Do you want to spend the Christmas holidays in the sun? Here are the top 10 best destinations for your next Christmas vacation.
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[post_content] => Spain is a golfer’s paradise, with 497 courses in total. Add to the number of courses, a great climate, delicious food and plenty of things to do and see off the fairways and it’s no wonder that Spain is one of the world’s top destinations for golf holidays.
But Spain is a very big country – more than double the size of the UK in fact, so where in Spain should you look for your next golf holiday?
Golf Breaks in Spain: Best Destinations
There are a number of regions with a high density of golf courses in Spain. They are often popular with tourists throughout the year too, so they have the facilities you need for a golf break.
Andalucia is the area of Spain with the most golf clubs. It has 104 golf clubs, as well as wonderful beaches, warm weather and lots of vacation rentals and hotels for you to stay in.
Catalonia is the next biggest area for golf breaks in Spain with 53 golf clubs, followed by the Valencian community with 34, Castile and Leon with 33, Madrid with 28, the Balearic Islands with 24 and the Canary Islands with 23.
Let’s drill down a little further into the most popular destinations for golf breaks in Spain and what else these areas have to offer visitors.
Golf Breaks in Costa del Sol
The Costa del Sol is also known as the Costa del Golf and this area accounts for a large proportion of Andalucia’s 104 golf clubs. This area stretches from the city of Malaga and its international airport to the area of Manilva and includes tourist hotspots such as Torremolinos, Fuengirola, Marbella, Benahavis and Estepona. Contrary to popular belief, Sotogrande isn’t in the Costa del Sol, but is in Cadiz province, which is known as the Costa del la Luz – more on that later!
There are golf clubs all the way along the Costa del Sol, and they are of excellent quality. We’ve reviewed our favourite golf courses on the Costa del Sol on our website, to help you choose where you want to play on your next golf holiday and we also have a list of golf shops in Marbella if you need extra kit. There are also excellent academies and golf pros, and taking golf classes on the Costa del Sol during your holiday is a great way to really boost your skills and enjoy the courses to the full.
With golf courses dotted all around the Costa del Sol, you can choose your favourite town and easily travel to the courses you like the best. Alternatively, if you’re looking to be in the centre of the golfing action, the area with the highest density is Nueva Andalucia. This is nicknamed Golf Valley, because of having five golf courses along the valley just behind Puerto Banus. All five courses are very highly regarded and have great club houses and training facilities.
We recommend it because it’s very close to Marbella and Puerto Banus, so it ticks all the boxes for golf, restaurants, bars, beaches, history, culture and awesome nightlife. There’s no wonder this is one of the very best golf destinations in Spain. Browse vacation rentals in Nueva Andalucia.
Golf Breaks in Almería
Another area of Andalucia which is well known for its golf is Almeria. This is less visited than the Costa del Sol, but you may have seen it on the silver screen, as many Westerns were filmed in the Cabo de Gata natural park. It’s also known as Europe’s greenhouse and produces millions of tons of vegetables for export.
There are several popular tourist resorts in this area, including; Roquetas de Mar, Aguadulce, El Ejido, Mojacar, Vera and Cabo de Gata. Thanks to tourism and a great climate, 11 golf courses were built in this area. The Almerimar Golf resort is one of the oldest courses in Spain, designed by Gary Player and Rob Kirby and opened in 1976, which still attracts many golfers from around the world. There’s also Europe’s first and second desert course in Almeria – Desert Springs Golf Club and Golf Valle Del Este. Many of the golf resorts in Almeria also feature hotels and spas with fitness and wellness facilities to appeal to non-golfers too.
Golf Breaks in Murcia
The Murcia region has 17 golf clubs boasting 19 courses and a total of 348 holes between them. Golf in Murcia began with the La Manga Club being built by golfer and businessman Gregory Peters in 1972. This was a pioneering resort, based around golf, with two courses, which was unheard of in Spain at that time. It has since developed into a resort with lots of sports facilities and accommodation including an excellent tennis centre. Since then, more and more courses have been built, including Alhama Signature, designed by Jack Nicklaus, El Valle Golf, which has hosted many world-class competitions, and Dave Thomas’ Golf Altorreal. The golf resorts in the area, plus the beaches and calm waters of the Mar Menor, make this a great golf destination.
Golf Breaks in Costa Blanca
The stunning beaches of Spain’s “white coast” in the Alicante province stretches from Denia to Pilar de la Horada and contains many holiday hotspots, including Benidorm and Alicante. There are over 20 golf courses in the Costa Blanca. The area is split into the North and South region, with 10 in the North (Javea to Alicante) and 10 in the South (Alicante to Torrevieja). Las Colinas Golf Club is an outstanding course designed by Miguel Ángel Jiménez and Font del Llop, the Club de Golf Jávea and the historic Villamartín Golf are all highly recommended. As well as golf and beaches, you can also climb in the Costa Blanca, as part of an active holiday and the city of Alicante is stunning.
Golf Breaks in Costa de la Luz
Sotogrande is the pinnacle of golf in Spain, and although it’s close to the Costa del Sol, it is in fact in an area known as the Costa de la Luz in the Cadiz province. It is home to what’s considered the best course in Spain and one of the very best courses in Europe – Valderrama. This legendary course has played host to the Volvo Masters and the Ryder Cup and is a must play for many golfers. But there’s more on offer for golfers in Sotogrande, a total of seven golf courses in a very small area. The area is also known for its white sand beaches, yachting, polo and gastronomy, as well as beautiful countryside.
There isn’t much of a hub for nightlife in Sotogrande, particularly during the winter months. Many travellers base themselves at a holiday rental in Estepona, a vibrant and cultural town with great restaurants and several good golf courses of its own. This town sits between Marbella and Sotogrande, so can be a great base for both.
