In Barcelona golf is never far away

Less than an hour from Barcelona city centre, it’s possible to enjoy nine internationally renowned golf courses with comprehensive facilities (practice fields, equipment hire, golf buggies, classes, golf shops, boutiques, clubhouse, etc.).

Furthermore, there are plenty of accommodation options in the vicinity, ranging from five-star hotels to charming boutique establishments. On top of this, you’ll have the chance to savour both traditional Mediterranean cuisine and some incredibly creative haute cuisine.

The regions of Barcelona, in addition to having Barcelona as their capital city, have been blessed with spectacular natural settings that can be enjoyed in all sorts of ways, one of the finest being golf, the perfect sport for those who love outdoor physical activities. And golf in the Barcelona area, where there are no fewer than nine magnificent courses to play on, offers a genuinely exciting challenge.

The Barcelona destination boasts nine golf courses, some of which hug the coast, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, and some of which are located further inland, surrounded by vineyards or nestled in the heart of natural parks with amazing views.

On the coast, the Llavaneras Golf Club (Sant Andreu de Llavaneres) and the Sant Vicenç Golf Club (Sant Vicenç de Montalt) are located to the north of Barcelona, while the Terramar Golf Club (Sitges) is located to the south. All three courses, caressed by the sea breeze, offer perfect playing conditions all year round thanks to their Mediterranean climate.

Meanwhile, heading inland, Barcelona Golf Club (Sant Esteve Sesrovires), Montanyà Golf Club (El Brull), El Prat Royal Golf Club (Terrassa), La Roca Golf Club (La Roca del Vallès), Vallromanes Golf Club (Vallromanes) and Sant Cugat Golf Club (Sant Cugat del Vallès), all designed by leading experts, are sure to win you over, whether you’re a professional or an amateur player.

Recently, seven golf clubs (El Prat Royal Golf Club, Barcelona Golf Club, La Roca Golf Club, Llavaneras Golf Club, Montanyà Golf Club, Terramar Golf Club and Vallromanes Golf Club) have joined forces to create the Barcelona Golf Destination brand, with the goal of positioning Barcelona as a golf destination.

International visitors have the chance to play in a wide variety of settings and on different types of courses, including some that have hosted several Spanish Open tournaments (European circuit), while enjoying the modern amenities and services of their club houses.

What’s more, they’re all located close to an airport that’s connected to Europe’s major cities, and to a capital city with a thriving cultural and leisure scene, along with a mild Mediterranean climate. Without a doubt, Barcelona is one of the most attractive up-and-coming golf destinations in Europe.

Furthermore, the association offers the Golf Pass BCN, a “virtual” card through which users can purchase different green fees packages to play on up to five courses at a flat rate. The Golf Pass BCN is an efficient way for international visitors to put together a bespoke trip, simultaneously booking all the courses they want to play on.To make the experience complete, the association has designed a set of green fees packages with accommodation in hotels located on or close to golf courses, or in Barcelona city centre.

Check out all the special offers on the Barcelona Golf Destination website.

Improvements to the course have been carried out in 2020 in order to offer members and visitors a better and more varied experience at a top golf club. Two different courses are now available: the Pink course and the Yellow course.

The Pink course, well positioned in all the international rankings, is more difficult but still offers plenty of fun.

The new Yellow course remains faithful to the characteristics of El Prat Royal Golf Club, with wide fairways that are perfect for big hitters, elevated greens with challenging slopes and competition-level rough. It’s perfect for all amateur golf players, whatever their level.

One thing the two courses have in common is their magnificent bentgrass greens, just like the ones at Augusta National, fit for the finest putters.

On its website you’ll find links to some of Barcelona’s best hotels, or, if you prefer, you can stay at El Prat Royal Golf Club’s very own Hotel La Mola, a four-star hotel with everything you need for a comfortable golf stay where you can get around conveniently in a golf buggy. What’s more, you’ll find activities and recommendations that go beyond the usual tourist trails, ensuring you get the most out of your holiday at one of Spain’s leading golf clubs.

Montanyà Golf Club is located in the heart of the Montseny Natural Park. It is a beautiful region, an UNESCO biosphere reserve and universal natural heritage, just 35 minutes from Barcelona. At the Club you will find unequalled calm. The surroundings, and the countryside itself, are shrouded with holm oak, oak, poplar, and pine, as well as offering a rich fauna and flora. The course also enjoys the L’Estanyol stream and ten lagoons of different sizes that you will find throughout the course.  

The Clubhouse is its great icon. The building, from the 14th century, is a typical Catalan noble house; strong, made of stone, wide and majestic. There you can enjoy good local cuisine in L’Estanyol restaurant or a snack on L’Estanyol GastroBar terrace. The Clubhouse, which is located on the highest point of the land, also has meeting rooms, a store where you can buy golf items, changing rooms, club rental, buggies and electric and manual trolley for rent.  

Montanyà Golf Club is undoubtedly a hidden gem in the great Montseny Natural Park that is worth visiting, play and enjoy such a virgin and natural environment just 40 km from Barcelona and 45 minutes from Girona.

