Christmas in Marbella 2024: Your guide to activities and events
Do you want to spend Christmas in Marbella? In this guide we’re sharing all the best activities, things to do and the Spanish traditions that you should know about.
Array
(
[category] => 336
[latestCategoryPosts] => Array
(
[0] => WP_Post Object
(
[ID] => 434374
[post_author] => 1
[post_date] => 2025-05-29 10:23:48
[post_date_gmt] => 2025-05-29 08:23:48
[post_content] => We love golf in Europe! Thanks to great transport routes and thousands of excellent courses in a relatively small area, it’s a great area to look at for your next golf trip.
Your biggest task will be to choose from all the great options out there. So, in this article, we’re running down a few European Golf Destinations to consider.
Why book a golf vacation in Europe?
Europe has nearly 9000 golf courses, and it offers a wonderful variety of climates, landscapes and of course food and culture to enjoy off the fairways. There are some wonderful golf holiday destinations, which also have a great tourism scene, so heading off for a golf trip in Europe can offer something for the golfers and non-golfers in the party.
The 5 best golf destinations in Europe:
The top golf destinations by number of courses are England, Germany, France, Sweden, Scotland, Spain, Ireland, Denmark and the Netherlands. But for our list of European Golf Destinations, we’ve looked at the destinations that we think offer the best choice for a holiday! Our picks combine great golf courses, with fantastic weather and/or culture and heritage, so you won’t simply return with a lower handicap, but having had an unforgettable experience all round.
Read on to find out more.
Algarve, Portugal
Portugal boasts 113 golf courses, in total, with some highly regarded historic courses near Lisbon, on the western coast of Portugal and to the North of the country. But the heart of golf in Portugal has to be the Algarve, in the South of the country. Quinta do Lago in the Algarve is considered one of the world’s best golf resorts, and has won awards and plaudits aplenty. It has three championship golf courses to try, and is very easy to reach, being just 20 minutes away from Faro airport. Away from the fairways, the Algarve is a lovely holiday destination, with beautiful beaches, great food and wine, an interesting culture and vibrant towns, with excellent nightlife. You can visit beautiful old towns like Tavira with its wetlands, party in Albufeira, or take a ferry to some of the stunning white sand islands off the coast just off Olhão. Try the slightly sparkling vinho verde, sample the spectacular fish and seafood and have a tipple of Port wine too, following a day on the fairways and you’ll have an amazing experience.
Costa del Sol, Spain
Southern Spain’s Costa del Sol is a holiday hotspot for so many reasons, one of which is golf! Golfers flock to try over 70 golf courses which can be found between Malaga and Sotogrande and follow in the footsteps of the greatest players of all time. Known as the Costa del Golf, it’s been a favourite European Golf Destination since the 1960s and legendary golf course designers and architects have left their mark.
You can play on some of Europe’s best courses, including Valderrama, Finca Cortesin, Marbella Golf and Country Club and the Sotogrande Golf Club, which are all less than 1 hours’ drive away from each other. You can also base yourself in Nueva Andalucia and be within 15 minutes’ drive of 20 amazing courses.
But we’ve picked it as one of the top European Golf Destinations because of everything else that it has going for it. Malaga’s international airport makes it really easy to travel to from all over the world and because it’s a massively popular summer destination for tourists, there’s loads of quality hotels and holiday villas to choose from. The beaches are beautiful, the climate is perfect, and the landscape is really picturesque. Foodies will be in heaven - the Spanish tapas culture and great wine are a treat. You must try the delicious ham, cheese and seafood and for something even more special, why not push the boat out in one of the five Michelin starred restaurants. You can also enjoy a flamenco performance, or time your visit with one of the vibrant “Ferias” for which Andalucia is justly famous.
South of France
France has the third highest number of golf courses in Europe, with 815 in total. There are courses dotted across the country, but in terms of a golf holiday destination, we’d suggest the South of France. The areas of Provence and the French Riviera are rightly famous for their beauty, charm and wonderful weather, and they are the home to some excellent golf courses too. In Provence, Terre Blanche, close to Nice and Cannes is considered one of the world’s best luxury golf resorts. Taulane, Cannes Mougins, Saint-Donat and Grasse are picturesque, charming and challenging – what a great combination! The food and wine in France are legendary, and so you can combine playing golf with visiting vineyards, sampling local cheeses and visiting chateaux and artisan markets in pretty villages. The coastal towns and cities are historic and stunning too, with plenty of “je ne sais quai” and “joie de vivre” – all of which makes a golf holiday in the South of France a great option.
Italy
Italy is in 10th place in the countries in Europe with the most golf courses, with a total of 308. You can find golf courses throughout the country, so can combine a round or two with anywhere you’d like to visit. However, the largest concentration is in the North of the country.
2022 saw the Ryder Cup be held in Italy and since then the country has really started to push itself as a great golf destination in Europe. The courses are diverse and set in beautiful landscapes, with some really exclusive options available. You can combine a round of golf with a visit to a historic and stunning city such as Rome, or visit a beautiful golf resort and enjoy beautiful countryside, food and wine in Tuscany. You can even play golf and visit the canals of Venice! A golf break in Italy is perfect for lovers of great food, excellent wine, art, architecture and culture.