Golf Breaks in Costa Brava
We already mentioned that Catalonia has 53 golf courses, and the Costa Brava is one of the most important tourist areas in this region. It stretches from the town of Blanes, 60 km northeast of Barcelona to the French border and has been a very popular tourist destination since the 1950s. Golf in Costa Brava is very well developed, with 8 golf clubs and 11 golf courses and it has a long history, with the first course Golf de Pals opening in 1966. PGA Catalunya is ranked one of the top ten courses in Europe and the Real Club Golf El Prat hosted 10 editions of the European Tour Spanish Open. You can enjoy the beaches and towns and of course fit in a visit to the amazing city of Barcelona during a golf break on the Costa Brava.
Golf Breaks in Mallorca
Although it’s a relatively small island, Mallorca is big on golf! There are 24 golf courses in total, with 21 open for non-members to play. The top courses are the Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed Alcanada and Son Gual, which are highly regarded, but there are many more to enjoy and the travel time is low due to the island’s size. As well as the golf, you have the wonderful, historic city of Palma to enjoy, the party hotspot of Magaluf and wonderful ports such as Andratx. It’s also a hotspot for sailing, with lovely ports and coves dotted around the coastline.
Golf Breaks in the Canary Islands
There are 23 courses in the Canary Islands, most of which can be found on the islands of Tenerife and Gran Canaria. It’s a favourite winter golf destination as the temperatures don’t dip below 15°C and there’s very low rainfall. Gran Canaria is home to the oldest golf club in Spain, the Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas, which has been offering golf since 1891. There are wonderful courses designed by leading golf course architects including Anfi Tauro Golf Course on Gran Canaria and the Dave Thomas designed Abama Golf in Tenerife. Off the golf course, you can visit the volcanoes, enjoy amazing hiking, enjoy art, culture, wines and nightlife, soak up the sun on beautiful beaches and even spot dolphins and whales too.
Why book a golf holiday to Spain?
As you can see, Spain is an amazing golf destination, with a huge range of golf courses, in beautiful places. There are frequent and low-cost flights from the UK, Ireland and Europe, which makes it very easy to get here. Plus, as the golf season in Spain tends to be the low season for the rest of the holidaymakers, flights and accommodation are much better value and easier to come by too.
Andalucia offers the widest choice of courses and travel is easy between them. We’d recommend basing yourself in Marbella or Estepona for lots of great things to see and do, within very easy reach of a wide range of golf courses. Trust in the holiday experts and golf lovers at Vacation Marbella to help you plan the best golf holiday in Andalucia.
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[post_content] => Golf is a wonderful sport, and the Vacation Marbella team can often be found on the fairways during low season. There’s so much to learn and the technical challenge, combined with the fresh air and beautiful surroundings, is hard to beat.
However, playing golf in the UK, Ireland and Northern Europe, can be a rather cold, wet and windy experience. Challenging weather is not what you need, especially not as a beginner, trying to master the basics.
People think they are only for the best players, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Golf holidays for beginners are really valuable and a lot of fun too. This is when you have the most to learn and will really benefit from that intensive learning and practice.
Marbella is a great destination for a beginners’ golf holiday, thanks to the large choice of 9 and 18 hole golf courses, driving ranges and experienced teachers offering golf classes. Not only that, but the conditions during the spring and the autumn are perfect for golf, and you’ll enjoy bright sunshine and blue skies during your round.
Read on to find out more about golf holidays for beginners.
What do you have to know before booking your golf holiday?
When you start with your golf journey, you need the best conditions, and the best golf courses and facilities to hone your skills and lay a strong foundation. You also need plenty of practice, and not too long between sessions, to make sure you’re putting everything you’ve learned together and not picking up bad habits.
An intensive period of golf lessons, and practice on different courses, is the best way to get the best foundation and that’s where a golf holiday comes in.
I bet you’re excited to get booking, but before you do, here are a few things to consider.
Who are you going with?
Do you have a friend who’s just starting out at golf too, who might want to join you? This is a great idea, but you’ll want them to be at a similar level, so that you can take classes together and learn from each other during your golf holiday.
Perhaps your husband or wife would like to come, but doesn’t play? That works too, especially in a destination like Marbella, where there’s plenty to do off the course.
Or perhaps you’d rather come alone and really focus on the golf 100%? No problem! By joining a group class, you will make friends and have a shared interest to talk about on and off the fairways. Golf clubs are very sociable places too, so you will be sure to meet people in the clubhouse. There are also golf academies which offer intensive courses for maximum progress during your golf holiday.
Choose the destination for your golf vacation
Golf is popular across the world and there are more than 38,000 golf courses you could visit! The top 10 golfing nations are – the US, the UK, Japan, Canada, France, Sweden, Australia, Germany, South Korea and Spain.
For a golf vacation, you want to go somewhere with a good choice of courses in a relatively small area, for maximum playing time and minimum travel time. You also want to consider the journey time to the destination, and the time difference from your home country. The shorter the flight the better, to ensure you are ready and full of energy to learn and play, especially when you’re a beginner.
Last but not least, think about the weather and check the conditions for the time of year you’re planning to visit. Beginners should aim for comfortable temperatures, low winds, good visibility and no rain.
All these elements will help you choose the perfect destination for your golf holiday.
When is it best to travel for your golf holiday?
As you can see, there are a wide range of golf destinations, with different climates. So the best time to play golf varies significantly! You should be able to find a wonderful place to play golf at any time, but depending on the time of year, you might have to travel a bit further afield to find it.
