Camiral A Quinta do Lago Resort
Ranked · 10 courses · updated 2026

The Best Golf Courses in Spain

Spain is the most complete golf country in continental Europe, from the Robert Trent Jones estates of Sotogrande to the Ryder Cup stage at Camiral and Javier Arana's pine framed classics. Here are the ten we rate most highly, ranked, with our verdict on each and how to play it.

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By the GolfForKings editorial desk · How we rank · Last reviewed June 2026

Photograph: Camiral A Quinta do Lago Resort, Camiral A Quinta do Lago Resort, via Google

How we chose them

No country in continental Europe offers golf with Spain's range or depth. The Andalucian coast around Sotogrande and Marbella holds the densest cluster of greatness, where Robert Trent Jones senior left Valderrama, Sotogrande and Las Brisas within a few miles of one another. Inland and to the north, Camiral near Girona has been chosen to host the 2031 Ryder Cup, Javier Arana's El Saler and Aloha carry the flag for Spain's own great architect, and the historic members clubs of Madrid and the seaside courses of Mallorca add classical pedigree. We weighed design quality, conditioning, championship history and the pleasure of the round, and we leaned toward courses a travelling golfer can realistically arrange to play.

Every fact here, from designers and opening years to host events, was checked at the time of writing. Where access is restricted, as it is at the great private members clubs, we say so. The verdicts are ours and the order reflects our editors' view rather than any single published list, so reasonable people will reorder the top five. If you want any of these built into a costed trip, that is exactly what our concierge does.

The ranking

01

Real Club Valderrama

Robert Trent Jones Sr · Sotogrande · Ryder Cup 1997

Spain's number one course for decades and one of the finest in continental Europe. Robert Trent Jones senior shaped this tight, demanding layout among the cork oaks of Sotogrande, and in 1997 it staged the Ryder Cup, the first held outside the United States or Britain. Immaculate conditioning, a brilliant set of holes and the famous reachable but perilous seventeenth make it the benchmark every Spanish course is measured against. A private club that takes a limited number of visitors.

Plan a Sotogrande trip

02

Camiral, Stadium Course

Neil Coles and Angel Gallardo · Girona · Ryder Cup 2031 host

The former PGA Catalunya, now Camiral, sits in pine forest near Girona and has been chosen to host the 2031 Ryder Cup. Designed by Neil Coles and Angel Gallardo and opened in 1999, the Stadium Course is a thrilling, water laced championship test routed through woodland, long the rival to Valderrama at the top of Spanish rankings. As a resort course it is among the most accessible of the country's great layouts.

Plan a Catalonia trip

03

Real Club de Golf Sotogrande

Robert Trent Jones Sr, 1964 · Cadiz

The first course Robert Trent Jones senior built in Europe and one of the five favourites he named from more than five hundred designs worldwide. Opened in 1964, this classic, tree lined parkland by the sea set the template for golf on the southern coast and remains a serene, beautifully mature round. Quieter and more private than its neighbour Valderrama, and a connoisseur's favourite. Visitor access is limited.

Plan a Sotogrande trip

04

Finca Cortesin

Cabell Robinson, 2006 · Casares · Solheim Cup 2023

The grand modern course of the Costa del Sol, a long, immaculate Cabell Robinson layout near Casares that opened in 2006 and hosted the 2023 Solheim Cup and three editions of the Volvo World Match Play. Set between the Mediterranean and the Casares hills, it pairs championship credentials with one of the finest hotels in Spanish golf, the natural splurge of a southern trip.

Plan a Costa del Sol trip

05

El Saler

Javier Arana, 1968 · Valencia

Javier Arana's masterpiece and the standout work of Spain's greatest home grown architect, opened in 1968 beside the Albufera nature park south of Valencia. A rare links and pine hybrid, with holes running through umbrella pines and out along the dunes by the sea, it was quickly voted the best course in continental Europe and remains a public Parador course, one of the most playable greats on this list.

