The Costa del Sol is renowned worldwide as one of Europe's premier golf destinations. With more than 70 golf courses in the region, over 320 days of sunshine per year and a mild winter climate, this is paradise for every golfer. From Coral Mijas Stay, the finest courses are literally just around the corner.
The Costa del Sol has earned its nickname 'Costa del Golf' for good reason. Nowhere else in Europe will you find such a concentration of top-quality golf courses in such a compact stretch of coastline. From Málaga to Gibraltar, more than 70 courses have been designed by legends such as Seve Ballesteros, Robert Trent Jones Sr., Cabell Robinson and Dave Thomas. The mild Mediterranean climate makes year-round golf possible, with average winter temperatures around 16 °C.
Beyond the climate, the infrastructure is a major advantage. Málaga airport is served by virtually every European airline, and most golf courses are within a 30-minute drive of the terminal. The hospitality is typically Andalusian: warm, relaxed and with excellent dining at every club. Whether you're a seasoned single-digit handicapper or picking up a club for the first time, the Costa del Sol has a course to match your game.
Miraflores Golf Club is literally next door to Coral Mijas Stay. Just 100 metres from our apartment, this charming 18-hole par-71 course was designed by Perry Dye. The course winds through a beautiful valley with mature trees, water features and subtly undulating greens. Miraflores is popular with beginners and experienced players alike thanks to its varied design and fair yet challenging layout.
The club features an excellent clubhouse with restaurant, a pro shop stocking the latest equipment, and a driving range to warm up your swing. Green fees are around EUR 55-75 depending on the season, and there are attractive twilight rates. It's the perfect home course for guests who want to play a round every day without having to get in the car. Book your tee time through reception or online for the best rates.
La Cala Resort is one of the most impressive golf destinations on the Costa del Sol. The resort boasts three full 18-hole courses — Campo América, Campo Asia and Campo Europa — each designed by Cabell Robinson. The courses are set spectacularly in the hills above La Cala de Mijas, with panoramic views over the Mediterranean Sea and the Sierra de Mijas mountains. Campo América and Campo Asia are the most challenging, while Campo Europa is slightly more forgiving.
The resort offers a complete golf package: a modern academy led by PGA professionals, a state-of-the-art fitness centre, spa, and an excellent hotel for those seeking a multi-day golf break. Green fees range from EUR 60 to EUR 110 per course, with combination packages for multiple rounds. From Coral Mijas Stay, you're on the first tee in a 10-minute drive. La Cala is particularly popular with Scandinavian and British golfers.
Mijas Golf International is one of the oldest and most respected golf clubs on the Costa del Sol. The club features two 18-hole courses: Los Lagos and Los Olivos. Los Lagos ('the lakes') is famous for its water hazards and strategically placed bunkers, while Los Olivos ('the olive trees') winds through centuries-old olive groves with sea views. Both courses were designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and offer a classic golfing experience.
The location is particularly convenient: right next to the AP-7 motorway at Fuengirola, just 10 minutes from Coral Mijas Stay. The clubhouse is spacious and welcoming, with a restaurant well known for its excellent menú del día. Green fees are around EUR 50-85, and regular tournaments are organised for members and guests. The courses are well maintained and the staff are exceptionally friendly and helpful.
Calanova Golf Club sits on a ridge above Mijas Costa and offers arguably the finest views of any course in the region. The 18-hole par-72 course, designed by Enrique Canales Busquets, combines wide fairways with narrow, technical holes where accuracy matters more than power. The greens are typically in excellent condition and the maintenance crew is renowned for their craftsmanship.
What makes Calanova special is the atmosphere: it's a peaceful, unhurried club where you can play your round in complete tranquillity. The clubhouse terrace offers a breathtaking vista from Fuengirola to Marbella along the coast. Green fees are competitively priced at around EUR 45-70, making it one of the best value-for-money options in the region. The course is just an 8-minute drive from our apartment.
El Chaparral Golf Club is a hidden gem on the coast between Mijas Costa and Fuengirola. This 18-hole par-72 course was designed by Pepe Gancedo and opened in 2003. It stands out through a unique blend of links-style holes along the coast and woodland holes through pine and cork oak trees. The renowned par-3 holes with sea views are among the most photogenic in all of Andalusia.
El Chaparral continually invests in course improvements and the facilities are modern and well equipped. The clubhouse has a convivial restaurant with terrace, a well-stocked pro shop and a practice facility with driving range, putting green and chipping area. Green fees are around EUR 50-80. The club hosts weekly open tournaments, making it a sociable and lively golfing venue. From Coral Mijas Stay, you're there in under 10 minutes.
Green fees on the Costa del Sol vary considerably by season. The low season (June-September) offers the sharpest rates, often 30-50% lower than peak season (October-May). Twilight rounds (after 14:00 or 15:00) are even better value and particularly pleasant in the afternoon sun. Many courses offer online booking discounts of 10-20% when you reserve via their website rather than on the day.
For the best golfing weather, we recommend spring and autumn: March-May and October-November bring temperatures of 20-25 °C with little wind. The winter months of December-February are also excellent, averaging 18 °C but with the occasional rain shower. Book tee times at least 2-3 days ahead during peak season. Multi-round packages at resorts like La Cala offer the best deals, and many clubs offer discounts for groups of four or more players.
The Costa del Sol is an outstanding place to improve your golf game or learn from scratch. Virtually every golf club offers individual and group lessons given by PGA-certified professionals. The La Cala Golf Academy is one of the most comprehensive in the region, with video analysis, Trackman technology and specialised courses for short game, long game and course management. The Leadbetter Academy at La Quinta Golf also has an excellent reputation.
For beginners, there are introductory packages of 2-5 days that teach you the fundamentals and get you playing your first holes on the course. Private lesson prices are around EUR 50-80 per hour, while group lessons are considerably more affordable. Many academies offer special packages for holidaymakers, including club hire. We're happy to help you arrange lessons — just ask about our partnerships with local golf professionals.
Beyond the courses highlighted above, there are dozens of excellent options within a 30-minute drive. Santana Golf in Mijas is a challenging par-72 course with sea views. Cabopino Golf in Marbella is a short but technical 18-hole course, ideal for a quick round. Towards Marbella you'll find the prestigious courses of Los Naranjos, Aloha Golf and La Quinta Golf, which together form the famous Golf Valley.
For an exclusive experience, Valderrama in Sotogrande is the ultimate destination — host of the 1997 Ryder Cup and regularly ranked as the finest course in continental Europe. Closer to home, Torrequebrada and Benalmádena Golf offer compact 9- and 18-hole courses for a relaxed round. However long your stay, you can play a different course every day without repeating yourself.
Miraflores Golf Club is just 100 metres away — you can literally walk there. Calanova Golf and Mijas Golf International are within a 10-minute drive.
Yes, thanks to the mild climate with 320+ days of sunshine per year, you can play golf here all year. Even in winter, temperatures are around 16-18 °C.
Green fees range from EUR 40 to EUR 120 depending on the course and season. Twilight rounds and online bookings often offer 20-30% discounts. Multi-round packages are the best value.
Virtually all clubs offer lessons via PGA professionals. La Cala Golf Academy and the Leadbetter Academy are particularly well suited for beginners, with introductory packages of 2-5 days.
Not necessarily. All golf courses hire out high-quality complete sets, usually for EUR 25-40 per round. If you're playing multiple days it can be more cost-effective to bring your own set.