Marbella is blessed with a fantastic year-round climate and boasts over 320 days of sunshine a year. You can play golf in all 4 seasons, but the peak golf season in Marbella is in the spring and the autumn. Those parts of the year aren’t too hot, but tend to be dry and sunny, so offer the best conditions for playing golf as a beginner.
Choose the best golf courses
Beginners need to choose the right golf courses, to make the experience positive and enjoyable and not be too challenging. We’d recommend leaving the championship courses until you’ve built up a good level of skills and can control the ball well. Otherwise, it can be a very frustrating experience!
If you opt for an intensive beginner’s golf course, you may well be up to the challenge by the end of your golf holiday, but that’s definitely something to work up to. We’d recommend that you start with a golf course which has a driving range and practice area, an academy and professional coaches, as well as shorter holes, forgiving, large fairways and greens and not too many hazards.
Marbella has a number of golf academies, based at golf courses which are suitable for beginners, there are also golf pros, who can recommend the best courses for you to start with and work up to the more challenging ones.
There are a number of 9-hole golf courses on the Costa del Sol that can make a good place to start, including Magna Marbella, La Dama de Noche and El Higueral. Alternatively, you can try an easier 18-hole course. The Atalaya New Course, Miraflores, Cabopino and Monte Mayor are considered to be relatively easy courses in this area.
Read our recommendations and reviews of the top 10 Marbella golf courses.
Plan the time spent off the golf course
Golf is a demanding sport and is tiring for the body and the mind, so to make it an enjoyable holiday, you need to mix golf in with other activities.
Look for an area with a good restaurant and bar scene, so you know you’ll enjoy the evenings to the full. Then research into what else there is to do nearby, and plan a few activities, like visiting a city, going to an art gallery, soothing aching muscles in a spa, or perhaps visiting a vineyard. This helps you to get to know the place you’re golfing, rather than just the golf courses and gives your body and mind a break!
Have a budget
Decide how much you’re willing to spend, and check out the prices of golf classes, driving ranges and of course green fees. Look at the price for accommodation and eating out as well and take all of those elements into account when choosing your destination.
You can book your green fees in Marbella through our website for the best rates.
Marbella, the best destination for golf beginners
The Costa del Sol is considered to be one of the top golf destinations in Europe and is known as the Costa del Golf. That’s because of the very high concentration of quality golf courses, in a small area – over 70 in total. Golfers love the great weather and the ease of travel from the UK and the rest of Europe, combined with the excellent restaurants and nightlife.
Marbella isn’t just a golf destination for pros! It’s a great place for beginners to learn, practice and enjoy the experience. Thanks to the large number of courses, there are many which are suitable for beginners, as well as academies and friendly golf classes and societies, which are really welcoming to visitors.
You’ll love the restaurants in Marbella too and there’s plenty to do when you’re not playing, including day trips, hiking, cultural and gastronomic experiences. You can also indulge in some retail therapy, in one of the golf shops, shopping malls, or designer boutiques. There’s no excuse to get bored when you’re not golfing!
If you’d like to organize a golf holiday for beginners on the Costa del Golf, Vacation Marbella are your perfect partners. We can sort out your holiday rental within easy access of the golf courses, organise your green fees and tee times, and advise you on the best teachers and clubs for beginners. As passionate golfers ourselves, we’re in the know and would be delighted to help you make the very most out of your Marbella golf holiday. Contact us for information, or browse our holiday rentals.
[post_title] => Golf holidays for beginners: Everything you need to know
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[post_content] => 2025 started strong in terms of golf tournaments in Marbella!
The first big golf tournament of the year was the Marbella Legends, at Aloha Golf Club, which took place between the 14th and 16th of February. Featuring some of the biggest names in the senior tour, it shone the spotlight on Marbella as a top golfing destination.
Also in February, Villa Padierna’s Flamingos Golf Course hosted the World Junior Golf Championship. With over 250 top junior players travelling in from 36 countries, it was a real celebration of young talent.
But if you missed those, worry not! There are plenty more golf tournaments on the calendar to enjoy.
Marbella Tournaments You Can Participate In
Why not pit your wits against other players during your next golf vacation, by signing up to play in a tournament. There are golf societies which organize events and tournaments, plus golf courses also host their own, which non-members can usually join.
Here are some of the tournaments and golf events you can participate in.
This company organizes weekly golf events which move across different golf courses on the Costa del Golf. They are a great way to play, meet fellow golfers, and try different courses.
The Marbella golf course they play at include El Higueral, Cabopino and Los Arqueros and they follow an individual Stableford format. They have events booked in every Friday until the end of April 2025.
This society hosts monthly golf events in some of the best courses on the Costa del Sol. You can see the calendar for the whole of 2025 on their website. Contact them to find out more about participating.
This is another great Marbella golf course, with regular tournaments every month. There’s the Spring Scramble on March 7th, following a Texas scramble format and lunch at the club house and prize giving. Later in the year there’s the President’s Cup in May and a charity tournament on June 28th
While not in Marbella, Finca Cortesin is considered to be one of the best golf courses in Spain and they have a few events per year which are open to all. These are; The Pairs Tournament in July, Finca Cortesin Tournament and the Father & Son Tournament in August, and the Finca Cortesin Winter event in December.
Liv Golf Andalucia
If you’d rather watch golf, then you need to come to the Costa del Sol in July for Liv Golf Andalucia. This will be played at the legendary Valderrama Golf Club in Sotogrande from the 11th to 13th of July. It features some of the best players and biggest personalities in the game, in a unique team format. The mission is to “provide non-stop, supercharged, world-class entertainment”.