Plan a Valencia trip

06

Real Club de Golf Las Brisas

Robert Trent Jones Sr, 1968 · Nueva Andalucia

The jewel of the Marbella Golf Valley, a strategic Robert Trent Jones senior design of white sand bunkers, water and clever dog legs in the heart of Nueva Andalucia. Opened in 1968, it has hosted the Spanish Open and the World Cup and remains the most coveted round in the cluster of courses above Puerto Banus. A private members club with visitor tee times by arrangement.

Plan a Marbella trip

07

Real Club de la Puerta de Hierro

Colt and Simpson origins · RTJ Jr redesign, 1998 · Madrid

The grand old club of the capital, founded on ground first laid out by Harry Colt and later worked by Tom Simpson, then comprehensively redesigned by Robert Trent Jones junior and Kyle Phillips in 1998. A tight, classical course threaded through a centuries old holm oak forest, it is the most prestigious and exclusive members club in Madrid. Access is very restricted.

Plan a Madrid trip

08

Club de Golf Alcanada

Robert Trent Jones Jr, 2003 · Mallorca

The finest course on Mallorca and one of the most beautiful seaside rounds in the Mediterranean, a Robert Trent Jones junior design opened in 2003 above the bay of Alcudia. Holes tumble toward the water with the talismanic Alcanada lighthouse on its little island as a constant backdrop. A welcoming resort course that combines genuine quality with an unforgettable setting.

Plan a Mallorca trip

09

Aloha Golf Club

Javier Arana, 1975 · Nueva Andalucia

Another Javier Arana gem, a mature, tree framed parkland in the heart of the Marbella Golf Valley that opened in 1975 and has hosted European Tour events. Many regular visitors to the Costa del Sol quietly rate it their favourite round on the coast for its rhythm, its conditioning and the way the holes flow through the pines and palms. Visitor friendly with advance booking.

Plan a Marbella trip

10

La Reserva Club de Sotogrande

Cabell Robinson, 2003 · Sotogrande

A bold, expansive Cabell Robinson design on high ground above Sotogrande, opened in 2003 with wide fairways, large greens and sweeping views over the estate to the sea. The most modern feeling round in the area and a fine complement to Valderrama and Sotogrande on a southern trip, with a relaxed, upscale resort atmosphere and good visitor access.

Plan a Sotogrande trip

Designers, opening years and host events verified June 2026. Several of these are private members clubs with limited visitor access. Course profiles are added across the site as the directory grows. Always confirm visitor access and fees directly before booking. Check tee time availability.

Play the best of Spain

Tell us which of these are on your list, the southern coast, Catalonia or the islands, and roughly when. One concierge arranges the access, tee times and base and costs the trip to the head, with no obligation.

Spain golf questions

What is the best golf course in Spain?

Real Club Valderrama at Sotogrande, Robert Trent Jones senior's cork oak lined masterpiece and the 1997 Ryder Cup host, is our pick for the best course in Spain, with Camiral near Girona, the chosen 2031 Ryder Cup venue, its closest rival. Reasonable people reorder the top five, but those two anchor any serious list.

Can you play the great Spanish members clubs as a visitor?

It varies. Valderrama, Sotogrande and Las Brisas take a limited number of visitors by prior arrangement, usually on weekdays, while Real Club de la Puerta de Hierro in Madrid is highly restricted. Camiral, El Saler, Alcanada, Aloha and La Reserva are run as resort or public courses and are the most openly accessible. Always confirm access directly before booking.

Where is the best golf in Spain?

The greatest concentration is in Andalucia around Sotogrande and Marbella, home to Valderrama, Sotogrande, Las Brisas and Aloha. Beyond it, Camiral near Girona, El Saler near Valencia, the historic clubs of Madrid and Alcanada on Mallorca spread the quality across the country. A classic trip pairs several southern coast rounds, with Catalonia or the islands as an add on.

When is the best time to play golf in Spain?

Spring and autumn give the best mix of weather and conditioning across most of the country, while the southern coast plays golf comfortably all year and is a classic winter sun destination. Midsummer is hot, especially inland around Madrid, so early tee times are wise from June to August.

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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Course designers, opening years and host events verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.