6 reasons to book a golf holiday to the Costa del Sol

With over 70 golf courses to choose from, glorious Spanish sunshine and regular (and quick!) flights from the UK, the Costa del Sol has long been a favourite destinations for golfers.

There’s a wide array of Championship courses to play, and an equally varied mix of off-course activities; whether you want to relax in five-star luxury accommodation or hop between one of the many late-night bars that line the coast.

Some of the more well-known bases on the Costa del Sol include Malaga, Marbella and Fuengirola, although our hotels and courses in Benalmadena and Torremolinos also pack a punch. The region boasts a diversity of landscapes which leads to many unique layouts found in the area, from mountainous tee shots to beachside fairways.

With a myriad of flight options available from across the UK, the Costa del Sol is the ideal destination for a holiday. The majority of flights will come into Malaga airport, however, there is also the option of flying into Gibraltar. Our Golfbreaks Sales Experts can help find the best route, based on your choice of accommodation.

Our team can also help with transfers throughout the region, although those staying at one of the resorts may find little reason to venture too far from their own hotel, with everything they need available on site.

Notorious for nightlife, Malaga and Marbella are two of our most popular bases for golf breaks within our whole portfolio. Our customers love the variety of eateries, late-night spots, and hotels based in the heart of the towns. You’ll find local favourites here, alongside some of the most vibrant nightclubs in the whole of Spain!

Situated just west of Malaga, Benalmadena is another thriving resort town that offers a multitude of bars and restaurants. From the raucous nightclubs in the aptly named “24-hour Square”, through to the restaurants around the marina, this is a great spot for those looking for an action-packed evening ahead of a slightly later tee time the next day.

If you’re heading to the Costa del Sol, you simply must try the local food. The tapas here are to die for, with several Michelin-starred seafood restaurants also in the region. The Costa del Sol is well known for its fried fish, as well as its sardine skewers – notably at the seafront in Malaga.

If you’re looking to combine this incredible cuisine with some time in the sea, check out Torremolinos where you can go for a swim, kick back on the beach and enjoy some of the country’s best food all in one place. Nearby the old fishing village of La Carihuela is home to some of the most popular fried fish restaurants in the area.

The Costa del Sol is home to some of the best courses in Europe, with Valderrama, Finca Cortesin and La Reserva all based here. Host of the 1997 Ryder Cup, the world-famous Real Club Valderrama has frequently topped lists of the ‘best courses in Spain’ and continues to welcome the European Tour each year, where it always offers one of the sternest tests of the season to the game’s best players.

Nearby, the much-loved La Reserva boasts an excellent par-72 parkland course designed by Cabell Robinson. Many bless Reserva with higher praise than its notable neighbour, and we’d be hard-pressed to disagree.

Just 25 minutes up the coast from Valderrama and La Reserva is the exceptional Finca Cortesin. Predominantly designed for tournament play, this course boasts an almost unbeatable standard of golf, with the layout providing an eclectic mix of challenges. The course is set in between mountains and the Costa Blanca coastline, providing a stunning scenic backdrop.

If you are looking to tick off all of these incredible layouts on your next golf break or holiday, check out the Hotel Encinar de Sotogrande or H10 Estepona – both central locations that are within easy reach of the golf courses.

Golfbreaks’ best-selling resort in the whole of Spain can be found on the Costa del Sol. La Cala Resort is an outstanding four-star resort with 107 bedrooms and an abundance of recreational activities available on site. It’s one of Europe’s leading golf resorts, and home to three excellent courses; America, Asia and Europa.

If you’re looking for a five-star destination, the Westin La Quinta provides a modern base with 170 elegant rooms and a brilliant 27-hole golf course on site. To help guests enjoy the 300 days of sunshine on the Costa del Sol, each room in the hotel has its own private terrace, with stunning views of either the Manuel Piñero-designed course or the Mediterranean Sea.

Another fantastic venue with 27-holes on site is the Lauro Golf Resort. This awesome venue is a Golfbreaks exclusive, with an environmentally friendly collection of townhouse accommodation options, weaving between the resort's swimming pools and golf holes, all providing a stunning view of the Guadalhorce Valley.

In addition to the bigger resorts in the region, the Costa del Sol is also home to some of our favourite luxury hotels. The Anantara Villa Padierna is a luxurious five-star offering, 132 luxurious rooms which all have astounding views ofover the gardens, Andalusian mountains or golf courses. There are fantastic on-site facilities to keep golfers and non-golfers entertained while not out on the golf courses. As well as the large outdoor pool, the hotel also hosts a 2,000 square metre thermal spa featuring 10 treatment rooms, 6 steam rooms, 2 saunas and heated indoor pool.

Another option for something truly special is the SO/ Sotogrande. This luxury 5* Spanish golf resort and spa is situated in the picturesque backdrop of Sotogrande, with an abundance of world-class courses nearby. The hotel also has six bars and restaurants, providing plenty of options to meet the needs of your appetite, no matter how long your stay.

If you’re looking for beautiful landscapes, fabulous beaches, quaint markets and white-washed towns, then Costa del Sol is the destination for you. The variety of beaches on offer in Malaga, Benalmádena, Fuengirola and Torremolinos is unbelievable, with Los Álamos Beach in Torremolinos being one of the most popular in the region. Malaga’s city beaches are bathed by the stunning Mediterranean sea and are conveniently located close to the city centre.

When it comes to high-end shopping, the world-famous marina, Puerto Banus, is an ideal spot to enjoy some retail therapy and spend some time away from the course, while cities like Antequera have a rich history and cultural heritage. Antequera is home to over fifty monuments and archaeological sites, and you’ll see remnants of its past in stately homes, churches and a Muslim fortress that has been declared a world heritage site.