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? We’ve taken a look at golfing
holidays in both countries to help you decide.
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? We’ve taken a look at golfing
holidays in both countries to help you decide.
“Spain and Portugal have hosted international championships and delight amateurs with extensive golf holiday options”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
“La Cala Golf in Malaga is home to a 4* hotel, luxury spa, three golf courses and a golf academy”
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.
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.
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.
Vale do Lobo in Spain is one of the best golf destinations in the world. Credit: Vale do Lobo
Portugal is popular
with golfers from across the globe. It was named both Europe’s Best Golf
Destination and the World’s Best Golf Destination at the 2023 World Golf
Awards.
with golfers from across the globe. It was named both Europe’s Best Golf
Destination and the World’s Best Golf Destination at the 2023 World Golf
Awards.
In 2023, record
numbers of golfers flocked to Portugal’s southernmost region, the Algarve. Preliminary
figures from the Portuguese National Statistics Institute (INE) show that two
thirds of the country’s golf rounds in 2023 were played in the Algarve,
accounting for 1.4 million rounds. The combination of sunshine, beaches and
outstanding golf resorts is certainly a winning one in holidaymakers’ eyes.
numbers of golfers flocked to Portugal’s southernmost region, the Algarve. Preliminary
figures from the Portuguese National Statistics Institute (INE) show that two
thirds of the country’s golf rounds in 2023 were played in the Algarve,
accounting for 1.4 million rounds. The combination of sunshine, beaches and
outstanding golf resorts is certainly a winning one in holidaymakers’ eyes.
“Vale do Lobo showcases the gold standard of Portugal’s golf offering”
Just as La Cala
typifies the exceptional golfing facilities on offer in Spain, Vale
do Lobo showcases the gold
standard of Portugal’s golf offering. The prestigious Algarve resort is home to
two championship 18-hole courses: the Ocean and the Royal. Both enjoy a
stunning natural setting, with verdant greenery offset by the ever-shifting
blues of the Atlantic. Challenging and spectacular holes abound.
typifies the exceptional golfing facilities on offer in Spain, Vale
do Lobo showcases the gold
standard of Portugal’s golf offering. The prestigious Algarve resort is home to
two championship 18-hole courses: the Ocean and the Royal. Both enjoy a
stunning natural setting, with verdant greenery offset by the ever-shifting
blues of the Atlantic. Challenging and spectacular holes abound.
Vale do Lobo also
provides a wealth of amenities for golfers to enjoy during their stay. The
resort is home to 16 restaurants, bars and cafes, a spa and wellness centre, an
outdoor pool complex, a fully equipped gym, a tennis academy with tennis and
padel courts and much more. There is also a new golf shop featuring the latest
apparel and equipment, while regular events are held as part of an active
social calendar.
provides a wealth of amenities for golfers to enjoy during their stay. The
resort is home to 16 restaurants, bars and cafes, a spa and wellness centre, an
outdoor pool complex, a fully equipped gym, a tennis academy with tennis and
padel courts and much more. There is also a new golf shop featuring the latest
apparel and equipment, while regular events are held as part of an active
social calendar.
A spectacular golf property at Vale do Lobo. Credit: Vale do Lobo
Golf properties are
available at Vale do Lobo for players and their families to enjoy. They include
newly refurbished Golf Residences, priced from €830,000, which are ideally
positioned to access the resort’s courses and its popular clubhouse. The homes
include apartments, duplexes and linked villas, with features such as infinity
plunge pools, covered terraces, private swimming pools and rooftop Jacuzzis.
available at Vale do Lobo for players and their families to enjoy. They include
newly refurbished Golf Residences, priced from €830,000, which are ideally
positioned to access the resort’s courses and its popular clubhouse. The homes
include apartments, duplexes and linked villas, with features such as infinity
plunge pools, covered terraces, private swimming pools and rooftop Jacuzzis.
Recently, the resort
made available a new selection of land plots in two
areas—the coastal Oceano Clube, offering some of the last true beachfront
land available in Portugal, and the verdant Vale Real, a spectacular oasis of
greenery, with panoramic golf course views. Soon to be launched plots in Vale
das Flores, close to 8th hole of the famous Ocean Golf Course, will offer
another exciting opportunity to purchase land in a sought-after area of the
resort.
made available a new selection of land plots in two
areas—the coastal Oceano Clube, offering some of the last true beachfront
land available in Portugal, and the verdant Vale Real, a spectacular oasis of
greenery, with panoramic golf course views. Soon to be launched plots in Vale
das Flores, close to 8th hole of the famous Ocean Golf Course, will offer
another exciting opportunity to purchase land in a sought-after area of the
resort.
If you’re currently
torn between booking a golf holiday in Portugal or one in Spain, why not
consider a dual-location break? It takes less than 4.5 hours to drive from the
Algarve to Malaga, making it easy to experience a golfing break that takes in
both regions. That way, you can decide for yourself which country wins the
battle of the golfing giants.
torn between booking a golf holiday in Portugal or one in Spain, why not
consider a dual-location break? It takes less than 4.5 hours to drive from the
Algarve to Malaga, making it easy to experience a golfing break that takes in
both regions. That way, you can decide for yourself which country wins the
battle of the golfing giants.
Banner: Ficus is one of the indoor house plants to avoid if you suffer from hay fever. Credit: Feey
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