Ireland
Golf Digest’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses names the Royal County Down Gold Club in Northern Ireland as the number 1 course in the world, Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland as number 4 and Ballybunion in Kerry at number 10. This little country punches well above its weight and size with its golf offering! It has 357 courses in total, has a third of the world’s natural links courses and has given us some of the best players of recent years. It has been named International Golf Destination of the Year several times thanks to these great courses, its natural beauty, vibrant cities and welcoming, friendly people. While we can’t promise sunny skies, you’ll get a warm welcome and be able to enjoy great pubs, bracing walks and traditional music and dancing.
Wherever you choose for your European golf travels, you’re sure to have a wonderful time. So where’s next on your list?
[post_title] => Europe’s Best Golf Destinations
[post_excerpt] =>
[post_status] => publish
[comment_status] => open
[ping_status] => open
[post_password] =>
[post_name] => european-golf-destinations
[to_ping] =>
[pinged] =>
[post_modified] => 2025-05-29 10:23:48
[post_modified_gmt] => 2025-05-29 08:23:48
[post_content_filtered] =>
[post_parent] => 0
[guid] => https://vacationmarbella.com/inspiration//
[menu_order] => 1
[post_type] => post
[post_mime_type] =>
[comment_count] => 0
[filter] => raw
)
[1] => WP_Post Object
(
[ID] => 433753
[post_author] => 1
[post_date] => 2025-05-14 11:55:44
[post_date_gmt] => 2025-05-14 09:55:44
[post_content] => Golf is a really popular sport, which has been growing rapidly since 2020. According toGolf Monthly, there are around 68 million golfers playing worldwide in 2023, across 146 countries. There has also been a 15% rise in participation since 2020 and the numbers are expected to rise.These passionate golfers love to play at home, but also want to take their favourite game abroad and pit their skills against some of the world’s best courses. In 2023, in the US alone, over 12 million golfers went on a golf holiday and golf tourism is big business. Golf tourism is expected to hit 27 billion dollars in revenue this year, and exceed a 65 billion US dollars by 2035, fuelled by a continued demand for luxury golf experiences.Will you join the millions of golfers hitting the road for a golf holiday in 2025?If you’re considering it, here are our favourite golf destinations to add to the list.
1. Marbella, Spain
You won’t be surprised to hear that Marbella is on the top of our list! We’re keen golfers at Vacation Marbella and have personally tried the majority of the 70golf courses on the Costa del Sol. We can tell you first hand that the range and quality of these courses, as well as the proximity and ease of travelling between them, makes this area hard to beat. On top of the courses, the weather makes Marbella a very popular place to practice golf under sunny skies, and combine a round or two, with topping up your tan.A large golf industry has sprung up around this high density of golf courses. This means that you can takegolf classes in Marbella, with some top golf pros, and improve your game during your next golf holiday. You can also visitgolf shops and pick up some new gear, as a memento of your trip.Marbella is a fantastic holiday destination all year round, but still best known as a summer holiday destination. Thegolf season in Marbella is in the traditional off-peak season of spring and autumn. This means that the flights and accommodation prices are lower than during the summer months. But as a tourist hot spot, you still get all the amazing restaurants, bars, shops, tours and experiences to enjoy when you’re not on the golf course – with less people to share it with!! It’s a win-win.Find out more about theCosta del Golf and all it has to offer on our website, or contact us to arrange avacation rental in Marbella, which makes the perfect base for your next golf holiday.
2. Scotland
Scotland is known as the home of golf, and has the world’s oldest golf course, the aptly named Old Course in St Andrews, which has been in use for over 600 years. Scotland has the highest number of courses per head of population in the world, more than 550 golf courses in total. Many of the world’s best tournaments are played in Scotland as well, so you can combine playing with watching golf. Find out more aboutgolf in Scotland.In addition to the golf, the city of Edinburgh is a beautiful destination, and a comedy hot spot in August during its famous festival. The Scottish countryside is another big draw for visiting Scotland for a golf holiday.The big downside to Scotland is the weather, which is often rainy and cold. So, a golf holiday to Scotland is for the hardy golfer!
3. France
France has a long history of golf, and boasts the first golf course in Europe, which opened in 1856. There are over 600 courses in France and the nation is passionate about the game, with more than 400,000 members of golf courses in the country.The countryside is beautiful, and varied, with a great range of courses adapting to the stunning landscape and you can follow in the footsteps of some of the world’s best golfers by playing the Le Golf National's L'Albatros course, which hosted the 2018 Ryder Cup.A golf holiday in France is often combined with visiting the wine makers and enjoying the amazing French food, so it’s a good option if you like your food and wine, as well as your golf.
4. Florida
There’s more to Florida than Disney! It has over 1,200 courses and has been called the Golf Capital of the World. Some of the most famous courses in the world are found in Florida, and its home to The Players Championship, PGA Tour and Champions Tour. The warm climate is a big draw as well, with great conditions all year, and you can combine golf with visiting the beach and theme parks too.
5. Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland boasts over 90 golf courses and punches well above its weight when it comes to quality. Golf Digest’s World’s 100 Greatest Courses ranking names Royal County Down in Northern Ireland as the best course in the world and has four courses in the country in its top 100. Royal Portrush will be hosting The Open championship between the 13th and the 20th of July 2025, really shining a light on the great golf courses in Northern Ireland and seeing thousands of fans flocking to watch the best golfers in action. Find out more aboutgolf in Northern Ireland.
