Best golf courses in Europe

Ranked the 3rd best golf course in Europe by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: Lofoten Islands, Norway | Designer: Jeremy Turner | Par: 71 | Yardage: 6,724 | Opened: 1998 (redesigned 2015)

Why play here? Few courses on earth offer a golf experience as dramatic as Lofoten Links. Set on a remote island in the Arctic Circle, this spectacular layout hugs the Norwegian coastline, with holes that play directly along white-sand beaches and rocky inlets.

In summer, golfers can tee off under the Midnight Sun, while in winter the Northern Lights often dance overhead. The course itself is a links-style design that rewards creativity, with natural dunes, exposed fairways, and breathtaking views on every shot. It’s a true once-in-a-lifetime bucket-list destination.

Course highlight: The par-3 2nd hole, played over the crashing surf of the Norwegian Sea to a green set against the dramatic mountain backdrop, one of the most incredible holes in the world.

Key features:

• Links-style design set in the Arctic Circle
• Summer golf under the Midnight Sun
• Chance to witness the Northern Lights during autumn rounds
• Breathtaking coastal scenery with several holes on the shoreline

Bonus fact: Lofoten Links is one of the few courses in the world where you can book a tee time at midnight and play in broad daylight, thanks to the 24-hour sunshine of the Arctic summer.

Ranked the 5th best golf course in Europe by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: Sotogrande, Costa del Sol | Designer: Robert Trent Jones Sr. | Par: 71 | Yardage: 6,990 | Opened: 1974 (redesigned 1985)

Why play here? Known as the “Augusta of Europe,” Real Club Valderrama is one of the most prestigious and immaculately maintained golf courses in the world. Its strategic layout features narrow, cork tree–lined fairways, fast, contoured greens, and punishing bunkers, demanding accuracy and nerve from every golfer.

Valderrama is steeped in history, having hosted the 1997 Ryder Cup (the first held in continental Europe), multiple Volvo Masters, and regular stops on the DP World Tour. Playing here means following in the footsteps of legends on one of golf’s most exclusive stages.

Course highlight: The par-5 17th hole, scene of unforgettable Ryder Cup drama, where water guards the green and risk-reward strategy comes into full play.

Key features:

• Consistently ranked Europe’s best course
• Legendary 1997 Ryder Cup host venue
• Signature cork oak–lined fairways and pristine conditioning
• Demanding Robert Trent Jones Sr. design

Bonus fact: Despite its elite status, Valderrama is surprisingly walkable, even from the club tees. Walking allows you to see landing areas more clearly, feel the subtle wind changes, and stay sharp mentally.

Ranked the 6th best golf course in Europe by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: Comporta, Portugal (south of Lisbon) | Designer: David McLay Kidd | Par: 71 | Yardage: 6,646 | Opened: 2023

Why play here? Opened in 2023, the Dunas Course at Terras da Comporta is Portugal’s most exciting new golf development, designed by renowned architect David McLay Kidd. Carved naturally through expansive sandy terrain and coastal dunes, the course offers a pure links-style experience rarely found on mainland Europe.

Wide fairways, undulating greens, and rugged bunkering blend seamlessly with the unspoiled landscape, creating a course that is both visually striking and strategically rewarding. It’s already drawing international acclaim and is considered a must-play on any Portugal golf vacation.

Ranked the 9th best golf course in Europe by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: Fontainebleau, Île-de-France (south of Paris) | Designer: Tom Simpson | Par: 72 | Yardage: 6,616 | Opened: 1909

Why play here? Nestled within the historic Fontainebleau Forest, Golf de Fontainebleau is one of France’s oldest and most atmospheric courses. Designed by Tom Simpson, it weaves through towering pines, birches, beech, and oak trees, with natural boulders and sandy soil giving it a true heathland character.

Narrow, tree-lined fairways, subtle elevation changes, and undulating greens create a strategic challenge that rewards accuracy and creativity. It offers a tranquil yet demanding test in a uniquely beautiful setting just an hour from Paris.

Course highlight: The par-4 12th, a stunning hole framed by ancient trees and natural rock formations, perfectly encapsulates Fontainebleau’s rugged charm and strategic brilliance.

Key features:

• Classic Tom Simpson heathland design
• Set within the spectacular Fontainebleau Forest
• Strategic layout with elevation changes and natural hazards

Bonus fact: Fontainebleau’s timeless setting and castle has inspired artists for centuries; the forest itself was a favorite of the French Impressionists, making a round here as cultural as it is sporting.

