Sports, Leisure & Tourism in Spain |
Whatever your favourite open-air sport, you can be sure to keep in shape and enjoy all the year round on the sunny shores of the Spanish Costas
Climbing - Fishing - Golf - Hill Walking - Rowing - Sailing - Scuba Diving - Tennis - WindSurfing - Skiing - Hunting - Tourist Offices
The following information is correct to the best of my knowledge. However, obtaining correct details, address/telephone numbers etc and keeping up with constant changes is not always possible, we do our best but can accept no responsibility for incorrect information.
Please note, any sporting club or association may request to have its Club details and functions added or amended within this database free of charge, all entries are solely at the discretion of the publisher.
Climbing and Hill Walking in Spain
![[Walks and Climbs in the Pyrenees]](Images/ISBN1852843284.jpg) |
Climbing can be a particularly dangerous sport. If you consider taking it up, do so with a serious frame of mind. Find a club and get good training and take in the advice given. Never go climbing alone and do take notice of the weather. Take emergency rations & clothing. It's not for me, flying was my life for 20 years.
Information can be obtained locally from the Federación Andaluza de Montanismo, in Malaga, at Ant. Raiz 10 (Tel: 952 39 90 04).
Or from the Spanish Mountaineering Federation (Federación Española de Montanismo), calle Alberto Aguilar 3-4 iz, Madrid 28015.
The following are well known climbing areas:
La Pedriza, Patones, Galayos, Villarejo, Riglos, Muntanyes de Prades
Searching/awaiting further details of clubs etc. If you know of a club please advise
Fishing
![[Angling in Spain]](Images/ISBN0954692403.jpg) |
Spain has a wealth of sporting facilities to offer including Coarse Fishing for large Barbel and Carp in its mountain rivers and lakes. Over 25 rivers drain from the Cantabrian Range most of which are entered by salmon for spawning, offering great sport and delicious eating.
Fly fishing for Trout is recorded back as far as the late 1600s and offers considerable sport. There are some 60 or more fishing preserves in the Cazorta, Las Villas, Segura and Sierra Nevada Nature Parks. For more detail and for permits telephone 00 34 95 832 3177. One town named Rio Frio between Granada and Malaga is renowned for its record catches of trout and barbecued trout is a local restaraunt delicacy. Try also the rivers Ason, Deva-Cares, Narcia, Navia and Sella for salmon and trout.
On the costa Blanca I am told that the best fresh water fishing is provided in the waters of the Amadorio and Guadalest Dams', they hold Barbel, Black Bass, Rainbow Trout and large Carp.
Salt Water Sea fishing is very popular and most marinas offer boats and other services. There are many competitions in the summer for Tunny, Swordfish, Mackerel. Sea Bass, big toothed Pampano and Blue Fish etc. if you are lucky you can include large Grey Mullet and Sea Bream in your catch. For Mackeral you need to be fishing 2 to 3 miles out from the coast. In late summer, and winter varieties of Tuna are plentifull.
Underwater fishing, a licence is required from the local authority, you may fish while snorkling and using a mechanical harpoon gun but fishing with scuba equipment is illegal
Licenses For licences which can cost around €5 to €12, most tackle shops will assist you or in the UK phone the Spanish Tourist office in London 0171 499 0901 or in Spain go to the local tourist office who will also supply you with a full colour map of Spains fishing centres. An Angling licence is also available from any branch of the Caja Rural Bank. or Email touristinfo@turisme.m400.gva.es
Flying
Spain has 55 flying clubs whose headquarters are usually located at national or international airports. All these clubs are represented by the Real Aero Club de España, Tel: (91) 4298534 (afternoons only), which provides information on all activities and characteristics of its member clubs.
Besides airports, Spain has 46 aerodromes. Most of them offer relatively little in the way of recreational flying, with the notable exceptions of the following:-
Ampuriabrava (Girona),
Castellon, La Cerdeña (Girona Pyrenees),
Fuentemilanos (Segovia),
Igualada (Barcelona),
Muchamiel (Alicante) and
Sanchidrian (Avila).
Practically all of these are private and have their own flying clubs.
Finally the Dirección General de Aviación Civil (Civil Aviation Office), which is part of the Ministry for Public Works and Transport, manages 9 aerodromes, among them
Ocaña (Toledo),
Monflorite (Huesca) and
Somosierra (Madrid).
At these aerodromes are official schools run by the Civil Aviation Office which is the only organisation in Spain authorised to grant recreational flying diplomas.
There are five categories: Hang Gliding, Para gliding, Aviation, Gliding and Parachuting.
