Europe’s most popular destination for club training trips: outstanding sports facilities, ideal conditions in spring and autumn, specialist hotels for sports groups – and the Mediterranean on your doorstep.
Why Lloret de Mar for training camps?
Lloret de Mar on the Costa Brava, roughly 44 miles north of Barcelona, did not become Europe’s most popular sports travel destination by accident. The town offers a combination of factors that is hard to match anywhere on the continent: a mild climate that allows spring and autumn training in optimal temperatures, a dense network of sports facilities, numerous hotels specialising in sports groups, and a distance from Barcelona that makes both flights and coach travel practical from across Europe.
For clubs from the UK, Germany, the Netherlands and across Europe, Lloret de Mar is the classic answer to two questions: where do you train effectively in April/May, when the outdoor season at home is just beginning – and where do you go in autumn, when the first competitive fixtures are already played and the squad needs a focused block? Lloret offers temperatures of 17–22 degrees at both times of year, minimal rainfall and long training days with excellent light.
Lloret de Mar – at a glance
- Location:Costa Brava, Province of Girona, Catalonia, Spain
- Distance from Barcelona:approx. 44 miles (BCN airport approx. 50 miles, approx. 1 hour)
- Distance from Girona Airport (GRO):approx. 22 miles (approx. 30 minutes)
- May climate:18–23°C, little rain, long sunny days
- October/November climate:17–22°C, occasional rain, quieter
- Language:Spanish and Catalan; excellent English and German spoken in sports hotels
- Currency:Euro (€)
- Time zone:CET/CEST – 1 hour ahead of UK GMT/BST. Same as Germany, Netherlands.
All sports – what’s possible in Lloret?
Over decades of welcoming sports groups, Lloret de Mar has developed a sports infrastructure remarkable for a town of its size. From artificial turf pitches to Olympic swimming facilities, from tennis clubs to athletics tracks – almost every sport can be trained here at a professional level.
Football
Football is by far the most common sport on training trips to Lloret. The area has several artificial turf and natural grass pitches bookable for club groups. Friendly fixtures between visiting teams are often arranged spontaneously. Many hotels have their own contacts to local facilities. Early morning or evening training slots are recommended to avoid midday heat.
Swimming
Lloret de Mar has indoor and outdoor pools with competition lanes (25m and 50m) bookable for club training. Open-water conditions in May and October are excellent for triathlon preparation. Swimming clubs use Lloret regularly for spring training camps before the outdoor pool season at home begins.
Tennis
Multiple tennis facilities with clay, hard and carpet surfaces are bookable in and around Lloret. Coaching support from local professionals can be arranged on request. Tennis clubs often book entire facilities for multi-day courses. Court availability is significantly better in May and October than in high summer.
Athletics
The nearest athletics facility with a rubberised track and jump pits is in Blanes (3 miles) and Girona (22 miles). Road and trail running is possible directly from Lloret – the hinterland routes through the Costa Brava hills are excellent for endurance runners. Running clubs and triathletes particularly appreciate the quiet roads in May and October.
Cycling & Triathlon
The Costa Brava is a classic cycling destination – hilly coastal roads, low traffic in the shoulder season and superb routes into the Catalan hinterland. For triathletes, Lloret offers the ideal combination: swimming in the sea or pool, cycling on coastal roads and running on flat promenades or challenging hill routes.
Volleyball & Beach Volleyball
Beach volleyball courts directly on the beach are free to use in May and October – a significant advantage over indoor alternatives. Indoor volleyball is bookable through local sports facilities and school halls. Many club groups combine morning indoor training with afternoon beach volleyball.
Basketball & Handball
Outdoor basketball courts are located within the town centre. For indoor training, municipal halls in Lloret and surrounding towns (Blanes, Tossa de Mar, Santa Coloma de Farners) are available – advance booking required. Basketball coaching by local qualified coaches can be arranged on request.
