Costa del Sol News
The town of Marbella in Malaga has been recognized as the best sports destination in Europe 2026 by European Best Destinations, achieving a score of 19.6 out of 20 in a ranking based on the assessment of specialized travelers and international experts. This award places the town at the top of a list that includes cities like Monaco, Oslo, Paris, and Lisbon and highlights the municipality's ability to combine top-level infrastructure with an accessible offer throughout the year, as well as the hosting of major events, including the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in 2025. The mayor of Marbella, Ángeles Muñoz, received the award yesterday from the CEO of European Best Destinations, Maximilien Lejeune, during the Reserve Cup tournament, an event that gathers the world's best padel players in the city.
The mayor stated that "we are a city that bets on and believes in sports as an indispensable complement to tourism" and added that "we hope to continue adding new distinctions as prestigious as this one." "This type of distinction highlights the international projection of the town as a destination linked to sports and active tourism, an area that is part of its identity and its global offer," she assessed. Furthermore, she emphasized that "the municipality has natural, climatic, and service conditions that favor sports practice throughout the year." The mayor affirmed that "Marbella's presence in this type of ranking helps to reinforce its positioning in international markets and to continue attracting visitors interested in a model linked to healthy habits and experiences in this area."
In a post on her Instagram account, the mayor also declared that "this award recognizes our capacity to host major international events, the support for grassroots sports, and the commitment to a city model where sports practice is part of the quality of life for residents and visitors," and added: "It is a recognition that belongs to all of Marbella: our clubs, athletes, federations, organizers, sponsors, and all the people who, every day, contribute to making sports one of the great hallmarks of our city."
For his part, Lejeune highlighted "the energy, vision, and work" of the City Council to achieve "sports excellence" in the city. European Best Destinations has prepared this ranking in collaboration with sports journalists and international correspondents, initially selecting 39 European cities based on criteria such as the quality of the infrastructure, the impact of the events, accessibility, the promotion of inclusive sports, and the promotion of women's and grassroots sports. Subsequently, more than 17,800 specialized travelers participated in the final vote. In the case of Marbella, the recognition responds to a diversified offer that includes golf courses, cycling routes, facilities for water sports, tennis and padel clubs, as well as outdoor spaces that integrate physical activity into everyday life.
