Spain’s Must Play Courses
A guide to some of our favourite courses to play in Spain
Spain has long been one of Europe’s great golfing destinations, blessed with sunshine, dramatic landscapes, and a collection of courses that rank among the very best in Continental Europe. From the historic fairways of Real Club de Golf Sotogrande to modern masterpieces like Finca Cortesin and Camiral’s Stadium Course, Spain offers a diversity of styles and challenges that few countries can match.
Championship pedigree runs deep—Ryder Cups, Solheim Cups, Spanish Opens and European Tour events have all been contested on these fairways—yet the courses remain welcoming and playable for visitors.
In this guide, we’ve highlighted Spain’s must-play layouts: courses that combine world-class design, immaculate conditioning, and the kind of atmosphere that makes a round truly unforgettable. Whether you’re planning a dedicated golf trip or adding a round or two to a holiday, these are the venues that should be at the very top of your list.
Just an hour north of Barcelona and 20 minutes from Girona, the Stadium Course at Camiral – A Quita do Lago Resort, is consistently ranked Spain’s number one layout, and with the Ryder Cup confirmed for 2031, its star is only set to rise.
The resort itself is first class, with sleek hotel rooms and villas, and a focus on wellness that pairs beautifully with the golf. The service is impeccable, and the practice facilities are among the best you’ll find anywhere in Europe—state-of-the-art TrackMan range, short game zones and pristine putting greens that set the tone before you even tee off.
Once on the course, it’s immediately clear why this is such a must-play. Routed through rolling Catalan countryside and pine forest, each hole feels like a theatre stage, framed by clever bunkering and elevation changes. The sense of seclusion is remarkable—many holes feel entirely your own, with only the occasional glimpse of another fairway or the resort villas.
The front nine builds steadily, with wide fairways that encourage confident tee shots, but approach play is where the real challenge begins. Greens are fast, firm and multi-tiered, rewarding precise irons and sharp short games. Water comes into play on several holes, most memorably at the par-3 11th and the iconic par-4 13th, where a shallow green perched above a lake demands your very best.
The finish is as good as anywhere in Europe—17 and 18 are both testing par-4s that demand accuracy and nerve, a fitting close to a championship experience. From the back tees it’s a formidable challenge, but from forward sets it’s playable and always exciting.
Mention must also be given to the Tour Course at Camiral. Shorter, more forgiving and equally well conditioned, it’s the ideal complement to the Stadium—perfect for a warm-up, a second round, or simply a more relaxed day on one of Europe’s finest golf resorts.
Set in the hills of Casares on Spain’s Costa del Sol, Finca Cortesin has quietly built a reputation as one of Europe’s finest golf experiences—and with the Solheim Cup staged here in 2023, it now has the tournament pedigree to match its prestige.
Cabell Robinson’s design winds through rolling, rugged terrain, framed by olive trees, gorges and sweeping mountain views. Conditioning is flawless, from manicured fairways to pure, true greens. Though it stretches over 6,800 metres from the back tees, it remains playable for all—fairways are generous, but strategic bunkering and clever green complexes demand good placement and thoughtful course management.
Water hazards come into play on several holes, most dramatically at the par-4 13th, where a lake guards the left of the fairway and green, and again at the par-5 15th, a risk-reward gem that tempts the bold. The closing stretch is as strong as anywhere in Spain, with the par-4 18th rising back toward the clubhouse providing a fittingly grand finish.
Away from the course, Finca Cortesin sets new benchmarks for service. Complimentary buggies and practice facilities are included, with staff anticipating needs before you even realise them—cold towels in summer, course guides handed over at just the right moment. Tee times are spaced for an unhurried, exclusive feel, giving you the sense the course is yours alone.
In short, Finca Cortesin is luxury and golf in perfect balance—a resort where both course and service live up to the highest expectations. A must-play on any Costa del Sol itinerary.
Tucked into the cork oak–lined hills of Sotogrande on the Costa del Sol, Real Club Valderrama is arguably the most iconic golf course in continental Europe. A Robert Trent Jones Sr. masterpiece, it has hosted the Ryder Cup (1997), multiple Volvo Masters, the WGC–American Express and the Andalucia Masters—few venues in the world carry such pedigree.
From the moment you arrive, the sense of history is palpable. The clubhouse exudes understated Andalusian charm, and the service is flawless—professional yet unpretentious, with every detail carefully managed. Practice facilities are excellent, but the real anticipation builds as you step onto the first tee of what is consistently ranked Spain’s number one golf course.
Valderrama is not long by modern standards, but length has never been its defence. Instead, it is strategy, precision, and placement. Narrow, tree-lined fairways framed by cork oaks demand accuracy above all. The small, lightning-fast, heavily contoured greens test your short game and nerve, and the pristine conditioning makes every bounce and roll meaningful.
