The 10 Best Golf Courses in Catalunya
Catalunya has more than 40 active golf courses. From the pine-scented fairways of the Costa Brava to the Pyrenean valleys near the French border, there are layouts here for every type of golfer, at a range of budgets that would surprise most visitors. This guide covers ten courses worth making a trip for, with honest assessments of what each one delivers and who it suits best.
I live in Catalunya. I run a golf travel agency here, and I have played every course on this list. That does not make me infallible, but it does mean I can tell you which courses impress on paper and disappoint in person, and which ones are the other way around.
How these courses were chosen
I evaluated courses on five criteria: design quality and challenge, conditioning and presentation, setting and atmosphere, value relative to green fee, and what kind of golfer is actually going to enjoy it. A course with a weak practice facility but a brilliant back nine scores differently from one that is perfectly manicured but forgettable from the first tee to the last.
Ten golf courses in Catalunya worth playing
Camiral Golf and Wellness (formerly PGA Catalunya)
Camiral Golf and Wellness, Caldes de Malavella, Girona. Host venue for the Ryder Cup 2031.
Location: Caldes de Malavella, Girona | Holes: 36 (Stadium + Tour) | Par: 72 (both) | Designers: Neil Coles MBE and Ángel Gallardo | Year opened: 1999 (Stadium), 2005 (Tour)
Camiral sits on 540 hectares of Catalan forest 40 minutes south of Girona and about 20 minutes from the coast. It has hosted the Open de España three times, and the announcement that it will host the 2031 Ryder Cup surprised nobody who has played here. The Stadium Course is the headline act: rolling fairways cut through Mediterranean cork oak and pine, with elevation changes that demand real course management. The signature par-3 13th, a short iron over water to a peninsula green, sits among Europe's Top 100 holes.
The Tour Course is underrated. It is shorter and more forgiving off the tee, but the greens are complex and it rewards local knowledge. If you are coming for a long weekend, playing both is the right call.
Since the rebrand, Camiral has invested seriously in its wellness offer: a thermal spa, hotel, and residences that turn a golf trip into something closer to a proper retreat. Green fees sit at the top of the regional scale, but this is one case where you get what you pay for.
Best for: Golfers who want a world-class layout and are prepared to pay for it. Serious handicap players, bucket-list chasers, and anyone visiting in 2031 for the Ryder Cup.
Heads up: Demand is high year-round. Book well in advance, especially for the Stadium Course on weekends.
Real Club de Golf El Prat
Real Club de Golf El Prat, Terrassa. Greg Norman's 45-hole redesign across five named nine-hole loops.
Location: Terrassa, Barcelona | Holes: 45 (five 9-hole loops) | Par: 72 (any 18-hole combination) | Designer: Greg Norman (redesign) | Year opened: 1954 (redesigned 2003)
El Prat is the most flexible major course in Catalunya, which is either its strongest feature or slightly disorienting depending on how you feel about variety. Greg Norman redesigned the 45 holes into five named nine-hole loops: Rosa, Amarillo, and Verde are the most commonly combined for visiting rounds. The course sits in the peri-urban belt west of Barcelona, which means it lacks the wild setting of the Costa Brava courses, but it compensates with sheer quality of design and conditioning.
It hosted the Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship and is the most seriously run club in the region. The greens are consistently excellent. Norman's redesign gave the layout proper strategic teeth without making it punishing for mid-handicappers.
Despite the "Real" (Royal) designation and its prestige, visiting golfers are welcome. Combined with a stay in Barcelona, El Prat makes for a strong city-break anchor.
Best for: Golfers staying in Barcelona who want a prestige round without driving two hours. Those who enjoy playing different 9-hole combinations over multiple days.
Heads up: El Prat requires booking in advance, particularly for weekend rounds, as it is the most in-demand club in the Barcelona area.
Empordà Golf Club
Empordà Golf Club, Gualta. Robert von Hagge and Rick Baril's Forest Course, tree-lined fairways in the heart of the Costa Brava.
