A padel holiday is two trips in one bag. There's the bit on court, where every top gets soaked. Then there's everything else: the flight, the long lunches, the chilly evening nobody warned you about.
Most packing lists only cover the first part. This one covers both, with real weather numbers for three popular padel holiday spots and a kit count by trip length, so you pack for the actual temperature and the actual number of sessions. I've played padel in the Algarve and in Malaga; I haven't played in Dubai, so that section sticks to published sources.
The numbers first
These are long-term averages (1991 to 2020) from each country's weather service. "Day" is the average high. "Night" is the average low.
| Marbella (Málaga Airport) | Algarve (Faro) | Dubai | |
|---|---|---|---|
| March | 19.7°C day / 10.1°C night | 18.9°C / 10.8°C | 30.0°C / 18.3°C |
| April | 21.8°C / 11.9°C | 20.7°C / 12.4°C | 34.0°C / 21.7°C |
| August | 31.5°C / 22.0°C | 29.2°C / 19.9°C | 42.1°C / 30.4°C |
| October | 24.3°C / 15.4°C | 23.3°C / 15.8°C | 36.5°C / 24.1°C |
| November | 20.2°C / 11.4°C | 19.6°C / 11.9°C | 31.0°C / 20.1°C |
| January | 17.2°C / 7.9°C | 16.3°C / 8.3°C | 24.0°C / 14.3°C |
Two things jump out. In March, April and November, nights in southern Spain and Portugal drop to around 10 to 12°C, which is a British spring evening. And Dubai in January is close to Marbella in October.
How much kit to pack
This is my rule of thumb, not a stat. It assumes one session a day and a hotel sink, not a washing machine.
| Trip | Playing tops | Playing shorts | Socks | Off-court tees | Warm layer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long weekend (3 days) | 4 | 2 | 4 pairs | 2 | 1 |
| One week (7 days) | 6 | 3 | 7 pairs | 3 | 1 |
| Ten days | 7 | 4 | 8 pairs | 4 | 1 |
The logic: a sweaty top rarely dries overnight in a hotel bathroom, so it counts as one session. Shorts survive two. Past a week, you'll wash in the sink anyway, so the count stops climbing as fast. Playing twice a day? Double the tops and socks, not the rest.
The core list
On court
- Court shoes. Ask the club what surface you'll be on before you fly, and pack the shoes, not your only trainers.
- Socks to match the count above. Grip socks are £14 a pair and roll up to the size of a fist, so they hide in the corners of a case.
- Spare overgrips. A week of hot sessions gets through more than you'd expect, and your usual brand may not be on sale abroad. Overgrips come in 3 and 6 packs; a 6 covers most weeks.
- A cap. For outdoor sessions. Pick one from headwear.
- Suncream. The NHS says at least SPF 30 with 4-star UVA protection, reapplied every two hours and after sweating. On court, that means at the change of ends, not once at breakfast.
Off court
This is where most people underpack.
- Tees for lunches, the bar and walking about. Check the count table. A heavyweight cotton tee comes out of a rolled-up case looking like a tee, not a tissue. The Padel & Pints tee is 305 g/m2, 100% cotton. Tees in the 2 for £90 range are £90 for two at checkout.
- One warm layer for evenings. Look at the night column in the table. Something from our sweatshirts range (£60) is the kind of layer an 11°C terrace calls for.
- Long trousers or joggers. For the flight, cooler nights and anywhere with a dress code.
- Sandals or trainers that aren't your court shoes. Sand from turf courts gets everywhere.
Flight layers
Wear your bulkiest things on the plane. It frees up a lot of bag space.
The set-up I'd suggest: the Mk1 Box Hoodie and Heavyweight Fleece Joggers. The hoodie is 350 g/m2 and fleeced inside, so it eats space in a cabin bag but costs nothing on your back. Then on a March night in Marbella, at 10°C, it's the reason you stay out for one more.