6. England
England is fourth in the world for number of courses, with 2,270, according to Golf Monthly. It’s a good destination for a golf holiday because of the variety of landscapes, which give rise to a great mix of courses. In England you can play on links, heathland and parkland courses, including some of the best in the world.Golf Digest names Sunningdale Golf Club in Berkshire as the best course in England, followed by Royal Birkdale in Merseyside and Royal St. George’s in Kent in third place, which has been an Open Championship venue since 1894.Of course, as well as golf, England boasts a wide range of historical and architectural places of interest, plus vibrant multicultural cities and an amazing theatre and arts scene. Despite the weather, this makes it a great destination for a golf holiday.
7. Northern California
California is probably best known as the home of Hollywood and the vibrant cities of LA and San Francisco, or perhaps for the natural delights of Yosemite National Park, but it’s also a fantastic place to visit on a golf holiday. Golf has been a feature of this part of the US since 1892 and has some amazing courses from the Golden Age of golf. It boasts over 900 golf courses in total, only beaten by Florida and New York in terms of numbers. Probably the best known is Pebble Beach, as the home of the US Open on six occasions, due to return there in 2027. It’s expected to increase in importance for golf breaks in the future, thanks to its excellent climate and wonderful landscape, amazing infrastructure and other things to visit.We hope you enjoyed our run down of the 7 best golf destinations in 2025. Have an amazing golf holiday!If Marbella is at the top of your list, you can trust in the golf holiday experts from Vacation Marbella.Contact us and we’ll help you find the best accommodation and support you with everything from Green Fees to recommendations on where to go and what to do, to ensure you have the best time.
[post_title] => The 7 best golf trips to take in 2025
[post_excerpt] =>
[post_status] => publish
[comment_status] => open
[ping_status] => open
[post_password] =>
[post_name] => the-7-best-golf-trips-to-take-in-2025
[to_ping] =>
[pinged] =>
[post_modified] => 2025-05-14 11:57:41
[post_modified_gmt] => 2025-05-14 09:57:41
[post_content_filtered] =>
[post_parent] => 0
[guid] => https://vacationmarbella.com/inspiration//
[menu_order] => 6
[post_type] => post
[post_mime_type] =>
[comment_count] => 0
[filter] => raw
)
[2] => WP_Post Object
(
[ID] => 433730
[post_author] => 1
[post_date] => 2025-05-14 10:27:48
[post_date_gmt] => 2025-05-14 08:27:48
[post_content] => Spain has a love affair with golf and has 486 golf courses in total! This puts it in sixth place in the world. So, there’s no wonder that one of the oldest golf tournaments is the Spanish Open Golf, which has been played since 1912. This has been an amazing event to showcase the talent of Spanish golfers, with homegrown talent winning 39 of the 96 titles.
This year it’s taking place in Madrid in October, just over 2 hours by train from Malaga. This makes it a great option for a golf holiday in Spain!
October is one of the best times to play golf in Andalucia, with blue skies, plenty of sunshine, but cooler temperatures, which make your round more comfortable. Imagine playing on some of the best golf courses in Marbella, visiting the wonderful city of Malaga and then zipping up to the nations capital to watch the world’s best golfers in action.
Here’s what you need to know to plan your visit.
ACCIONA Open de España presented by Madrid 2025
This year, the Spanish Open is taking place from the 9th to the 12th of October.
The best of the best will be flying into Madrid for three days of amazing golf action and you could be there too.
Tickets are not on sale yet, but you can register your interest to be the first to hear about tickets and packages.
Where is the Spanish Golf Open played?
Once again, the Villa de Madrid Country Club is hosting this year’s Spanish Open, as it has for the last five years.
The course was designed by Javier de Arana and opened in 1956. It is a par-71, 6,970-yard Black course, which tests the players off the tee and requires the very best driving accuracy. The greens are challenging and on the back nine the putting surface is more difficult, which could set up a dramatic finish if plenty of players are in with a shot at the title.
In addition to golf, you’ll find horse riding, tennis, padel, hockey, swimming pools, a gym and sauna at this great club.
What is the format of the tournament?
The format of the Open de Espana is a standard strokeplay event played over 72 holes with a cut after 36 holes (two rounds). The player with the lowest score over four rounds will win the tournament.
Players for this year will be announced on the European Tour website.
Last year it was won by Ángel Hidalgo – who will take the title in 2025?
Spanish Open Golf: History
The Spanish Open has a long history of exciting events, and is a favourite with some of the world’s best golfers. It started in 1912, and became part of the PGA European Tour in 1971 and it is actually the third oldest golf tournament in Europe.
It saw Sergio Garcia’s entry to professional golf, and the last win of the golf legend Seve Ballesteros.
Last year’s event saw an all-Spanish play-off, with Angel Hidalgo and Jon Rahm fighting it out for the win. Hidalgo took the victory and it was particularly special, as it was his first DP World Tour title.
Jon Rahm has won an impressive three times at the Spanish Open, Angel De La Torre won it five times and Mariano Provencio won it four times. Other winners include; Arnold Palmer, Severiano Ballesteros, Sergio García, Bernhard Langer and Nick Faldo.
Find out more about the history of the Spanish Golf Open.
Who will be next to lift the trophy?
