Sports and leisure in spain

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Sport and leisure activities in Spain

Spain boasts an incredible diversity of landscape and activities and is ideal for whatever diversion takes your fancy.
For more information on leisure and sporting activities in a particular region please contact the local tourist offices.

Outdoor

In the Pyrenees mountain range there are excellent mountain trails and river valleys which are superb for trekking, mountain biking, rock climbing and above all one big outdoor adventure. You can go camping in the forests where you might see a variety of wildlife including: deer, boars, brown bears and mountain goats. It's a perfect setting for those wishing to get away from everything.

Walking

One of the best ways to discover the “real Spain” is to do it on foot. The country is a walkers’ paradise offering something for everyone – from hardened hikers and budget backpackers to those who prefer a relaxing ramble through the vineyards with a spot of wine tasting thrown in for good measure.
Click here for a special report on walking in Spain.

Horse Riding

Horse riding is the perfect way to explore “hidden Spain” for beginners, intermediates and experts alike.

Whether you opt for a gentle two-hour hack through the countryside or a challenging two-week holiday on horseback, you’re almost certain to uncover a wealth of natural treasures unseen and unimagined by the tourist hordes who cling steadfastly to the Spanish costas.
Click here for a special report on horse riding in Spain.

Hunting

A well liked activity in Spain is hunting, both small and large game. Type of game hunted includes: wild fallow deer, roe-deer, mufflon, barbary sheep, chamois, wild boar. Bird shoots include partridges, woodpigeon and turtle-dove.
The hunting season (for both small and big game) runs between October to February.
For further information see our special report on hunting in Spain.

Skiing

Spain has an average altitude of 600 m or approx. 2,000 feet and offers several opportunities for skiing, snow boarding and other winter activities. 2 great destinations are the Pyrenees and the Sierra Nevada. If you're staying near the Costa del Sol you'll be pleased to know that the Sierra Nevada mountain range is only a 2 hour drive through some breathtaking scenery. Once there you will find a large variety of slopes (both on and off-piste) which cater to all levels of skiing ability. Here you can also do night skiing which was introduced in 1994. You will also find bars, restaurants and shops for hiring or buying equipment. For further information see our special report on skiing in Spain.

Golf

Golf is becoming popular among the Spanish people. The number of quality golf courses in Spain is increasing at a phenomenal rate with many property developments actually being built around golf courses themselves. This can be seen frequently in the Costa del Sol or the Costa del Golf as it is also known.
The Costa del Sol (east and west of Malaga) is arguably the golfing capital of Spain with players coming from all over all year round. Many visitors book specific golfing holidays which include accommodation, green fees and equipment rental in an all in one easy package.

You can also find out more if you go to our golf section.

Bullfighting

Bullfighting is the biggest and most controversial sport in Spain and is an integral part of Spanish history, art and culture with bull rings in all major cities and quite a few minor ones. There are 70 bullrings in Andalucia alone with the oldest being Ronda and the most important being Sevilla. The bullfights normally begin early afternoon which is why there are different prices for seats in or out of the sun.

A matador is usually dressed with his satin traje de luces (suit of lights) which are generally decorated in gold. His assistants are normally in silver. The most popular colours are red, black, green, blue and white. Yellow is never worn, not even by spectators as it is considered to be unlucky and toreros are highly superstitious. The suit is worn with a white shirt, narrow black tie, a red, green or black sash knotted at the waist, pink, knee-high stockings, black ballet-style slippers and black (2 cornered hat). The final touch is the pig tail which denotes a matador and is clipped to the back of the head and symbolically cut in the ring when the matador retires. The matador's cape is worn only in the parade before a fight commences and then hung on the fence in front of a friend or distinguished spectator.See our special report on bullfighting.

Fishing

Fishing in Spain is quite abundant with both private and public waters offering freshwater fishing in rivers and streams around the Pyrenees and also the Picos de Europa. Types of fish include both Brown and Rainbow Trout, Black Bass, Pike, Barbel, Perch, Pike and Tench. Permits are required and can be obtained from the regional wildlife authorities.

Water sports

With well over 4000km of coastline, Spain has excellent facilities for many water sports activities including water-skiing, windsurfing, surfing and kite surfing, rowing and canoeing. In the mountains of northern Spain you will also find white-water rafting and canoeing in the rapids.

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