You can easily combine a holiday in Marbella, with seeing this tournament, as Sotogrande is under 30 minutes by car from Marbella.
Where to stay for a golf holiday?
Great question! There are a few options to consider, depending on the size of your group, what you want to do and where you want to play. A frontline golf villa can be a really nice option for small groups, who want to be within walking distance of a course and a clubhouse.
A holiday rental in Nueva Andalucia is another great option. There are apartments and villas, within really easy reach of five great golf courses. This area works well if you want to go out in the evening as well, as there are some excellent restaurants and bars in Nueva Andalucia itself, plus it’s a very short taxi ride, or even a walk down into Puerto Banus.
If you’re planning to visit courses that are stretched out along the coast, then a central holiday rental in Marbella Old Town, within walking distance of lots of great restaurants, bars and shops could also be an excellent option.
[post_title] => Marbella Golf Tournaments in 2025
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The weather is getting colder, the nights are drawing in and the countdown is on to Christmas. Where are you spending yours?
If you’re not sure where to spend Christmas and you’d rather have a Christmas holiday abroad, we’ve got you! There are loads of fantastic places to go, where you can experience the magic of Christmas like never before. In this article, we’re counting down the Top Ten places for a Xmas holiday, to help you find your perfect place.
1. Marbella, Spain
Marbella is a wonderful place to spend Christmas, with lots to do and see, plenty of Christmas spirit, plus bright sunny weather. It’s super easy to get here from Europe, with many airlines offering regular flights. This is the ideal short haul destination for a Christmas holiday in the sun.
Although you can’t expect the temperatures that you’d get in more tropical climes, the thermometer rarely dips below 10⁰C, even at night, and you can expect blue skies and daytime temperatures in the low to mid 20s. These pleasant temperatures make it so much fun to visit Christmas markets, see the Christmas lights, tour the traditional nativity scenes and make a visit to see Santa in his many grottos.
We recommend seeing the beautiful lights in Marbella’s picturesque Old Town and following the tour of the beautifully crafted nativity scenes in the churches, chapels and squares. You definitely need to take a day trip to Malaga for one of the very best sound and light shows around and try the delicious Christmas treats – roscón de reyes, turron and polvorones.
There are many restaurants to enjoy delicious food, with options for the traditional turkey dinner, as well as Michelin star taster menus, Spanish feasts and every cuisine under the sun. The Spanish celebrate their big Christmas meals on the 24th of December and the 5th of January, but as it’s such an international destination, there are special Christmas menus from every part of the globe on offer here.
Marbella is a fantastic shopping destination too, and there are lots of events and special festive activities taking place between the end of November and the 6th of January, so Christmas in Marbella just keeps giving! Walk on the beach by day and feel festive under the sparkling Christmas lights by night – the perfect combination, just a short flight away. Check out our guide to things to do and places to go at Christmas on the Costa del Sol and start planning your trip.
2. Dominican Republic
If you want to spend your Christmas in an island paradise with tropical weather, then the Dominican Republic rates very highly on the list! It’s the epitome of a warm Christmas destination, where you can lounge on the beach, while enjoying Christmas traditions Caribbean style. This includes the beautifully decorated charamicos, hand carved wooden decorations hung with beautiful ornaments, just like a Christmas tree. Feast on traditional foods including roast pork, stuffed banana leaves filled with savory treats and lots of yummy desserts. They celebrate Christmas Eve, rather than Christmas Day with the family, as they do in Marbella, and they also share the tradition of giving gifts to the children on the 6th of January, rather than the 25th of December. Enjoy fireworks on the beach, traditional dancing on the streets, Dominican Christmas carols and dance the night away at the legendary Christmas parties known as Parrandas Navideñas.
3. Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town is a very popular warm Christmas destination, with really hot weather, blue skies and amazing activities and experiences to enjoy throughout the festive season. Temperatures can hit 40⁰C and as a country with a large Christian population, this is a big holiday and there’s plenty of Christmas spirit in the air. Some of the highlights include; carols by candlelight at the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, a festival of lights, live music and lots of Christmas markets. You can enjoy a gourmet experience at one of the many wine estates, enjoy outdoor cinema and spend your xmas holidays in the sun. Why not combine it with a big game safari too? Now that’s Christmas with a difference!
4. Phuket, Thailand
Thailand’s many islands and white sand beaches are a draw to tourists year-round and December is a great time to visit, as the weather is glorious. Phuket is one of the largest islands and offers lots to do and see for tourists, as part of Xmas holidays in the sun. You can expect balmy temperatures and low humidity (for Thailand) and the water is really warm and crystal clear for diving, snorkeling or simply lounging. Although the locals don’t celebrate Christmas, the tourist areas are decorated and there are lots of events and parties going on.
You will find hotels and tourist restaurants offering international Christmas favorites, or you can stick to the delicious Thai food. There’s even a Christmas Market at Phuket Boat Lagoon. Recommendations – explore the Old Town, visit the Sunday market, marvel at the view from the Karon Viewpoint and visit some of the beautiful Buddhist temples.
5. Marrakesh, Morocco
Marrakesh is a magical and enchanting place all year round, and is a place where you can escape from the endless carols and commercialism of a western Christmas and dive into a vibrant culture. The temperature in Marrakech in December averages around 20⁰C, perfect for exploring and sightseeing and visiting all the amazing landmarks in the city. There’s no need to worry about things being closed on the holidays, as this is just a normal day, and so nothing’s standing in your way to explore the medina, the souk and the beautiful gardens. After a busy day seeing the sights, relax in a Hammam, and have an alternative Christmas meal in one of the city’s amazing rooftop restaurants.