If you'd rather a zip layer, the Track Jacket in the women's range comes off in seconds at the security tray.
Marbella
In spring and autumn, Marbella days sit in the low to mid 20s. That's also when people get caught out at night. A November evening at Málaga Airport averages 11.4°C. Pack a proper warm layer, not a thin long sleeve.
Summer is a different trip. August averages 31.5°C by day and 22°C at night, so evenings need nothing more than a tee. Book early or late court slots and leave the middle of the day for the pool.
The Algarve
Faro's numbers sit close to Málaga's, usually a little cooler by day. The bigger difference is the sun. Faro's records show just over 3,000 hours of sunshine a year (1971 to 1995 figures), with almost no rain from June to August.
What that means for packing: a cap and suncream do more work here than anywhere else on this list. And spring nights still drop to around 11°C in March, so the evening layer stays in the bag.
October and November bring more rain, around six or seven rainy days a month at Faro. A light waterproof is worth the space if you're going late in the year.
Dubai
The comfortable months to play in Dubai are the winter ones. January averages 24°C by day and 14.3°C at night. That's comfortable on court, and evenings are cool enough for a long sleeve or a light hoodie.
Summer is serious. August averages 42.1°C by day and 30.4°C at night. Dubai summers are known for very high humidity, and heat index values can go over 60°C. If you're going then, plan everything around the coolest hours and drink more than you think you need.
Dress is the other thing to pack for. Visit Dubai's own guide says swimwear is fine at the beach and pool but not in shopping malls or business districts, and advises dressing conservatively at historical areas and cultural sites. So pack long trousers and a few plain tees for the days off court. An oversized tee covers the shoulders and sits loose.
The pro tour's Dubai P1 is set for 9 to 15 November 2026 on the Red Bull calendar. If you're timing a trip around it, hotels and courts may be busier that week. Padelism is not affiliated with Premier Padel or the FIP.
Getting your racket there
The gov.uk hand luggage rules list tennis racquets as allowed in both hand and hold luggage at UK airport security. Padel rackets aren't named, so check your airline's cabin bag rules before you fly. Whatever you carry it in has to fit their cabin size limit, racket included.
If you carry it on, keep the racket in a cover and put it in the overhead locker first, before other bags squash it.
Kit care on the road
- Rinse kit straight after playing. Cold water and a bit of shower gel in the sink, then hang it. Leaving it in a bag overnight is how it starts to smell.
- Dry in the shade where you can. Strong sun dries fast but can fade colours.
- Keep a separate bag for wet and sandy kit. Our large organic tote does the job and keeps turf sand away from your evening clothes.
- Bang your shoes out on the balcony, not in the room.
What to leave at home
- A second racket, unless you break them often.
- Three pairs of jeans. One pair of trousers and the joggers you flew in is plenty.
- Brand new shoes. Break them in at home first.
If you're not sure about sizing before a trip, our tees are cut oversized (size down for a regular fit, or keep your usual size for the oversized look) and the Mk1 Box Hoodie is cut oversized on purpose. The size guide has the measurements.
FAQ
What should I wear in the evenings on a padel holiday in Spain or Portugal? In March, April and November, plan for 10 to 12°C at night: a sweatshirt or hoodie and long trousers. In July and August, a tee is fine.
Can I take a padel racket in hand luggage? UK airport security allows tennis racquets in hand luggage, according to gov.uk. Padel rackets aren't listed by name, so check with your airline before you fly.
What's the best month for a padel holiday in Dubai? The coolest months are December to February, with average highs of 24 to 26°C. From June to August, average highs are near or above 40°C.
How many sets of playing kit should I pack for a week? About six tops and three pairs of shorts for one session a day. A sweaty top rarely dries overnight in a hotel bathroom, so count every top as a one-session top.
Is the Algarve or Marbella warmer for a spring padel trip? They're very close. In April, Málaga Airport averages 21.8°C by day and Faro 20.7°C, with nights around 12°C at both.
