PGA Catalunya vs Emporda
Two of the best resorts on the Costa Brava, a short drive apart near Girona. PGA Catalunya, now Camiral, owns the marquee course in all of Spain and a five star base to match. Emporda offers two enjoyable von Hagge courses, better value and a position closer to the coast. Here is the honest head to head, with our verdict up front.
Photograph: Camiral, formerly PGA Catalunya Resort, via Google
The verdict
For the headline course, PGA Catalunya wins, and it is not close. The Stadium course, designed by the Spanish player Angel Gallardo and the Englishman Neil Coles and opened in 1999, has been rated the number one course in Spain for years and is a genuine championship test, routed through pine and cork oak hills with huge bunkers, strategic water and a famous, tumbling par 4 fourth. It has hosted three Spanish Opens and sits beside a polished five star resort, now branded Camiral, with a second course, the Tour, for the supporting round. As a bucket list golf and stay experience on the Costa Brava, nothing in the area touches it.
Emporda is the value pick and the better all rounder for a relaxed week. Its two Robert von Hagge courses, the wooded Forest and the more open Links, are good, varied resort golf rather than a top ten Spanish course, and they come at a fraction of the Stadium green fee. Emporda also sits closer to the coast, near the beaches and medieval towns of the Baix Emporda, which makes it the easier base for a group mixing golf with the rest of the Costa Brava. Pick PGA Catalunya for the great course and the luxury, Emporda for value, variety and a coastal location, and note that the two are close enough to play on the same trip.
Head to head
| PGA Catalunya (Camiral) | Emporda | |
|---|---|---|
| The courses | The Stadium, a championship par 72, plus the friendlier Tour course alongside it | The Forest, a par 73 of around 6,530 yards, and the Links, a par 72 of around 6,687 yards |
| Designer | Angel Gallardo and Neil Coles, Stadium opened 1999 | Robert von Hagge, both Forest and Links courses |
| Pedigree | Number one ranked course in Spain for years; host of three Spanish Opens and the Sarazen World Open | A respected resort that has staged Challenge Tour events on the Costa Brava; no marquee course |
| Difficulty | A stern, exacting championship test, especially from the back tees; the Stadium punishes loose play | More forgiving and enjoyable for the mid handicapper, though the Links can bare its teeth in wind |
| Setting and base | Inland at Caldes de Malavella, wooded hills near Girona, with a five star resort, hotel and villas | Closer to the coast at Gualta, near the beaches and medieval towns of the Baix Emporda |
| Value | The premium ticket; Stadium green fees are the highest in the area | Notably better value, with green fees often well below the Stadium rate |
| Who it suits | Players who want Spain's best course and a luxury golf and stay base | Groups wanting enjoyable, varied golf, better value and a coastal location |
Course facts verified June 2026; green fees move with season and demand, so always confirm directly before booking. Check tee time availability.
Who should pick which
Pick PGA Catalunya if
You want to play the best course in Spain and stay somewhere to match. The Stadium is a true championship layout and a bucket list round, the resort, now Camiral, is genuinely five star, and the second Tour course rounds out a couple of days without leaving the property. It is the choice for a group that wants the marquee experience, will pay the premium for it, and likes the idea of an inland, immersive golf and wellness base near Girona.
Pick Emporda if
You want enjoyable, varied golf, better value and a coastal base. Emporda's two von Hagge courses give you a contrasting woodland and links style pair at a fraction of the Stadium green fee, and the location near the beaches and medieval towns of the Baix Emporda suits a group mixing golf with the rest of the Costa Brava. It is the smart pick for a relaxed week or a buddies trip that wants good golf without the premium price tag.
Plan your Costa Brava golf trip
PGA Catalunya, Emporda or both on one trip, with Barcelona an easy add on. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling, and one concierge builds the tee times, transfers and base, and costs it to the head, with no obligation.
PGA Catalunya vs Emporda questions
Is PGA Catalunya or Emporda the better course?
PGA Catalunya, now branded Camiral, is clearly the better course and resort. Its Stadium course, designed by Angel Gallardo and Neil Coles and opened in 1999, has been the top ranked layout in Spain for years and is a true championship test that has hosted three Spanish Opens. Emporda's two Robert von Hagge courses, the Forest and the Links, are enjoyable and much better value, but they are a tier below. Choose PGA Catalunya for the marquee course and five star resort, Emporda for value and a coastal base.
Who designed PGA Catalunya and Emporda?
The Stadium course at PGA Catalunya was designed by the Spanish golfer Angel Gallardo and the Englishman Neil Coles and opened in 1999, with a second course, the Tour course, alongside it. Emporda's Forest and Links courses were both designed by the American architect Robert von Hagge, the Links a par 72 of around 6,687 yards and the Forest a par 73 of around 6,530 yards.
How much does it cost to play PGA Catalunya and Emporda?
PGA Catalunya's Stadium course is the premium ticket on the Costa Brava, with high season green fees typically well above 150 euros, while the resort's Tour course is cheaper. Emporda is notably better value, with green fees often in the 70 to 120 euro range depending on season and course. Both move with season and demand, so always confirm directly before booking.
Where are PGA Catalunya and Emporda?
Both are on the Costa Brava in the province of Girona, Catalonia, around ninety minutes north of Barcelona. PGA Catalunya sits inland at Caldes de Malavella in the wooded hills near Girona, while Emporda is closer to the coast at Gualta, near the medieval towns and beaches of the Baix Emporda. The two are around forty five minutes apart and pair easily on one trip.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Course facts verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.