Murcia's Costa Calida, the warm coast, is one of Spain's best value golf regions, anchored by the historic La Manga Club and a trail of Jack Nicklaus resort courses set among olive groves and lakes. These are the seven best courses on the Costa Calida, ranked, with our verdict on each and how to play them.
Photograph: La Manga Club, via Google.
The Costa Calida is Spanish golf at its most accessible and best value. The climate is among the warmest and driest on the mainland, the resort courses are easy walking and welcoming to groups, and a cluster of Jack Nicklaus designs sits within a short drive of one another inland from the Mar Menor. We judged these courses on the quality of the design, the conditioning, the playing experience and the value, and we leaned toward the layouts that visiting golfers can readily play as part of a trip.
Every fact here, from designers to opening years, was checked at the time of writing. The order is our editors' view, so reasonable golfers will reshuffle the order, and the gap between the resort courses is small. This is a region built for golf holidays, with on site lodging at most of the courses, which makes a relaxed multi course trip straightforward. If you want these built into a costed Murcia golf trip, that is exactly what our concierge does.
Reviewed June 2026 by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Course facts verified at publication. How we research and review.
Our top pick and the region's flagship. La Manga Club is the historic Costa Calida resort, with three eighteen hole courses led by the championship South Course, which has hosted European Tour and Spanish Open golf over the years. A big, mature, tree lined layout with a full resort of hotels, villas, dining and a famous tennis and sports centre, it is the most complete golf stay in Murcia and an easy base for a group.
The standout of Murcia's Nicklaus trail, a striking desert style course with undulating fairways and greens among sandy waste, few bunkers and a large central lake. Dramatic to look at and a genuine strategic test, it is the most distinctive design in the region and the one the better players will most want to tick off on a Nicklaus tour of the Costa Calida.
A much liked Nicklaus design in a natural valley, a par 71 of around 6,355 metres with wide fairways, large greens and water in play, framed by the surrounding hills. Enjoyable for a mixed group and excellent value, with on site accommodation, it is one of the most popular courses on the Costa Calida and a dependable highlight of any Murcia itinerary.
A Nicklaus design that weaves through olive groves, wildflower meadows and large lakes, a par 72 of around 6,356 metres that is both beautiful and playable. The resort apartments make it a comfortable, good value base, and the gentle, walkable layout suits a relaxed society or couples trip as much as a keen group.
Another of the Nicklaus resort courses, with wide fairways, large greens and strategically placed bunkers set among a well established resort of apartments, restaurants and a spa. Friendly, good value and easy to combine with its Nicklaus neighbors, it is a convenient and enjoyable round on a multi course Costa Calida trip.
A par 72 with a split pedigree, the front nine by David Thomas and the back nine by Nicklaus Design, set beside the Mar Menor lagoon with a hotel and spa on site. A varied, enjoyable resort course with good facilities, it rounds out the choice of Murcia layouts and sits handily for the beaches and the salt lakes of the coast.
One of the longest courses in the region, a sprawling championship layout inland near Fuente Alamo with generous fairways, large greens and plenty of room to open the shoulders. It is a proper test from the back tees and a comfortable resort stay, a good choice for a group that wants length and space away from the busier coastal courses.
Designers, layout and host history verified June 2026 from the clubs and recognized golf databases. La Manga Club's South Course is a championship venue that has hosted European Tour and Spanish Open golf; Saurines, El Valle, Hacienda Riquelme and La Torre are Nicklaus Design courses; Mar Menor combines David Thomas and Nicklaus Design nines. Rates and availability change, so always confirm directly before booking. Looking for tee times? Check availability and book a round.
| Course | Setting | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| La Manga Club | Resort, near Cartagena | The complete golf and sports stay |
| Saurines | Desert style, near Roldan | The most striking Nicklaus design |
| El Valle | Natural valley | Value and an all round favorite |
| Hacienda Riquelme | Olive groves and lakes | A relaxed, walkable resort round |
| Hacienda del Alamo | Inland, Fuente Alamo | Length and space for the group |
A shorthand only; tell us your dates and group and we will match the courses to you.
Tell us roughly when you want to travel and which courses you have your heart set on, and a concierge will secure the tee times, build the itinerary and cost it to the head, with no obligation.
La Manga Club is our top pick, the historic Murcia resort with three eighteen hole courses led by the championship South Course, which has hosted European Tour and Spanish Open golf. The Jack Nicklaus designed courses at Saurines, El Valle and Hacienda Riquelme lead the chasing group.
Yes. Murcia is home to a Nicklaus golf trail of resort courses, including Saurines de la Torre, El Valle, Hacienda Riquelme and La Torre, all designed by Nicklaus Design with wide fairways, large greens and water in play. They make an excellent value, easy walking group of courses for a trip.
The Costa Calida is one of the warmest and driest corners of Spain, so golf is good much of the year. Spring and autumn are ideal, winter is mild and a popular escape, and high summer is hot, when early tee times are best. Always confirm current rates and tee times before booking.
Tee time windows, course access changes and the trips worth taking. Every other week.
Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Course designers, layout and host history verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.