Golf Guide to Marbella, Malaga and the Costa del Sol

No matter what your standard, you will find a course to suit you in the area. Most are immaculately manicured, featuring superb greens, trees and water hazards. There are also courses to suit every pocket. Be aware that some green fees in this part of the world are pretty steep so make sure you sort out your tee times before you go.

Los Arqueros Golf & Country Club is a luxurious Spanish resort that is set in the stunning Ronda Hills, boasting tremendous views of the beautiful surrounding area. Los Naranjos, on the other hand, provides a hefty challenge thanks to the wonderful design from esteemed architect Robert Trent Jones Jr.

If you’re looking for an exclusive facility, then look no further than Marbella Club Golf Resort; golfers can expect a fabulous golf course that is stacked with some of the best views on the Costa del Sol. Another interesting layout to be situated in Marbella is Santa Clara Golf Course. The course extends over 6,400 yards from the tips and contains the type of danger that better players will be looking for.

Marbella is a brilliant choice if you’re looking to play numerous courses - including the stunning Santa Maria Golf & Country Club. Expect a picturesque experience with plenty of water hazards to contend with. Yet another golf course to be positioned in Marbella is Tramores Golf Course, which boasts a par of 63 and is home to practice facilities that are rarely rivalled throughout the area. Tramores is found at Anantara Villa Padierna, which is also home to Flamingos Golf Club – a brilliant layout that will ask many questions of your game.

Moving over to Malaga and visitors will be desperate to experience Valle Romano's charm. The parkland setting has attracted the Challenge Tour on two occasions, which highlights the difficulty awaiting any visitor. For golfers who enjoy playing renowned course’s that boast iconic designers, then El Paraiso Golf Club – created by Gary Player – should be a must play. It’s one of the most established courses on the coast and continues to attract golfers in their masses.

The Costa del Sol is not only home to historic courses; Finca Cortesin Golf Club opened in 2007 but the terrific layout has earned a good reputation through both locals and visitors alike. Did you know that there is a local course nicknamed ‘The Beast’ Golf Torrequebrada arguably provides the toughest test on the Costa del Sol through multiple water hazards and the need to be accurate off the tee. Another club that is rapidly becoming one of the most popular in Europe is Mijas Golf Club, where golfers will find 36 holes of the highest standard.

Costa de Sol Resorts

Marbella and Malaga are renowned for the quality of their hotels and restaurants. All the hotels listed below here are either located as part of a golf complex or offer packages that come with tee times. You can be sure that the food and facilities at all of them are of the highest quality. They all have swimming pools, and most have children’s clubs, spas, gyms, free Wi-Fi and offer all-inclusive options.

The Westin La Quinta Golf & Spa Resort, based in Marbella, is a modern hotel that is home to more than 160 guestrooms; La Quinta Golf Course is attached to the premises and the 27 holes of championship golf will provide a challenge for all levels of golfer. 

Also situated in Marbella is Sol Marbella Estepona Atalaya Park, a gigantic resort that contains 484 spacious and lavish bedrooms. There are two golf courses within a 10-minute ride away - The Atalaya Old and New Course – with the resort providing a complimentary shuttle service to and from the club’s premises.

Hotel Guadalmina Spa & Golf Resort is a 4* beachfront hotel that boasts 178 rooms and suites that are available for renting. Golfers will enjoy playing the 6,683-yard Guadalmina South Course and the alternative North Course, with the courses located adject to the resort.

For golfers looking for 5* luxury then Los Monteros Spa & Golf Resort Hotel is the perfect choice offering a range of accommodation options along within located with the famous 'Golf Mile' where there are 20 golf courses in the surrounding area to choose from. Guests at this resort will benefit from preferential tee times and the hotel itself operates a shuttle bus service to and from Santa Clara and Marbella Golf Club.

Boasting 4* luxury and an unbelievably stunning location, La Cala Golf Resort is one of the greatest to be situated on the Costa del Sol. Stunning bedrooms, gorgeous vistas and outstanding hospitality awaits any lucky golfer. You will also be thrilled to know that La Cala is one of the grandest golf resorts in Spain, with three golf courses of envious standard. Whether you tackle the America, Asia or Europa, you are guaranteed a golfing experience like no other.

La Cala is not the only resort to be based in Malaga as Lauro Golf Resort is another fantastic option for visitors travelling to this area. Varied accommodation ensures groups of differing size are welcome at the base, with each room being decorated in an attractive manner. Folco Nardi was enlisted to bring the golf vision to life, and every single hole of the 27 available will bring joy to any golfer who embraces the challenge.

A pint of local beer will cost you about £2, while you can expect to pay £5 for a bottle of wine. Some bars and restaurants will give you free tapas if you buy beer or wine. A decent lunch will cost no more than £10 and a three-course meal for two will set you back around £35. A one-way bus trip will cost no more than £1, and local taxis charge around £1 per kilometre.

The Climate

Marbella, Malaga and the Costa del Sol are protected on the northern side by the coastal mountains of the Cordillera Penibética and enjoys a climate with an average annual temperature above 18°C (64°F) with an impressive 2,900 hours of sunshine annually. In the summer the mercury routinely hits 26°C.

