It’s time for your tennis vacation! Here’s why you should choose Croatia as your tennis travel destination.
An introduction to Croatia - undiscovered paradise for playing tennis
What if I asked you – what makes a perfect tennis vacation destination for you?
Forget your standard of play (or your commitment to tennis) for a moment. Or whether you are traveling on your own, with your significant other or with kids. Try to imagine - how does this perfect holiday haven look like?
Is it a fancy, large tennis resort isolated from the every-day local life? Dozens of immaculate courts, with a private, sandy beach? Am I missing palm trees and some cocktails from an all-inclusive bar nearby?
If you're nodding your head, I'd suggest you stop reading this article.
Just skip it.
This one is for tennis lovers who seek to truly enjoy their favorite game. In a sunny place, connecting with their immediate surrounding and people around them. Forget about the car and pack an extra pair of tennis shoes.
Experience Croatia, the best tennis breaks destination. For players of all levels.
Tennis vacations in Cavtat, Dubrovnik Region
You may have traveled around the world. Searched for a best tennis resort online. Visited top-ranked tennis resorts and tennis camps. Practiced with a tennis pro in luxury international tennis destinations in Spain or Florida, with grass courts and a golf course, spa and fitness center. Or you swung your racquet in cheap tennis complex with hard courts. Or you went for junior tennis programs or tennis clinic in the immensely popular France, Turkey, Italy in the Mediterranean.
Let’s talk about Croatia in the context of tennis. Most of you will instantly think of the greatest of Croatian tennis players, Goran Ivanišević, 2001 Wimbledon champion. He is famous for his colorful and entertaining character. If we're lucky, there might be some other names or tournaments held in Croatia mentioned.
Well, tennis in Croatia has a long and rich history and it is high time to put Croatia on the world’s tennis vacationer map. Create some serious competition to Goran. And possibly outshine other holiday destination beauties in the Mediterranean.
When you think of tennis instruction in Europe, you first thoughts might be a tennis resort in Italy with hard and clay courts? Private instruction with tennis professionals in Portugal? Mallorca? Algarve? Nah, choose Croatia!
Tennis vacation in Makarska, Croatia
Here are 5 reasons why Croatia is a superb a tennis vacation destination. Destination worthy of every bit of your attention.
1. Many tennis facilities across the stretched Croatian coast
There are many great tennis facilities and tennis clubs across the stretched Croatian coast. Some hotels posses all the necessary infrastructure to blow off some steam on the tennis court.
Croatians pride themselves of having many famous tennis players. Those players have contributed to increased popularity of tennis as a sport. This is why you can find a tennis club or a tennis center in almost every coastal town, with many tennis events. Also, there are many hotels with tennis courts and tennis training, so you can enjoy hours of tennis. They welcome players of all ages and abilities, and are open for residents and tourists. Often you might find yourself challenged by a local tennis player to take on a match and show what you know.
And there’s a fantastic tennis academy there as well.
2. Red clay courts in stunning natural settings
No matter where you land on Croatian coast, two main colors will follow you. The rich palette of green vegetation and changing colors of deep blue Adriatic Sea. Some of the country’s best tennis courts lie in the most stunning natural surroundings. And according to many, the best clay courts are indeed in Croatia. It's this idyllic landscape that allows you to enjoy the play with full senses.
Tennis vacation at the heart of Adriatic!
3. Behind every great court lies an even greater beach
Walking to the courts to swing your racket, you’ll be tempted to skip the tennis sessions and hit the beach. You can also go to the beach to stretch for tennis, before or after the match. In Croatia beaches are very friendly, inviting you to spend as much time as possible.
What makes them so appealing?
Even from the far, you are immersed into the crystal clear blue colour of the sea. It gets even better after taking a nice swim, drying in the warm sun and finding a perfect spot under the pine tree shadow.
Here’s one interesting thing about beaches in Croatia – they are public. Locals love the beach just as much as they love a cold beer at the beach bar.
There are also some private beaches as well, so if you are more ‘I love my privacy’ person, Croatia will deliver.
👉 Pasjaca beach in Cavtat has been voted as European Best Beach 2019!
Five reasons why Croatia is the best destination for tennis vacation in Europe
4. Walking distance is the signature
Are you one of those people who simply want to forget about the existence of any transporting vehicle while on holiday?
This is one of the very few days in the year you’d like to completely switch off. Have everything you need within easy walking distance.
In case of Croatia, easy walking distance is the signature. This is the part where you will need those extra pair of tennis shoes from the beginning of the article. Or any type of shoes, as long as they are comfortable.
Tennis resorts, if we can even call them like that in our case, are not isolated. They live with the residential surrounding, together with shops and restaurants. You stay at beach resort or camp, with spacious rooms and premium amenities. Walk to the courts, walk to the beach, walk into town for dinner. And if you like – do some more walking along the coast.
Everything is so easy to reach, right there – in the palm of your hand.
5. Best tennis resorts go beyond tennis camps and tennis programs
Passionate players would say, the best moments of a tennis vacation are the ones spent on the court enjoying the game. Especially if they are winning.
But of course you need something else to do after tennis instruction. And in Croatia there are so many exciting opportunities you could follow.
Let’s get more specific.
If you choose to stay in Zadar Region, you will be tempted to visit 5 National and Nature parks, all within easy striking distance.
Let’s get even more specific.
Do you like sailing and swimming in the sea? Go for National Park Kornati.
