The best golf courses on the Costa Brava
The Costa Brava is one of the most highly regarded golf destinations in southern Europe. Course after course, the province of Girona combines what few golf destinations in the world can offer together: mild weather all year round, internationally designed courses, Mediterranean scenery, and the possibility of finishing a round and being at a turquoise-water cove in less than twenty minutes.
In 2031, the province of Girona will host the Ryder Cup, the most prestigious golf event in the world, confirming what many players already know: that this coast is an international reference for European golf. Investment in infrastructure, international visibility, and the quality of its courses make this the perfect moment to discover or rediscover golf on the Costa Brava.
The Hotel Aigua Blava, located on the seafront in Aiguablava (Begur), holds a unique position in this context: less than 20 minutes from the best golf courses on the Costa Brava and with the Mediterranean literally at your feet. Here, the day begins with the sound of the sea, continues on the course, and ends with a drink on the terrace overlooking one of the most beautiful coves in Catalonia.
This guide explores the best golf courses on the Costa Brava, with detailed technical information for players of all levels and the reasons why Hotel Aigua Blava is the ideal base for a golf getaway in Girona.
The best golf courses on the Costa Brava
Golf de Pals — the most historic and iconic course
Golf de Pals is the oldest golf course on the Costa Brava and one of the most respected in Spain. Opened in 1966 by architect Fred Hawtree, responsible for some of Europe’s most important courses, it was the first 18-hole golf course in Catalonia and remains a key reference in Spanish Mediterranean golf more than five decades later.
Its design takes advantage of an extraordinary landscape: century-old pine forests, natural dunes, and sea views on several holes create a course that combines technical challenge with a visual experience that is hard to match. The course retains Hawtree’s links character, with wide fairways but demanding greens that penalize inaccurate second shots.
Technical details
- 18 holes | Par 73 | Maximum length: 6,107 metres
- Designer: Fred Hawtree (1966)
- Difficulty: medium-high; recommended for players with a handicap up to 28
- Course type: parkland with links elements, among pines and dunes
- Facilities: driving range, putting green, chipping green, pro shop, restaurant and bar
- Green fee: check availability with prior booking; special rates in low season
- Distance from Hotel Aigua Blava: 15 minutes
Golf de Pals regularly hosts federated tournaments and amateur competitions at national and international level. Its combination of history, design and setting makes it a must-play for any golfer visiting the Costa Brava.
Empordà Golf — the most complete golf resort on the Costa Brava
Empordà Golf is the largest and most complete golf complex in the province of Girona. Located in Gualta, in the heart of the Empordà, it features two 18-hole courses with completely different designs and character, making it a regular destination for players looking for several days of golf with varied experiences.
The Links course replicates the experience of great northern European coastal courses: undulating terrain, wind, demanding rough and an open view of the Empordà landscape that makes every hole a different challenge. The Forest course offers the perfect contrast: more enclosed, set among woodland, with more defined fairways and a technical demand that rewards precision over distance.
Technical details — Links Course
- 18 holes | Par 72 | Maximum length: 6,209 metres
- Designer: Robert Trent Jones Jr.
- Difficulty: high; recommended for players with a handicap up to 24
- Course type: links, open and undulating terrain with views over the Empordà
Technical details — Forest Course
- 18 holes | Par 72 | Maximum length: 5,986 metres
- Designer: Robert Trent Jones Jr.
- Difficulty: medium-high; more accessible than the Links for higher handicaps
- Course type: parkland among woodland
Facilities
- Covered and outdoor driving range
- Putting green and chipping area
- Golf academy with certified instructors
- Pro shop with top brands
- Restaurant and bar with course views
Distance from Hotel Aigua Blava: 20 minutes
Empordà Golf is the natural choice for players who want two or more golf days on the Costa Brava without repeating a course, and for those seeking a high technical level with international resort facilities.
Golf Costa Brava — spectacular views over the Mediterranean
Golf Costa Brava, located in Santa Cristina d'Aro, is probably the course with the most spectacular views on the entire Costa Brava. Set at elevation on the Gavarres massif, its holes offer panoramic views of the Mediterranean that on clear days extend to the islands and the French coast.
The course, designed to take advantage of the natural terrain, combines downhill and uphill holes, Mediterranean forest areas and fairways with open sea views. It is a demanding course that requires good distance control and penalises lateral shots with dense rough and well-placed natural obstacles.
