The Best Golf Courses in Marbella, A Guide to the Costa del Golf
For decades, Marbella has welcomed visitors drawn to its coastline, Mediterranean climate, and vibrant lifestyle. Yet another group has long been captivated by a quieter passion, golf. With championship courses shaped by world class designers and framed by sea and mountain views, Marbella has turned many enthusiastic players into lifelong residents. Even icons like Sean Connery once called this golfing paradise home.
At Marbella Private Villas, we curate luxury golf holidays and tailored golf retreats across the region, helping guests experience the best of the Costa del Golf from the comfort of a private villa. Below is our guide to Marbella’s finest golf courses, each offering its own rhythm, beauty, and pedigree.
Monte Paraiso Golf
Set along Marbella’s Golden Mile, Monte Paraiso sits within one of Spain’s most exclusive residential enclaves. The nine hole course designed by Manuel Piñero winds through peaceful hillsides and lakes, offering a serene environment for a gentle round. While smaller in scale, its location and privacy make it beloved among residents who want a scenic and relaxed golf experience within minutes of the coast.
Marbella Club Golf Resort
Created by Dave Thomas, the eighteen hole Marbella Club Golf course is reserved for guests of the Marbella Club, Puente Romano, and select partners. Set in the Benahavis hills twenty minutes from the Golden Mile, it offers dramatic bunkering, rolling fairways, and sweeping views toward Gibraltar and the African coastline. The setting is refined and peaceful, perfect for golfers seeking exclusivity during their stay. Marbella Private Villas guests enjoy concierge coordination for tee times and transfers.
Real Club de Golf Guadalmina
Guadalmina is one of Marbella’s most storied golf destinations, surrounded by elegant neighbourhoods, the beach, and lush Mediterranean gardens. The South Course, opened in 1959 and designed by Javier Arana, is the Costa del Sol’s second oldest course. Its wide fairways and sea views have welcomed royalty, business icons, and international celebrities. The North Course, completed in 1973, offers a more forgiving layout framed by lakes, streams, and the Guadalmina river. Together they form forty five holes, offering variety for all levels and an essential stop on any golf holiday.
Nueva Andalucia, The Golf Valley of Marbella
Nueva Andalucia has earned its title as Marbella’s Golf Valley. Once an orange grove, it is now home to some of the region’s most desirable residences and world class clubs. Its location near Puerto Banus and choice of courses makes it a favourite base for golfers who want proximity and prestige.
Real Club de Golf Las Brisas
Designed in 1969 by Robert Trent Jones Sr., Las Brisas remains one of Europe’s leading courses. It has hosted the World Cup, the Spanish Open, and the Mediterranean Open, and is renowned for its strategic layout and botanical landscaping. The atmosphere is elegant and traditional, attracting members and visitors who appreciate refined golf in a private setting. Surrounding the course are some of Marbella’s most impressive villas, many with direct views over the fairways.
Los Naranjos Golf Club
Los Naranjos is considered one of Robert Trent Jones Sr.’s finest European creations. Generous fairways, well placed bunkers, and water features define the course, which has been named Costa del Sol Course of the Year multiple times. Its lively clubhouse, social calendar, and welcoming atmosphere make it ideal for groups and corporate golf retreats. The setting is vibrant yet refined, perfectly aligned with the energy of Marbella’s Golf Valley.
Aloha Golf Club
Created by Javier Arana, Aloha Golf is a prestigious and beautifully landscaped course that has hosted the PGA European Tour on multiple occasions. It offers a balanced, elegant design that challenges experienced players while remaining accessible. The surrounding residential areas are peaceful and family friendly, with gated communities, charming pathways, and views over Turtle Lake. Aloha is a favourite among golfers seeking classic Marbella charm.
Marbella East, A Blend of Beaches and Fairways
Marbella East is known for its golden beaches, natural dunes, and family friendly neighbourhoods, but it also offers excellent golfing options set among pine forests and coastal scenery. Villas here appeal to golfers who want easy access to both the course and the sea.
Santa Clara Golf Marbella
Designed by Enrique Canales Busquets and opened in 2001, Santa Clara Golf offers a relaxed and enjoyable layout suitable for all levels. With sea views, well maintained fairways, and a modern clubhouse, it is a favourite for golfers who want a balanced round without intense technical demands. The front nine is gentle and inviting, while the back nine introduces more water and strategic challenges.
Rio Real Golf
Opened in 1965 and designed by Javier Arana, Rio Real is one of Marbella’s most iconic courses. Following the Rio Real river toward the Mediterranean, the course offers a mix of serene fairways, elegant landscaping, and occasional ocean views. It remains a staple of Marbella golf holidays thanks to its beauty, heritage, and central location. Sean Connery famously played here during the height of Marbella’s golden era, adding to its legend.
Cabopino Golf
Cabopino Golf, designed by Juan Ligués Creus, is known for its elevated views over the sea and surrounding hills. The eighteen hole layout offers scenic diversity and a friendly atmosphere, with a golf academy that appeals to players looking to improve. Its proximity to Cabopino Beach and the protected Artola dunes makes it a favourite for golfers who want nature, tranquillity, and accessibility.
Greenlife Golf
Greenlife Golf offers a charming nine hole par three course in Elviria, surrounded by lakes, forests, and the Michelin starred El Lago restaurant. The setting is peaceful and intimate, ideal for beginners, families, or experienced golfers wanting to refine short game skills. Its central location near villas, beaches, and dining options makes it an excellent complement to longer rounds during a golf retreat.
Marbella Golf and Country Club
Located near Los Monteros and designed by Robert Trent Jones in the late eighties, Marbella Golf and Country Club presents a bold, sweeping layout with dramatic tee shots and scenic valleys. It pairs natural beauty with an enjoyable challenge, making it a popular stop for golfers looking to experience variety during their stay.
Where to Stay for a Luxury Golf Holiday in Marbella
Marbella’s renowned golf courses deserve a setting that matches their quality. The villas curated by Marbella Private Villas, from the beachfront Villa El Rincon to hillside estates like Villa Serenity, Villa La Gratitud, and Villa El Olivo, offer privacy, comfort, and proximity to the region’s best fairways. Private concierge support ensures effortless tee time coordination, transport arrangements, post round dining, and wellness experiences.
Plan Your Next Golf Retreat
Whether for a long weekend, a private tournament, or a luxury golf holiday in Marbella, our team creates tailored itineraries that blend championship golf with Mediterranean living.
Experience Marbella’s finest courses from the comfort of your private villa and discover why the Costa del Golf remains one of Europe’s most exceptional destinations.