Gymnastics & Martial Arts
Gymnastics halls with mats and equipment are bookable through municipal sports facilities. For martial arts courses (judo, karate, boxing), clubs in Lloret and Girona have appropriate facilities. Yoga and pilates on the beach or in the hotel are popular supplementary training options.
Golf
The Costa Brava is one of Spain’s finest golf regions. Golf d’Aro (approx. 20 miles south) and several other quality courses are within easy reach. For groups wanting golf as a bonus day programme, this is an excellent option – particularly for club trips with a social component on the rest day.
Water Sports & Sailing
Kayaking, stand-up paddle, windsurfing and snorkelling are bookable directly at beach operators in Lloret. For sailing clubs, Blanes harbour (3 miles) provides a good base. Open-water swimming and fin swimming in calm sea conditions in May and October are excellent.
Strength Training & Fitness
Both partner hotels – the Azure Hotel and Olympic Hotel – have fitness rooms. Local gyms in Lloret also accept sports groups on a daily basis. Outdoor functional training on the beach and on grass is possible without restriction in the shoulder season.
Archery & Team Building
Archery, climbing and team building activities can be booked through specialist providers in the region. Paintball and outdoor activity parks are located in the Lloret area. Ideal for the final day or a free afternoon within the training programme.
Azure Hotel Lloret de Mar – sports hotel for clubs
Azure Hotel · Lloret de Mar · Sports Hotel
Azure Hotel
The Azure Hotel in Lloret de Mar is an established sports hotel with long experience hosting club groups and school parties. The property is specifically aligned to the requirements of sports groups: spacious communal areas for tactical briefings and post-training reviews, equipment storage facilities, and a front desk team thoroughly familiar with the particular demands of club travel.
Its location within the Lloret town centre allows a short walk to the central sports facilities and the beach. For transfers to more distant facilities (football pitches, athletics tracks), the hotel arranges coach transfers on request.
Azure Hotel – facilities for sports groups
- Room types:Single, twin, triple and multi-bed rooms – ideal for clubs with mixed age groups and flexible rooming arrangements
- Board basis:Full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner as buffet) – the standard arrangement for sports groups
- Pool:Outdoor pool – usable in May and October for cool-down and active recovery
- Fitness room:Basic equipment for supplementary strength training
- Meeting room:Available for coaching sessions and tactical analysis
- Sports group services:Kit washing service, secure equipment storage room
- Group rates:Special club and school pricing on request
- Languages:English, German and Spanish at reception
Olympic Hotel Lloret de Mar – sports hotel for clubs
Olympic Hotel · Lloret de Mar · Sports Hotel
Olympic Hotel
The Olympic Hotel in Lloret de Mar is another well-established property for sports clubs and school groups on the Costa Brava. The name reflects its purpose: the hotel explicitly positions itself as a sports hotel and has oriented its infrastructure and service offer around the requirements of training groups. The combination of good value, a front desk experienced in club travel and a practical town-centre location makes it a reliable choice for training trips.
The Olympic Hotel is particularly well-suited for youth clubs, school groups and clubs with tighter budgets. It delivers everything a training trip needs – good food, clean rooms, professional organisation – with the focus firmly on the training itself rather than hotel amenities.
Olympic Hotel – facilities for sports groups
- Room types:Twin, triple and multi-bed rooms – flexible for group allocation of any size
- Board basis:Half board or full board as buffet – high-carbohydrate sports nutrition planning available on request
- Pool:Outdoor pool – usable in May and October for recovery and relaxation between sessions
- Fitness room:Available for additional training sessions
- Group organisation:Experienced team for coach programmes, facility bookings and excursions
- Equipment storage:Secure room for kit bags and sports equipment
- Value:Particularly competitive group rates for clubs, schools and youth groups
- Languages:English, German and Spanish available
May or autumn – when is the best time?
Training trips to Lloret de Mar take place predominantly in May and in autumn (September to November) for good reason. Both windows offer optimal training conditions, lower prices than high summer and a calm atmosphere well away from the mass tourism peak.
