Active & Sporty on the Fjord — Where to Play Tennis, Padel, Yoga, Surf & More

A holiday doesn't have to mean standing still. Many Villa Boreal guests come to clear their heads — and that works best through movement. The good news: the area around Glücksburg, Holnis and Flensburg is a surprisingly versatile sports playground. From tennis courts with fjord views to padel centres, beach yoga, classic gyms and surf and kite schools right on the doorstep: here are concrete addresses — all reachable within 5 to 30 minutes by car. Calling ahead or booking online is recommended almost everywhere, especially in high season.

Playing Tennis

TC Glücksburg is the obvious choice: four clay courts in a quiet location near the castle park, guests welcome (approx. €12–15/hr, reservations by phone or via the club website). A lovely facility with active club life and a small café pavilion — 8 minutes from Villa Boreal.

For more variety, head to Flensburg: Flensburger TC an der Marienhölzung offers clay and indoor courts for year-round play — court bookings available for non-members via the office. Alternatively, Tennisclub Mürwik on the city's edge has outdoor courts with easy booking. Racket rental is usually possible on request.

Playing Padel

Padel is booming in the north too. HYPE Padel Club Flensburg (Harnishof 4, about 15–20 min. drive) offers several state-of-the-art indoor courts, bookable online via Playtomic — typically €30–40 per hour and court for up to four players. An alternative is x3 Padel Flensburg (Europastraße 81). Rackets and balls can be hired on site, beginners welcome. Tip: book one or two days ahead, evening slots fill up fast.

Practising Yoga

Yoga in Glücksburg: several small studios offer drop-in classes for guests — including 'Yoga am Schloss' and the Yoga-Studio Förde in Mürwik with Hatha, Vinyasa and Yin in German and partly English (approx. €18–22 per session). A call the day before is usually enough.

In summer, the Strandhotel Glücksburg regularly organises beach yoga sessions, and the Alte Gymnasium in Flensburg as well as several gyms offer classes open to external participants. For something completely private, you can have a yoga teacher come to Villa Boreal — on the large terrace with fjord views, it's a special experience.

Pilates

For classic mat pilates and reformer sessions, the Pilates Studio Flensburg (city centre) is the best address — small groups, individual lessons by appointment, around €25 for a group class, €60–80 for reformer one-on-one. Many yoga studios and physiotherapy practices in Glücksburg also offer pilates as drop-in.

Gyms & Fitness Studios

Glücksburg & Mürwik: The FitnessLOFT Flensburg-Mürwik is well equipped (machines, classes, sauna) and offers day passes for guests (approx. €15–20). For premium quality, the Fördeland Therme Fitness in Glücksburg is worth it — combined with a thermal spa visit, a perfect combination.

Flensburg city centre: clever fit, McFIT and FitX have generous day-pass policies. For something more personal, several boutique studios (e.g. Studio Nord) offer small-group training, EMS and personal training by appointment.

Surfing & Windsurfing

The surf school Wassersport Holnis is just a few hundred metres from Villa Boreal — beachfront location at An der Promenade, equipment rental (wing, windsurf, SUP) and courses for all levels. A 2-hour windsurf taster costs around €60–80, a complete beginner course (3 days) about €250. Reserve a few days ahead in high season.

Slightly further east, on the beach at Falshöft and at the Geltinger Birk, there are more spots with reliable westerly/north-westerly wind. Classic wave surfing is barely possible on the fjord — but wing foiling and windsurfing are all the better.

Kitesurfing

Kitesurfing is permitted at several spots on the Flensburg Fjord — the best known is Falshöft (about 25 min. drive). The Kiteschule Falshöft offers VDWS-certified courses, equipment rental and storage. A taster course (4 hrs) costs around €150, a complete beginner course (12 hrs) about €400. Important: protected zones apply for kitesurfing — the school knows all the rules.

Stand-Up Paddling (SUP)

The calm fjord is ideal for SUP. You can hire boards directly at the Surfschule Holnis, at the Strandhotel Glücksburg, or at SUP & Sail Flensburg (harbour) — typically €15–20 per hour, €40 for a half day. Guided SUP tours along the cliff coast or to the tip of Holnis are a highlight, especially at sunset.

Swimming

Villa Boreal has its own pool and a private jetty — that's enough for many. If you want to swim laps: the Campusbad Flensburg offers a modern 50-metre pool, diving tower and outdoor area (approx. €6). More family-friendly is the Fördeland Therme Glücksburg with seawater pool, sauna landscape and beach access.

In summer, the fjord itself is the most beautiful pool: water temperatures often reach 20–22 °C in July/August. The calm bays at Holnis and Bockholmwik are perfect for swimming laps — please watch out for boats and the shipping lane.

Golf

The Förde Golf-Club Glücksburg-Quellental is just 5 minutes from Villa Boreal — an 18-hole course in a unique hilly landscape with fjord views (green fee weekday approx. €70, weekend €90). Driving range, pro shop and a good restaurant complete the offering. Reservation and a DGV card required. Other courses: Golfclub Schloss Breitenburg and Golfclub Altenhof (each about 1 hr).

Horse Riding

Several riding stables in the region offer guided rides on the beach and through the hinterland — including the Reiterhof Holnis and Hof Wittfeld near Munkbrarup. A 1-hour ride typically costs €35–45, children's riding lessons on request. Beach rides are only allowed outside the bathing season — in spring and autumn, a magical experience.

Climbing & Bouldering

FlensBloc Boulderhalle on Westerallee offers a generous bouldering area, complemented by yoga, sauna and a café — day pass approx. €14, shoe rental €4. An induction for beginners is available for an extra fee. If you prefer outdoor climbing, the cliff coast at Holnis offers bouldering opportunities — unsecured and at your own risk, of course.

Running & Jogging

The most beautiful running routes in the region start right at Villa Boreal: the Fördesteig along the cliff coast (5–15 km, soft forest paths), the Holnis peninsula (10 km circular route with lighthouse) and the beach path to Glücksburg (4 km, flat). In summer, head out early morning or evening — the fjord is then almost entirely yours.

Practical Tips for Sporty Guests

Book early: tennis courts, padel slots and surf courses are often booked out for days in high season (July/August). Bring cash: some small clubs and riding stables don't accept cards. Insurance: private accident insurance is recommended for surf, kite and equestrian sports. Weather: the fjord is windy — what surfers love can disturb tennis. Quickly check the forecast.

Conclusion

The region around Villa Boreal is an underrated sports playground — from tennis and padel to yoga, fitness and pilates, surfing, kiting, SUP, golf and horse riding, you'll find everything that makes movement on holiday wonderful. Many addresses are reachable in under 15 minutes by car, some even on foot. Plan your active stay now: check availability.

More inspiration in our guides to Hiking & Cycling, Sailing & Surfing as well as Wellness & Spa — perfect to balance an active day.