What are the Best Golf Courses in Europe?

There are so many golf courses in Europe that it’s hard to choose where to go. That’s why we have compiled the top European golf courses that customers love to tee off all year round from famous PGA Catalunya to beautiful Thracian Cliffs. The courses below are ones that you should visit to get the best golfing experience.

PGA Catalunya – Spain

Location: Girona, Spain

Founded: 1999

The stunning Stadium Course at PGA Catalunya is consistently ranked as Spain’s number 1 course. Bunkers are placed strategically, the trees are located along the fairway and lakes are present on seven of the hardest holes, which are challenging for all golfers.

However, the difficulty of the course may be forgotten because of the beautiful settings which attract so many visitors all year round. It should also be mentioned that the venue has hosted many PGA European Tour events and has been highly praised by professionals.

Fontainebleau – France

Location: Paris, France

Founded: 1909

The French course is located in the Fontainebleau forest near the town on the ancient imperial hunting grounds. It is characterised by narrow fairways that are surrounded by multiple species of trees, dense amounts of ferns, brooms and lilacs and sand bunkers that are located around multiple holes. The course does create a stern but enjoyable test for golfers who are looking for a serious challenge. It is easy to see why this course ranks highly as one of the best golf courses in France.

Thracian Cliffs – Bulgaria

Location: Varna, Bulgaria

Founded: 2011

We may not find a course as challenging and spectacular as The Signature Course at Thracian Cliffs. This 6,840-yard golf course is framed by the rough coastal cliffs next to the endless blue of the Black Sea and that makes the backdrop of the course truly stunning. The holes are designed to fit in with the natural land layout, which makes it one of the most dramatic golf courses on Earth. It’s not surprising that it is among Europe’s top golf courses.

Monte Rei – Portugal

Location: Tavira, Portugal

Founded: 2007

Portugal has an embarrassment of riches with it’s range of courses and the Algarve is a popular choice. But Golfing holidays to Vilamoura are also worth looking at. Picking the best is a tough decision, but Monte Rei is a golf course that has been meticulously designed with every hole blending effortlessly into the landscape’s natural canvas.

Monte Rei also features water on 11 holes, and there are sculptured and shaped bunkers that add to its impressive presentation. The wide and forgiving fairways are mixed with indigenous plants, native grasses and lakes that stretch throughout the course to provide golfers with a unique challenge that tests their accuracy and skill. The 7,224-yard course offers beautiful views of the Serra do Caldeirao Mountains in the East Algarve.

Carya – Turkey

Location: Belek, Turkey

Founded: 2008

Golf is big business in Turkey bringing in £135 million euros annually, so most resorts are top-notch after heavy investment.  The Carya Golf Club is part of the Regnum Carya Resort which is home to an 18 hole course that has recently been reinvested to install floodlights so that comfortably play a few rounds of golf at night. This recent investment has made it the first full-lighted course in Europe. The course is situated in the Belek region of Turkey, with a design that reflects traditional heathland courses like those you find in Surrey.

The beautifully designed course has been built with a challenging design for better players but it accommodates those with lower handicaps as well so it’s an enjoyable test no matter how good you are at golf!

Villa d’Esta – Italy

Location: Milan & Lake Como, Italy

Founded: 1926

Villa d’Este winds its way through ash, chestnut and pine trees. Golfers will enjoy the picturesque views of Lake Montorfano as they navigate through its challenging course. Golfers believe that this course is one of the most challenging par-69s in all of Europe. The course has undergone tremendous improvements since its initial creation, which have made it one of the best courses in Italy and among the top courses in Continental Europe.

Lofoten Links – Norway

Location: Gimsøya, Norway

Founded: 2015

Lofoten Links is a new course that was only built in 2015 but it is a very popular golfing location in Europe. It is located on the island of Gimsøya in Norway and the ocean can be a water hazard on many holes along with the beaches that act as natural sand bunkers.

It is hard to believe that the sun doesn’t set on Lofoten Links between the end of May and July which means that you’ll be to play endless hours of golf with great visibility to improve your golfing game. Also from the end of August to mid-October, you can even experience the Northern lights which make the location extra special.