13 best golf resorts in Continental Europe | GOLF Top 100 Resorts

September 13, 2023

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September 13, 2023

Praia D’El Rey Golf & Beach Resort in Obidos, Portugal.

Jacob Sjöman

The world may be getting smaller, but its collection of top-shelf golf resorts remains vast. From the American Heartland and the shimmering coasts of the Caribbean to the peaks of Europe and the majesty of Asia and the South Pacific, virtually every region on the planet is home to a sampling of the game’s finest stay-and-play experiences. To learn about the best golf resorts in Continental Europe, keep reading below.

To browse GOLF’s complete 2023-24 list of the Top 100 Golf Resorts in the World, click here.

The best golf resorts in Continental Europe (2023-24)

Arabella Golf Mallorca
Palma, Spain

Conveniently located less than 10 miles from the Palma airport, Arabella Golf Mallorca has something for everyone: the adults-only Castillo Hotel Son Vida, a 13th-century castle which boasts newly-refurbished rooms and sweeping panoramic views of the bay of Palma; the family-friendly Sheraton Mallorca Arabella Golf Hotel; and the ultra-luxe St. Regis Mardavall Mallorca Resort, which the Michelin-starred Es Fum restaurant calls home. Regardless of where you opt to stay, you’re in Mallorca! It’s impossible to go wrong. In addition to 63 holes of golf (three full-size courses, including the renowned Golf Son Muntaner, which hosted the DP World Tour’s Mallorca Open in 2022, and a 9-hole par-3 course), stunning architecture and breathtaking views abound at every turn. Off the course, visitors can enjoy a variety of pursuits. In addition to horseback riding, there are water sports galore, including fly-boarding, jet-skiing, sailing, deep-sea fishing and diving. The hotel concierge can also coordinate a litany of other activities off property, like bike tours of Palma, SUP yoga and even culinary adventures like a paella cooking class, local product tasting at an olive oil farm or a tapas tour. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Carya GC
Belek, Antalya, Turkey

The five-star Regnum Carya, located approximately 30 minutes from Turkey’s Antalya International Airport, boasts an array of amenities and activities so overwhelming it’s almost hard to believe it’s an all-inclusive. The resort achieves the rare feat of managing to be everything for every visitor. On a couples’ trip? Enjoy white-sand beaches, intimate dining, adults-only pools, a luxurious spa and nightclub. Traveling with the family? There are kids’ options galore, including kid-specific dining; a game center highlighted by bowling, billiards, table football and pinball; and even gratis admission and transportation to the nearby Land of Legends theme park. Want to play golf from sun-up to sundown? There are two courses to choose from, the on-site Carya Golf Club and the nearby 27-hole National Golf Club. And you don’t even have to stop when it gets dark, thanks to Carya Golf Club’s flood-lit course the first in all of Europe’s. And let’s not forget the premium accommodation, which ranges from standard rooms and suites to six-bedroom villas with private pools. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Costa Navarino
Messinia, Greece

When the architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. thinks of Greece’s Costa Navarino, similarly sprawling and golf-rich resorts like Pebble, Pinehurst and Bandon spring to mind. What springs to mind for the Greeks? Perhaps … “Golf?” Remarkably, there are less than a dozen 18-hole courses in the entire country — that’s how little footing the sport has gained on Greece’s famously rocky terrain. So it’s beyond unexpected that Costa Navarino has, in the past few years, rocketed to the top of the list of Continental Europe’s finest golf resorts. Set in the Peloponnese region of the country, three hours west of Athens by car, the seaside resort is nirvana for both golfers and hedonists. Four world-class courses are routed around, above and alongside four first-class hotels: the family-friendly Westin; the hipster, adults-preferred W; the romantically posh Romanos; and the even more posh (and pricey) Mandarin Oriental. The Greeks may not know much about golf, but they’re scratch players at hospitality. Among the things at Costa Navarino that are abundant: outdoor dining of every imaginable variety; atmosphere; sun-worshipping Europeans; infused gin and tonics; vistas; warm breezes; trance-y Euro beats—and all the golf you can handle. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Finca Cortesin
Casares, Spain

A five-star resort tucked just outside the dreamy Spanish coast city of Malaga, you’d be forgiven if you “forgot” to make a tee time at Finca Cortesin and instead spent your time hanging out at the property’s immaculate hotel, which routinely ranks as one of the 50 best in the world. But you should make a tee time at Cabell B. Robinson’s rugged design, a visually stunning and essentially Spanish track that runs from the hills out to the ocean. The Solheim Cup’s visit here in 2023 is just the latest pro golf excursion to Malaga, which has also hosted the DP World Tour’s Match Play Championship on a handful of occasions. After your round is done, hang out at the delicately maintained gardens, or spend some time overlooking stunning blue water at the property’s own private beach club (or four separate swimming pools). It’s all stunning at Finca Cortesin, which is sorta the point. It’s simply one of the most luxurious golf destinations on earth … hopefully the folks at The White Lotus don’t get any ideas. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Golf du Médoc
Bordeaux, France

