There are padel matches that end when the last point is played. And then there are matches that continue for hours, even though the court is already occupied by someone else.

They continue on the club terrace, over lunch afterwards, on a walk through Palma, in a cove, in a conversation by the sea or in that moment when someone explains again the point they “almost” won, even though we all know the ball clearly went into the glass.

For me, one of the most beautiful things about playing padel in Mallorca is exactly that: the plan does not end when you put your racket back in your bag. Very often, the best part begins right after.

Because Mallorca has something that fits padel perfectly. First, it activates you. It makes you run, think, react, compete and laugh. And then it invites you to slow down. To walk without rushing. To sit on a terrace. To look at the sea. To eat well. To discover corners that perhaps were not part of the plan, but end up becoming part of the memory.

That is why, at Grip and Trip, we like to think that padel is the starting point, but not the only important moment of the trip. After playing, you also need to know how to unwind. And in Mallorca, there are many perfect places to do just that.

1. Parc de la Mar: Breathing in Front of La Seu

If you play in Palma and want to unwind without making things too complicated, Parc de la Mar always works. It is one of those places where you can sit down, walk slowly and let your heart rate drop while you look at the Cathedral of Mallorca reflected by the water.

After an intense match, it feels almost therapeutic. You go from the sound of the ball against the glass to the relative silence of the city, from running after an impossible lob to walking while looking at La Seu, the city walls and Palma’s open sky.

You do not need to do much. Sometimes it is enough to be there, breathe a little and remember that not everything in life can be fixed with a stronger bandeja.

2. Santa Catalina: Recharging with Local Flavour

After playing padel, the body usually asks for two things: food and conversation. And for that, Santa Catalina is a perfect neighbourhood.

It has a market, bars, restaurants, terraces and that local and international atmosphere that makes it feel as if something is always happening. You can go for a drink, have a bite, enjoy a slow meal or simply wander through its streets and see where the plan takes you.

Santa Catalina is ideal for groups because it allows the social side of padel to continue off the court. The match is already over, but the jokes, little excuses, promises of a rematch and conversations continue, turning the trip into its own story.

And if the body is up for it, this neighbourhood can also be the perfect beginning of a tardeo. And in Mallorca, that should almost count as complementary training.

3. Es Baluard and Porta Santa Catalina: Art, Views and Calm

Not every plan after padel has to revolve around food or drinks. Sometimes you also feel like changing the mood completely.

Es Baluard, Palma’s contemporary art museum, is one of those places that allows you to take a different kind of pause. It is located in a beautiful area of the city, close to Santa Catalina and the Paseo Marítimo, with views towards the Cathedral, the port and the old town.

After a morning of padel, visiting a museum or walking around the area can be a lovely way to balance the day. First you move your body; then you activate your gaze. First you compete; then you observe. First you run; then you slow down.

And that combination also feels very Mallorca.

4. Bellver: Shade, a Walk and One of the Best Views of Palma

There are days when, after playing, you do not want more noise. Just a little greenery, shade and fresh air.

For that, the Bellver area is a great option. You can walk among pine trees, breathe in a bit of nature and, if you go up to the castle, enjoy one of the most beautiful views of Palma and the bay.

There is something I really like about Bellver after padel: it reminds you that unwinding does not always mean making an elaborate plan. Sometimes it simply means walking slowly, looking at the city from above and letting your body understand that the match is over.

That said, if you are coming after three intense sets, it is better to go up slowly. Your legs also have the right to an opinion.

5. Palma’s Old Town: Getting Lost Without Looking at the Clock

Another perfect way to unwind after playing padel in Palma is to get lost in the old town.

Palma has narrow streets, Mallorcan patios, stone façades, quiet squares, cafés, small shops and corners that appear when you stop looking for something specific. After a match, walking through the centre without a fixed plan can be a very pleasant way to change rhythm.

I like that feeling of moving from the intensity of the court to the calm of an old street. Leaving behind the score, the “mine”, the “yours”, the “move up” and the “drop back”, and simply walking.

Because sometimes the best way to discover Mallorca is not to be in too much of a hurry.

6. A Nearby Cove: From the Glass of the Court to Transparent Water

If the match has been in the Calvià area, or you have time to move around a little, ending up near the sea is always a good idea. Coves such as Cala del Mago or Cala Falcó, or places closer to Palma such as Illetas, connect beautifully with that calmer, more natural and Mediterranean side of Mallorca.

After playing, swapping the court for a cove feels special. You go from the glass wall to transparent water. From the noise of the match to the sound of the sea. From trying to win the point to not having to do absolutely anything for a while.

And that is also part of a padel holiday in Mallorca. Not everything has to be training, competing or improving. Sometimes the best reward after the match is sitting by the sea and not looking at your phone for ten minutes. Well, maybe just to take a photo.

Unwinding Is Also Part of the Trip

At Grip and Trip, we believe that a padel trip in Mallorca is not measured only by the matches you play or the training sessions you do. It is also measured by what happens afterwards: by the shared meal, the conversation on a terrace, the walk through Palma, the swim in a cove or on the beach, or the cultural visit you did not expect.

By that moment when the group stops being just a group of players and starts becoming a shared story.

Playing padel in Mallorca is already a wonderful plan. But playing, unwinding, discovering the island and experiencing it calmly is what turns the trip into something much more complete.

Because the last point ends on the court, but very often, the best memories begin right after.