🌿 May – the classic spring preparation
- Temperatures: 18–23°C during the day, 12–16°C at night
- Rain: Occasional showers, predominantly sunny
- Training conditions: Ideal – cool enough for intense sessions, warm enough for outdoor pool and beach
- Popular for: Pre-season football, swim training camps, athletics, cycling
- Tourist numbers: Low – Lloret still quiet, facilities readily available
- Prices: Shoulder season rates – significantly cheaper than summer
- School holidays: Generally outside school breaks – suits all ages
- Sea temperature: Approx. 17–18°C – cool but usable for open water and triathlon
Autumn – end of season & half-term breaks
- September temperatures: 22–26°C – almost summer, still very warm
- October temperatures: 18–22°C – comfortable, perfect for intensive sessions
- November temperatures: 14–18°C – cool but very much trainable; some rain risk
- Popular for: End-of-season trips, half-term club breaks, conditioning work
- Half-term: October trips during school holidays are extremely popular – book early
- Sea temperature: September/October approx. 21–23°C – excellent swimming
- Prices: October cheaper than September; November the most affordable window
- Atmosphere: From October almost tourist-free – Lloret belongs to the sports groups
Getting there – coach, flights & transfers
By coach – the classic club choice
For many clubs, particularly those travelling from the UK via the Channel Tunnel or ferry, a coach trip is the most practical and economical option for groups of up to 50 people. The journey from the UK to Lloret de Mar (approximately 900–1,100 miles from London via Dover/Folkestone and through France and northern Spain) takes around 18–22 hours including breaks and ferry crossing. An overnight departure means arriving in the morning ready to begin. Advantage: the coach is available throughout the trip for transfers to sports facilities.
By air – for groups from further afield
The nearest airport is Girona-Costa Brava Airport (GRO) – just 22 miles from Lloret de Mar (approximately 30 minutes). Ryanair flies from several UK airports to Girona, usually at very competitive prices. Barcelona El Prat Airport (BCN) at 50 miles offers considerably more connections and airlines. From BCN to Lloret: coach or hire car approximately 1 hour.
| Departure airport | Destination | Flight time | Airlines |
|---|---|---|---|
| London Stansted (STN) | Girona (GRO) | approx. 2 h | Ryanair |
| London Gatwick (LGW) | Barcelona (BCN) | approx. 2 h 15 min | easyJet, Vueling, BA |
| Manchester (MAN) | Barcelona (BCN) | approx. 2 h 30 min | Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2 |
| Edinburgh (EDI) | Barcelona (BCN) | approx. 2 h 45 min | Ryanair, easyJet |
| Dublin (DUB) | Barcelona (BCN) | approx. 2 h 30 min | Ryanair, Aer Lingus |
| Amsterdam (AMS) | Barcelona (BCN) | approx. 2 h 10 min | KLM, Vueling, easyJet |
| Frankfurt (FRA) | Barcelona (BCN) | approx. 2 h 15 min | Lufthansa, Vueling, Ryanair |
Transfer from Barcelona Airport to Lloret de Mar
- Group transfer bus:Sagalés or private transfer bus; approx. 1 h 15 min; most economical for groups
- Hire cars:Multiple vehicles for smaller club groups; approx. 1 hour via motorway
- Private minibus:For 8–20 persons; travel operators arrange airport-to-hotel transfers
- From Girona Airport:Approx. 22 miles, taxi or shuttle approx. 30 min – very straightforward and cheap
- From the UK by coach:Via Dover–Calais (P&O/DFDS) or Folkestone–Coquelles (Eurotunnel); overnight departure from major UK cities recommended
Organising your club training trip
A successful training trip stands or falls by its preparation. The following points provide a structured planning framework for club trips to Lloret de Mar.