Ranked the 10th best golf course in Europe by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: Sotogrande, Costa del Sol | Designer: Robert Trent Jones Sr. | Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,100 | Opened: 1964

Why play here? This was Robert Trent Jones Sr.’s first design in Europe and remains one of his greatest achievements. With wide, sweeping fairways, strategic bunkering, and subtly contoured greens, Sotogrande embodies classical design principles while maintaining immaculate conditioning.

Mature cork oaks, pines, and eucalyptus line the fairways, creating both beauty and challenge. Although overshadowed at times by its famous neighbor, Valderrama, many golfers consider Real Club de Sotogrande every bit as good, if not more enjoyable, making it a must-play on any Costa del Sol golf trip.

Course highlight: The par-4 4th hole, a demanding dogleg with water guarding the green, showcases the precision and strategy required throughout the course.

Key features:

• First Robert Trent Jones Sr. course built in Europe
• Immaculately maintained fairways and greens
• Mature parkland setting with cork oaks and pines

Bonus fact: Real Club de Sotogrande was one of the very first courses in Europe to use Bermuda grass, giving it superb year-round playability and helping set new standards for golf course conditioning.

Ranked the 13th best golf course in Europe by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: Eastern Algarve, Portugal | Designer: Jack Nicklaus | Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,182 | Opened: 2007

Why play here? Frequently ranked as one of the best courses in Portugal, Monte Rei offers a world-class golf experience in the tranquil Eastern Algarve. This Jack Nicklaus Signature design is set in rolling hills between the Serra do Caldeirão mountains and the Atlantic Ocean, blending natural beauty with impeccable conditioning.

Generous fairways, strategic bunkering, and dramatic elevation changes create a layout that is both playable and memorable. Monte Rei is also renowned for its five-star service, luxury villas, and exclusive atmosphere, making it a must-play for those seeking the very best in European golf.

Course highlight: The par-5 18th hole, a risk-reward finisher with water guarding the approach, provides a thrilling conclusion to an unforgettable round.

Key features:

• Jack Nicklaus Signature design
• Immaculate fairways, greens, and bunkering
• Secluded luxury setting with top-class service

Bonus fact: Monte Rei is Jack Nicklaus’ first design in Portugal and remains one of the only Signature layouts in the country, cementing its status as a unique and prestigious destination.

Ranked the 14th best golf course in Europe by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: Girona, Costa Brava, Spain | Designer: Ángel Gallardo & Neil Coles | Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,333 | Opened: 1999

Why play here? Built to host the Ryder Cup, the Stadium Course at Camiral Golf & Wellness (formerly PGA Catalunya) is a modern championship masterpiece. It combines dramatic elevation changes, tree-lined fairways, and strategically placed bunkers with lakes that come into play on several holes.

Known for immaculate conditioning and a challenging layout, it has hosted multiple European Tour events and is widely considered Spain’s most complete test of golf after Valderrama. Set within a luxury resort just outside Barcelona, it’s the ideal base for a Costa Brava golf vacation.

Course highlight: The par-4 13th, a demanding hole with water along the left, typifies the Stadium Course’s risk-reward challenge.

Key features:

• Regular European Tour host venue
• Dramatic elevation changes and stunning mountain views
• Championship design with lakes and bunkering in play
• Luxury on-site resort with spa and leisure facilities

Bonus fact: The main layout, now known as the Stadium Course, was initially designed to host the 1997 Ryder Cup, but a combination of planning and funding issues delayed construction, and the event was instead held at Valderrama in Andalucia.

Ranked the 20th best golf course in Europe by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: Óbidos, Silver Coast, Portugal | Designer: Cynthia Dye (Dye Designs) | Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,003 | Opened: 2017

Why play here? West Cliffs is a stunning seaside links-style course carved dramatically into the natural dunes of Portugal’s Silver Coast. Designed by Cynthia Dye, it blends seamlessly with its rugged landscape of sand, scrub, and pine forest, with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean on almost every hole.

The layout is bold yet fair, with wide fairways, rolling terrain, and large undulating greens, offering golfers a thrilling and memorable challenge. Just an hour north of Lisbon, it has quickly established itself as one of Portugal’s must-play venues.