Location: Gualta, Girona (Costa Brava) | Holes: 36 (Forest + Links) | Par: 72 (Forest), 72 (Links) | Designers: Robert von Hagge & Rick Baril | Year opened: 1989
Empordà offers something rare in Spain: two completely different golfing experiences within a few hundred metres of each other. The Forest Course is what you picture when you think of a Costa Brava round: tree-lined fairways, natural contours, and a demand for accuracy that punishes loose driving. The Links Course is flatter and more exposed, with a different wind challenge and broader fairways that are deceptive. It does not look like links golf in the strict sense, but the design thinking is links-adjacent.
Robert von Hagge and Rick Baril were among the most accomplished design partnerships of their era, and both courses here show why. The routing is smart, the green complexes are varied, and neither layout repeats itself. An on-site hotel and spa make this a complete destination.
The one honest caveat: Empordà sits inland from the coast, about 15 minutes from the beach, so guests hoping to combine pool days and golf from one property will be driving a bit.
Best for: Golfers who want two contrasting 18-hole challenges from a single base. Good for multi-day stays as part of a Costa Brava trip.
Heads up: The Links Course can play very differently in wind. Check conditions before choosing your tee time order.
Infinitum Golf (formerly Lumine)
Infinitum Golf, La Mora, Tarragona. Three 18-hole courses on the Costa Daurada, with beach club access.
Location: La Mora, Tarragona (Costa Daurada) | Holes: 45 (Hills 18, Lakes 18, Ruins 9) | Par: 72 (Hills and Lakes) | Designers: Alfonso Viador (Hills), Greg Norman (Lakes) | Year opened: 2004
Infinitum is the largest golf resort in Catalunya by hole count, with 45 holes across three layouts plus a beach club. It sits on the Costa Daurada south of Tarragona, about 90 minutes from Barcelona. The three layouts are distinct: Hills, designed by Alfonso Viador, is the most dramatic, with elevation and exposed ridgeline holes; Lakes, designed by Greg Norman, rewards approach play; the nine-hole Ruins course weaves through Roman archaeological features that are not just decorative.
The scale of the resort is impressive. Beach access, hotels, residences, and a food and beverage offer that goes beyond standard golf resort catering. For families or groups with varied interests, Infinitum is the most complete package in the region.
The honest trade-off: the Costa Daurada lacks the character of the Costa Brava. The landscape is more open and less textured. If you are chasing golf atmosphere, the Girona courses feel more special. If you want facilities, variety, and the beach, Infinitum wins.
Best for: Larger groups, families, or golfers who want three courses, a beach, and a full resort infrastructure from one base.
Heads up: The 90-minute drive from Barcelona and Girona means Infinitum works best as a dedicated stay rather than a day trip.
Golf de Pals
Golf de Pals, Pals, Girona. The oldest course on the Costa Brava and the site of the first European Tour event in Spain, in 1972.
Location: Pals, Girona (Costa Brava) | Holes: 18 | Par: 73 | Designer: Sir F.W. Hawtree | Year opened: 1966
Golf de Pals has a claim no other course in the region can match: it hosted the first European Tour event played in Spain, in 1972. The tournament circuit that became the DP World Tour has its Spanish roots here, on this pine-forest layout on the Costa Brava. That history gives Pals a character that newer courses cannot manufacture.
The course itself holds up well. Hawtree's routing threads through mature Mediterranean pines, with waste areas of natural sand and occasional glimpses of the Medes Islands. At 6,263 metres from the whites, it is not long by modern standards, but the narrow corridors demand placement off the tee, and the greens have enough subtle movement to punish anyone who reads them carelessly.
The green fee is also notably more accessible than Camiral or Empordà, which makes it good value for what you get.
Best for: Golfers with an interest in the history of European golf. Those who prefer a classic parkland-pine feel to modern resort layouts.
Heads up: Pals is a ten-minute drive from Empordà Golf, which makes the two a natural pairing. Book both on the same trip.
Real Club de Golf Cerdanya
Real Club de Golf Cerdanya, Puigcerdà. Designed by Javier Arana in 1929, one of the ten oldest clubs in Spain.
Location: Puigcerdà, Girona (Pyrenees) | Holes: 27 | Par: 72 | Designer: Javier Arana | Year opened: 1929
Founded in 1929, Real Club de Golf Cerdanya is one of the ten oldest golf clubs in Spain, and the only Royal club in the Catalan Pyrenees. The course was designed by Javier Arana, the greatest Spanish golf architect of the 20th century, whose other works include El Saler and Club de Campo. It runs through century-old parkland in the Cerdanya valley near Puigcerdà, at 1,100 metres elevation with the Pyrenees on every side.