Did you know that you could combine a Christmas holiday in Marbella, with a visit to Morocco? It’s so close that you can easily do a day trip to the northernmost city of Tangier, and enjoy a Spanish Christmas and a Moroccan Christmas too!
6. The Maldives
The Maldives is an island paradise, and if you want to spend Christmas holidays in the sun, it’s a great option. It’s lovely and warm, with temperatures between 27⁰C and 30⁰C, even at night, and mainly dry weather. The many beautiful hotels hold lavish gala dinners over the festive period, with amazing food and entertainment and they usually arrange a visit from Santa for the little ones. Once you’ve ticked the Christmas celebration boxes, then the crystal-clear waters await you and you can enjoy water sports, diving, boat trips, or simply lounge on the beach sipping a cocktail. Bliss!
7. Canary Islands, Spain
The Spanish Canary Island group is a great place to spend Christmas, with lots of festive cheer and temperatures between 19⁰C and 26⁰C during the day, with warm evenings too. Christmas is a big celebration in the Canary Islands, kicking off with the Christmas lights turning on at the end of November and lasting all the way through to the 6th of January.
Just like Marbella, you’ll find nativity scenes, lights and beautiful decorations, with a Spanish flair of course. There are also cultural activities on Lanzarote, with live, traditional music throughout December, open air Christmas concerts on Tenerife, and delicious traditional sweets called “trucha”, which must be tried. There are lots of Christmas markets and events too!
8. New York City, USA
While definitely not a warm weather destination for Christmas, New York is such a special place at this time of year, that we couldn’t leave it off the list! Wrap up warm and take a Christmas walking tour to make sure you don’t miss any of the festive favorites, such as the Rockefeller Christmas Tree, the Bryant Park Christmas Market and of course the Empire State Building. The ultimate department store Macy’s is as pretty as a picture and is a great place to see Santa before the big day. We’d also advise a visit to The Santa Clauses Winter Wonderland at Pier 15. For the most outrageously decorated houses, head to Dyker Heights Brooklyn – these homeowners really go all out! There are also Christmas markets and skating rinks a plenty and it’s the perfect place for some retail therapy, on Fifth Avenue and beyond.
9. Sydney, Australia
Sydney is a great city to enjoy Christmas in, because it’s summer there, yet Christmas traditions are strong. You’ll find some great Christmas markets, festivals, and festive events a plenty throughout December. Check out the massive tree in Martin Place and the Canopy of Light in Pitt Street Mall and head to the Queen Victoria Building for High Tea with Santa. There are lots of live music events and carol concerts around the city throughout December. Because of the beautiful weather you can go true Ozzie style and opt for a barbie on the beach, or perhaps a picnic in the park. The restaurants are epic and there’s loads of culture and shopping to be enjoyed too.
10. Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo is an amazing city, which really embraces Christmas and looks pretty as a picture, even though culturally it’s not a big deal in Japan. Temperatures are cool but not cold – 12-7⁰C and the city artfully blends Western Christmas traditions with Japanese culture, to make it a unique place to spend the holidays. The lights in Tokyo for Christmas are epic, on the streets and in the stores, and will take your breath away. The Tokyo Christmas Market is a great place to get in some last-minute shopping and take part in activities and workshops. Enjoy live music, by going to one of the Christmas concerts or choir performances. Why not join the masses and have KFC on Christmas Eve? A peculiar Japanese tradition for the festive period, but finger licking good! Tokyo’s Disneyland is amazing at Christmas and there are even holiday themed tea ceremonies to try. We’d definitely recommend a cruise on Tokyo Bay and a visit to one of the outdoor skating rinks as well.
Why spend the Christmas holidays in Marbella?
These 10 destinations are all amazing places for a Christmas holiday, each offering a very different kind of Christmas. But for us (no surprise here I’m sure), Marbella and the Costa del Sol as a whole really are hard to beat! That’s because it blends many of the aspects of what makes Christmas great, and so you can have the best of all worlds.
Being a Catholic country, Christmas is a serious holiday, and celebrated by everyone, rather than simply put on for the tourists. Yet, it’s less commercial and more authentic than in a big city.
The weather strikes just the right balance for us Brits and Northern Europeans to feel festive. It’s cool enough in the evening to feel Christmassy when you’re strolling around the pretty streets, lit with twinkling lights, yet the days are usually mild and sunny and you can still enjoy lunch al fresco by the beach.
There are lots of events and activities for the whole family, up and down the coast and Malaga has one of the best Christmas light and sound shows that we’ve seen anywhere. And what’s more, you could even combine a Christmas in Marbella with one day on the ski slopes of Sierra Nevada and one day in Morocco. How’s that for a mix of experiences?
The shopping in Marbella is great, the restaurants in Marbella are amazing, and you will be able to find whatever food you want to make it feel like Christmas to you. All this, and it’s just a few hours from the UK and most of Europe and flights are very reasonable.
We hope you’ll join us for Christmas this year. Contact us and let us find you a beautiful vacation rental in Marbella to be your home from home at this special time of year and help you plan the dream Christmas holiday in the sun for your family.
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[post_content] => Spain is a golfer’s paradise, with 497 courses in total. Add to the number of courses, a great climate, delicious food and plenty of things to do and see off the fairways and it’s no wonder that Spain is one of the world’s top destinations for golf holidays.
But Spain is a very big country – more than double the size of the UK in fact, so where in Spain should you look for your next golf holiday?
Golf Breaks in Spain: Best Destinations
There are a number of regions with a high density of golf courses in Spain. They are often popular with tourists throughout the year too, so they have the facilities you need for a golf break.