Course highlight: The par-4 7th hole, played downhill toward the ocean, illustrates the spectacular coastal setting that makes West Cliffs so unforgettable.

Key features:

• Links-style course set among natural dunes
• Panoramic Atlantic Ocean views throughout the round
• Designed by Cynthia Dye, niece of the legendary Pete Dye
• Ranked among Europe’s Top 100 courses since opening

Bonus fact: The course features three distinctive lakes, one lining the 3rd, another on the par-4 9th where big hitters can take on the green by hitting over the water, and a final hazard guarding the 18th.

Ranked the 25th best golf course in Europe by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: Casares, Costa del Sol, Spain | Designer: Cabell B. Robinson | Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,500 | Opened: 2007

Why play here? Finca Cortesin has rapidly earned a reputation as one of Europe’s finest modern golf resorts. Designed by Cabell B. Robinson, the course spans a rolling Andalusian landscape, featuring wide fairways, strategic bunkering, and immaculate conditioning.

Known for its length and challenge, it has hosted multiple professional events, including the Volvo World Match Play Championship and the 2023 Solheim Cup, showcasing its championship pedigree. Off the course, Finca Cortesin is synonymous with luxury, offering a world-class hotel, spa, and Michelin-starred dining, making it as appealing to non-golfers as it is to players.

Course highlight: The long par-4 13th, with its elevated tee and sweeping views of the Mediterranean, is both visually stunning and strategically demanding.

Key features:

• Host of the 2023 Solheim Cup
• Championship Cabell B. Robinson design
• Immaculate fairways and fast, multi-tiered greens
• Luxury on-site hotel, spa, and fine dining

Bonus fact: Finca Cortesin is committed to sustainability, using advanced irrigation and turf management systems that make it one of Europe’s most environmentally responsible golf resorts.

Ranked the 27th best golf course in Europe by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: Provence-Côte d’Azur, France | Designer: Dave Thomas | Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,235 | Opened: 2004

Why play here? The Château Course at Terre Blanche offers a championship-standard test in the heart of Provence. Designed by Dave Thomas, it features wide, undulating fairways, large bunkers, and fast greens framed by oak and pine trees.

The layout makes full use of the region’s natural contours, combining playability with challenge for golfers of all levels. With immaculate conditioning and stunning views across the rolling Provençal hills, it is consistently ranked among the top courses in France.

Course highlight: The par-5 18th, a dramatic finishing hole with water in play, offers both risk and reward against a spectacular Provençal backdrop.

Key features:

• Championship design by Dave Thomas
• Wide fairways, strategic bunkering, and fast greens
• Part of the luxury five-star Terre Blanche Golf Resort

Bonus fact: Terre Blanche is not only home to two top-class golf courses but also a European Tour Performance Institute (ETPI), one of only a handful of elite training centers worldwide.

Ranked the 28th best golf course in Europe by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: Lagos, Western Algarve, Portugal | Designer: Robert Trent Jones Jr. | Par: 72 | Yardage: 6,900+ | Opened: 1975 (redesigned 2010)

Why play here? Palmares is one of the Algarve’s most spectacular golf destinations, offering a unique 27-hole layout that blends parkland and true links golf. Redesigned by Robert Trent Jones Jr. in 2010, the resort’s three nine-hole loops – Alvor, Lagos, and Praia – can be combined in different ways, ensuring variety and fresh challenges with every round.

The Praia nine plays right down to the beach, giving golfers a rare taste of authentic links golf in Portugal, while the Lagos and Alvor loops weave through undulating hills and pine groves. Add in breathtaking views over Meia Praia beach and Lagos Bay, and Palmares is as scenic as it is enjoyable.

Course highlight: The Praia loop’s opening holes, which run directly alongside the beach, provide an unforgettable true links experience, rare in southern Europe.

Key features:

• 27-hole layout with three distinctive nine-hole loops
• Redesigned by Robert Trent Jones Jr. in 2010
• Panoramic views of Meia Praia beach and Lagos Bay
• Unique mix of parkland and links-style holes

Bonus fact: Palmares was voted Portugal’s Best Golf Course at the 2021 World Golf Awards, cementing its reputation as one of the Algarve’s top golfing experiences.

