Best golf destinations near iconic landmarks

A great golf holiday is about more than just the courses. Some of the world's best golfing destinations also happen to be home to famous landmarks and breathtaking natural scenery, giving you the perfect excuse to swap the fairways for sightseeing between rounds.

Whether you're standing beneath the Eiffel Tower after playing Ryder Cup golf or watching the sun rise over the Pyramids of Giza before an afternoon round, these are the destinations where bucket-list golf meets bucket-list travel.

We've rounded up ten of the world's most iconic landmarks, starting with those closest to home, alongside some of the best nearby golf courses to help you build an unforgettable golf holiday.

Location: Paris, France | Ideal trip length: 3 to 4 nights

The Eiffel Tower has defined the Paris skyline since 1889 and remains one of the world's most recognisable landmarks. Whether you take in the panoramic views from the summit, enjoy a cruise along the River Seine or simply watch the tower sparkle after sunset, it's a must-see on any visit to the French capital.

Play nearby

Le Golf National (30-minute drive)

Best known as the host of the 2018 Ryder Cup, 2024 Olympics and the annual Open de France, Le Golf National is France's premier championship course. The Albatros Course features dramatic water hazards, stadium-style surroundings and one of the most exciting finishing stretches in European golf, making it the obvious centrepiece of any Paris golf break.

Golf des Yvelines (50-minute drive)

Set around a beautiful château, Golf des Yvelines offers a completely different challenge. Tree-lined fairways, lakes and rolling parkland provide a more relaxed but equally enjoyable round, making it an ideal second course during your stay.

Golf de Saint-Germain (35-minute drive)

Designed by Harry Colt, Golf de Saint-Germain is one of France's most respected traditional clubs. Accuracy is rewarded throughout its mature woodland layout, offering golfers a classic inland course with plenty of character.

Travel tip: make an evening of it. After your round, head into Paris for dinner before watching the Eiffel Tower's sparkling light show, which takes place for five minutes at the start of every hour after sunset.

Location: Barcelona, Spain | Ideal trip length: 4 to 5 nights

Gaudí's unfinished masterpiece is unlike anywhere else on Earth. Construction began in 1882 and, despite remaining unfinished, the Basilica de la Sagrada Família has become Barcelona's defining landmark, famous for its soaring towers, colourful stained glass and extraordinary architecture.

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Real Club de Golf El Prat (40 mins)

A regular host of the Spanish Open, El Prat is regarded as one of Spain's premier golf clubs. Designed by Greg Norman, its collection of championship layouts offers immaculate conditioning and a demanding but enjoyable test for golfers of all abilities.

Camiral Golf & Wellness (1 hour 15 mins)

Home to the acclaimed Stadium Course, a future Ryder Cup course, Camiral consistently ranks among the finest golf resorts in continental Europe. Wide fairways, immaculate presentation and strategic bunkering make this one of Spain's true bucket-list rounds.

Club de Golf Barcelona (35 mins)

Designed by José María Olazábal, Club de Golf Barcelona combines generous fairways with dramatic elevation changes and excellent views across the Catalan countryside.

Travel tip: Barcelona is incredibly walkable. Pair your visit with a stroll down Passeig de Gràcia to see Casa Batlló and Casa Milà, giving you three of Gaudí's masterpieces in one day.

Location: Rome, Italy | Ideal trip length: 4 nights

Few landmarks transport you back in time quite like the Colosseum in Rome. Built almost 2,000 years ago, this incredible amphitheatre once hosted gladiatorial contests and remains one of the greatest surviving monuments of the Roman Empire.

Play nearby

Marco Simone Golf & Country Club (30 mins)

As host of the 2023 Ryder Cup, Marco Simone is now firmly established as Italy's flagship golf venue. Extensive renovations created a spectacular modern championship course featuring dramatic elevation changes, risk-and-reward holes and stunning views across Rome.

Sheraton Golf Parco de' Medici (25 mins)

Offering three nine-hole courses, Parco de' Medici provides plenty of variety for golfers staying in Rome and is an excellent resort option close to the city.