Andalucia is the area of Spain with the most golf clubs. It has 104 golf clubs, as well as wonderful beaches, warm weather and lots of vacation rentals and hotels for you to stay in.
Catalonia is the next biggest area for golf breaks in Spain with 53 golf clubs, followed by the Valencian community with 34, Castile and Leon with 33, Madrid with 28, the Balearic Islands with 24 and the Canary Islands with 23.
Let’s drill down a little further into the most popular destinations for golf breaks in Spain and what else these areas have to offer visitors.
Golf Breaks in Costa del Sol
The Costa del Sol is also known as the Costa del Golf and this area accounts for a large proportion of Andalucia’s 104 golf clubs. This area stretches from the city of Malaga and its international airport to the area of Manilva and includes tourist hotspots such as Torremolinos, Fuengirola, Marbella, Benahavis and Estepona. Contrary to popular belief, Sotogrande isn’t in the Costa del Sol, but is in Cadiz province, which is known as the Costa del la Luz – more on that later!
There are golf clubs all the way along the Costa del Sol, and they are of excellent quality. We’ve reviewed our favourite golf courses on the Costa del Sol on our website, to help you choose where you want to play on your next golf holiday and we also have a list of golf shops in Marbella if you need extra kit. There are also excellent academies and golf pros, and taking golf classes on the Costa del Sol during your holiday is a great way to really boost your skills and enjoy the courses to the full.
With golf courses dotted all around the Costa del Sol, you can choose your favourite town and easily travel to the courses you like the best. Alternatively, if you’re looking to be in the centre of the golfing action, the area with the highest density is Nueva Andalucia. This is nicknamed Golf Valley, because of having five golf courses along the valley just behind Puerto Banus. All five courses are very highly regarded and have great club houses and training facilities.
We recommend it because it’s very close to Marbella and Puerto Banus, so it ticks all the boxes for golf, restaurants, bars, beaches, history, culture and awesome nightlife. There’s no wonder this is one of the very best golf destinations in Spain. Browse vacation rentals in Nueva Andalucia.
Golf Breaks in Almería
Another area of Andalucia which is well known for its golf is Almeria. This is less visited than the Costa del Sol, but you may have seen it on the silver screen, as many Westerns were filmed in the Cabo de Gata natural park. It’s also known as Europe’s greenhouse and produces millions of tons of vegetables for export.
There are several popular tourist resorts in this area, including; Roquetas de Mar, Aguadulce, El Ejido, Mojacar, Vera and Cabo de Gata. Thanks to tourism and a great climate, 11 golf courses were built in this area. The Almerimar Golf resort is one of the oldest courses in Spain, designed by Gary Player and Rob Kirby and opened in 1976, which still attracts many golfers from around the world. There’s also Europe’s first and second desert course in Almeria – Desert Springs Golf Club and Golf Valle Del Este. Many of the golf resorts in Almeria also feature hotels and spas with fitness and wellness facilities to appeal to non-golfers too.
Golf Breaks in Murcia
The Murcia region has 17 golf clubs boasting 19 courses and a total of 348 holes between them. Golf in Murcia began with the La Manga Club being built by golfer and businessman Gregory Peters in 1972. This was a pioneering resort, based around golf, with two courses, which was unheard of in Spain at that time. It has since developed into a resort with lots of sports facilities and accommodation including an excellent tennis centre. Since then, more and more courses have been built, including Alhama Signature, designed by Jack Nicklaus, El Valle Golf, which has hosted many world-class competitions, and Dave Thomas’ Golf Altorreal. The golf resorts in the area, plus the beaches and calm waters of the Mar Menor, make this a great golf destination.
Golf Breaks in Costa Blanca
The stunning beaches of Spain’s “white coast” in the Alicante province stretches from Denia to Pilar de la Horada and contains many holiday hotspots, including Benidorm and Alicante. There are over 20 golf courses in the Costa Blanca. The area is split into the North and South region, with 10 in the North (Javea to Alicante) and 10 in the South (Alicante to Torrevieja). Las Colinas Golf Club is an outstanding course designed by Miguel Ángel Jiménez and Font del Llop, the Club de Golf Jávea and the historic Villamartín Golf are all highly recommended. As well as golf and beaches, you can also climb in the Costa Blanca, as part of an active holiday and the city of Alicante is stunning.
Golf Breaks in Costa de la Luz
Sotogrande is the pinnacle of golf in Spain, and although it’s close to the Costa del Sol, it is in fact in an area known as the Costa de la Luz in the Cadiz province. It is home to what’s considered the best course in Spain and one of the very best courses in Europe – Valderrama. This legendary course has played host to the Volvo Masters and the Ryder Cup and is a must play for many golfers. But there’s more on offer for golfers in Sotogrande, a total of seven golf courses in a very small area. The area is also known for its white sand beaches, yachting, polo and gastronomy, as well as beautiful countryside.
There isn’t much of a hub for nightlife in Sotogrande, particularly during the winter months. Many travellers base themselves at a holiday rental in Estepona, a vibrant and cultural town with great restaurants and several good golf courses of its own. This town sits between Marbella and Sotogrande, so can be a great base for both.
Golf Breaks in Costa Brava
We already mentioned that Catalonia has 53 golf courses, and the Costa Brava is one of the most important tourist areas in this region. It stretches from the town of Blanes, 60 km northeast of Barcelona to the French border and has been a very popular tourist destination since the 1950s. Golf in Costa Brava is very well developed, with 8 golf clubs and 11 golf courses and it has a long history, with the first course Golf de Pals opening in 1966. PGA Catalunya is ranked one of the top ten courses in Europe and the Real Club Golf El Prat hosted 10 editions of the European Tour Spanish Open. You can enjoy the beaches and towns and of course fit in a visit to the amazing city of Barcelona during a golf break on the Costa Brava.
