Best Golf Destinations in Europe – What AmerExperience Research™ Reveals

Costa del Sol ranks as the best golf destination in Europe and number two in the world in the AmerExperience Research™ Global Golf Destination Index.

It is the complete experience that puts Spain’s southern coast at the top of the European ranking. Internationally renowned courses such as Real Club Valderrama, Finca Cortesín and La Reserva are complemented by a large selection of other courses for different playing levels and budgets.

Climate is another major advantage. The golf season is considerably longer than in northern Europe, while decades of international tourism have created a mature infrastructure for golfers travelling from abroad.

Málaga provides excellent accessibility, and the coast offers an extensive choice of hotels, restaurants, beaches and activities. This makes Costa del Sol equally suitable for a dedicated golf trip or a longer Andalusian holiday that includes several rounds of golf.

That versatility is one of the destination’s greatest strengths. Golfers do not have to choose between a serious golf trip and a broader holiday experience – Costa del Sol accommodates both.

Planning a wider trip? Read our Spain Travel Guide ↗.

Algarve finishes only two points behind Costa del Sol, ranking as Europe’s second-best golf destination and number three globally.

The region has built a formidable international golf reputation over several decades. Monte Rei, San Lorenzo and Dom Pedro Victoria are among the best-known names, but Algarve’s strength also lies in the breadth of its golf offering.

The relatively compact geography allows golfers to play several different courses during the same trip without spending excessive amounts of time travelling between them.

At the same time, Algarve is much more than golf. Its Atlantic coastline, beaches, small coastal towns, Portuguese gastronomy and extensive selection of hotels and resorts contribute significantly to its high overall score.

For golfers looking to escape colder climates and combine golf with sunshine, good food and a relaxed holiday atmosphere, Algarve is one of Europe’s most complete choices.

Discover more before or after your golf trip in our Portugal Travel Guide ↗.

Ireland offers a very different type of golf trip from Spain and Portugal.

Its greatest strength is the golf experience itself. Classic links courses, dramatic Atlantic landscapes and a deep golf tradition make Ireland a destination that many passionate golfers want to experience at least once.

Here, golf follows the landscape rather than forcing the landscape to follow the golf course. Wind, coastline, dunes and rapidly changing conditions are integral parts of the experience.

When AmerExperience Research™ weighs climate and value alongside the other destination factors, Ireland finishes behind Costa del Sol and Algarve. But the overall ranking does not tell the entire story for golfers primarily looking for character, tradition and memorable courses.

Ireland is also a destination where the journey around the golf matters. Landscapes, small towns, pub culture, gastronomy and a few days in Dublin can transform a golf itinerary into a much broader travel experience.

No serious comparison of Europe’s golf destinations would be complete without Scotland.

It is the historic home of golf and occupies a position that no modern golf destination can fully reproduce. St Andrews is the most famous symbol, but Scotland’s real strength lies in its extraordinary concentration of classic links courses and the golf culture surrounding them.

So why does Scotland not rank as Europe’s number one golf destination?

The explanation lies in the methodology. AmerExperience Research™ evaluates the complete golf destination rather than ranking destinations solely by the quality, history or prestige of their greatest courses.

Once climate, hotels, gastronomy, accessibility, value and experiences beyond the golf course are also included, destinations such as Costa del Sol and Algarve gain an advantage.

That does not mean Scotland provides an inferior golf experience. For golfers who want to understand the history of the game and experience traditional links golf, Scotland may still be the most important golf journey on this entire list.

Belek represents the modern golf destination.

Unlike Ireland and Scotland, its international reputation is not based on centuries of golf history. Instead, its strength comes from a concentrated collection of quality courses, large golf resorts, a favourable climate and the ability to organise a very convenient golf holiday.

Distances between hotels and golf courses are relatively short, allowing travellers to combine several rounds with resort life, restaurants, spas and the Mediterranean during the same trip.

This is also what makes Belek particularly interesting in the comparison. It demonstrates how a destination can compete with Europe’s historic golf nations by developing an integrated travel product around the needs of international golfers.

For golfers who prioritise convenience, climate and plenty of golf within a concentrated holiday, Belek is therefore a compelling alternative.