The course is not long by modern standards, but Arana's strategic bunkering and the placement of mature trees around the greens demand precise iron play. This is a course where course management matters more than power. The DP World Tour professional Álvaro Velasco has publicly called Cerdanya his favourite course in the world, having played tournaments across the globe. That endorsement says something.
The Cerdanya valley sits on the border with France, minutes from Puigcerdà and the French enclave of Llívia. Combined with Fontanals Golf Club 15 minutes up the valley, it makes the Cerdanya one of the most rewarding two-course destinations in Spain.
Best for: Golfers who want a historic, atmospheric club experience in a mountain setting. Those who value design pedigree and a genuine sense of place over modern resort infrastructure.
Heads up: The drive from the coast is around two hours. The club requires a handicap certificate. Plan the Cerdanya as a dedicated leg of a longer trip rather than a day trip from Girona.
Fontanals Golf Club
Fontanals Golf Club, Cerdanya. Mountain golf at 1,100 metres elevation with the Pyrenean peaks as a backdrop.
Location: Fontanals de Cerdanya, Girona (Pyrenees) | Holes: 18 | Par: 72 | Designer: Ramon Espinosa | Year opened: 1995
Fontanals sits at 1,100 metres in the broad Cerdanya valley, 15 minutes from the Real Club de Golf Cerdanya. At altitude, the ball travels further off the tee, wide fairways are forgiving, and the Pyrenean peaks rise on every side. It is one of the most visually arresting places to play golf in Spain.
Designed by Ramon Espinosa and opened in 1995, the course plays across open meadowland with elevation changes, mountain streams, and mature trees. It is more accessible than Camiral or Empordà, which makes it a strong option for mixed-ability groups. The wind can make it bite, however, and conditions change fast at altitude.
Beyond the course: Fontanals is a complete resort with hotel, spa, wellness centre, tennis, padel, and a restaurant focused on local Cerdanya produce. In summer, when the Costa Brava is hot and crowded, the Cerdanya runs around 10 degrees cooler. That alone is a reason to plan a trip.
Best for: Golfers who want altitude, mountain scenery, and a full resort from one base. Works well with a round at the Real Club de Golf Cerdanya on the same trip.
Heads up: The drive from Barcelona is around two hours; from Girona, closer to 90 minutes. Factor that into a multi-course itinerary.
Club de Golf Terramar
Club de Golf Terramar, Sitges. Tom Simpson's 1927 design, the only golf course directly on the Mediterranean coast in Catalunya.
Location: Sitges, Barcelona | Holes: 18 | Par: 72 | Designer: Tom Simpson (renovated by Mackenzie & Ebert) | Year opened: 1927
Terramar is the oldest course on this list and one of the most distinctive. Designed by Tom Simpson in 1927 and recently renovated by Mackenzie & Ebert, the firm responsible for the Open Championship venues at Royal Birkdale, Turnberry, and Royal Portrush, it is the only golf course in Catalunya that runs directly alongside the Mediterranean. Several holes sit parallel to the beach, with sea views from most of the layout.
Simpson's other designs include Morfontaine in France, Cruden Bay in Scotland, and Ballybunion in Ireland, all of which remain among the most respected courses in the world. His Terramar layout combines parkland and coastal elements with the classic Simpson principles of strategic bunkering and natural routing. Mackenzie & Ebert's renovation preserved the original routing while modernising greens, bunkers, and irrigation.
Terramar sits at the western edge of Sitges, one of the most attractive seaside towns in the Mediterranean. Walking distance to the old town, beach, restaurants, and everything else Sitges offers. Golfers staying in Barcelona can be on the first tee in 35 minutes.
Best for: Golfers staying in Barcelona or Sitges who want a historic, architecturally significant course with a sea view. A strong option for combining a morning round with an afternoon in Sitges.
Heads up: The coastal wind at Sitges can change conditions quickly. An early tee time tends to be calmer.
Peralada Golf
Peralada Golf, Alt Empordà, with the 14th-century castle in the background.