Other golf tournaments in Spain
You can play in golf tournaments in Marbella throughout the year, if you want to see how your skills stack up to the rest.
There are also loads of great tournaments to watch this year on the Costa del Golf.
Liv Golf is coming to Andalucia once again in July, with three days of action taking place at Valderrama between the 11th and 13th of July.
You can also watch the Final of the Professional Andalucian Golf Circuit in August, in Alhaurin de la Torre on the 11th and 12th of August.
Check out our full list of golf tournaments in Andalucia and come and join the fun!
[post_title] => Spanish Open Golf: The 2025 event and its history
[post_excerpt] =>
[post_status] => publish
[comment_status] => open
[ping_status] => open
[post_password] =>
[post_name] => open-golf-spain
[to_ping] =>
[pinged] =>
[post_modified] => 2025-05-14 10:27:48
[post_modified_gmt] => 2025-05-14 08:27:48
[post_content_filtered] =>
[post_parent] => 0
[guid] => https://vacationmarbella.com/inspiration//
[menu_order] => 9
[post_type] => post
[post_mime_type] =>
[comment_count] => 0
[filter] => raw
)
)
)
Christmas in Marbella 2024: Your guide to activities and events
The countdown is on to Christmas and if you’re planning a Christmas getaway, you still have time to come and join the celebrations in Marbella. The lights have been switched on across the Costa del Sol, and the packed Christmas programmes have been released, and we’re all getting very excited. It’s a wonderful time of year to visit, and we hope that this guide will help you make the most of your Christmas holiday in Marbella.
Why visit Marbella at Christmas?
Winter is a great season to visit Marbella full stop, with mild temperatures, blue skies and sunshine and lots going on. But when December begins, it ramps up to the next level!
Marbella is beautiful at Christmas! As a Catholic country, the Spanish really love this season, and as Marbella is such an international destination, the cultures of its many residents blend to create magic. You’ll love the streets of the Old Town decorated in pretty lights, the Christmas markets and events, the parades and parties. From the end of November to the 6th of January the fun never stops!
But it’s not just Marbella…There’s lots going on at Christmas across the Costa del Sol, with activities in Malaga, Torremolinos, Fuengirola, Estepona and in all the pretty white villages too. Read our guide to Christmas on the Costa del Sol
Celebrating Christmas in Marbella in 2024
Christmas 2024 began in earnest in Marbella at the end of November, with the switch on of the lights and the presentation of the Christmas programme. We have a very busy month ahead, with lots of activities, events and Christmas spirit and we can’t wait. Here are the highlights that you can’t miss if you’re in Marbella for Christmas this year.
Christmas Events
Santa Arrives – On the 12th of December, there’s a parade to welcome Santa to Marbella and mark the opening of his grotto in the Plaza de la Alameda. It starts in the Santo Cristo square at 17.00 and winds around the streets of the Old Town, bringing festive fun and laughter for all the kids. The parade will feature lots of well-known and loved characters and of course Santa himself and there will be a kids show in the Paseo de la Alameda. His grotto will then be open every day between the 13th and 24th of December.
Christmas Eve – The 24th of December is Noche Buena, and the biggest day of the celebration for Spanish families. They tend to gather en masse for a wonderful dinner, which often features fish and seafood, platters of delicious cured meats and cheeses, and of course the famous Iberian ham, which you will see a leg or shoulder for carving at most Spanish houses this time of year. Expect the cava and Spanish wine to be flowing!
Christmas Day – As the most diverse town in Andalucia, with 153 nationalities living in Marbella, there’s no need to worry that there won’t be celebrations taking place on Christmas Day itself. The many international restaurants host Christmas lunches, dinners and events, with a host of different cuisines to try. Thanks to the strong British community, you’ll be able to find plenty of places serving up the traditional turkey and all the trimmings, singing carols, and pulling crackers. But that’s far from the only option, you really are spoilt for choice and can celebrate Christmas your way in Marbella.
New Year’s Eve – The Spanish really know how to party and there are New Year’s Eve parties in bars, restaurants and clubs. There are also parties organized by the Town Hall, with live music and DJs, which are usually free to attend. However, everything starts a lot later than in the UK, as people will often eat with the family and then head out to party around 11pm, with the celebrations lasting for many hours into New Year’s Day. In Marbella, the party starts at 11pm in the Represa Park, behind the Old Town and features a performance from, Los Calvin, as well as DJs.
The Arrival of the Three Kings – The fun doesn’t stop on New Year’s Day here in Spain! The big day is still on the horizon. The kids wait patiently for the arrival of the Three Kings, who bring their presents on the night of the 5th of January. On the 4th of January, the kings arrive in style by boat and have a little parade around the town to the main church, where they are presented with the keys to the city and able to prepare for the big day.
On the 5th of January, they are welcomed with a parade through the streets, with floats, bands, DJs, big mascots and fun designs featuring kids’ favorite characters. Families line the streets waiting for it to begin, ready with a bag or two, to catch the many sweets that rain down on them from the floats. It’s a mad scramble, but a really fun occasion for young and old.
The 6th of January is a family day, with the children opening their presents, enjoying a meal with the family and often taking a stroll.
Christmas Restaurants
There are Christmas meals available in almost every restaurant on the Costa del Sol. You can have a seafood feast on the beach, or a gala dinner at a fancy hotel such as the Kempinksi in Estepona, or the Marbella Club. Here are two really festive and fun restaurants that are very famous for their Christmas dinner in Marbella.