To obtain flying credentials in Spain one must have a licence from:
FENDA
(Federación Española de Deportes Aéreos),
Ferraz 16,
28008 Madrid
TEL. (91) 547 5922
Come Fly with Me
A private pilot, Keith Worthington offers shared cost flights in a Piper Warrior over the Valencia region of Spain. Useful just for fun or to get a view of an area you're considering moving to.
For more information, see his personal pages
Flying in Spain
The following Pilot information is provided solely for guidance, it must not be taken as an authority on aviation procedures. Check with your local AIP for full details.
Recency (JAR)
SEP (Single engine Piston aircraft) Class Rating: Valid for 2 years. For revalidation, pilot must have flown 12 hours in the second year, of which 6 must be P1, and 12 take-offs and landings, and complete a minimum 1 hour training flight with an instructor. Alternatively, a proficiency check with an examiner may be flown in the last 3 months of rating validity. Should the rating lapse, a skills test must be flown with an examiner.
MEP (Multi engine Piston Aircraft) Class Rating: Valid for 12 months. For revalidation, pilot must have flown 10 sectors of minimum 15 min cruise, and fly a proficiency check with an examiner. Should the rating lapse, a skills test must be flown with an examiner.
- Day/Night VFR solo - none
- Day VFR with passengers - 3 T/O & landings within 90 days
- Night VFR with passengers - 3 T/O & landings within 90 days, of which one must be at night. Touch and go landings are acceptable
Licence Conversions
- Pilots holding JAR licences need no validation to fly in Spain
- Pilots holding non JAR licences need to obtain a Spanish validation.
Go to the Ministerio de Fomento, 67 Paseo de la Castellana, Madrid. This is a very large government office behind Nuevos Ministerios Metro station. Take the lift to the 7th floor and look for Aviación Civil. There is a sign directing you to PPL aviónes.
Here you can fill out the necessary forms. Your passport and licence will be photocopied. Then go to the Bank on the ground floor and pay the licence fee of €150, then return the receipt to the 7th floor.
You may collect your certificated licence in person 7 days later, or request that it be forwarded by post.
Aero Club Spain. E 28009 Madrid. 00341 575 67 09
For a listing of Spanish aero clubs and aerodromes, please see my AeroClubs page.
Para-Gliding
Para Gliding in Spain
Fly Mallorca is a company dedicated to free flying training and tours they offer lots of different activities for people who look for new sensation and adventure tourism related to free flying.
For further information, visit www.flymallorca.net or email micheld@iespana.es
If you know of a Spanish club please advise us. There are no charges for inclusion.
Golf
- Spanish Golf Federation. Capitan Haya 9-5, 28020 Madrid. Tel 00-34-1-555-26-82
- www.e-golfplayer.com/english/main.htm
For details of clubs and courses in the Valencia and Costa del Sol regions, please see my separate Golf Club page.
Hunting
Spain is a hunting paradise due to the variety of climates and different ecosystems, Spain controls hunting through laws that aim to protect wild fauna while permitting the hunting of certain species in determined geographic areas and seasons, providing of course that the hunter has the corresponding hunting licence and weapon permit.
The Autonomous Communities are responsible for issuing hunting licences (since norms differ from one region to another). They publish, usually in August, a calender of the hunting seasons that indicates the zones and time periods hunting is permitted for specific species in their respective territories. Hunting season begins in mid-October. The most common large game are deer, chamois, boars, mouflons and Hispanic goats. Small game includes partridge, quail and duck.
Weapon licences can be obtained at any police station.
For general information, refer to ICONA, the organisation that regulates legal and environmental aspects of recreational hunting in Spain. Its telephone number in Madrid is ((91) 347 5956
or
Federacion Española de Caza (Spanish Hunting Federation)
Avenida Reina Victoria, 72
28003 Madrid
Tel: (91) 5539017 or 5538867
If you know of a Spanish club please advise us. There are no charges for inclusion.
Rowing - Boating - Canoeing
Rowing and canoeing is available with canoes and kayaks for rent on many lakes and rivers in Spain.
Marinas at Sevilla and Gelves support sailing in the River Guadalquivir near the Doñana National Park.
There are also boating facilities at the source of the Guadalquivir in Tranco de Beas Reservoir in the Nature Park of Cazorla, Segura (Jaén province), also at Las Villas Iznájar Reservoir which touches the three provinces of Córdoba, Málaga and Granada.
Searching/Awaiting further details of clubs & facilities in this area of sport etc. If you know of a Spanish club please advise us. There are no charges for inclusion
Sailing
![[Mediterranean Cruising Handbook]](Images/ISBN0852883978.jpg) |
Spanish sailors are brilliant at this sport and few other countries offer such privileged zones for sailing.
