Best golf courses in Marbella

Beyond the luxurious beaches and vibrant nightlife, Marbella is one of the most underrated golfing destinations in Europe. A collection of world-class courses seamlessly blends into the stunning landscape with the quality of the layouts here mirroring the decadence of the wider region.

So, join us as we review the best golf courses in Marbella, perfect for your next Spanish golf break.

Crafted by Dave Thomas, the 18-hole par-72 parkland course within the Marbella Club Golf Resort is positioned to the west of Marbella in the scenic Benahavis area. There are stunning views out over the coast towards Africa, Gibraltar and the sparkling Mediterranean Sea.

The original course was re-routed due to the need for increased infrastructure around Marbella, and the modern course makes great use of the many hills and contours that bless these surroundings.

Marbella Club facts

Length: - Back tees: 6695 yards - Front tees: 5277 yards Par: 72 Architect: Dave Thomas Founded: 1999 Course type: Parkland style

Los Naranjos is a real tale of two halves, with an expansive front-9 inviting golfers to open their shoulders, before a winding return-9 demands accuracy through a series of tight holes and tricky twists.

As the name suggests, you’ll become acquainted with plenty of Spain’s famous orange trees throughout, which have been grown on the site due to its idyllic terrain and natural river which creeps throughout the course. A typical Robert Trent Jones Senior resort design, it was created to be enjoyed by the masses and is a great addition to any Marbella golf itinerary.

Los Naranjos facts

Length: - Back tees: 6532 yards - Front tees: 5056 yards Par: 72 Architect: Robert Trent Jones, Sr., Les Furber Design and Craig Cooke Founded: 1977 Course type: Parkland style

The base for the European PGA staff, the Old Course at Atalaya was designed by German architect Bernhard von Limburger. Like others in the region, the fairways are generous, but straying too far offline will see you blocked out by rows of indigenous trees, likely forcing a chip out. Raised greens make distance control on the approaches key here, on a course that holds up fabulously well, despite being opened more than 50 years ago.

Atalaya Old Course facts

Length: - Back tees: 7003 yards - Front tees: 5528 yards Par: 72 Architect: Bernard von Limburger and David John Krause Founded: 1968 Course type: Parkland style

The Europa Course is the longest, more generous, and most modern layout at La Cala, and arguably the strongest of the three. The architect, Cabell B. Robinso, returned to La Cala in 2005 after originally creating the America and Asia layouts.

Making use of the natural river that cuts through the course (notably twice on the 4th hole!), the routing takes in some of the most picturesque spots on the La Cala resort (one of our top golf resorts in Spain!), and the course is an absolute must-play for those staying on site.

La Cala Europa Course facts

Length: - Back tees: 6545 yards - Front tees: 4610 yards Par: 71 Architect: Cabell B. Robinson Founded: 2005 Course type: Parkland style

El Paraiso is our first course on the list laid out by Gary Player, and one that ‘The Black Knight’ can be extremely proud of! Set within a valley, the course is surrounded by stunning flora, making it a true treat to experience.

We particularly love the fact that both loops of 9-holes return to the clubhouse, making it easy to grab a drink or bite to eat midway through the round; or allowing for a shorter round for those trying to squeeze in a final knock before heading back to the UK!

El Paraiso facts

Length: - Back tees: 6616 yards - Front tees: 5405 yards Par: 71 Architect: Gary Player Founded: 1973 Course type: Parkland style

There are three 9-hole loops at La Quinta, with the ‘tournament routing’ taking in the San Pedro and Guadaiza layouts. It’s been a regular host of Ladies European Tour events as well as prestigious Senior competitions, with quick greens and cavernous bunkers creating a real test for golfers of all abilities. The other 9-holes here ‘Ronda’ is slightly shorter, although as you’d expect, places a higher premium on accuracy from the tee.

Golfers looking for the full Golfbreaks experience can also book a stay & play package at the on-site Westin La Quinta Resort. This is one of our favourite resorts in Marbella and offers five-star opulence from start to finish!

La Quinta Golf & Country Club facts

Length: - Back tees: 6240 yards - Front tees: 5033 yards Par: 71 Architect: Antonio Garcia Garrido and Manuel Pinero Founded: 1989 Course type: Parkland style

Our final stop in Marbella is Los Arqueros, and it wouldn’t be right to omit any mention of the late great Seve Ballesteros when talking about the best golf courses in Spain. It was here that the maestro first became involved in course design, and although residential developments have grown around the course since it was first created, there’s still more than enough room (and plenty of ‘Seve’ touches) to make it a great test of golf. There’s plenty of variety with doglegs in both directions and frequent changes in undulation, making this one of the more interesting layouts in the entire region.

Los Arqueros facts

Length: - Back tees: 5679 yards - Front tees: 4815 yards Par: 71 Architect: Severiano Ballesteros Founded: 1991 Course type: Parkland style