Golf Holidays in Costa Del Sol - Andalucia

The remarkable golfing landscape has much to do with the incredible popularity of the coastline, where an almost endless array of championship courses awaits.

Costa Del Sol Golf Holiday Destinations

Stretching from Malaga down towards Sotogrande, the Costa Del Sol, and the province of Malaga in particular, is bursting with golfing possibilities. Choose a base around Marbella and Puerto Banus, taking in favourites like Santa Clara, Calanova and Marbella Golf & Country Club, or choose one of the first class resorts – Atalaya Park and Westin La Quinta are two of the best.

Quick Facts

• Costa del Sol boasts around 60 golf courses
• Average Monthly temperature ranges from 12°C (54°F) to 26°C (79°F)
• light time is 2 hours 50 minutes from the UK
• Home to the NH Collection Open (La Reserva)

Reasons to visit

• Home to Europe's highest concentration of golf courses
• Four courses ranked in the top 10 in Europe
• Outstanding year-round climate, 300+ days of sunshine
• Fantastic food, culture and nightlife
• Play the iconic Valderrama, home of the 1997 Ryder Cup

Flying time

• 2 hours 50 minutes direct to Malaga airport
• 2 hours 50 minutes direct to Gibraltar airport

Driving Distances from Airports

• Fuengirola (Malaga) - 17 minutes (play at El Chaparal)
• Marbella & Puerto Banus (Malaga) - 35 minutes (play at La Quinta & Los Naranjos)
• Estepona (Gibraltar) - 40 minutes (play at Finca Cortesin)
• Sotogrande (Gibraltar) - 25 minutes (play at Valderrama & La Reserva)

Weather in the Costa Del Sol

One of the main reasons why the Costa del Sol has become a world-class holiday destination is its enviable Mediterranean climate: mild throughout the year with an average temperature of 18°C. In the summer, temperatures rise to the high 20s to early 30s, while in winter it rarely dips below 14°C during the day.

Average Temperature - What you might be wearing on the golf course
Polo Shirt, Trousers, probably a jumper in the evening
Polo Shirt, Tailored Shorts
Polo Shirt, Tailored Shorts - No Waterproofs Required!

When to go

Spring and autumn are the most popular seasons for golfers as it’s not too hot or wet, plus there are generally less crowds. But on the whole, the climate of the Costa del Sol enables visitors to enjoy holiday-friendly conditions at almost any time of year.

Handy information

• Time difference: GMT +1
• Local currency: Euro (€)
• Language: Spanish
• Cost of a pint: 2 Euros (£1.70)

Recommended for

Championship Golf

No course on the Costa del Sol is more revered than the mighty Valderrama Golf Club, which burst onto the world stage as host of the 1997 Ryder Cup. Europe, led by the legendary Seve Ballesteros, clinched a memorable one-point victory over the Americans. Valderrama has also played host to the WGC American Express Championship (winners including Tiger Woods and Mike Weir), the Volvo Masters and the Andalucía Masters. This year the Costa del Sol welcomed a new European Tour event, the NH Collection Open, which has found a home next door to Valderrama at the highly touted La Reserva Golf Club. A half-hour drive up the coast lies Finca Cortesin which has hosted the Volvo World Matchplay on three occasions; matchplay maestro Ian Poulter claiming the trophy in 2011.

Societies

There are plenty of options on the Costa del Sol where you and your golfing buddies can enjoy a memorable trip away while still having enough of the end-of-season budget left for a few rounds at the bar. La Cala is the biggest golf complex in Spain and is home to three superb championship courses, so you’ve got enough variety on offer to keep even the typical group moaner happy! Marbella Golf and Country Club has a terrific Robert Trent Jones-designed layout and packages at nearby Hotel Las Palmeras are half-board, so you won’t need to worry about dinner. The hotel is situated adjacent to the town’s marina, giving you plenty of options in the evening. From here you can also access El Chaparral, a beautiful golf club that sweeps its way along the spectacular Mijas coastline.

Couples

From the mountain location in Marbella at the sumptuous Hotel Villa Padierna it is possible to see the North African coastline on a clear day, while at sundown, there are few more romantic experiences than watching the sun setting over the peaks while sipping on a glass of bubbles. The Andalucian-inspired seafood dishes at the hotel’s La Veranda restaurant come highly recommended. If you’re both keen to soak up the sun and spend some time at the beach, The Marconfort Beach Club Hotel is just a stone’s throw from the shore. All the rooms come with gorgeous sea views and with the ever-popular all-inclusive package option, you can keep your credit card in its holster for most of the trip.

Night Life

You'll find plenty of good restaurants and bars offering live music and DJ's in most of the resorts scattered along the Costa del Sol. Casinos can be found in Hotel Torrequebrada (Benalmadena) and in H10 Andalucia Plaza (Puerto Banus). Marbella and Puerto Banus offer more exclusive venues; head for the famous Golden Mile illuminated with glitzy restaurants and bars that give way to an endless selection of clubs. The world renowned charms of Puerto Banus are just minutes away, where Sinatra's and Olivia Valere, packed out with freshly tanned faces, lie in wait.

Luxury Hotels

There are a number of top-class resorts in the Costa del Sol which offer that extra bit of comfort and style. The Gran Hotel Elba Estepona is one of the most luxurious hotels in Spain. Not only does the hotel offer unrivalled levels of service and style, it’s stunning beachfront location is simply breathtaking. If you prefer to have the golf course at your doorstep, Hotel Finca Cortesin and La Quinta are among the most luxurious bases in the region.

Blog articles

La Reserva - The rising star of Spain's golden mile
Finca Cortesin: Clubless Brandt Snedeker riding high in Spain
Alcaidesa golf review: great value in the Costa del Sol
Golf’s most spectacular sunsets
Costa del Sol golf breaks