Ranked the 61st best golf course in Europe by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: Montorfano, Lake Como, Italy | Designer: Peter Gannon | Par: 69 | Yardage: 6,331 | Opened: 1926

Why play here? Steeped in history and sophistication, Golf Club Villa d’Este is widely regarded as Italy’s most prestigious course. Designed by Peter Gannon in 1926, it is nestled in the wooded hills above Lake Como, surrounded by chestnut, pine, and birch trees. Though relatively short by modern standards, its narrow fairways, elevated greens, and strategic bunkering demand precision and shot-making skill.

Over the decades, it has hosted more Italian Opens than any other course and remains a timeless, old-world classic. Its location near the luxury resorts of Lake Como adds to the allure, making it perfect for an Italian golf vacation.

Course highlight: The par-4 12th, a tight dogleg framed by towering trees, showcases the accuracy required to score well at Villa d’Este.

Key features:

• Historic layout dating back to 1926
• Host of 12 Italian Opens, more than any other venue
• Narrow, tree-lined fairways and small, elevated greens
• Set in the wooded hills near Lake Como, offering serene beauty

Bonus fact: Villa d’Este has long attracted royalty, celebrities, and dignitaries, with its proximity to the famous Villa d’Este Hotel making it a playground for the international elite.

Ranked the 92nd best golf course in Europe by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: Messinia, Peloponnese, Greece | Designer: Bernhard Langer (with European Golf Design) | Par: 71 | Yardage: 6,581 | Opened: 2010

Why play here? The Dunes Course at Costa Navarino is where golf in Greece truly began. Opened in 2010 and designed by Ryder Cup legend Bernhard Langer, it set the standard for luxury golf in the country. The course blends links-style holes along the coast with olive grove and river valley settings further inland, offering variety and scenic beauty throughout.

Immaculately maintained with wide fairways, deep bunkers, and fast greens, it is as enjoyable for mid-handicappers as it is testing for low scorers. Set within the award-winning Costa Navarino resort, complete with world-class hotels, spas, and dining, it’s the ultimate Greek golf escape.

Course highlight: The opening par-5 2nd hole, running alongside the Ionian Sea, is a breathtaking introduction to seaside golf in Greece.

Key features:

• Greece’s first signature golf course, designed by Bernhard Langer
• Mix of coastal, links-style holes and inland olive grove landscapes
• Part of the luxury Costa Navarino resort complex
• Excellent year-round climate and playing conditions

Bonus fact: The Dunes Course was the pioneer of Greece’s golf boom, and today Costa Navarino has expanded to four championship layouts, making it one of Europe’s fastest-growing luxury golf destinations.

Best time to visit: The ideal time to play golf in Europe depends on the region. The Mediterranean destinations like Spain, Portugal, and southern France are best from March to June and September to November, offering warm sunshine and perfect playing conditions without the peak summer heat. Northern Europe (Scotland, Ireland, and Scandinavia) is best from May to September, when daylight is longest and courses are in peak condition. Winter golf is great in Spain and Portugal, making them year-round favorites.

Booking tips:

• Plan early – Tee times sell out quickly in peak season; book 6 to 9 months ahead if possible.
• Consider shoulder seasons – Spring and fall often bring lower rates, fewer crowds, and great playing conditions.
• Group smartly – Many top courses are clustered by region, so base yourself near key hubs like the Algarve or the Costa del Sol to minimize travel times.

Q: Can I play Ryder Cup and major championship venues in Europe? A: Yes, iconic courses like Le Golf National (France), Valderrama (Spain), St Andrews (Scotland), and Marco Simone (Italy) are open to visiting golfers.

Q: Are there stay-and-play resorts available? A: Absolutely. Europe is full of resorts like Monte Rei (Portugal), Finca Cortesin (Spain), and Terre Blanche (France), all combining championship golf with luxury hotels and spas.

Q: Should I book tee times in advance? A: Yes, especially for bucket-list venues. Peak-season times at courses like Valderrama can sell out months in advance.

Q: Can beginners enjoy these courses? A: Absolutely. Europe offers something for every level, from player-friendly resort courses to championship layouts. Lots of clubs feature forward tees, professional instruction, and practice facilities.

Europe is a golfer’s paradise, offering legendary links in the British Isles, sun-soaked championship layouts in Spain and Portugal, and luxury resorts in France, Italy, and beyond. With its mix of history, variety, and accessibility, Europe has something for every type of golfer, whether you’re chasing the challenge of achampionship course, the charm of a traditional links, or the indulgence of a five-star resort.