation programmes supervised by specialists. This makes it an ideal partner for athletes seeking comprehensive and scientifically guided preparation. The proximity to Marbella also allows training sessions at the C.E.A.R. to be combined with coastal or altitude training, taking full advantage of the natural environment.

Racket clubs and tennis academies

The region is home to top-tier academies at European level such as Puente Romano Tennis Club and Manolo Santana Racquets Club. Both centres stand out for their impeccably maintained courts, experienced coaches and programmes tailored to both ATP/WTA professionals and young talents in development. Their constant activity, with competitions and clinics throughout the year, makes Marbella a prime location for racket sports.

Moreover, these academies combine technical training with an integrated performance approach: sport-specific physical work, video analysis, recovery programmes and complementary services such as physiotherapy or nutritional guidance. The quality of the environment and the stable climate allow intensive training routines without seasonal interruptions, boosting progression and maintaining competitive form.

Nautical and golf facilities

Marbella has become a key destination for golfers, sailors, open-water swimmers and triathletes thanks to its mix of top-level sports infrastructure and unique natural surroundings. With more than 20 competition-level golf courses, designed by renowned architects and in ideal condition all year round, the area is one of Europe’s golf epicentres. The marinas offer perfect conditions for sailing training, regattas or rowing, supported by technical services and specialised schools.

To this is added the opportunity to train along a coastline with calm waters for most of the year, allowing triathletes and swimmers to complete intensive sessions in the sea. The presence of professionals specialised in preparation, physiotherapy, sports coaching and recovery complements an exceptional offering for those looking to combine performance, favourable climate and a top-tier environment for elite sport.

Technology, science and recovery: elite sports medicine

Marbella’s rise as a sports destination is not only due to its climate and facilities but also to the quality of its medical and technological infrastructure.

The city has specialised clinics in sports medicine, advanced physiotherapy, nutrition, cryotherapy and hyperbaric chambers—tools increasingly used by professional athletes to optimise performance and speed up muscle recovery.

• Hyperbaric chambers have become a common resource among footballers, triathletes and long-distance runners. By increasing oxygen supply to the tissues, they accelerate cell regeneration and reduce muscle inflammation, helping to shorten recovery times after competitions or injuries.
• Medical centres in Marbella also offer complementary treatments such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP), ozone therapy, advanced sports physiotherapy and guided functional training, all supervised by medical teams with experience in high-level athletes.

Combined with personalised nutrition and wellness recovery programmes, these services make Marbella a complete destination for training, recovery and peak performance.

Wellness and recovery: the invisible training

Performance is not only trained in the gym or on the pitch. In Marbella, rest and well-being are an essential part of preparation. Numerous centres and clinics offer active recovery programmes that include yoga, pilates, hydrotherapy, cryotherapy, osteopathy and mindfulness to maintain physical and mental balance.

This combination of training, rest and conscious nutrition turns the pre-season experience in Marbella into a stage of complete regeneration, ideal for athletes seeking to optimise their physical condition without compromising well-being.

Strategic location and Mediterranean lifestyle

Marbella perfectly combines the conditions that professional athletes value most: excellent connectivity, first-class infrastructure and an unparalleled quality of life.

Marbella’s microclimate, with more than 300 days of sunshine a year and an average temperature of 20°C, enables outdoor training throughout all seasons. In addition, the region offers exceptional gastronomy —including healthy, vegan and high-nutritional-value options— and a network of highly reputable medical professionals, physiotherapists and personal trainers.

It is no coincidence that more elite athletes are choosing Marbella as their permanent training base or pre-season destination, blending performance, rest and Mediterranean lifestyle.

Where to stay during preseason or training camps in Marbella

Finding the right accommodation is key to ensuring the success of any sports preparation. At Banus Rentals, we offer athletes and teams an exclusive selection of premium villas and apartments in the most peaceful and well-connected areas of Marbella and Puerto Banús.

Our properties provide the perfect environment for rest, focus and recovery, with services tailored to the needs of athletes and technical staff:

• Villas with private gyms, heated pools or wellness areas.
• Apartments located close to all amenities, featuring spacious terraces and sea views ideal for active recovery.