Porto, Portugal’s largest city, is a great place to visit or call home. A booming metropolitan hub, Porto has plenty to offer in terms of culture, entertainment, and social activities. This is doubly true for tennis enthusiasts.
Located on the Mediterranean Sea in Northern Portugal, Porto has excellent weather even in the off-season, when the tourists have gone home, and the city is considerably quieter. Its winters are mild, with comfortable temperatures in the high teens.
For tennis lovers, this is the place! While a lot of Europe must be content with icy temperatures and muddy sports centers, Porto is blessed with long warm summer days and pleasant winters. With a climate conducive to year-round play, it’s clear why guests love playing on these courts.
For residents and visitors alike, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best tennis courts in Porto:
If you want to play tennis in Portugal, the Oporto Cricket & Lawn Tennis Club is a great first port of call. Not only is this club the oldest in Portugal (it was founded in 1863), but it's also one of the most beautiful.
Overlooking the Douro River, there's nothing more picturesque than practicing your backhand on its courts while gazing at the river and city below you. It's a major perk to have such a gorgeous view—especially when it's not usually what you see on your TV watching Wimbledon.
The club boasts a clubhouse and solarium that are impressive venues for parties, weddings, and other special events. With its history, stunning location, and reliable reputation, the Oporto Cricket & Lawn Tennis Club is a highlight on any trip to Porto, whether or not you're an avid tennis player.
Located near the Casa da Música, the Oporto Club is most likely within walking distance if you are staying in the city centre. If you’re further afield, it’s best to get one of the many buses that go to the Casa da Música station, a 3-minute walk from the club.
Another club with a long and rich tradition is Clube de Ténis do Porto, which has a widespread reputation for excellent facilities.
For years now, the club has hosted several national and international tournaments. It’s also been home to some of the country’s most renowned tennis players, such as João Cunha e Silva and Sónia Gonçalves.
The Clube de Ténis do Porto is located in the beautiful Palácio de Cristal Gardens in the center of Porto, which makes it a great place to go for a workout and enjoy some of Porto's best scenery.
In the northern part of the city centre, Clube de Tenis do Porto is walkable from most locations. Alternatively, the nearest bus station is the Hospital de Santa Maria.
The Lawn Tennis Club da Foz has been a landmark in Porto for over 100 years. The club was founded in 1885 and is one of the oldest in Portugal, with a rich history and notable past members. The LTCF is known for its architecture, which is unique and distinct from other tennis clubs in the city.
The building was constructed at the end of the 19th century and declared a historical monument in 2010. The club has several clay courts, hard courts, an artificial grass court, and a beach tennis court. There are also two swimming pools (one indoor), a gym and spa area, and an on-site restaurant.
It’s located just a short walk from the ocean, making it an ideal place to take a break from your day on the courts. There are also several hotels conveniently close to the courts that you can consider for your stay.
All levels of players are welcome at this club—whether you’re an aspiring pro or just looking for some fun outdoor exercise, you’ll be able to find it here.
If you’re not staying near the ocean, then the nearest metro station is Praia do Carneiro or the Padre Luis Cabral bus station.
Espinho is a famous beach town to the south of Porto. In addition to the beautiful beach, this place also has a tennis complex known as Complexo de Ténis de Espinho, considered one of the best tennis clubs in Portugal. It has eight tennis courts with a clay surface and a special court for children.
The club offers many activities such as training sessions, tournaments, and competitions. It also has a restoration area to have a light meal or drink after your match. If you're looking for a place to stay, several hotels are located near the complex.
The 900 m circuit in the green zone makes this club an excellent place to stay active, energetic, and relaxed.
While nearby if you’re staying to Porto’s south, the Complexo is an hour by public transport from the city centre. You can reach Espinho via the Aveiro bus service, which arrives in Espinho and Silvalde stations, both 30 minutes from the courts.
The Ténis Furadouro club is located in the coastal town of Caxias, which is some 15 minutes from central Porto by car. It offers its guests two clay courts and two hard courts for playing tennis. There are also two tennis tables and a soccer field.
There is also a restaurant on the club's territory, where you can have a snack or dinner after an active game. The menu includes Portuguese cuisine.
The Ténis Furadouro club is open to everyone who wants to play tennis or spend time in nature. In addition to the courts, there are comfortable sun loungers on the territory, where you can sunbathe during your rest.
The club offers different levels of tennis such as mini-tennis suited for children, beginner level for young people, improvement for all levels, and competition for the pros.
Clube de Ténis de Matosinhos is the best tennis club in Porto. The club was founded in 1976 and has been recognized as one of the most important clubs in Portugal, having won several titles in the National Championships.
The facilities are excellent and have courts for every level of play. The club also has a swimming pool, a massage center, and a gym.
There are activities for everyone at all levels and all ages. There are classes for children from four years old, and there are groups for the youngest to learn tennis from an early age.
The facilities have 18 courts, 11 outdoor courts, and seven indoor courts with artificial turf, all under the roof. They also have a coffee shop, restaurant, and bar.
The Clube Ténis da Boavista (CTB) is home to some of the best tennis courts in the city.
The club has over 14 courts, nine of which are clay while the other five are synthetic. They offer group and private tennis lessons for all ages and levels and tennis camps during the summer.
The club also offers a fitness center, a swimming pool, and a full-service restaurant. It hosts several tennis tournaments throughout the year and one of the biggest tennis events in Portugal: The Millennium Estoril Open.
The club is on a modern, well-equipped site, with a superb panoramic view of the city and the River Douro. A wide variety of year-round activities is available to the 900 members, with more than 20 sports. Tennis, squash, and badminton are very popular here, especially in summer.
The club has two swimming pools, a gym, a boxing ring, and tennis and squash courts. The clubhouse is great for relaxing after a hard workout or just enjoying the superb atmosphere.
With a great climate, a plethora of tennis clubs, and many different options, Porto has something for everyone. Here are some tips on selecting the right tennis club in Porto.
First, determine if you want to play on clay or grass courts. If you are new to tennis, it might be best to start with clay courts because they are easier on your body and allow you to focus more on strategy than technique. However, if you have been playing for some time, grass courts would be better suited for you as they are much faster-paced and require more skillful shot-making abilities.
Second, consider which type of club membership is best suited for you based on how often you will play per week (or month). If it's just once every few months, there isn't any need to sign up with an expensive full-time membership; instead, look into getting a more economical option such as pay-as-you-go tennis lessons from an instructor at one of these clubs. Or maybe even get yourself some private lessons!
Thirdly think about whether or not these clubs offer any social activities outside of playing tennis. If you like to meet new people and make friends, then maybe a club that puts on regular mixers or has an active social scene would be a good fit for you. However, if you want to play tennis and don't care about the social aspects, any of these clubs would work perfectly.
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