Destination Guide to Spain
OVERVIEW
Spain is one of Europe’s most exciting and diverse golf destinations, attracting players from around the world with its perfect mix of championship courses, sunshine, and vibrant culture. Just a short flight from the UK, it’s a golfer’s paradise where world-class fairways meet historic cities, golden beaches, and exceptional gastronomy.
To the south, the Costa del Sol—often called the “Costa del Golf”—is home to some of the most prestigious courses in Europe. From the legendary Valderrama to the stunning layouts of La Reserva and Finca Cortesín, the region offers year-round play in a warm Mediterranean climate. Off the course, sophisticated marinas, traditional Andalusian towns, and beautiful beaches make it just as appealing for non-golfers.
Further north, the Catalonia region offers a different kind of charm. Here, rugged coastlines and medieval villages create a spectacular backdrop for golfing gems like Camiral, El Prat and Empordà Golf. The area combines natural beauty with rich Catalan culture, renowned cuisine, and easy access to vibrant cities such as Barcelona and Girona.
Whether you’re looking for elite championship venues, scenic seaside layouts, or a golf break blended with city exploration, Spain delivers it all—alongside a warm welcome, outstanding food, and an irresistible Mediterranean lifestyle.
Highlights of Spain
Home to legendary courses such as Valderrama, Finca Cortesín & Camiral
Championship golf set against stunning Mediterranean and mountain backdrops
Luxury resorts, boutique hotels & vibrant coastal towns
Over 300 days of sunshine a year for year-round play in Southern Spain
Easy, direct flights from all major UK airports
Rich blend of Spanish, Andalusian & Catalan culture
World-renowned gastronomy from tapas to Michelin-star dining
Where to Stay
Spain is home to well over 400 golf courses across the entire country, however some regions are home to some truly world-class courses. The Costa Del Sol region is one of these, well-known to the UK market this area of Southern-Spain is hosts some of the world’s best courses, basks in over 300-days sunshine a year and offers Andalusian charm in abundance.
Another Spanish area offering a great choice of amazing courses is in the Northeast of he country, the Catalonia region in particular, covering Girona, Barcelona & Tarragona. Whilst this has a slightly cooler climate than the south, this rugged landscape oozes culture & charm as well as breath-taking courses & stunning resorts.
Both regions are well serviced by airlines and easily accessible from the UK.
Costa Del Sol
Stretching along one of the most glamorous sections of Spain’s southern coastline, the area between Sotogrande and Marbella is a magnet for golfers, luxury seekers, and sun lovers alike. Known for its golden beaches, upscale marinas, and picturesque Andalusian villages, this part of the Costa del Sol blends relaxed Mediterranean living with world-class leisure facilities.
Sotogrande, at the western edge, is renowned for its sophistication and sporting pedigree, home to championship golf courses like Valderrama, La Reserva, and Real Club de Golf Sotogrande. Its stylish marina offers fine dining, boutique shopping, and a lively yet laid-back atmosphere.
Marbella delivers a cosmopolitan flair, with luxury resorts, designer boutiques, and the famous Puerto Banús marina—where superyachts and chic beach clubs set the scene. Between these hubs lie some of the region’s most prestigious golf courses, serene beaches, and exclusive residential enclaves, making this coastal stretch a dream destination for those seeking both relaxation and world-class golf.
The Sotogrande–Marbella corridor offers a perfect balance of pristine golf, sunshine, and unforgettable experiences.