  Local Time

The Costa del Sol is one hour ahead of the UK.

  Local Currency

The local currency is the euro and there are plenty of ATMs, banks and bureaux de change.

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Flying time to Marbella, Malaga and the Costa Del Sol from the UK is approximately two hours and 40 minutes from London.

Flight Information

You can get the region from most regional airports in the UK, including Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow. Budget flights are available throughout most of the year, although prices will rise during school holidays. Airlines flying there include Monarch, British Airways, EasyJet and Ryanair.

Marbella, Malaga and the Costa del Sol form part of the most popular Spanish destinations.

Things to do

Located on southern Spain’s Costa del Sol, the Sierra Blanca Mountains form the backdrop to 20 miles of beaches, villas, hotels, and golf courses. West of Marbella town, the Golden Mile of nightclubs and coastal estates leads to Puerto Banss marina, filled with luxury yachts, and surrounded by boutiques and bars.

The old town of Marbella includes the ancient city walls and the two historical suburbs of the city, the Barrio Alto, which extends north, and the Barrio Nuevo, located to the east. One of the highlights of the Barrio Alto is the Ermita del Santo Cristo de la Vera Cruz (Hermitage of the Holy Christ of the True Cross), built in the 15th century and enlarged in the 18th century, which consists of a square tower with a roof covered by glazed ceramic tiles.

Marbella’s old town has narrow cobblestone streets and whitewashed Moorish houses. It centres on the 15th-century Plaza de los Naranjos, where the ruins of the city’s medieval Arab walls stand alongside Renaissance buildings, palm trees and tapas bars. The Museo del Grabado Español Contemporáneo and the Museo Ralli hold works by Spanish artists such as Dalí, Miró and Picasso. Along the busy waterfront, beaches include La Fontanilla and La Venus, public spaces with facilities for families and water sports, as well as private beach clubs. The Golden Mile begins at the western edge of Marbella city and stretches to Puerto Banús, home to some of Marbella's most luxurious villas and estates.

No trip to Malaga is complete without visiting Alcazaba, an Arabic castle with amazing views over the city and the harbour. The Museum de Malaga splits exhibits into two categories - fine art and archeology. Note that it is closed on Mondays. Families should head for the Sea Life Aquaurium Benalmadena - tickets bought online in advance are just 9.95 euros.

The Cuisine

Regardless of your taste in food or your budget, you will find something to suit you in the Costa del Sol. It is based on the Mediterranean, which means that seafood is a speciality, together with tapas. There is a wide range of restaurants, bars and cafes, many of which are located at the world-famous marina. The most typical dish is fried fish, using anchovies, mackerel, mullet or squid, amongst others. Bakeries sell oil cakes, wine donuts, borrachuelos (aniseed rolls fried with a little wine and dipped into syrup), torrijas (similar to French toast) and churros (fritters). Here are a few of the best.

Where to Eat

Dani Garcia

Sensational food, great service - and prices to match. The restaurant offers a 19-course tasting menu at €168, a short version at €75 and a full a la carte selection. Food is cooked in an open kitchen.

BiBo

BiBo is a busy bistro with four eating areas - a  terrace, Grandma’s table, the Raw and Oyster Bar and the Cocktail bar. There’s a choice of stone-baked pizzas, burgers, stuffed whole chickens and slow-cooked lamb, as well as sushi, tapas, steak and fried fish dishes. The cocktails are among the best in Marbella.

Taberna La Niña Del Pisto

This tapas bar serves a range of simple classic dishes from the province of Cordoba, including salmorejo (a thick, cold soup served with jamon and boiled egg), berenjenas con miel (lightly fried aubergine drizzled with honey), snails in a spicy sauce, local cured cheese and bull’s tail stew.

Bar Estrecho

Founded in 1954, Bar Estrecho is still family run. It serves tapas in an informal dining area and also offers a great selection of croquettes, fresh clams, prawns, octopus and pork dishes. Cheap and cheerful.

Beckitt’s

Located on a corner with terrace tables, Beckitt’s offers an early bird menu served before 8pm costing t €25 per head. It specialises in steak, particularly Angus fillets of beef. This is a lively restaurant featuring live music that accommodates large groups.

Paella Y Mas

If you want authentic paella, this is the place to try. It also serves fideua, which is similar to paella but made with pasta noodles rather than rice. Another speciality is Iberian pork.

El Pimpi

El Pimpi is one of Malaga’s most famous restaurants, located in an 18th century house, offering its guests traditional Spanish dishes in themed rooms, and on its large outdoor terrace that offers splendid views of the surrounding historical attractions. It features weekly flamenco nights, and has been visited by many artists who have left their autographs on the restaurant’s wine barrels, including the Picasso family and Antonio Banderas.

Vino Mio

Situated next to the Cervantes Theatre in Malaga, Vino Mío opened in 2003. Winner of Trip Advisor’s Certificate of Excellence in 2013, it is another restaurant that features live flamenco performances every night while serving traditional tapas. The restaurant also displays the creations of various artists and offers a menu that includes pâté Picasso, black tagliatelle with marinated chicken, cod fillet and mango mousse or dark chocolate brownies for dessert.