Olgiata Golf Club (40 mins)

One of Italy's most prestigious clubs, Olgiata has hosted multiple Italian Opens and is renowned for its mature parkland setting and superb course conditioning.

Travel tip: Leave time for the food. The neighbourhood of Trastevere is one of Rome's best spots for authentic Italian restaurants and is the perfect place to celebrate after your round.

Location: Cairo, Egypt | Ideal trip length: 4 to 5 nights

The Great Pyramid of Giza is the last remaining Wonder of the Ancient World and one of history's greatest engineering achievements. Standing proudly on the edge of Cairo for more than 4,500 years, it's a destination every traveller should experience at least once.

Play nearby

New Giza Golf Club (20 mins)

Designed by Thomson, Perrett & Lobb, New Giza features dramatic elevation changes, desert landscapes and unforgettable views towards the pyramids. It's widely regarded as Egypt's finest modern golf course.

Dreamland Golf Course (25 mins)

One of Cairo's best-established layouts, Dreamland combines generous fairways with mature landscaping and excellent year-round playing conditions.

Travel tip: Make the most of your visit with our Cairo & Pyramids Golf Tour, combining unforgettable rounds at Cairo's leading courses with guided visits to the Great Pyramids, the Sphinx and the Egyptian Museum. It's the perfect way to experience both Egypt's incredible history and its growing golf scene.

Location: Dubai, UAE | Ideal trip length: 5 nights

The Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world and perfectly captures Dubai's reputation for doing everything on a grand scale. From its observation decks you'll enjoy incredible views across the city, desert and Arabian Gulf.

Play nearby

Trump International Dubai (20 mins)

Designed by Gil Hanse, Trump International blends generous fairways with strategic bunkering and immaculate conditioning, delivering a modern resort-style experience that is enjoyable yet rewarding.

Jumeirah Golf Estates (30 mins)

Home of the iconic Earth Course this championship venue is famous for its dramatic white bunkering, immaculate presentation and the thrilling closing stretch that decides the DP World Tour Championship each year.

Emirates Golf Club (20 mins)

Dubai's original championship venue, the Majlis Course combines lush fairways with a spectacular city skyline backdrop and remains one of the Middle East's most recognisable golfing experiences.

Travel tip: Extend your stay with our UAE City & Beach Golf Tour, combining Dubai's world-famous golf with Abu Dhabi's championship courses and luxury beachfront resorts. It's the ideal way to experience the very best golf, sightseeing and relaxation the UAE has to offer.

Location: Agra, India | Ideal trip length: 7 to 10 nights

Built as a symbol of eternal love, the Taj Mahal is one of the world's most beautiful buildings and remains India's most visited attraction. Rather than visiting Agra alone, most golfers choose to experience the famous Golden Triangle, combining Delhi, Agra and Jaipur.

Play nearby

Delhi Golf Club

One of Asia's oldest golf clubs, Delhi Golf Club offers a unique blend of championship golf, rich history and a peaceful oasis in the heart of India's bustling capital.

ITC Classic Golf Resort

Designed by Jack Nicklaus, this expansive resort course rewards bold shot-making with rolling fairways, dramatic bunkering and excellent practice facilities.

DLF Golf & Country Club

A modern championship masterpiece by Gary Player, DLF is renowned for its challenging layout, dramatic water hazards and regular hosting of DP World Tour events.

Travel tip: Our Golden Triangle Golf Tour pairs these outstanding courses with India's most iconic landmarks, including the Taj Mahal, Amber Fort and Jaipur's Pink City, creating one of the world's most memorable golf tours.

Location: Ontario, Canada | Ideal trip length: 5 to 7 nights

Niagara Falls is one of North America's most spectacular natural wonders, with more than three million litres of water cascading over the falls every second. Whether you experience them from the viewing platforms, aboard a boat cruise or from the surrounding walking trails, it's one of those bucket-list attractions that truly lives up to the hype.