Golf Breaks in Mallorca
Although it’s a relatively small island, Mallorca is big on golf! There are 24 golf courses in total, with 21 open for non-members to play. The top courses are the Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed Alcanada and Son Gual, which are highly regarded, but there are many more to enjoy and the travel time is low due to the island’s size. As well as the golf, you have the wonderful, historic city of Palma to enjoy, the party hotspot of Magaluf and wonderful ports such as Andratx. It’s also a hotspot for sailing, with lovely ports and coves dotted around the coastline.
Golf Breaks in the Canary Islands
There are 23 courses in the Canary Islands, most of which can be found on the islands of Tenerife and Gran Canaria. It’s a favourite winter golf destination as the temperatures don’t dip below 15°C and there’s very low rainfall. Gran Canaria is home to the oldest golf club in Spain, the Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas, which has been offering golf since 1891. There are wonderful courses designed by leading golf course architects including Anfi Tauro Golf Course on Gran Canaria and the Dave Thomas designed Abama Golf in Tenerife. Off the golf course, you can visit the volcanoes, enjoy amazing hiking, enjoy art, culture, wines and nightlife, soak up the sun on beautiful beaches and even spot dolphins and whales too.
Why book a golf holiday to Spain?
As you can see, Spain is an amazing golf destination, with a huge range of golf courses, in beautiful places. There are frequent and low-cost flights from the UK, Ireland and Europe, which makes it very easy to get here. Plus, as the golf season in Spain tends to be the low season for the rest of the holidaymakers, flights and accommodation are much better value and easier to come by too.
Andalucia offers the widest choice of courses and travel is easy between them. We’d recommend basing yourself in Marbella or Estepona for lots of great things to see and do, within very easy reach of a wide range of golf courses. Trust in the holiday experts and golf lovers at Vacation Marbella to help you plan the best golf holiday in Andalucia.
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[post_content] => Golf is a wonderful sport, and the Vacation Marbella team can often be found on the fairways during low season. There’s so much to learn and the technical challenge, combined with the fresh air and beautiful surroundings, is hard to beat.
However, playing golf in the UK, Ireland and Northern Europe, can be a rather cold, wet and windy experience. Challenging weather is not what you need, especially not as a beginner, trying to master the basics.
People think they are only for the best players, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Golf holidays for beginners are really valuable and a lot of fun too. This is when you have the most to learn and will really benefit from that intensive learning and practice.
Marbella is a great destination for a beginners’ golf holiday, thanks to the large choice of 9 and 18 hole golf courses, driving ranges and experienced teachers offering golf classes. Not only that, but the conditions during the spring and the autumn are perfect for golf, and you’ll enjoy bright sunshine and blue skies during your round.
Read on to find out more about golf holidays for beginners.
What do you have to know before booking your golf holiday?
When you start with your golf journey, you need the best conditions, and the best golf courses and facilities to hone your skills and lay a strong foundation. You also need plenty of practice, and not too long between sessions, to make sure you’re putting everything you’ve learned together and not picking up bad habits.
An intensive period of golf lessons, and practice on different courses, is the best way to get the best foundation and that’s where a golf holiday comes in.
I bet you’re excited to get booking, but before you do, here are a few things to consider.
Who are you going with?
Do you have a friend who’s just starting out at golf too, who might want to join you? This is a great idea, but you’ll want them to be at a similar level, so that you can take classes together and learn from each other during your golf holiday.
Perhaps your husband or wife would like to come, but doesn’t play? That works too, especially in a destination like Marbella, where there’s plenty to do off the course.
Or perhaps you’d rather come alone and really focus on the golf 100%? No problem! By joining a group class, you will make friends and have a shared interest to talk about on and off the fairways. Golf clubs are very sociable places too, so you will be sure to meet people in the clubhouse. There are also golf academies which offer intensive courses for maximum progress during your golf holiday.
Choose the destination for your golf vacation
Golf is popular across the world and there are more than 38,000 golf courses you could visit! The top 10 golfing nations are – the US, the UK, Japan, Canada, France, Sweden, Australia, Germany, South Korea and Spain.
For a golf vacation, you want to go somewhere with a good choice of courses in a relatively small area, for maximum playing time and minimum travel time. You also want to consider the journey time to the destination, and the time difference from your home country. The shorter the flight the better, to ensure you are ready and full of energy to learn and play, especially when you’re a beginner.
Last but not least, think about the weather and check the conditions for the time of year you’re planning to visit. Beginners should aim for comfortable temperatures, low winds, good visibility and no rain.
All these elements will help you choose the perfect destination for your golf holiday.
When is it best to travel for your golf holiday?
As you can see, there are a wide range of golf destinations, with different climates. So the best time to play golf varies significantly! You should be able to find a wonderful place to play golf at any time, but depending on the time of year, you might have to travel a bit further afield to find it.
Marbella is blessed with a fantastic year-round climate and boasts over 320 days of sunshine a year. You can play golf in all 4 seasons, but the peak golf season in Marbella is in the spring and the autumn. Those parts of the year aren’t too hot, but tend to be dry and sunny, so offer the best conditions for playing golf as a beginner.
Choose the best golf courses
Beginners need to choose the right golf courses, to make the experience positive and enjoyable and not be too challenging. We’d recommend leaving the championship courses until you’ve built up a good level of skills and can control the ball well. Otherwise, it can be a very frustrating experience!
If you opt for an intensive beginner’s golf course, you may well be up to the challenge by the end of your golf holiday, but that’s definitely something to work up to. We’d recommend that you start with a golf course which has a driving range and practice area, an academy and professional coaches, as well as shorter holes, forgiving, large fairways and greens and not too many hazards.