In the Balearic Isles, the Bay of Palma has excellent regatta facilities.
The Canary Islands, located near the source of the trade winds are the logical point of departure for transatlantic sailing.
The Catalan coast is swept by harsh, almost constant wind. The Bay of Cadiz is one of the best regatta sites in Europe, and nearby Tarifa is one of the most ideal windsurfing spots in the world.
To captain a leisure vessel in Spain, one must have an official certificate. It can be obtained in Spain, through the Military Commandeers Office of the navy will grant the corresponding authorisation to any person with a similar official certificate from his/her respective country of origin. These certificates logically vary according to the power, class and characteristics of the vessel.
The Spanish Sailing Federation, to which most sailors and sailing clubs belong, is responsible for organising official competitions and for the regulations of all trial and regattas. To become a member it is necessary to obtain a licence, which any sailor in official competitions must possess and which provide various advantages and types of assistance. Territorial federations exist in each different region or Autonomous Community.
La Real Federacion Española de Vela (Sailing)
Luis de Salazar, 12 - 1
28002 Madrid
Tel: (91) 519 5008
For a listing of the sailing clubs and marinas of Spain, please see my separate Sailing Clubs page.
Valencia to Host Americas Cup 2007
Valencia will host the 2007 America's Cup, making the Spanish port the first European venue since 1851 for sailing's oldest tournament.
Valencia, on Spain's eastern coast, was chosen for its tourism infrastructure and because steady summer breezes guarantee start times for the 32nd edition of the race.
Lack of wind played havoc with the racing off Auckland inn 2003, with 15 days being lost because of poor weather conditions. But in Valencia, on average only one day is wasted during the summer months because of insufficient wind
A history of the event and details of the regatta format may be found at www.americas-cup-valencia.co.uk
Diving
Snorkelling and Diving: There are countless locations for diving along the coasts and Costa's of Spain.
Snorkelling is a sport that is suited to almost anyone who likes the water and can swim, in fact it is easier than basic swimming but take care not to go too far if you are not a strong swimmer, it is easy to become over confident.
All you need is a snorkel, facemask and flippers and away you go. The relatively calm seas and gentle tides provide a perfect environment for face-down fun. The sea bed takes on a wonderfully different dimension, full of colour and sea life.
Snorkelling is at its best off cliffs and near rocks. No permit is needed.
Warning: always ensure someone knows you are in the water.
Scuba Diving. A diving permit is obligatory in Spanish waters. They cost approximately 1.000 ptas and are available from clubs and schools.
Warning: never go by yourself. You have by law to tow a small marker buoy whilst diving to show where you in case you get into difficulties and need help.
If you make any archaeological finds (unlikely but possible) they must be handed in to the Commandancia de Marina.
Ski Resorts
Spain has six different zones apt for winter sport. Most of the installations have been built relatively recently, besides providing modern technical resources they also offer you the possibility of getting away from the resort itself.
The Catalan Pyrenees have ten different resorts:
Vallter 2,000 (Girona),
La Molina (Girona),
Vall de Nuria (Girona),
Rasos de Peguera (Barcelona),
Port del Comte (Lleida),
Boi Taull (Lleida),
Port Aine (Lleida)
Sant Joan de L´Erm (Lleida) and
Lles (Lleida) only have cross-country installations.
The Aragonese Pyrenees have five resorts, all in the province of Huesca:
Cerler,
Formigal,
Panticosa,
Astun,
Candanchu.
The Cantabrian Mountains have five resorts:
Alto Campoo (Cantabria),
San Isidro (Leon),
Leitariegas (Leon),
Manzaneda (Orense) and
Valgrande-Pajares (Asturias).
The Picos de Europa (Cantabria) offer Alpine skiing.
The Iberian Range has Valdezcaray (La Rioja) and Lunada (Burgos).
The Central Range has four resorts, all fairly near Madrid: La Pinilla (Segovia), Navacerrada (Madrid), Valdeski (Madrid) and Valcotos (Madrid).
The Penibetico Range has only one resort of exceptional characteristics:
Sierra Nevada (Granada) where the snow contrasts with the warm, dry climate of the zone.
For more information about these winter installations inquire at Spain's Ski Resort and Mountain Tourist Association or ATUDEM (Asociacion Turistica de Estaciones de Esqui y Montaña), Tel: (91) 3502020 (Slope Information) in Madrid.
The territorial federations that are part of the Spanish Winter Sports Federation also provide a series of services that can be of great help. The licenses issued by these federations of clubs registered with them offer several advantages, including accident insurance and organised trips from different cities to the best resorts.