The Harbour Marbella overlooks the Marbella port, and goes all out on their Christmas decorations. They create a veritable grotto and run festive events throughout December, including visits from Santa and Disney characters. They offer a festive lunch menu for under 40€ per head from the 30th of November to the 31st of December, but not available on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. They also have a festive dinner menu for under 50€, throughout the festive period. Highly recommended!
La Sala Banus is a firm favorite throughout the year, but is beautiful at Christmas, with delicious food and live entertainment. There are special events with live music on the 18th and the 28th of December, and a great Christmas party menu for groups of 6 and over for very reasonable prices (29€ lunch and 39€ dinner). A local choir will sing carols on the 21st, 22nd and 24th. They are holding a big party on Christmas Day itself with live music throughout the day and into the evening for 120€ per person. The group also has Oak and The Clubhouse, offering Christmas menus and events and you can download their Christmas brochure for all the details.
Christmas Markets
There are a number of Christmas markets in Marbella throughout December. The two main ones for 2024 are in the Alameda Park in the center of Marbella and the market at the Hotel Don Pepe Gran Meliá, which are both open for the whole month.
If you’re here earlier in the month, we’d recommend the beautiful market in the La Virginia area of town on the 8th of December, which is really magical. There’s also a charity Christmas Market in the Palacio de Congresos from the 12th to the 15th of December.
Recommended Christmas Activities in Marbella in 2024
Tour the Nativity Scenes – There are 16 nativity scenes dotted around Marbella throughout December and there is a route you can follow to visit them all. It’s a unique way to explore Marbella, and visit some of the churches, chapels and squares, as well as see the pretty winding streets decked with wonderful lights.
See the light and sound show in Orange Square – Marbella Old Town’s central square is stunning at Christmas and they are following in Malaga’s footsteps, by putting on a spectacular light and sound show every day. You can see it at 18.30, 19.30 and 20.00 and grab a drink in one of the bars, or have a bite to eat while you’re there.
Enjoy a Christmas Concert in the Señora de la Encarnación Church in the Old Town – It’s a stunning building, and they are holding regular concerts during the festive period, including the 10th of December at 20.30, the 15th of December at 17.00, the 16th of December at 19.30 and the 19th of December at 19.30.
Stroll down the paseo – Any time of year it’s a pleasure to stroll down the beachfront promenade, and stop in to one of the bars or restaurants for a drink, and they are all beautifully decorated for Christmas. It’s a great way to walk off those festive feasts!
Spanish Christmas Traditions
To feel like a local at Christmas you need to take part in these festive traditions –
Play the lottery – One of the big Christmas traditions is “El Gordo” or “The Big One”, the largest lottery of the year and in fact one of the largest worldwide. It is drawn on the 22nd of December and buying a decimo for €20 and then watching the draw on TV is a Christmas ritual.
Eat Christmas sweet treats – No Spanish Christmas would be complete without sampling polvorones (little crumbly biscuits), turron (nougat) and the roscon de reyes cake. Pop into a local bakery and ask what they recommend, or pick up a selection from any supermarket or shop.
See the Christmas lights – A visit to Marbella town center and the Old Town to marvel at the decorations is a must. Many also take a trip to Malaga, for their legendary light and sound displays and to enjoy the city looking at its best.
Go to a Zambomba – These traditional Christmas parties feature music and dancing, with Spanish Christmas songs and a flamenco vibe, which makes them unique.
Carve ham – Most Spanish households will have a leg or a shoulder of the delicious Spanish ham in their kitchen over the Christmas period. Carving the ham and sharing with friends and family is a very delicious ritual.
Eat 12 grapes at midnight on New Year’s Eve – You need to eat one per chime of the bell for good luck.
Welcome the Three Kings on the night of the 5th of January by attending the parades and collecting as many sweets as you can
We hope that this guide has inspired you to spend Christmas in Marbella. Vacation Marbella has a wonderful selection of beautiful holiday rentals which make the perfect base for a Christmas getaway. We’d recommend browsing our lovely vacation rentals in Marbella Old Town, which is the most festive place to be. Please also contact us with your requirements and we will send you some recommendations.
Array
(
[0] => WP_Post Object
(
[ID] => 434374
[post_author] => 1
[post_date] => 2025-05-29 10:23:48
[post_date_gmt] => 2025-05-29 08:23:48
[post_content] => We love golf in Europe! Thanks to great transport routes and thousands of excellent courses in a relatively small area, it’s a great area to look at for your next golf trip.
Your biggest task will be to choose from all the great options out there. So, in this article, we’re running down a few European Golf Destinations to consider.
Why book a golf vacation in Europe?
Europe has nearly 9000 golf courses, and it offers a wonderful variety of climates, landscapes and of course food and culture to enjoy off the fairways. There are some wonderful golf holiday destinations, which also have a great tourism scene, so heading off for a golf trip in Europe can offer something for the golfers and non-golfers in the party.
The 5 best golf destinations in Europe:
The top golf destinations by number of courses are England, Germany, France, Sweden, Scotland, Spain, Ireland, Denmark and the Netherlands. But for our list of European Golf Destinations, we’ve looked at the destinations that we think offer the best choice for a holiday! Our picks combine great golf courses, with fantastic weather and/or culture and heritage, so you won’t simply return with a lower handicap, but having had an unforgettable experience all round.