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A legendary Robert Trent Jones Sr. design, Real Club Valderrama delivers world-class golf with precision, pedigree and immaculate presentation in the heart of Sotogrande. Discover More
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A timeless Robert Trent Jones Sr. design, Real Club de Golf Sotogrande delivers strategic excellence and refined tradition on the Costa del Sol. Discover More
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A tournament-calibre course with immaculate conditions and scenic seclusion, Finca Cortesin delivers one of Europe’s finest golf experiences. Discover More
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A modern championship course with wide fairways and elevated views, La Reserva Club offers a refined and spacious golf experience in the heart of Sotogrande. Discover More
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A modern coastal links course offering strategic play and panoramic Mediterranean views at La Hacienda Golf Resort. Discover More
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An inland course with a mix of links and parkland features, the Heathland Course offers strategic variety and panoramic views across the Andalusian hills. Discover More
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A historic championship course, San Roque’s Old Course offers strategic play in a picturesque, tree-lined setting. Discover More
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A Robert Trent Jones Sr. classic since 1976, Los Lagos blends expansive fairways, abundant lakes and strategic bunkering for a consistently compelling test under modern conditioning. Discover More
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A Robert Trent Jones Sr. classic from 1984, Los Olivos is a strategic, tree lined parkland course that rewards precision over power in a compact, undulating layout. Discover More
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A classic Javier Arana design near central Marbella, Rio Real offers a scenic, strategic round along a river-lined course with coastal charm. Discover More
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Set in tranquil countryside near Mijas, Santana Golf combines wide fairways, scenic views and thoughtful design for a relaxed yet rewarding round on the Costa del Sol. Discover More
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A Robert Trent Jones Sr. classic in Marbella, Los Naranjos combines strategic design with excellent conditioning in a vibrant, accessible setting. Discover More
Notable Nearby Courses
Catalonia
From the cosmopolitan energy of Barcelona to the picturesque coves of the Costa Brava and the golden sands of the Costa Dorada, Catalonia is a region that blends culture, coastline, and natural beauty like nowhere else in Spain. It’s a place where golfers can enjoy a variety of landscapes—rolling parkland, pine-clad hills, and sea-view fairways—while also experiencing one of the country’s richest cultural heritages.
To the north, the Costa Brava offers a striking mix of rugged coastline, crystal-clear waters, and charming medieval villages. Inland, the scenery shifts to tranquil countryside dotted with vineyards and olive groves, perfect for those who want to pair their golf with a taste of authentic rural Catalonia.
Around Barcelona, you’ll find the ideal balance of vibrant city life and green space. Visitors can enjoy world-class shopping, architecture, and dining, then escape to serene landscapes for a day on the course. The proximity of beaches, mountains, and vibrant nightlife makes this area ideal for combining leisure and sport.
Further south, the Costa Dorada lives up to its name with long golden beaches, laid-back coastal towns, and a warm Mediterranean climate. Here, the pace is slower, the atmosphere more relaxed, and the focus firmly on sunshine, sea breezes, and enjoying life outdoors.
Whether you come for the golf paired with the food and wine, or the chance to explore a region full of contrasts, Catalonia offers an unforgettable Mediterranean escape with something to suit every style of golfer.
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A top-ranked European course, Camiral’s Stadium Course offers a demanding, tournament-level test—complemented by the more accessible and equally scenic Tour Course. Discover More
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With 45 Greg Norman-designed holes, Real Club de Golf El Prat offers championship-level variety across three distinct course combinations just outside Barcelona. Discover More
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Two complimentary Robert von Hagge‑designed courses—forest‑lined precision and open dune links—combine to offer championship‑quality variety on Spain’s Costa Brava. Discover More
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Three distinct Greg Norman- and Vidaor/Sardà-designed courses—Hills, Lakes and Ruins—offer dramatic elevation, strategic water play and historic charm on Spain’s Costa Dorada. Discover More
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Perched high above the Costa Brava, Club Golf d’Aro – Mas Nou combines strategic design with sweeping sea and mountain views in a peaceful natural setting. Discover More
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A scenic and sublime course set amongst the stunning & prestigious Quinta do Lago estate. Discover more here
Notable Nearby Courses
Useful Information
Getting there
Getting there: scheduled airlines & low-cost carriers service direct flights to Spain in abundance from across the UK.
Gibraltar: Direct year-round flights from London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Manchester, Bristol & Birmingham
Malaga: Direct flights from London, Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Bristol, Cardiff, Newcastle, East Midlands & Exeter
Barcelona: Direct flights from London Gatwick / Stansted / Luton / Heathrow, Manchester, Edinburgh, East Midlands, Birmingham, Bristol
Currency
Euro
Climate
The Costa del Sol enjoys one of Europe’s most reliable golf climates, with over 300 days of sunshine a year. Winters are mild, rarely dropping below 10°C, while summers are hot and dry, often reaching the high 20s to low 30s°C. Catalonia benefits from a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild winters.
Temperatures in Barcelona typically range from 12–30°C across the year, while the coastal areas enjoy refreshing sea breezes. Rainfall is concentrated in spring and autumn, but the region still offers plenty of clear days for golfing.