Golf paradise in the heart of wine country? Would you mind if we ordered seconds? At Golf du Medoc, the answer is always no. Be it from any of the 79 rooms attached to the resort hotel to either of the property’s two championship golf courses … or anywhere beyond. With a host of alternate activities (wine-tasting chief among them) and a series of golf packages, Golf du Medoc does a little bit of everything well. For the golfer seeking their own chunk of adventure in the south of France, there may be no destination better — or more fulfilling. Just don’t forget to leave room for dinner at the on-property restaurant, where a traditional French meal prepared by head chef Benoit Gourgues may have a claim to the best “clubhouse menu” in golf. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Lofoten Links
Gimsøysand, Norway

It is not often a place can lay a genuine claim to being both the world’s most far-out golf destination and its prettiest.Then again, Lofoten Links isn’t a very typical golf destination. There are few places in the world that can match Lofoten’s combination of proper links golf, stunning ocean views and distant mountain vistas. There are no other places in the world that can claim those things AND a regular view of the Northern Lights. Lofoten’s charm is deeply Scandinavian — with on-site “cabins” for rent as opposed to traditional hotel rooms, and an on-site horse farm that doubles as a campsite for more rugged attendees. But it is fully one of one in the world of golf, and for that alone, it’s worth pinning high aboard your bucket list. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Monte Rei G&CC
Tavira, Portugal

Completed in 2007, the Jack Nicklaus Signature Design North Course at Monte Rei Golf & C.C. is considered by many to be Portugal’s best track. Set between the Serra do Caldeirão mountains and the Atlantic Ocean in the eastern portion of the country’s renowned Algarve district, Monte Rei is a stone’s throw from the southeast Portuguese/Spanish border. Day trips to Lisbon, Faro or Seville, Spain, are there for the taking, but why leave? Monte Rei is full-service, top-tier resort luxury, offering best-in-class on- and off-course escapes, prioritizing experiences that emphasize the destination’s rustic setting. Apartment-style residences are chic and comfy, with easy access to pools, bars, restaurants and the golf (including a PGA-staffed learning academy). A hideaway with every creature comfort imaginable? Not bad for one of Europe’s fastest-growing destinations. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Oitavos Dunes
Lisbon, Portugal

As far as destinations go in this region, Cascais, home to Oitavos Dunes, has done more to cement Portugal’s reputation as a must-see golf destination than any other. The Arthur Hills design Oitavos Dunes, opened in 2021, took the old guard resorts in the country’s Algarve and opened a new world of opportunity for travelers looking for something new. Europe came first. Now, the world. If panoramic views (the Atlantic, in particular) is your sort of thing, Oitavos is it. Once the new kid on the Euro tour block, Oitavos is now two-decades in as a must-visit, and a key piece to Portugal’s status as a world-class golf destination. It’s beach-heavy, yet Lisbon close, and the layout is Arthur Hills at his best. [LEARN MORE HERE]

PGA National Sweden
Bara, Sweden

In 2023, much of the talk surrounding golf visits to Scandinavia focuses on Norway’s Lofoten Links, but don’t sleep on PGA National. It’s here that the area firmly established itself as a golf gateway to northern Europe, which has given the European Ryder and Solheim Cup teams more players than ever before. Some of Kyle Phillips’ best work outside Kingsbarns can be found here, in a “have-it-your-way” resort experience that’s probably best accessed by flying into Copenhagen. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Praia D’El Rey Golf & Beach Resort
Obidos, Portugal

Located on the shores of Portugal’s Silver Coast, Praia D’El Rey offers near limitless activities for pleasure on your luxurious getaway. The 18-hole Cabell B. Robinson-designed golf course is the centerpiece of this exclusive property, but even if you’re not a golfer, there’s plenty to keep you occupied. With a tennis center and plenty of water sports, you’ll never find yourself without exercise. When you’re done, get rejuvenated at the spa or head out to the beach for an afternoon in the sun. And don’t forget about the seven restaurants on property to keep you fueled up. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Sotogrande Spa & Golf Resort
Alcaidesa, Spain

Sotogrande is nestled in the heart of one of the best destinations for golf lovers, with six world-class courses in the vicinity. But even if golf isn’t your cup of tea, there’s still plenty to do. Check out the four bars and restaurants on property and bask in the beauty of the Mediterranean in your free time. If you’re looking for a holiday in southern Spain, Sotogrande is a great place to start. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Terre Blanche Spa Golf Resort
Tourrettes, France

Terre Blanche is the epitome of luxury. This secluded retreat is nestled in the picturesque countryside of Provence, France and is renowned for its world-class amenities. Bask in the exquisite accommodations, which include two championship golf courses, a stunning spa and exceptional dining options. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Verdura Resort
Sciacca, Sicily

Verdura Resort is a haven of relaxation and adventure located in beautiful Sicily, Italy. Offering a variety of accommodations, the resort provides access to championship golf courses, world-class restaurants and exquisite fine dining. Once you step on property, you’ll be transported to a getaway better than you could’ve ever dreamed. [LEARN MORE HERE]