Play nearby

Many golfers visiting the region choose to extend their holiday into neighbouring Michigan, home to some of America's finest resort golf. It makes for the perfect combination of unforgettable sightseeing and a multi-course golf road trip.

Bay Harbor Golf Club (5 hours 45 mins)

Often referred to as "the Pebble Beach of the Midwest", Bay Harbor Golf Club is one of Michigan's standout golfing experiences. Its 27 holes overlook Lake Michigan and combine dramatic clifftop views with immaculate conditioning, making it a true bucket-list course.

Treetops Resort (4 hours 30 mins)

One of the USA's best-known golf resorts, Treetops offers five championship courses designed by some of the biggest names in golf, including Robert Trent Jones Sr., Tom Fazio and Rick Smith. With a huge variety of layouts, it's an ideal base for golfers looking to play multiple rounds.

Boyne Mountain Resort (5 hours 30 mins)

Boyne Mountain is one of America's great golf destinations, featuring ten championship courses spread across two resorts. Designed by legends such as Arthur Hills and Donald Ross, it offers everything from scenic parkland layouts to demanding championship tests.

Travel tip: If you're making the journey to Northern Michigan, don't settle for just one resort. Combining Bay Harbor, Boyne and The Highlands creates one of the best multi-course golf itineraries in North America.

Location: Bangkok, Thailand | Ideal trip length: 5 to 7 nights

The Grand Palace is Thailand's most famous cultural attraction, with ornate temples, golden spires and the Emerald Buddha drawing visitors from across the world.

Play nearby

Thai Country Club (40 mins)

A multiple-time host of international tournaments, Thai Country Club is consistently ranked among Thailand's very best golf courses thanks to its immaculate conditioning and championship pedigree.

Alpine Golf & Sports Club (50 mins)

Widely regarded as one of Thailand's toughest tests, Alpine features dramatic elevation changes, strategically placed water hazards and a layout that rewards precise shot-making.

RG City Golf Club (45 mins)

A newer championship venue offering wide fairways, modern facilities and an enjoyable resort-style round that's perfect for golfers of all abilities.

Travel tip: Thailand is one of the world's best destinations for a multi-centre golf holiday. Whether you're looking to combine championship golf with beaches, culture or vibrant cities, our Thailand tours let you experience the country's incredible variety.

• Bangkok & Hua Hin Golf Tour – Championship golf paired with Thailand's elegant royal seaside resort.
• Bangkok & Pattaya Golf Tour – Combine Bangkok's top courses with Pattaya's famous golf coast.
• Bangkok & Phuket Golf Tour – Experience bustling Bangkok before unwinding with spectacular coastal golf and white-sand beaches in Phuket.
• Bangkok & Chiang Mai Golf Tour – Discover northern Thailand's mountain scenery, ancient temples and relaxed atmosphere alongside fantastic golf.
• Signature Thailand Golf Tour – Our ultimate Thailand itinerary, showcasing the country's finest golf courses, cultural highlights and unforgettable scenery.

Location: Yucatán, Mexico | Ideal trip length: 7 nights

One of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Chichén Itzá showcases the incredible achievements of the ancient Maya civilisation and remains one of Mexico's most fascinating archaeological sites.

Play nearby

Most golfers stay in Cancun or the Riviera Maya before taking a day trip inland. The trip from Cancun takes around 2 to 3 hours each way.

Mayakoba El Camaleon

Former host of the PGA Tour's World Wide Technology Championship, El Camaleón is Greg Norman's masterpiece, weaving through jungle, mangroves and Caribbean coastline.

PGA Riviera Maya

Designed by Robert Trent Jones II, this beautifully maintained layout is surrounded by dense tropical jungle and natural cenotes.

Riviera Cancun Golf Club

Jack Nicklaus' design combines coastal views with generous fairways and excellent resort facilities.

Travel tip: many excursions to Chichén Itzá also stop at a traditional cenote, giving you the chance to cool off before returning to the coast.

