Golf in Spain
Is Spain or Portugal better for your golf holiday?
With the weather getting better across Europe we look at the battle of the golfing giants and whether you should visit Spain or Portugal for your golf holiday this year
With plenty of evidence that golf is good for your health, as well as being a great social activity, a golfing holiday in the sunshine could be just what the doctor ordered. But where should you visit—Spain or Portugal?
Globally, golf is big business. The Business Research Company states that the market has a value of $5.88 billion in 2024, projected to grow to $8.27 billion by 2028, at a compound annual growth rate of 8.9 per cent.
Numerous countries court golfers with their pristine fairways, and both Spain and Portugal provide a wealth of courses. Both countries have experience of hosting international championships, as well as delighting amateurs with their extensive golf holiday options. Over recent decades, this has grown to encompass everything from fine dining facilities to frontline golf properties, in addition to the courses themselves.
Golf in Spain
We’ve taken a look at golfing holidays in both countries to help you decide.
According to the Spanish Golf Federation, Spain is home to more than 1.2 million registered golfers, in addition to those who come from overseas to spend their holidays in the Iberian country. Research by IE University for the Spanish Golf Courses Association, meanwhile, shows that Britons make up the largest group of foreign golfers in Spain.
The same IE University study found that foreign golf tourists own more than 280,000 homes in Spain, accounting for an estimated €4.2 billion of property investment in the country.
More than just a golf course
Resorts such as La Cala Golf in Mijas (Malaga), show why Spain holds such enduring appeal for golfers. Home to a 4* hotel, a luxury spa, three golf courses, a golf academy and other sports facilities, the resort has everything that golfers—and their families—could wish for.
La Cala is also home to a wide selection of golf properties, which are ideal for players who return to the resort regularly, as well as those planning to retire to Spain to spend their golden years keeping fit on the fairways. Properties available from Taylor Wimpey España at La Cala include impressive townhouses at Belaria (priced from €615,000 plus VAT), which feature accommodation spread over three storeys, sizeable gardens and a lovely communal pool—all with grade A energy certification.
For buyers with a slightly lower budget, properties at Solana Village South cost from €450,000 plus VAT. The south-facing apartments and penthouses overlook La Cala’s famous Europa golf course, with panoramic views that in some cases stretch all the way down to the sea.
Campo Europa is one of three championship courses at La Cala, with the others being Campo America and Campo Asia. The par 71 Europa course is perhaps the easiest of the three, while the par 72 Asia course is known for its challenging conditions. The America course (also par 72) delivers stunning views that take in both the Sierra de Ojén and the Mediterranean Sea. For golfers looking to improve their game, multilingual professionals are on hand at the on-site golf academy.
https://www.readersdigest.co.uk/lifestyle/travel/places-to-visit/spain-portugal-golf-holiday