COSTA BRAVA GOLF HOLIDAYS
Our guide to golfbreaks between Barcelona & Girona.

Costa Brava - beach

Golf holidays - Costa Brava

The Costa Brava is very different from other parts of Spain - just one of the reasons we love it for golf holidays so much!  In contrast to the deep South of the country development along the beautiful Mediterranean coastline between Barcelona and the Pyrenees has been carefully controlled.  All the little fishing villages in their rocky coves have been preserved - a bedazzlement of whitewashed cottages set against the sparkling blue sea in the strong Catalonian sunshine.  Add to this the quality and quantity of golf courses on the Costa Brava and you have the perfect  recipe for a stimulating and relaxing golfbreak.

Pals on the Costa Brava

Inland, the Costa Brava has verdant countryside irrigated by the melting snows of the nearby Pyrenees.  Dense pine forests cover a lot of the landscape with hilltop medieval villages breaking through the evergreen canopy here and there - such as the lovely old town of Pals.

The Costa Brava is very accessible for golf holidays too with plenty of flights into Barcelona airport, plus 'lo-cost' options as weel into Girona or Reus airports.  So short golfbreaks to Catalonia are perfectly feasible.

Costa Brava restaurant

Without a doubt, the Costa Brava is one of the finest golfing destinations for discerning golfers who would like a taste of the real Spain rather than the repetitive cycle of golf course, hotel, beach; golf course, hotel, beach; golf course, hotel, beach...

Costa Brava golf courses

There is a rich vein of golf courses on the Costa Brava that runs from just north of Girona around Figueres down past  the city and on towards Barcelona.  The most pre-eminent course in the region is without doubt the PGA Catalunya just off the Barcelona to Girona motorway.  Here there are two course: the Stadium which has hosted the Spanish Open on several occasions recently and the Tour course.  They also have two hotels and some of the best practice facisities we have ever seen.  It is now the Centre of Excellence for golf in Spain.

PGA Catalunya golf course

There is no seaside golf in the Costa Brava, the closest you will get is the oldest course in the region at Platja de Pals, a tightly knit offering through droves of parasol pines.  Nearby is another 36-hole complex at Empordá with two contrasting courses: the Links (with its huge bunkers and lakes) and the Forest (with its mighty pines).  Empordá also has a small hotel on site if you wish to golf yourself silly!

Emporda Golf Club - Costa Brava

Just above the lively town of Platja d'Aro is the vertiginous course of Mas Nou with narow Fairways and spectacular views - as long as you have a head for heights!  To the north of the Costa Brava there are two courses around Figueres.  One at Torremirona close to the casino castle and a very pretty course at Perelada with its, rather unique, wine spa hotel on-site.

Costa Brava hotels

Our favourite placo to stay is the little town of Calella de Palafrugell, coincidentally it's also the King of Spain's favourite place too as they have an apartment here!  The village's location is perfect on the beach with its small harbour and close to all of the best Costa Brava Golf Clubs. Here. the Garbi hotel has been our choice for a long time. Set just above the village it is easily accessed by car and still just a short stroll to dip your toes in the water or to dine at one of the many seaside restaurants in Calella de Palafrugell.

Hotel Garbi - Costa Brava

For a livelier stay then the next door town of Platja d'Aro will provide you with all  the nightlife you could ever need!  Here there are plenty of hotels in town such as the Columbus or the little Planamar.  However, we favour the quieter Park Hotel San Jorge that overlooks the beach just on the northern edge of town. From here you can choose to dip in or out of the lively town whenever you please.

San Jorge Platja d'Aro hotel - Costa Brava

Costa Brava - what to see and do

Costa Brava beach

The tourist attractions of the Costa Brava are numerous. Aside from the obvious attraction of the weather and the plentiful sandy coves dotted along the craggy coastline there is plenty more to see and do - all year round. The cities of Barcelona and Girona are well worth a full day out. Barcelona needs little introduction with its famous Gaudi architecture (Sagrada Familia for example), wide ramblas and futuristic Puerto Olympic.

Girona Placa Mayor

Girona is less well known and, being smaller, perhaps more accessible in a day's strolling of its Jewish quarter dominated by the massive cathedral, its galleried Plaça Mayor the ideal spot for coffee or lunch, its modern shopping streets and tapas bars that span both sides of the Guell river.

Spanish hams - Catalonia

Food and drink is immensely important to the Spanish as you may have heard!  In this respect Catalonia is rightly proud of its rich heritage and traditions.  Victuals come from both the land and the sea so there is plenty for all to choose between.  Accompanied by the excellent local wines (both Rioja and Navarra are close at hand) you are sure to dine well after you round.

Getting to the Costa Brava

The Costa Brava is very easy to get to with so many flights to Barcelona, Girona and to the lo-cost airport just outside Barcelona - Reus. From Barcelona it will take about an hour (depending on traffic) to get to the rich seam of golf courses to the North along the Costa Brava coastline.  From Girona it is a little easier and you can even be on a Costa Brava golf course within half-an-hour of disembarking your flight.  We are more than happy to book flights for you (as we are bonded with ATOL) or we can advise on the best routes and fares for you to book yourself: it's entirely up to you.

Girona Cathedral

Golf holidays on the Costa Brava by car

It is perfectly feasible to drive down to the Costa Brava for your golf holiday. From the Channel ports it will take a full day behind the wheel travelling across France and up and over the Pyrenees (or skirting round them to the East).  The advantage of taking your own car on a golfbreak is not to be underestimated: electric trolleys can be taken along, there are no airport hassles or ever-increasing charges for your golf clubs and you will also be able to bring back more than you would be allowed flying - very handy in Spain where everything is so cheap and the wine is so good!

Alternatively if you would rather cruise than drive consider the luxury quasi-liners that slip across the inky blue from Portsmouth to Santander or Plymouth to Bilbao.  From either port it's a truly scenic drive crossing the foothills of the Pyrenees to the Costa Brava (and you could take in the delights of Cerdaña en-route).

Girona river and jewish quarter