Location: Arizona, USA | Ideal trip length: 7 nights

The Grand Canyon is one of the world's greatest natural spectacles, stretching for over 270 miles through northern Arizona. No photograph truly captures its scale, making it one of the most rewarding road trips from Scottsdale.

Play nearby

We-Ko-Pa Golf Club (3 hours 45 mins)

Featuring the acclaimed Cholla and Saguaro courses, We-Ko-Pa delivers pure desert golf with no surrounding housing, allowing the dramatic Sonoran landscape to take centre stage. Consistently ranked among Arizona's best public golf experiences, it's the perfect way to round off a Grand Canyon adventure.

TPC Scottsdale (3 hours 40 mins)

Home of the famous WM Phoenix Open, TPC Scottsdale's Stadium Course is one of America's most recognisable tournament venues. The iconic par-3 16th hole is unlike anything else in golf, while the rest of the course offers a classic desert challenge that every golfer should experience.

Troon North Golf Club (3 hours 45 mins)

Home to the Monument and Pinnacle Courses, Troon North is widely regarded as the benchmark for desert golf in Scottsdale. Giant granite boulders, towering saguaro cacti and immaculate conditioning create a spectacular setting, while two championship layouts offer a memorable test for golfers of all abilities.

Paiute Golf Resort (Wolf Course) (4 hours 15 mins)

Designed by Pete Dye, the Wolf Course is the longest championship layout in Nevada and offers a dramatic desert challenge with bold bunkering, sweeping fairways and panoramic mountain views. Just outside the Las Vegas Strip, it's the perfect excuse to combine a Grand Canyon adventure with one of the world's great entertainment destinations.

Travel tip: Turn your Grand Canyon visit into an unforgettable road trip by combining Scottsdale, Sedona and Las Vegas. Spend a night in Sedona to experience its dramatic red rock scenery before finishing with championship golf and world-class entertainment in Las Vegas.

If this list has inspired your next adventure, why not let someone else take care of the planning? Our expertly curated golf tour experiences are designed to showcase the very best of each destination, combining championship golf with iconic landmarks, cultural experiences and spectacular scenery. Rather than simply staying in one resort, you'll journey through multiple destinations, ticking off bucket-list experiences both on and off the course.

Some of our most popular golf tour experiences include:

• South Africa – Explore Cape Town, the Cape Winelands and the Garden Route while playing world-renowned courses such as Fancourt, Arabella and Pearl Valley. Depending on your itinerary, you can ride aboard the luxurious Rovos Rail, enjoy a Big Five safari, visit Table Mountain or sample award-winning wines in Stellenbosch.
• Thailand – Experience the energy of Bangkok before relaxing in Phuket or Hua Hin, playing outstanding courses including Thai Country Club, Alpine Golf Club and Red Mountain. Along the way, discover landmarks such as the Grand Palace, traditional temples and Thailand's famous floating markets.
• India – Our Golden Triangle Golf Tour combines rounds at leading courses such as Delhi Golf Club and DLF Golf & Country Club with visits to New Delhi, Jaipur and the iconic Taj Mahal, creating one of the world's most unique golf holidays.
• Vietnam – Travel the length of Vietnam, from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, playing some of Asia's highest-ranked golf courses while cruising through the breathtaking limestone islands of Ha Long Bay and exploring the historic streets of Hoi An.

Whether you're looking for a luxury rail journey through South Africa, a cultural tour of India or an unforgettable golfing adventure across Southeast Asia, our Golf Travel Experts can help you find the perfect itinerary to match your bucket list.

The best golf holidays create memories both on and off the course. Whether you're ticking off the Eiffel Tower, standing in the shadow of the Pyramids of Giza or exploring Ancient Rome, combining iconic landmarks with world-class golf transforms a great golf break into an unforgettable travel experience.

Many of these courses are among the finest in their respective countries, while the landmarks themselves feature on countless travel bucket lists. With a little planning, you can experience both in a single holiday, creating a trip that's just as rewarding away from the fairways as it is on them.