El Saler golf course in the Albufera nature reserve near Valencia, Spain, links holes among the dunes

Ranked · 7 courses · updated 2026

The Best Golf Courses in Valencia

The Valencia region is one of the most underrated golf destinations in Spain, anchored by Javier Arana's masterpiece at El Saler and supported by a strong cast of championship and resort courses running from the Albufera nature reserve down the coast toward Denia and north to Castellon. Add a great food city, an easy airport and a year round climate, and it rewards a proper trip. Here are the seven 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: Parador de El Saler, via Google

How we chose them

Valencia does not shout about its golf the way the Costa del Sol does, and that is part of the appeal. The region's calling card is El Saler, the 1968 Javier Arana design laid out in the pine and dunes of the Albufera nature reserve, a course that has hosted the Spanish Open four times and sits inside the top handful in the country. It is the reason serious golfers fly in, and it would anchor a trip on its own. But the supporting cast is deeper than most visitors expect, from a Robert Trent Jones design in the hills above Chiva to resort courses signed by Seve Ballesteros and Jose Maria Olazabal on the coast toward Denia.

We weighed the quality and originality of the golf, the setting and conditioning, the tournament pedigree and the strength of the wider trip each course anchors, because Valencia rewards a touring group that pairs the marquee rounds with a few quieter ones and a base in a genuinely great city. El Saler leads clearly. Behind it the order reflects our editors' view, so reasonable people will reorder the resort courses to taste. If you want any of these built into a costed trip with the tee times secured, that is exactly what our concierge does.

The ranking

El Saler

Parador de El Saler · Javier Arana · 1968

The finest course in the region and one of the greatest in Spain, Javier Arana's 1968 design runs through the umbrella pines and dunes of the Albufera nature reserve just south of Valencia city. A par 72 that switches between true links holes among the sandhills and tree lined holes inland, it has staged the Spanish Open four times, in 1984, 1989, 2001 and 2013, and is regularly rated among the best courses in continental Europe. Played from a state run Parador hotel on site, it is the headline round of any Valencia trip.

Read the El Saler profile

El Bosque Golf and Country Club

Chiva · Robert Trent Jones Sr · 1975

A Robert Trent Jones Sr design from his most prolific era, opened in 1975 in the pine clad foothills above Chiva, around twelve miles west of Valencia. A par 72 of roughly 6,900 yards laid out in a classical, tree lined style with water in play on several holes, it has hosted the Spanish Seniors and saw Vijay Singh win the El Bosque Open in 1990. A proper championship test and an easy, high quality addition to a city based itinerary.

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Oliva Nova Golf

Oliva · Seve Ballesteros · 1997

Seve Ballesteros's beachside resort course at Oliva, on the coast toward Denia, opened in 1997. A flat, walkable par 72 threaded between lines of palms with lagoons in play on several holes, it sits a short pitch from the sand and a five star beach hotel, making it the most relaxed, holiday minded round on the list. Less of a brute than El Saler or El Bosque, but a polished, enjoyable course in a lovely setting and a natural base for a softer trip.

Read the Oliva Nova profile

Club de Golf Mediterraneo

Borriol, Castellon · Ramon Espinosa · 1978

The home club of Sergio Garcia, laid out by Ramon Espinosa in 1978 among olive, poplar and carob trees in a secluded valley inland from Castellon. A mature, well conditioned par 72 with real shot values, it hosted the Castello Masters on the European Tour from 2008 to 2011, where Garcia, who grew up on the course, won twice. North of Valencia city and worth the drive for the pedigree and the quality of the golf.

Add Mediterraneo to a trip

La Sella Golf

Denia · Jose Maria Olazabal · 1990

A 27 hole layout designed by Ryder Cup legend Jose Maria Olazabal at the foot of the Montgo Natural Park near Denia, on the border with the Costa Blanca. Three contrasting nines run through olive groves and gentle hills with mountain and sea views, attached to a Marriott golf and spa resort that makes a comfortable, full service base. A strong, scenic round and an easy pairing with Oliva Nova for a coastal leg of the trip.

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Club de Golf Escorpion

Betera · Ron Kirby · 1969

One of the region's established members clubs, founded in 1969 with an original eighteen by Ron Kirby and later extended to 27 holes by Alfonso Vidaor. Set among orange groves at Betera, a short drive northwest of Valencia, it is a flat, walkable parkland test with mature trees and a genuine tournament history, having hosted the 1980 Spanish Open. A reliable, central round that slots neatly into a city based itinerary alongside El Saler and El Bosque.

Add Escorpion to a trip

Panoramica Golf

Sant Jordi, Castellon · Bernhard Langer · 1995

The only golf course in Spain designed by two time Masters champion Bernhard Langer, opened in 1995 at Sant Jordi in the north of the region near the Costa del Azahar. Laid out among olive and carob trees on rolling ground, it is a generous, year round playable par 72 that rewards a thoughtful round, and the quietest, best value option on the list. A good reason to explore the northern end of the region if you are touring beyond the city.

Read the Panoramica profile

Designers, opening years and tournament history verified June 2026 from the clubs and recognized course databases; access, conditioning and green fees vary by season and year. Always confirm visitor access and fees directly before booking. Check tee time availability.

Plan your Valencia golf trip

Tell us the group, the rough dates and whether you want El Saler and the city courses, the coastal resorts toward Denia or a full regional tour, and we will build it. One concierge secures the tee times, sorts the lodging and the drives, and costs the whole trip to the head, with no obligation.

Valencia golf questions

What is the best golf course in Valencia?

El Saler, the Javier Arana course of 1968 inside the Albufera nature reserve just south of Valencia city, is widely rated the best course in the region and one of the finest in Spain. It blends genuine links holes among the dunes with pine forest holes inland and has hosted the Spanish Open four times. El Bosque by Robert Trent Jones Sr and Seve Ballesteros's Oliva Nova are the other standout rounds.

When is the best time to play golf in Valencia?

Valencia plays year round thanks to its mild Mediterranean climate. Spring, from March to May, and autumn, from September to November, are the prime windows with warm, settled weather and the courses in peak condition. Summer is hot but playable early and late in the day, and winter is mild and quiet. Always confirm conditions before booking.

How do you plan a golf trip to Valencia?

Most golf trips base in or near Valencia city for El Saler, El Bosque and Escorpion, then run south down the coast to the resort courses at Oliva Nova and La Sella near Denia, or north to Mediterraneo and Panoramica around Castellon. The region pairs golf with one of Spain's great food cities, so allow time off the course. Book El Saler tee times ahead, as it is the most in demand round in the region.

The Tee Sheet

Spanish golf, the El Saler tee time windows and the trips worth taking. Every other week.

Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designers, opening years and tournament history verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.