San Juan Night in Marbella

San Juan takes place on the night of the 23rd of June. It is a very special festival, which celebrates the shortest night of the year and the summer solstice. Pagan in origins and shrouded in magic and mysticism, this is a wonderful time to be in Marbella. There are celebrations on the beaches along the Costa del Sol, with bonfires burning brightly long into the night and friends and families getting together to party. This is definitely not an event to miss if you’re holidaying in Marbella at the end of June.

Here’s our essential guide to enjoying San Juan in Marbella to the full.

What is San Juan Night? Origin and history

Celebrations and rituals on the summer solstice date back to ancient history and with the strong influences of the Phoenicians and Romans in Spain, these celebrations will have been taking place for thousands of years. However, it became San Juan, when the Catholic Church adopted this and many other pagan celebrations and said it was to celebrate the birth of the Saint John the Baptist. However, there are few signs to connect this celebration with John the Baptist and the church and many more pagan, mystical traditions are attached to it.

What are “moragas”?

San Juan is all about fire, and “moragas” play a big part in the celebrations in many places. They are open fires, over which fish is cooked, and can be seen at chiringuitos, often in old fishing boats, throughout the summer. But what makes the moragas different on San Juan night, is that it’s not just the restaurants that do them.

The tradition is for groups and families to head down to the beach and make a fire, to cook on, to gather around and to use for some of the more interesting rituals connected with San Juan in Marbella. Some people take down a disposable barbeque, others dig a fire pit, others decide to go to their favourite beach restaurant, or municipal celebration to avoid having to do it themselves.

Important – Not all beaches allow individuals to light fires, so check the regulations in your area before you plan your own “moraga”.

Rituals of the night of San Juan

On San Juan, you’ll find bonfires being built and lit, all along the Costa del Sol. Some are modest, others huge and some are even flammable sculptures, which look too good to burn. On San Juan night in Marbella, you can expect towering stacks of pallets and wood being constructed on beaches all along the 27.9km of coastline of the Marbella district. These big bonfires are usually lit at midnight, and there are often fireworks as well, to mark the start of the San Juan day itself.

Top tip – Don’t locate yourself too close to these bonfires, trying to get a good view. They throw out a lot of heat, smoke and sparks, so be smart and stay upwind of them and give them some space!

Once the fires are lit, you’ll see many people taking part in some ancient rituals of purification, renewal and to inspire good luck. Here are a few you might want to try.

1.   Burning pieces of paper in the bonfire on which you’ve written either your wishes for the future, or the things you want to leave behind. This is a way of moving past bad things or habits and bringing in good energy and luck for the future.
2.   Swim in the sea at midnight to purify your soul and rid you of sins – it’s even said to cure aches and pains. Whatever you believe, it’s a fun thing to do to swim in the sea on a warm summer evening in Marbella.
3. Jumping over the flames to bring good luck – some people jump over big fires, but more sensible people just have a small fire that they jump over, or choose the very edge of a bonfire. According to tradition you need to jump over it 7 times or more and that will give you good luck for the rest of the year.
4.   Washing your face with seawater at midnight to give good health and beauty for the rest of the year. This is a good option if swimming at night isn’t your thing.
5.   Lighting a candle and burying it in the sand – Many people take candles with them if they are celebrating San Juan on the beach and by burning a candle and burying it, it is said to give good harvests and make the earth more fertile. (Don’t forget to take it with you at the end of the evening though).
6.   Jumping over the waves for fertility – If women jump over 9 waves it is said to boost their fertility

Where to spend the night of San Juan in Marbella?

Any beach in Marbella is a magical place to spend San Juan, whether you just head down to the beach with friends, or you join in with an existing celebration at a chiringuito or a beach club.

If you’d rather cater yourself, then it’s just a case of finding where they are building a bonfire near your holiday rental. Head down there with a disposable BBQ, food, drinks, music, candles and things to sit on. Around 9pm or 10pm is a good time to get down there and find a spot.

Alternatively, find a nice restaurant or beach bar to spend it in. In the run up to the big night, have a walk around the area close to your holiday rental in Marbella and ask your favourite restaurants and bars on the beach if they are doing anything – most will be! Book yourself a table for a late dinner or drinks, remembering that the bonfire isn’t lit until midnight and parties go on very late, so later is better, if you can manage it.

A nice stretch of beach to spend San Juan in Marbella is on Playa de la Fontanilla. There’s a whole stretch of fantastic chiringuitos, tucked under the seafront promenade, including the legendary La Red restaurant. These are great restaurants at any time of the day and year, but having so many in one stretch, plus a bonfire on the beach, gives it a fantastic atmosphere. If your Marbella holiday rental is within walking distance of this section of beach, you’re in luck (as parking is a headache). Just make sure you book in good time!

Another great option is to choose one of the many fantastic beach clubs in Marbella to spend your San Juan night. There are usually special parties and events put on for the night, live music, fireworks and set menus. Some of our favourites include MC Beach, Nikki Beach and Playa Padre. However, we’d recommend popping down to one in walking distance from where you’re staying and finding out what they have planned. These can be pricy occasions, but it’s always special for sure!

Top Tip – Don’t forget a jumper or jacket. It may seem strange when the days are so hot in June, but the beach at night is cool, and because it’s a long one, you’re going to want something to keep you warm, so pack a jumper, cardie, jacket or pashmina.

Where to stay if you’re visiting for San Juan in Marbella?

We’d recommend choosing a beachfront holiday rental in Marbella if you want to enjoy everything San Juan has to offer. You’re right on the sand and can see what’s going on in your area and easily make plans to join in with the fun.

Another good option is a holiday rental on Marbella’s Golden Mile, as there are plenty of options along that stretch and you are within walking distance of the centre, along the seafront promenade.

If Nikki Beach is where you want to spend San Juan, then look for a holiday rental in Elviria.

We hope this guide will help you enjoy San Juan in Marbella to the fullest. If you need any support with finding the perfect holiday rental, or booking VIP extras to make your stay even more special, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

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            [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?
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            [post_content] => Golf is a really popular sport, which has been growing rapidly since 2020. According to Golf 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 70 golf 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 take golf classes in Marbella, with some top golf pros, and improve your game during your next golf holiday. You can also visit golf 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. The golf 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 the Costa del Golf and all it has to offer on our website, or contact us to arrange a vacation 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 about golf 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 about golf 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.  
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            [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!
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