Prefer hiking or rock climbing? National Park Paklenica is your thing.
Enjoy cycling? I would advise Nature Park Vransko Lake.
Krka Waterfalls - activity available in our Tennis+ programme
It gets slightly complicated with National Parks Plitvice Lakes and Krka Waterfalls. In both cases waterfalls are in question, so you need to decide which one you like better. Or just go with both.
So, have you found your new best tennis vacation destination?
Let’s conclude by saying there is plenty to miss out on if you decide to spend your entire holiday on the drill sessions. You can go hiking, scuba diving, bird watching, ride mountain bikes, explore rich Croatian history, see famous filming locations and enjoy amazing Croatian dishes.
The best way to end it is to say: It’s your holiday. Make everything you do your choice. In Croatia, there is plenty of choice. All you have to do is make a decision and have a look at our 2023 tennis vacations schedule. Let’s improve your game in the most beautiful country in the world!
Best tennis vacations destinations in Croatia
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Rovinj, on Istrian Peninsula, is one of the most beloved tourist cities in Croatia. From the narrow streets of Old Town to the pine trees of Lone Pine Park, it's simply a marvelous place to discover. Winding streets overlooking the sea are perfect for photography - Rovinj is qute possibly the best city in Croatia to capture stunning photos.
Like the whole of Istria, the food is amazing here, and very Italian. In fact, the entire city feels more like you are in Italy than in Croatia, which is not surprising given the history of Rovinj. The city is also a great starting point for exploring the rest of Istria. -
Biograd na Moru was once considered as the crown city of Croatian kings. But today it is a well-recognized nautical and tourist center situated at the very heart of the Adriatic Coast. With buzzing atmosphere and varied sports offerings, it is one of the most interesting Croatian tennis resorts.
The city, tailored to suit everyone’s preferences, lies on the peninsula surrounded by a promenade and contemporary marinas from which a memorable view can be seen all the way to the Pasman Channel and islets scattered in it. -
Cavtat is a picturesque gem of a town. It is also one of the most popular destinations in Dubrovnik area.
Despite the constant boom of tourism, Cavtat has managed to preserve its "small town" charm. Turn aftern turn, the town is full of cobbled lanes and traditional houses built from stones. Rich history and cultural heritage ared deeply rooted within the entire town. Everywhere you go you’ll find traces of times long gone. And on Sundays you can enjoy the traditional dances and costumes in the nearby village of Cilipi.
It is also the perfect place to stay at if you want to see Dubrovnik, but avoid the constant crowds. It is only a 25 minutes ride. -
Makarska is a port town on Dalmatian coast. It is built around a deep bay and protected from the harsh winds by the massive Mountain of Biokovo. Makarska is the center of Makarska Riviera. It will surprise you with the stunning beaches and a bedazzling promenade.
Experience some of the most beautiful beaches in Croatia. Immerse your self in the refined aromatic smell of the pine trees behind them. And when you are done with swimming you can go hiking or mountain biking and try to reach the summit of Biokovo.
Event though it is modern by all standards, the city has to this day kept a flare of the untouched. Small houses and locals fishing the traditional way will instantly transport you to times of past, when things were simpler. But still, make sure to snap a photo or two :) -
The old town of Korcula is one of the best-preserved medieval island towns in the Mediterranean, and an amazing year-round holiday destination. Cycle or hike through the island. Climb the hill tops. Enjoy the captivating panoramic scenery from the lookouts. Walk through the pine trees and immerse your self in the most beautiful red sunset you have ever seen. Finish the day with traditional sea food and top quality local wines.
The sea around the island flourishes with life, with so much flora and fauna to see, making Korcula a well known and loved diving attraction. Sword dances of Moreška, Moštra and Kumpanija are stunning live depictions of historical battles. They are protected as intangible cultural heritage of the Republic of Croatia and a unique island tradition, and. -
With its three thousand-year-old history, every step you take through Pula is a landmark. It begins and ends at the Roman amphitheatre. Pula is the largest city in Istria, and the seventh largest in Croatia.
See where Roman citizens once watched and cheered on gladiator fights, then walk through the underground passageways used by gladiators. Get in touch with the Roman influence everywhere around the city.
The largest town on the Istrian peninsula is called Pula and it's a haven of culture lovers. It's a great destination for anyone interested in history or culture.
Zagreb -
Zagreb region is located in central Croatia. Central Croatia is the largest tourist region in Croatia and the important crossroad of Central Europe and the Adriatic coast. The biggest and most important airport in the country, Franjo Tudman Airport, is located in Zagreb County.
The region is especially enchanting for people who like to get lost in the long walks through wooded hills and age-old forests, discovering numerous baroque towns, romantic castles, rivers, wine trails and vineyards. A little further from the sea, but instead with many thermal spas, central Croatia is perfect for restoring your energy, leaving you relaxed and full of life. This oasis of tranquility, peace and quietness is ready to embrace you.
Tennis vacation
And we believe this time you should skip all those places where everyone travels. Mallorca, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Cyprus, Corfu, Tuscany, Gran Canaria... Experience a better tennis holiday. Choose Croatia as your tennis vacation destination!
Have any questions about tennis instruction, or need help to decide the tennis travel programme for you? Contact us, and we’ll prepare something awesome for you, no matter what levels you or your group are!
Question: What do you value most in a perfect tennis vacation destination? What kind of programs are best for you?
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Written by: Lucija