Location: Peralada, Alt Empordà, Girona | Holes: 18 | Par: 71 | Designer: Jordi Soler Peix | Year opened: 1993
Peralada earns its place here not because it is the most technically challenging course on this list, but because no other course in Catalunya offers the same combination of surroundings. The fairways wind through parkland in the shadow of a 14th-century castle. The five-star Hotel Peralada sits next to the course. The estate produces its own wines from D.O. Empordà vineyards. There is a casino in the castle. There is a wine spa. The Festival Internacional de Música de Peralada uses the castle gardens each summer.
The golf is good. Par 71, with a mix of open and tree-framed holes, several water features, and a memorable set of par-3s. It will not destroy a mid-handicapper, which means it works well for mixed-ability groups. But the reason Peralada belongs in any serious guide to golf in Catalunya is the total experience of the place rather than the card alone.
Best for: Couples or groups where not everyone is a die-hard golfer. Anyone who wants wine, culture, and a castle with their round. Ideal for a two or three-night stay.
Heads up: Peralada is a popular venue for corporate and social events. If you are planning a round during peak summer months, book accommodation at the hotel well in advance.
Torremirona Golf and Spa Resort
Torremirona Golf and Spa Resort, Navata, in the Empordà plain with the Pyrenees as a backdrop.
Location: Navata, Girona (Pyrenees foothills) | Holes: 18 | Par: 72 | Designers: Eugenio Aguado & Jordi Soler | Year opened: 1993
Torremirona sits in the Empordà plain with the Pyrenees as a northern backdrop, 30 minutes from the coast and 20 minutes from Figueres. Designed by Eugenio Aguado and Jordi Soler, it features generous water hazards and wide fairways that reward precise course management. The conditioning has been consistently reliable, and the hotel and spa are well run.
It will not appear on world rankings lists, but Torremirona is one of those courses that is consistently enjoyable without demanding your full attention. Good for a relaxed round, good for mixed groups, and the setting with the Pyrenees visible from several tees is a genuine draw.
Best for: Golfers who want a mid-tier resort experience with comfortable accommodation and uncomplicated but enjoyable golf.
Heads up: Torremirona is 15 minutes from Figueres and 30 minutes from Peralada, which makes it a natural base for a multi-course Empordà itinerary.
Honourable mentions
Three courses that did not make this guide but deserve a note for the right traveller:
Golf Aravell is in the Alt Urgell valley near Andorra, designed by José María Olazabal, at around 800 metres. Mountain golf with a completely different atmosphere from the Cerdanya courses, and closer to Andorra for those combining golf with skiing or hiking further up the valley.
Club de Golf Sant Cugat, founded in 1914, is the oldest golf club in Spain still operating at its original site. A private club near Barcelona with a genuine historical atmosphere. Visiting can be arranged, and for golfers interested in the game's history in Spain, it is worth the effort.
Llavaneras Golf Club, on the Maresme coast north of Barcelona, is a quiet, well-kept members' club with a loyal following. Not on most tourist itineraries, but a good option if you are based in the northern suburbs of Barcelona.
The regional breakdown: which courses are where
Costa Brava and Girona province holds the highest concentration of quality courses: Camiral, Empordà, Pals, Peralada, and Torremirona are all within 60 minutes of Girona city. A week based in a single hotel in this area could comfortably include four or five different courses.
Barcelona and surroundings covers El Prat (Terrassa) and Terramar (Sitges), which anchor the region for golfers based in the city. El Prat is 30 minutes west; Terramar is 35 minutes south. Neither requires a car if you are prepared to arrange transfers.
Costa Daurada and Tarragona province is Infinitum's territory. The region is less visited by golf tourists than the Costa Brava, but the resort infrastructure at Infinitum is the strongest in the south of the region. Roman history at nearby Tarragona is a bonus.
The Pyrenees covers the Cerdanya valley, where Real Club de Golf Cerdanya and Fontanals are 15 minutes apart. These suit golfers who want altitude, mountain scenery, and a complete change of pace. Summer temperatures in the Cerdanya run 10 degrees cooler than the coast, which makes late-July and August trips genuinely comfortable.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best golf course in Catalunya? Camiral Golf and Wellness (formerly PGA Catalunya) is consistently ranked among the top 20 courses in Europe and will host the 2031 Ryder Cup. Its Stadium Course, designed by Neil Coles MBE and Ángel Gallardo, is the most celebrated layout in the region. For a world-class experience from a single course, nothing else in Catalunya comes close.
