Golf in Huelva - A Hidden Gem on the Costa de la Luz

YOU probably haven’t heard of Huelva. Located on Spain’s Costa de la Luz, it is a historic city that features some fine architecture, culture, great nightlife and delicious local and international food. It is also an ideal location for a highly affordable golf break, the home to some spectacular golf courses that remain relatively undiscovered - and we can’t understand why.

Huelva has a wonderful year-round golfing climate on Spain’s south-western coast with an average annual temperature of 20C. It is located within one of the sunniest areas in Europe, with only about 50 rainy days every year, and is home to El Rompido and Islantilla, regarded as two of Spain’s finest golf resorts. Apart from the golf, there are spectacular beaches and the opportunity to enjoy traditional Andalusian food - and it easy to get to from the UK, with regular, cheap flights to Faro and Seville.

El Rompido

Set in a picturesque fishing village on the Costa de la Luz, Precise Resort El Rompido is located just an hour from both Seville and Faro airports. The resort is nestled in a wonderful coastal setting with views of the Piedras River Marshes and lies in the heart of a stunning 36-hole golf complex surrounded by the Marismas del Río Piedras, a protected landscape of great beauty. There is a spa and magnificent outdoor swimming pool. The spa has a Jacuzzi, steam bath, sauna, humid and dry treatment rooms, and offers a variety of treatments - the perfect way to relax after a round of golf.

Other facilities include four paddle courts, two tennis courts, a grass 11-a-side football pitch, a synthetic 7-a-side football pitch, basketball and volleyball courts.

Rooms at Precise Resort El Rompido have been specifically designed with comfort in mind. The hotel consists of 184 rooms, all with free wi-fi, satellite TV and a minibar. There are also 10 spacious junior suites and two suites. The resort has 305 one and two bedroom apartments which are prefect for families. 

El Rompido offers a variety of bars and restaurants. The Bindali provides a wide selection of international and local dishes, while the La Galea Bar is the ideal place to unwind with a cocktail, regional wine pr draft beer. Set next to the swimming pool, El Faro restaurant offers a range of light dishes, including the resort’s grilled fish specials. Later on, head to the El Rompido’s Son Saura Night Club, where you can enjoy a cocktail and listen to your favourite music.

The Courses

The North and South Courses at El Rompido are parkland layouts that feature marshland and border nature reserves, offering outstanding views and a great test of golf. 

Located in the upper section of the complex, the North Course was designed by Alvaro Arana and opened in 2006. It is a real challenge, located in the heart of the Marismas del Río Piedras Nature Reserve and Flecha de El Rompido and enjoys spectacular views and vistas. This course calls for length and accuracy and features large greens.

The South Course, also designed by Arana and opened in 2003, borders the clubhouse and is an outstanding parkland course bordered by pine trees and orange groves and protected marshland. Like its sister course, it calls for accuracy rather than power. The greens are outstanding and are among the fastest in Andalusia. The fairways are perfectly manicured. Again, make sure you take time to enjoy the views, especially when you cross the pontoon between the 17th and 18th holes. 

The nearby La Monacilla Golf Club was designed by Jose Maria Olazabal and is located within a glorious pine forest. It features water hazards and large, well-protected greens. It is a wonderful parkland course that demands a strategic approach and accuracy from the tee to avoid the many well-placed fairway bunkers. From the back tees it measures 6,851 metres.

Islantilla Hotel

Surrounded by a 27-hole golf course, Double Tree Islantilla Hotel is just five minutes from the beach. It is located between Isla Cristina and the marshlands of the Piedras River. 

It features deluxe and twin bedrooms and a variety of bars and restaurants. There are also 128 apartments  

The Donana Lobby Bar offers premium cocktails and other alcoholic drinks against a background of live music and sporting events; the Faro Buffet Restaurant features an extensive Mediterranean and international menu, with lots of healthy options on offer; and the Las Canas Pool Bar is the perfect venue for light snacks, salads and refreshing drinks.

The charming fishing port of Isla-Cristina is 15 minutes away. The resort has a beach club, three football pitches, two swimming pools and a children’s club. 

Or you can stay at the Residences Islantilla Apartments, a complex offering 128 rooms with stunning views, just 2km from the beach. All rooms have air conditioning, satellite TV, safe, mini bar and coffee machine. 

There is an a la carte restaurant and three bars, including a Pool Bar. There is a spa that provides a range of treatments, as well as a gym, Turkish baths, steam bath, two saunas, a foot bath, an indoor heated swimming pool and a whirlpool. The resort provides a free shuttle service to the beach. 

The Courses

A 27-hole course, Islantilla is a parkland complex that meanders through trees and lakes and offers wonderful sea views. It borders the Atlantic Ocean and is the first in Spain to be certified according to international standards for quality and environmental systems.

The Blue Course has been designed with low-handicap golfers in mind. The Yellow Course is easier and ideal for higher handicaps, while the Green Course combines length and precision. Some holes are surrounded by pine trees, while others are played from raised tees over more open terrain dotted with lakes. The signature hole is the par-five 14th, which undulates gently along the cliffs towards a small green protected by a lonesome pine.

This course was opened in 1992, and in 1995 was the venue for the Turespaña Masters. Practice facilities include a driving range, with golf lessons available. Included on the complex is the Islantilla golf resort hotel with a private beach, sea sports, a sailing school, swimming pool, spa facilities and a restaurant. 

Bellavista Huelva Golf Club is also worth a look. Opened in 1916, it is the oldest course in Spain. The greens are perfect, and the fairways are generous, meaning it is possible to score well here. 

And you could try Nuevo Portil, an 18-hole course set in a pine forest and featuring amazing views of the Huelva coastline. The fairways are narrow and there are several doglegs. It has a wonderful clubhouse and also features a spa, swimming pool and club-cleaning service.

Check out Golfbreaks for your 2021 stay, and stay and play in Huelva for three nights, with two rounds of golf, from just £229.