Read on to find out more.
Algarve, Portugal
Portugal boasts 113 golf courses, in total, with some highly regarded historic courses near Lisbon, on the western coast of Portugal and to the North of the country. But the heart of golf in Portugal has to be the Algarve, in the South of the country. Quinta do Lago in the Algarve is considered one of the world’s best golf resorts, and has won awards and plaudits aplenty. It has three championship golf courses to try, and is very easy to reach, being just 20 minutes away from Faro airport. Away from the fairways, the Algarve is a lovely holiday destination, with beautiful beaches, great food and wine, an interesting culture and vibrant towns, with excellent nightlife. You can visit beautiful old towns like Tavira with its wetlands, party in Albufeira, or take a ferry to some of the stunning white sand islands off the coast just off Olhão. Try the slightly sparkling vinho verde, sample the spectacular fish and seafood and have a tipple of Port wine too, following a day on the fairways and you’ll have an amazing experience.
Costa del Sol, Spain
Southern Spain’s Costa del Sol is a holiday hotspot for so many reasons, one of which is golf! Golfers flock to try over 70 golf courses which can be found between Malaga and Sotogrande and follow in the footsteps of the greatest players of all time. Known as the Costa del Golf, it’s been a favourite European Golf Destination since the 1960s and legendary golf course designers and architects have left their mark.
You can play on some of Europe’s best courses, including Valderrama, Finca Cortesin, Marbella Golf and Country Club and the Sotogrande Golf Club, which are all less than 1 hours’ drive away from each other. You can also base yourself in Nueva Andalucia and be within 15 minutes’ drive of 20 amazing courses.
But we’ve picked it as one of the top European Golf Destinations because of everything else that it has going for it. Malaga’s international airport makes it really easy to travel to from all over the world and because it’s a massively popular summer destination for tourists, there’s loads of quality hotels and holiday villas to choose from. The beaches are beautiful, the climate is perfect, and the landscape is really picturesque. Foodies will be in heaven - the Spanish tapas culture and great wine are a treat. You must try the delicious ham, cheese and seafood and for something even more special, why not push the boat out in one of the five Michelin starred restaurants. You can also enjoy a flamenco performance, or time your visit with one of the vibrant “Ferias” for which Andalucia is justly famous.
South of France
France has the third highest number of golf courses in Europe, with 815 in total. There are courses dotted across the country, but in terms of a golf holiday destination, we’d suggest the South of France. The areas of Provence and the French Riviera are rightly famous for their beauty, charm and wonderful weather, and they are the home to some excellent golf courses too. In Provence, Terre Blanche, close to Nice and Cannes is considered one of the world’s best luxury golf resorts. Taulane, Cannes Mougins, Saint-Donat and Grasse are picturesque, charming and challenging – what a great combination! The food and wine in France are legendary, and so you can combine playing golf with visiting vineyards, sampling local cheeses and visiting chateaux and artisan markets in pretty villages. The coastal towns and cities are historic and stunning too, with plenty of “je ne sais quai” and “joie de vivre” – all of which makes a golf holiday in the South of France a great option.
Italy
Italy is in 10th place in the countries in Europe with the most golf courses, with a total of 308. You can find golf courses throughout the country, so can combine a round or two with anywhere you’d like to visit. However, the largest concentration is in the North of the country.
2022 saw the Ryder Cup be held in Italy and since then the country has really started to push itself as a great golf destination in Europe. The courses are diverse and set in beautiful landscapes, with some really exclusive options available. You can combine a round of golf with a visit to a historic and stunning city such as Rome, or visit a beautiful golf resort and enjoy beautiful countryside, food and wine in Tuscany. You can even play golf and visit the canals of Venice! A golf break in Italy is perfect for lovers of great food, excellent wine, art, architecture and culture.
Ireland
Golf Digest’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses names the Royal County Down Gold Club in Northern Ireland as the number 1 course in the world, Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland as number 4 and Ballybunion in Kerry at number 10. This little country punches well above its weight and size with its golf offering! It has 357 courses in total, has a third of the world’s natural links courses and has given us some of the best players of recent years. It has been named International Golf Destination of the Year several times thanks to these great courses, its natural beauty, vibrant cities and welcoming, friendly people. While we can’t promise sunny skies, you’ll get a warm welcome and be able to enjoy great pubs, bracing walks and traditional music and dancing.
Wherever you choose for your European golf travels, you’re sure to have a wonderful time. So where’s next on your list?
[post_title] => Europe’s Best Golf Destinations
[post_excerpt] =>
[post_status] => publish
[comment_status] => open
[ping_status] => open
[post_password] =>
[post_name] => european-golf-destinations
[to_ping] =>
[pinged] =>
[post_modified] => 2025-05-29 10:23:48
[post_modified_gmt] => 2025-05-29 08:23:48
[post_content_filtered] =>
[post_parent] => 0
[guid] => https://vacationmarbella.com/inspiration//
[menu_order] => 1
[post_type] => post
[post_mime_type] =>
[comment_count] => 0
[filter] => raw
)
[1] => WP_Post Object
(
[ID] => 433753
[post_author] => 1
[post_date] => 2025-05-14 11:55:44
[post_date_gmt] => 2025-05-14 09:55:44
[post_content] => Golf is a really popular sport, which has been growing rapidly since 2020. According toGolf Monthly, there are around 68 million golfers playing worldwide in 2023, across 146 countries. There has also been a 15% rise in participation since 2020 and the numbers are expected to rise.These passionate golfers love to play at home, but also want to take their favourite game abroad and pit their skills against some of the world’s best courses. In 2023, in the US alone, over 12 million golfers went on a golf holiday and golf tourism is big business. Golf tourism is expected to hit 27 billion dollars in revenue this year, and exceed a 65 billion US dollars by 2035, fuelled by a continued demand for luxury golf experiences.Will you join the millions of golfers hitting the road for a golf holiday in 2025?If you’re considering it, here are our favourite golf destinations to add to the list.