When is the best time to play golf in Catalunya? April to June and September to November are the best windows. The weather is settled, the courses are in good condition after winter recovery or pre-winter preparation, and the summer crowds have thinned. July and August are hot on the coast; if you visit then, early morning tee times are essential. The Pyrenean courses, particularly the Cerdanya, are more comfortable in summer than the coast.
How many golf courses are there in Catalunya? There are around 40 active golf courses in Catalunya. The largest concentration is in the Girona province (Costa Brava and surrounding area), which accounts for roughly half of all the courses in the region.
Is golf in Catalunya expensive? It depends on where you play. Camiral and El Prat are at the premium end, with green fees ranging from roughly €120 to €250 depending on season. Mid-tier courses like Pals, Torremirona, and Terramar sit in the €55 to €110 range. The Cerdanya courses are cheaper still. Package trips through a local agency typically bring green fees down by bundling accommodation and tee times.
Do I need to hire a car to play golf in Catalunya? For the Costa Brava and Pyrenean courses, yes. Public transport does not serve most courses adequately. Barcelona is the exception: El Prat and Terramar can both be reached by car or transfer from the city. For any trip involving three or more different courses, a car is the practical choice.
Can beginners play golf in Catalunya? Yes. Most courses on this list welcome golfers with any recognised handicap, and several, including Peralada, Torremirona, and Fontanals, are well suited to higher-handicap players. A few courses, including the Real Club de Golf Cerdanya, require a handicap certificate. Camiral's Tour Course is more accessible than the Stadium Course for newer golfers.
Is the 2031 Ryder Cup taking place in Catalunya? Yes. Camiral Golf and Wellness in Caldes de Malavella, Girona, will host the Ryder Cup in 2031. This has already increased visitor interest in the region substantially. If you are planning to attend, accommodation and hospitality packages will need to be booked years in advance. Playing the courses at Camiral before the event is a strong alternative if tickets are unavailable.
Planning your trip
No list replaces local knowledge when it comes to building an actual itinerary. Green fee availability, course conditions, accommodation combinations, and the logistics of getting between Camiral and the Cerdanya in the same week are things that look simple on paper and get complicated in practice.
Catalan Golf is a small agency based in Catalunya, run by golfers who play these courses regularly. If you want help putting together an itinerary, whether a long weekend on the Costa Brava or a two-week circuit of the whole region, get in touch and we will do the planning.
Enquire about your Catalunya golf trip
SEO Notes for the Editor
Internal links to add
Link each course name in the article to its dedicated course page using these slugs:
- Camiral:
/golf-courses/camiral - Real Club de Golf El Prat:
/golf-courses/real-club-de-golf-el-prat - Empordà Golf Club:
/golf-courses/emporda-golf-club - Golf de Pals:
/golf-courses/golf-de-pals - Peralada Golf:
/golf-courses/peralada-golf - Infinitum Golf:
/golf-courses/infinitum-golf - Torremirona Golf:
/golf-courses/torremirona-golf - Fontanals de Cerdanya:
/golf-courses/fontanals-de-cerdanya - Real Club de Golf Cerdanya:
/golf-courses/golf-cerdanya - Club de Golf Terramar:
/golf-courses/sitges-terramar
Also link to the Ryder Cup 2031 content in the FAQ: /ryder-cup-2031
Schema markup recommendations
ItemList schema for the course section. Each ListItem should include:
name(course name)url(full URL to the course page)description(first sentence of the course description)
FAQPage schema for the FAQ section. Each Question and Answer maps directly to the bold questions and their paragraphs. Strong candidate for featured snippets on queries like "when is the best time to play golf in Catalunya" and "how many golf courses are there in Catalunya."
Article schema at the page level:
author: Catalan GolfdatePublished: 2026-04-08headline: The 10 Best Golf Courses in Catalunyakeywords: best golf courses catalunya, camiral, pga catalunya, costa brava golf
Hero image suggestion
A wide aerial or elevated shot of Camiral's Stadium Course, ideally the 13th hole, showing the pine forest and the Catalan landscape. Alternatively, a split-image showing one coastal course (Empordà or Pals) and one mountain course (Fontanals or Cerdanya) to communicate the regional variety of the piece.