Marbella has a number of golf academies, based at golf courses which are suitable for beginners, there are also golf pros, who can recommend the best courses for you to start with and work up to the more challenging ones.
There are a number of 9-hole golf courses on the Costa del Sol that can make a good place to start, including Magna Marbella, La Dama de Noche and El Higueral. Alternatively, you can try an easier 18-hole course. The Atalaya New Course, Miraflores, Cabopino and Monte Mayor are considered to be relatively easy courses in this area.
Read our recommendations and reviews of the top 10 Marbella golf courses.
Plan the time spent off the golf course
Golf is a demanding sport and is tiring for the body and the mind, so to make it an enjoyable holiday, you need to mix golf in with other activities.
Look for an area with a good restaurant and bar scene, so you know you’ll enjoy the evenings to the full. Then research into what else there is to do nearby, and plan a few activities, like visiting a city, going to an art gallery, soothing aching muscles in a spa, or perhaps visiting a vineyard. This helps you to get to know the place you’re golfing, rather than just the golf courses and gives your body and mind a break!
Have a budget
Decide how much you’re willing to spend, and check out the prices of golf classes, driving ranges and of course green fees. Look at the price for accommodation and eating out as well and take all of those elements into account when choosing your destination.
You can book your green fees in Marbella through our website for the best rates.
Marbella, the best destination for golf beginners
The Costa del Sol is considered to be one of the top golf destinations in Europe and is known as the Costa del Golf. That’s because of the very high concentration of quality golf courses, in a small area – over 70 in total. Golfers love the great weather and the ease of travel from the UK and the rest of Europe, combined with the excellent restaurants and nightlife.
Marbella isn’t just a golf destination for pros! It’s a great place for beginners to learn, practice and enjoy the experience. Thanks to the large number of courses, there are many which are suitable for beginners, as well as academies and friendly golf classes and societies, which are really welcoming to visitors.
You’ll love the restaurants in Marbella too and there’s plenty to do when you’re not playing, including day trips, hiking, cultural and gastronomic experiences. You can also indulge in some retail therapy, in one of the golf shops, shopping malls, or designer boutiques. There’s no excuse to get bored when you’re not golfing!
If you’d like to organize a golf holiday for beginners on the Costa del Golf, Vacation Marbella are your perfect partners. We can sort out your holiday rental within easy access of the golf courses, organise your green fees and tee times, and advise you on the best teachers and clubs for beginners. As passionate golfers ourselves, we’re in the know and would be delighted to help you make the very most out of your Marbella golf holiday. Contact us for information, or browse our holiday rentals.
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[post_content] => 2025 started strong in terms of golf tournaments in Marbella!
The first big golf tournament of the year was the Marbella Legends, at Aloha Golf Club, which took place between the 14th and 16th of February. Featuring some of the biggest names in the senior tour, it shone the spotlight on Marbella as a top golfing destination.
Also in February, Villa Padierna’s Flamingos Golf Course hosted the World Junior Golf Championship. With over 250 top junior players travelling in from 36 countries, it was a real celebration of young talent.
But if you missed those, worry not! There are plenty more golf tournaments on the calendar to enjoy.
Marbella Tournaments You Can Participate In
Why not pit your wits against other players during your next golf vacation, by signing up to play in a tournament. There are golf societies which organize events and tournaments, plus golf courses also host their own, which non-members can usually join.
Here are some of the tournaments and golf events you can participate in.
This company organizes weekly golf events which move across different golf courses on the Costa del Golf. They are a great way to play, meet fellow golfers, and try different courses.
The Marbella golf course they play at include El Higueral, Cabopino and Los Arqueros and they follow an individual Stableford format. They have events booked in every Friday until the end of April 2025.
This society hosts monthly golf events in some of the best courses on the Costa del Sol. You can see the calendar for the whole of 2025 on their website. Contact them to find out more about participating.
This is another great Marbella golf course, with regular tournaments every month. There’s the Spring Scramble on March 7th, following a Texas scramble format and lunch at the club house and prize giving. Later in the year there’s the President’s Cup in May and a charity tournament on June 28th
While not in Marbella, Finca Cortesin is considered to be one of the best golf courses in Spain and they have a few events per year which are open to all. These are; The Pairs Tournament in July, Finca Cortesin Tournament and the Father & Son Tournament in August, and the Finca Cortesin Winter event in December.
Liv Golf Andalucia
If you’d rather watch golf, then you need to come to the Costa del Sol in July for Liv Golf Andalucia. This will be played at the legendary Valderrama Golf Club in Sotogrande from the 11th to 13th of July. It features some of the best players and biggest personalities in the game, in a unique team format. The mission is to “provide non-stop, supercharged, world-class entertainment”.
You can easily combine a holiday in Marbella, with seeing this tournament, as Sotogrande is under 30 minutes by car from Marbella.
Where to stay for a golf holiday?
Great question! There are a few options to consider, depending on the size of your group, what you want to do and where you want to play. A frontline golf villa can be a really nice option for small groups, who want to be within walking distance of a course and a clubhouse.
A holiday rental in Nueva Andalucia is another great option. There are apartments and villas, within really easy reach of five great golf courses. This area works well if you want to go out in the evening as well, as there are some excellent restaurants and bars in Nueva Andalucia itself, plus it’s a very short taxi ride, or even a walk down into Puerto Banus.
If you’re planning to visit courses that are stretched out along the coast, then a central holiday rental in Marbella Old Town, within walking distance of lots of great restaurants, bars and shops could also be an excellent option.
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