Signature holes abound, but none more famous than the par-5 17th, with its water guarding the front of the green. Seve Ballesteros’ bold plays here, and countless Ryder Cup memories, have cemented it in golf folklore. Elsewhere, the 4th (La Cascada) with its waterfall-framed green, and the tight par-4 6th, showcase the brilliance of the design.
Rounds here are played at a leisurely pace, with generous tee spacing and an almost reverent quiet across the property. Every shot matters, and while the course is demanding—perhaps one of the sternest tests in Europe—it is never unfair.
Valderrama is pure golf theatre: strategic, historic, and immaculately maintained. It’s not a must-play in Spain, but one of those rare courses every serious golfer should experience at least once. Tee times and rare and notoriously difficult to find, but plan well in advance and the dream might just become a reality.
Located just outside Barcelona, Real Club de Golf El Prat is one of Spain’s most historic clubs and a cornerstone of Catalan golf. With roots dating back to 1912 and a relocation to its current site in 2002, El Prat has hosted the Spanish Open more than ten times, a testament to its standing. The Pink Course, designed by Greg Norman, is the jewel in the crown—a championship layout that blends strategic challenge with natural beauty.
From the very first tee, the Pink Course feels like tournament golf. Fairways weave through gently undulating terrain, framed by pines and Mediterranean scrub, with elevation changes adding drama and variety. The design is modern and demanding but fair, rewarding both thoughtful placement and bold shot-making. Greens are large, quick and subtly contoured, meaning approaches need precision and putting requires a steady touch.
The par-5s, in particular, stand out—each a different test of length, risk, and accuracy. The closing stretch is memorable, with the par-4 17th a tough dogleg that punishes wayward drives, and the par-4 18th finishing right in front of the clubhouse with a green that can decide matches in an instant. Conditioning is excellent year-round, thanks to the club’s meticulous maintenance and firm, fast turf.
Service is friendly and professional, with excellent practice facilities that make it easy to prepare for the test ahead. The overall atmosphere is one of history and prestige, yet welcoming to visitors.
While the Pink Course is the headline, El Prat offers much more. In total, there are 45 holes across multiple Norman-designed loops, each with its own character. The Yellow Course is another strong championship track, while the shorter layouts provide variety and enjoyment for players of all levels—making El Prat not just a round of golf, but a destination worth a full golfing stay.
Just a few minutes from Valderrama on the Costa del Sol, Real Club de Golf Sotogrande is a course steeped in prestige and history. Opened in 1964 as Robert Trent Jones Sr.’s first European design, it has long been regarded as one of Spain’s finest, blending strategic brilliance with Mediterranean charm. Host to multiple Spanish Opens and international amateur events, Sotogrande has pedigree matched only by its timeless appeal.
The atmosphere here is elegant yet relaxed, with the classic Andalusian-style clubhouse overlooking manicured fairways. Service is professional but warm, reflecting the club’s proud traditions. The practice facilities are extensive, and conditioning throughout the course is immaculate, with fast, firm greens and beautifully maintained fairways.
Wide fairways encourage aggressive driving, but placement is key, as approach angles into Trent Jones’ subtly elevated greens are everything. The bunkering is clever—never excessive, but always strategic—and water comes into play sparingly but dramatically, most memorably at the par-4 7th and the par-3 12th.
The closing stretch is particularly strong. The par-5 16th offers a tempting risk-reward opportunity, while the par-4 17th and 18th demand precision to finish a round well. Sotogrande feels generous off the tee, but its small, quick greens and intelligent design keep the challenge ever-present.
In short, Real Club de Golf Sotogrande is a masterpiece of strategy and elegance. For any golfer travelling the Costa del Sol, this historic, immaculately presented course is an absolute must-play.
Perched on the coastline near Sotogrande, La Hacienda Links Golf Resort brings something refreshingly different to the region—a true links-style layout with sweeping views of the Mediterranean, Gibraltar, and, on clear days, the Moroccan coastline. Originally opened in the 1990s and fully redesigned in recent years by Kurtis Bowman, the course has been transformed into a modern links that feels both dramatic and inviting.
The design makes the most of its spectacular seaside setting. Wide, rolling fairways encourage bold driving, but wind is ever-present and can turn a straightforward hole into a serious test. The greens are expansive and undulating, demanding both imagination and a deft touch with the putter. Signature holes include the cliff-top par-3 6th, where the backdrop is pure ocean, and the par-5 18th, a thrilling closing hole with water and vistas that leave a lasting impression.
Conditioning is excellent, with firm turf underfoot adding to the authentic links feel. The resort itself has also been upgraded, with new facilities and a welcoming atmosphere that makes it a joy for visitors.
La Hacienda adds variety to Sotogrande’s golf offering—a coastal, wind-shaped challenge that contrasts beautifully with the tree-lined classics inland. It’s a must-play for anyone chasing the complete Costa del Sol experience, and paired with the La Hacienda Heathland course this is a resort that cannot be overlooked.