Technical details
- 18 holes | Par 70 | Maximum length: 5,525 metres
- Difficulty: medium-high; elevation adds challenge at all levels
- Course type: mountain with sea views, among Mediterranean forest
- Facilities: driving range, putting green, pro shop, restaurant with panoramic terrace
- Distance from Hotel Aigua Blava: 35 minutes
The combination of technical challenge and visual setting makes Golf Costa Brava a unique experience compared to other courses in the area.
Club Golf d'Aro – Mas Nou — exclusivity and technical precision
Club Golf d'Aro – Mas Nou is one of the most exclusive and technically demanding golf courses on the Costa Brava. Located in S'Agaró, in the Baix Empordà region, it combines a refined design with a high level of privacy and exceptional green maintenance.
Its layout, set among pine forests with some sea-view holes, rewards strategy over power: fast greens, well-positioned hazards and varied playing situations maintain a high level of technical demand throughout the round.
Technical details
- 18 holes | Par 72 | Maximum length: 6,020 metres
- Difficulty: high; recommended for players with a handicap up to 20
- Course type: parkland among pines with strategic design elements
- Facilities: driving range, putting green, academy, pro shop, restaurant and bar
- Distance from Hotel Aigua Blava: 40 minutes
It is the preferred course for many high-level local players and visitors seeking a more exclusive and intimate golf experience, away from large resort environments.
Par 3 Pitch & Putt Gualta — accessible and complete option
For those looking for a shorter or more accessible golf experience, the Par 3 Pitch & Putt Gualta offers a par 3 course in a natural setting by a lake, about 20 minutes from the hotel.
It is not a competition course, but it is an excellent option for a morning of golf without dedicating a full day, for introducing beginners, or for maintaining short game skills between rounds on 18-hole courses. The complex also includes paddle courts and a lakeside restaurant terrace.
Technical details
- Par 3 course suitable for all levels
- Facilities: paddle courts, restaurant with terrace and lake
- Distance from Hotel Aigua Blava: 20 minutes
The Ryder Cup 2031: why the Costa Brava is the future of European golf
In 2031, the province of Girona will host the Ryder Cup, the most watched and prestigious golf event in the world, bringing together the best players from Europe and the United States in front of millions of spectators.
Girona’s selection as host is no coincidence: it confirms the quality of its courses, tourism infrastructure and the international projection of a coastline that has been a benchmark destination for golfers from all over Europe for decades.
The Ryder Cup 2031 reinforces the appeal of the Costa Brava as a golf destination and highlights a combination especially appreciated by those who know the area: staying right on the seafront in Aiguablava and enjoying, just a few minutes away, some of the best golf courses in the Mediterranean.
Tips for a golf getaway on the Costa Brava
- Book in advance: the most sought-after courses, especially Golf de Pals and Empordà Golf, have high occupancy in spring and summer. It is recommended to book tee times 2–3 weeks in advance during high season.
- Combine different courses: if you are staying several days on the Costa Brava, you can alternate Golf de Pals (historic, links style) with Empordà Golf (resort, two courses) and add Golf Costa Brava for its views. In three days, you will be able to enjoy completely different experiences.
- Make the most of the afternoons: finishing the round before 13:00 and dedicating the afternoon to rest is the perfect combination. Hotel Aigua Blava, located in the heart of Aiguablava bay, allows you to access several coves on foot directly from the hotel and is just 15 minutes along the Coastal Path from one of the most emblematic beaches in Catalonia, Aiguablava.
- Post-golf gastronomy: the Empordà offers exceptional gastronomy, but the experience of returning to Hotel Aigua Blava and enjoying lunch or dinner with sea views is hard to match. Its restaurant is one of the best rated on the Costa Brava, so booking in advance is recommended. Hotel guests also have priority.
- Equipment: all the main courses have a pro shop with club and trolley hire. If you are travelling by plane, you will be able to play with quality equipment without having to transport your own.
Golf on the Costa Brava combines international technical standards, Mediterranean scenery and a quality of life off the course that is hard to find in other European golf destinations. From Hotel Aigua Blava, with the sea in the front row and the best courses less than 20 minutes away, the experience is complete in every sense.
