The Essential guide to enjoying San Juan, the most magical and mystical night of the year on Marbella’s beaches. Not to be missed!
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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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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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] => 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.
[post_title] => Golf Breaks in Spain: The Best Destinations
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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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