All the golf courses have good connections to highways and to Barcelona Airport. They offer high-quality facilities and a comprehensive range of services. Playing your favourite sport couldn’t be more attractive!

The town of Llavaneres is home to accessible beaches, a marina offering all sorts of water activities and the famous Passeig dels Anglesos, a promenade on which to breathe in the sea air as you discover the beautiful houses that line the seafront.

When it comes to accommodation, there are some fantastic hotels close to the golf club where you’ll enjoy a wonderfully comfortable stay. Llavaneres is also a good base for mountain treks in the Montnegre i El Corredor Natural Park or for shopping trips to La Roca Village, a large outlet mall with top brands, located just ten minutes from the club.

Sitges is a perfect destination for that golf holiday you fancy. Located on the Mediterranean coast, with superb beaches, excellent restaurants, lively tapas bars, shops with quality artisan products, cultural events and leisure, it stands out for its beauty, joie de vivre and great atmosphere all year round.

There are always plenty of activities going on in this lively town, ranging from cultural and culinary events to exhibitions and festivals, such as the Fantasy Film Festival (October), the Festa Major (main town festival) (August) and Carnival (February). What’s more, you can always enjoy a stroll, caressed by the sea breeze, on the long Passeig Marítim (promenade), bathed in the town’s special light, discovering special local landmarks, such as the Parish Church of Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla, popularly known as La Punta (The Point).

This golf club has its own hotel, ready to offer its visitors a warm welcome. The Hotel Barcelona Golf was fully refurbished in 2019, offering golfers a supremely comfortable stay in a modern setting just 100 metres from the golf club, and with Barcelona a convenient 27 km away. At the hotel you can relax in the spa and outdoor pool or keep fit in the gym. You can also sample some Catalan cuisine in its restaurant and terrace bar. Other facilities include changing rooms, a swimming pool to cool down on hot summer days, a store in which to purchase the latest golfing equipment, and a large fleet of golf buggies, motor scooters and electric or manual golf carts to hire.

But the star attraction here is the setting of this golf course. If you enjoy great wine, this area at the foot of Montserrat Mountain is known for its vineyards and superb end product. Tastings are available of the different types of grapes used to make the wines in this area. Other activities include excursions in all-terrain vehicles or on horseback and, of course, a visit to Montserrat Monastery.

Vallromanes is a very peaceful village in the Vallès region that nevertheless has plenty to offer. Highlights include Mas Salagròs, a 100% eco-friendly hotel set in a nature reserve. It boasts a spa and massage area where you can relax after a day of golf. This spa, in the heart of Vallromanes, is operated by AIRE Ancient Baths, a leading international luxury bathhouse and massage company. This is the perfect place to stay on your golf break at the Vallromanes Golf Club.

If you prefer, you can go trekking in the countryside, try horse riding, or take a stroll along Alella Beach, located just ten minutes away from the golf course. Alella is well known for its vineyards and wineries, where you can enjoy a tasting of wines or cava to celebrate a special occasion. Other activities include shopping at La Roca Village, an outlet mall with all the big brands, located just 15 minutes from the golf club. And if you feel like more activities, Barcelona is close enough for an afternoon out.

Sant Cugat Golf Club is the doyen of Catalan golf courses. It was the first 18-hole course to open for business in Catalonia and still stands on its original site in the Vallès region. It’s located just 15 minutes north of Barcelona, in an unbeatable spot for enjoying some golf.

This is virtually the only urban course in the country, combining an oasis of ancient oaks and extensive vegetation with the proximity of the city.

The Sant Vicenç Golf Club, in Sant Vicenç de Montalt, is set in a unique spot with an exceptional climate for playing golf. In addition to boasting beautiful landscapes, with wonderful sea and mountain views, its mild, pleasant Mediterranean climate makes it ideal for playing golf all year round. The course terrain makes for a very enjoyable and varied round of golf that will delight players.

It should be pointed out that from almost everywhere on this golf course, you get a splendid view of Montseny Mountain, a mountain that covers a beautiful area brimming with flora and fauna and listed by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve. La Roca Golf Club is also careful about the decisions it takes in order to maintain the course, with a view to reducing its environmental impact.

La Roca Golf Club is located just five minutes away from the largest outlet mall in the area. La Roca Village has all the big brands at unbeatable prices and is visited by people from all over the world. It’s a great complement to your golf holiday or an excellent place to visit for the non-golfers accompanying you on holiday. Formula 1 racing fans will be excited to learn that the Circuit de Montmeló is just 15 kilometres away. Other options include treks in the Montseny Massif, a trip to a nearby beach (15 minutes), or a route taking in other golf courses.

This article was created in cooperation with the Barcelona Province Council. For more information visit the following websites:

• https://www.barcelonaesmoltmes.cat
• https://www.barcelonaesmoltmes.cat/en/web/idees-de-viatge/-/forats-amb-vistes
• http://barcelonagolfdestination.com/en/