1. Marbella, Spain
You won’t be surprised to hear that Marbella is on the top of our list! We’re keen golfers at Vacation Marbella and have personally tried the majority of the 70golf courses on the Costa del Sol. We can tell you first hand that the range and quality of these courses, as well as the proximity and ease of travelling between them, makes this area hard to beat. On top of the courses, the weather makes Marbella a very popular place to practice golf under sunny skies, and combine a round or two, with topping up your tan.A large golf industry has sprung up around this high density of golf courses. This means that you can takegolf classes in Marbella, with some top golf pros, and improve your game during your next golf holiday. You can also visitgolf shops and pick up some new gear, as a memento of your trip.Marbella is a fantastic holiday destination all year round, but still best known as a summer holiday destination. Thegolf season in Marbella is in the traditional off-peak season of spring and autumn. This means that the flights and accommodation prices are lower than during the summer months. But as a tourist hot spot, you still get all the amazing restaurants, bars, shops, tours and experiences to enjoy when you’re not on the golf course – with less people to share it with!! It’s a win-win.Find out more about theCosta del Golf and all it has to offer on our website, or contact us to arrange avacation rental in Marbella, which makes the perfect base for your next golf holiday.
2. Scotland
Scotland is known as the home of golf, and has the world’s oldest golf course, the aptly named Old Course in St Andrews, which has been in use for over 600 years. Scotland has the highest number of courses per head of population in the world, more than 550 golf courses in total. Many of the world’s best tournaments are played in Scotland as well, so you can combine playing with watching golf. Find out more aboutgolf in Scotland.In addition to the golf, the city of Edinburgh is a beautiful destination, and a comedy hot spot in August during its famous festival. The Scottish countryside is another big draw for visiting Scotland for a golf holiday.The big downside to Scotland is the weather, which is often rainy and cold. So, a golf holiday to Scotland is for the hardy golfer!
3. France
France has a long history of golf, and boasts the first golf course in Europe, which opened in 1856. There are over 600 courses in France and the nation is passionate about the game, with more than 400,000 members of golf courses in the country.The countryside is beautiful, and varied, with a great range of courses adapting to the stunning landscape and you can follow in the footsteps of some of the world’s best golfers by playing the Le Golf National's L'Albatros course, which hosted the 2018 Ryder Cup.A golf holiday in France is often combined with visiting the wine makers and enjoying the amazing French food, so it’s a good option if you like your food and wine, as well as your golf.
4. Florida
There’s more to Florida than Disney! It has over 1,200 courses and has been called the Golf Capital of the World. Some of the most famous courses in the world are found in Florida, and its home to The Players Championship, PGA Tour and Champions Tour. The warm climate is a big draw as well, with great conditions all year, and you can combine golf with visiting the beach and theme parks too.
5. Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland boasts over 90 golf courses and punches well above its weight when it comes to quality. Golf Digest’s World’s 100 Greatest Courses ranking names Royal County Down in Northern Ireland as the best course in the world and has four courses in the country in its top 100. Royal Portrush will be hosting The Open championship between the 13th and the 20th of July 2025, really shining a light on the great golf courses in Northern Ireland and seeing thousands of fans flocking to watch the best golfers in action. Find out more aboutgolf in Northern Ireland.
6. England
England is fourth in the world for number of courses, with 2,270, according to Golf Monthly. It’s a good destination for a golf holiday because of the variety of landscapes, which give rise to a great mix of courses. In England you can play on links, heathland and parkland courses, including some of the best in the world.Golf Digest names Sunningdale Golf Club in Berkshire as the best course in England, followed by Royal Birkdale in Merseyside and Royal St. George’s in Kent in third place, which has been an Open Championship venue since 1894.Of course, as well as golf, England boasts a wide range of historical and architectural places of interest, plus vibrant multicultural cities and an amazing theatre and arts scene. Despite the weather, this makes it a great destination for a golf holiday.
7. Northern California
California is probably best known as the home of Hollywood and the vibrant cities of LA and San Francisco, or perhaps for the natural delights of Yosemite National Park, but it’s also a fantastic place to visit on a golf holiday. Golf has been a feature of this part of the US since 1892 and has some amazing courses from the Golden Age of golf. It boasts over 900 golf courses in total, only beaten by Florida and New York in terms of numbers. Probably the best known is Pebble Beach, as the home of the US Open on six occasions, due to return there in 2027. It’s expected to increase in importance for golf breaks in the future, thanks to its excellent climate and wonderful landscape, amazing infrastructure and other things to visit.We hope you enjoyed our run down of the 7 best golf destinations in 2025. Have an amazing golf holiday!If Marbella is at the top of your list, you can trust in the golf holiday experts from Vacation Marbella.Contact us and we’ll help you find the best accommodation and support you with everything from Green Fees to recommendations on where to go and what to do, to ensure you have the best time.