Club training trip checklist
- 12+ months before:Fix dates, agree budget, request quotes from Azure Hotel and Olympic Hotel
- 6–9 months before:Confirm hotel booking, secure coach or flights, enquire about training facility availability
- 4–6 months before:Develop training programme, collect participant confirmations (youth: parental consent forms), prepare kit list
- 2–3 months before:Check passports/ID cards (Spain: ID card sufficient for EU, passport for UK), arrange travel insurance, collect emergency contacts
- 4–6 weeks before:Organise friendly matches against other visiting clubs, book referee if needed, prepare kit
- 1 week before:Confirm all travel documents, distribute emergency contact numbers, communicate luggage guidelines
- On arrival:Coordinate group check-in, confirm training session times, distribute local emergency numbers
Sample weekly training schedule
Sample 7-day programme
- Day 1 (Arrival):Check-in, light activation session, orientation walk of Lloret
- Day 2:Morning training (main sport), lunch break, afternoon session, tactical debrief
- Day 3:Morning training, free afternoon (beach, optional excursion), evening programme
- Day 4:Morning training, friendly match or competition against other visiting clubs
- Day 5:Excursion day (Girona, Barcelona, Montserrat) – active recovery and culture
- Day 6:Intensive final training session, mini-tournament or closing competition, farewell dinner
- Day 7 (Departure):Breakfast, check-out, departure
Lloret de Mar – leisure & excursions
No training programme is so dense that it cannot accommodate a free afternoon or an excursion day. Lloret de Mar and the Costa Brava offer excellent options for both.
In and around Lloret de Mar
Playa de Lloret – the main beach – is pleasantly quiet in May and October and perfect for recovery days. Cala Boadella and Cala Treumal are two unspoilt coves close by with crystal-clear water – ideal for snorkelling and relaxed swimming after intensive training sessions. The Jardins de Santa Clotilde – historic terraced gardens above the sea – provide a welcome contrast to the training routine and a spectacular setting for group photos.
Day trips from Lloret
Excursion destinations in the region
- Girona (22 miles):Medieval old town with Jewish quarter, Romanesque cathedral and the famous coloured houses along the river – an unforgettable day trip, particularly for youth groups; Game of Thrones filming location
- Barcelona (44 miles):Gaudí architecture (Sagrada Família, Park Güell), FC Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium tour – an essential excursion for football clubs; approx. 1 hour by coach
- Tossa de Mar (9 miles):Medieval walled castle directly on the beach – one of the most beautiful spots on the Costa Brava, reachable by foot along the coastal path or by bus
- Montserrat (56 miles):Monastery on a spectacular rocky massif near Barcelona – cable car ride, walking trails, extraordinary landscape
- Blanes (3 miles):Marimurtra Botanical Garden, local fish market at the harbour, relaxed beach promenade
- Dalí Triangle:Museums in Figueres (Dalí Theatre-Museum), Portlligat and Púbol – for culturally curious groups and older players
Practical information – everything you need
Entry requirements & documents
- EU citizens (Germany, Netherlands, France etc.):National ID card sufficient. No passport required.
- UK citizens:Valid passport required. No visa for stays up to 90 days in the Schengen Area.
- Under-18s travelling without parents:A signed parental consent letter is recommended. Carry a copy of the group leader’s contact details and consent for each minor.
- EHIC / GHIC (UK):Carry the European Health Insurance Card or the UK Global Health Insurance Card for emergency NHS-equivalent treatment.
- Travel insurance covering sports activities, medical treatment and repatriation is strongly recommended for all club members.
Practical details
- Currency:Euro (€). Cash machines in the town centre; card payments widely accepted.
- Time zone:CET/CEST – 1 hour ahead of UK GMT/BST. Same as Germany and the Netherlands.
- Electricity:230V / 50Hz, Type C and F sockets (standard European plug). UK visitors need a travel adapter.
- May kit:Training kit + light evening layers; sunscreen essential for all group members.
- October kit:Training kit + light rain jacket; evenings can be cool.
- Language:Spanish and Catalan; both sports hotels are English-speaking.
- Emergency numbers (Spain):112 (general) · 061 (medical) · 091 (police)
- Lloret de Mar tourism:lloretdemar.org
- Costa Brava tourism:costabrava.org
- Girona Airport:girona-airport.cat
- Barcelona Airport:aena.es
- Sports travel specialist:sportmeeting.de
Comment (0)