The Spanish Winter Sports Federation:
Claudio Coello, 32,
28001 Madrid.
Tel: (91) 5758943 or 5750576
Tennis
Spanish Tennis Federation. Avenida Diagonal 618 . 08021 Barcelona
Tel: (93) 201 0821 - 200 5355 - 201 5586
Spain's long season is perfect for the avid tennis player. For details of competitions please contact the federation or any of the clubs in the region of interest. For a full listing, please see my separate Tennis Clubs page.
Jet Sking
Note New Spanish Law:
To be able to jet ski in Spain from 1 April 2002 you need a licence to go on the water and must be 16 or over.
If you are under 18 years old you must have a letter of authorisation from your parents or guardian and also a Personal Watercraft licence.
From 18 years + you just need to have a Personal Watercraft licence.
Also, All Jet Skiers must carry every document with them whilst on board at all times (licence, insurance, registration etc.)
Windsurfing, Surfing & Kite Surfing
Windsurfing is the Spanish coast's fastest-growing sport. The varied coast line of Spain offer windsurfers the chance to practice and enjoy themselves at all levels of this sport. It is difficult to start with but soon gives a real feeling of achievement and pleasure.
Tarifa is a world class windsurfing location. It is on the annual world windsurfing championship circuit. Ten kilometres of white sandy beaches, unspoilt countryside and some of the best windsurfing conditions in Europe have established Tarifa as a true surfers paradise. Just 11 km across the Straits of Gibraltar at its narrowest point.
Gandia in the northern tip of the Costa Blanca enjoys spectacular Wind-surfing opportunities.
If your particular Spanish sport / club is not listed and you would like it to be included please email hamlin@wanadoo.es. There are no charges for inclusion but acceptance is at the discretion of the publisher.
Tourism in Spain
Spanish Tourist Information Offices
United Kingdom Spanish National Tourist Office
22-23 Manchester Square, London, W1M-5AP
Telephone: 0171 486 8077, Fax 0171 486 6034
Brochure Request Line: 09063 64063 (60p/minute)
For detailed local information for your destination, contact the nearest Spanish tourist information office in Spain
Foreign Spanish Tourist Offices
Canada Tourist Office of Spain, 2 Bloor Street West, Suite 3402, TORONTO,Ontario-M4W-3E2
Telephone:+1416-961-3131--Fax:+1416-961-1992
Email: toronto@tourspain.es
Web site: www.tourspain.toronto.on.ca
Denmark DenSpanske-Stats,Turistbureau,Ny-Østergade-34,1,1101 København
Telephone:+45.33151165-Fax:+4533158365
Email: copenhague@tourspain.es
Web site: www.spanien-turist.dk
Finland Espanjan-Valtion-Matkailutoimisto, Mechelininkatu,12-14,00100 Helsinki
Telephone:+3589441992 Fax:+3589442687
Email: helsinki@tourspain.es
Germany Spanisches.Fremdenverkehrsamt, Postfach 151940, 80051 München
Telephone: +49 8953 07460 Fax:+49 89532 8680
Email: munich@tourspain.es
Norway Spanske Ambassade, Turistavdelingen, Kronprinsensgate, 3, 0251 OSLO
Telephone: +47 2283 4050 Fax: +47 2283 1922
Email: oslo@tourspain.es
Web site: www.tourspain-no.org
Russia Tourist Office of Spain, Embassy of Spain,-ul.Tverskaya-16/2, Business Center, "Galeria-aktor", 6th,floor, 103009 MOSCOW
Telephone: +7,095935,8397. Fax: +7,095935,8396
Email: moscu@tourspain.es
Sweden Spanska, Ambassadens.Informationsavdelning, Stureplan, 6,114-35, Stockholm
Telephone: +46 8611 1992 Fax: +46 86114407
Email: estocolmo@tourspain.es
Switzerland Spanisches, Fremdenverkehrsamt, Seefeldstrasse,19, CH-8008-Zürich
Telephone: +41 1252 7930 Fax: +41 1252 6204
Email: zurich@tourspain.es
USA New York Tourist Office of Spain, 666 Fifth Avenue, 35th Fl., NewYork, NY 10103
Telephone: +1.212.265-8822 Fax: +1.212.265-8864
Email: oetny@tourspain.es
Website: www.okspain.org
USA Florida Tourist Office of Spain, 1221 Brickell Avenue, Suite 1850, Miami, FL 33131
Telephone: +1.305-358-1992 Fax: +1.305.358-8223
Email: oetmiami@tourspain.es
Web-site: www.okspain.org
![[Practical Hints
to Living in
Spain - Gandia - Valencia]](Images/Logo.gif){kind=logo}