[post_title] => The 7 best golf trips to take in 2025
[post_excerpt] =>
[post_status] => publish
[comment_status] => open
[ping_status] => open
[post_password] =>
[post_name] => the-7-best-golf-trips-to-take-in-2025
[to_ping] =>
[pinged] =>
[post_modified] => 2025-05-14 11:57:41
[post_modified_gmt] => 2025-05-14 09:57:41
[post_content_filtered] =>
[post_parent] => 0
[guid] => https://vacationmarbella.com/inspiration//
[menu_order] => 6
[post_type] => post
[post_mime_type] =>
[comment_count] => 0
[filter] => raw
)
[2] => WP_Post Object
(
[ID] => 433730
[post_author] => 1
[post_date] => 2025-05-14 10:27:48
[post_date_gmt] => 2025-05-14 08:27:48
[post_content] => Spain has a love affair with golf and has 486 golf courses in total! This puts it in sixth place in the world. So, there’s no wonder that one of the oldest golf tournaments is the Spanish Open Golf, which has been played since 1912. This has been an amazing event to showcase the talent of Spanish golfers, with homegrown talent winning 39 of the 96 titles.
This year it’s taking place in Madrid in October, just over 2 hours by train from Malaga. This makes it a great option for a golf holiday in Spain!
October is one of the best times to play golf in Andalucia, with blue skies, plenty of sunshine, but cooler temperatures, which make your round more comfortable. Imagine playing on some of the best golf courses in Marbella, visiting the wonderful city of Malaga and then zipping up to the nations capital to watch the world’s best golfers in action.
Here’s what you need to know to plan your visit.
ACCIONA Open de España presented by Madrid 2025
This year, the Spanish Open is taking place from the 9th to the 12th of October.
The best of the best will be flying into Madrid for three days of amazing golf action and you could be there too.
Tickets are not on sale yet, but you can register your interest to be the first to hear about tickets and packages.
Where is the Spanish Golf Open played?
Once again, the Villa de Madrid Country Club is hosting this year’s Spanish Open, as it has for the last five years.
The course was designed by Javier de Arana and opened in 1956. It is a par-71, 6,970-yard Black course, which tests the players off the tee and requires the very best driving accuracy. The greens are challenging and on the back nine the putting surface is more difficult, which could set up a dramatic finish if plenty of players are in with a shot at the title.
In addition to golf, you’ll find horse riding, tennis, padel, hockey, swimming pools, a gym and sauna at this great club.
What is the format of the tournament?
The format of the Open de Espana is a standard strokeplay event played over 72 holes with a cut after 36 holes (two rounds). The player with the lowest score over four rounds will win the tournament.
Players for this year will be announced on the European Tour website.
Last year it was won by Ángel Hidalgo – who will take the title in 2025?
Spanish Open Golf: History
The Spanish Open has a long history of exciting events, and is a favourite with some of the world’s best golfers. It started in 1912, and became part of the PGA European Tour in 1971 and it is actually the third oldest golf tournament in Europe.
It saw Sergio Garcia’s entry to professional golf, and the last win of the golf legend Seve Ballesteros.
Last year’s event saw an all-Spanish play-off, with Angel Hidalgo and Jon Rahm fighting it out for the win. Hidalgo took the victory and it was particularly special, as it was his first DP World Tour title.
Jon Rahm has won an impressive three times at the Spanish Open, Angel De La Torre won it five times and Mariano Provencio won it four times. Other winners include; Arnold Palmer, Severiano Ballesteros, Sergio García, Bernhard Langer and Nick Faldo.
Find out more about the history of the Spanish Golf Open.
Who will be next to lift the trophy?
Other golf tournaments in Spain
You can play in golf tournaments in Marbella throughout the year, if you want to see how your skills stack up to the rest.
There are also loads of great tournaments to watch this year on the Costa del Golf.
Liv Golf is coming to Andalucia once again in July, with three days of action taking place at Valderrama between the 11th and 13th of July.
You can also watch the Final of the Professional Andalucian Golf Circuit in August, in Alhaurin de la Torre on the 11th and 12th of August.
Check out our full list of golf tournaments in Andalucia and come and join the fun!
[post_title] => Spanish Open Golf: The 2025 event and its history
[post_excerpt] =>
[post_status] => publish
[comment_status] => open
[ping_status] => open
[post_password] =>
[post_name] => open-golf-spain
[to_ping] =>
[pinged] =>
[post_modified] => 2025-05-14 10:27:48
[post_modified_gmt] => 2025-05-14 08:27:48
[post_content_filtered] =>
[post_parent] => 0
[guid] => https://vacationmarbella.com/inspiration//
[menu_order] => 9
[post_type] => post
[post_mime_type] =>
[comment_count] => 0
[filter] => raw
)
)
DO YOU ENJOY READING THIS BLOG?
SHARE ON THE SOCIAL MEDIA
From Vacation Marbella wants that everyone knows the benefit about staying in Marbella. There are a plenty of activities that you can do
with your family, friends or even with you pet. Share the information with everyone and who knows, maybe could join your plans!
