Golf in the city: an excellent combination in Spain

Enjoy your free time playing golf on some of the best European courses, in outstanding surroundings and with the chance to discover an extraordinary cultural heritage. If this is what you want your holidays to be like, the major Spanish cities can make your wish come true. It's an attractive combination which lets you enjoy yourself to the full while you play your favourite sport, with all the comforts of city life close to hand.

Some of the most enticing and fascinating destinations in Spain are also a delight for golf lovers. Big cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Zaragoza, Valencia and Bilbao give you the chance of combining your passion for sport with an unforgettable holiday experience. There are excellent golf courses set either in the cities themselves or nearby, designed by outstanding figures in the sport like Severiano Ballesteros, José María Olazábal or Robert T. Jones, and which are considered among the best in Europe. There's no doubt that playing golf in Spanish cities makes for a wonderful holiday, with plenty of other attractions to ensure you are entertained full-time. Check it out.

The golf courses in cities such as Madrid, Barcelona or Seville offer a large variety of different kinds of golfing experience. There are many different and enjoyable layouts, with plenty of obstacles to test your skill with the clubs. But not only urban golf courses are to hand: close by, there are other possibilities in nearby locations less than half an hour away, which will give you the chance to discover some extremely attractive places such as Aranjuez , El Escorial, Sitges and Caldes de Montbu, where you can even enjoy the Roman baths.

Most of these golf courses are set in beautiful surroundings, and your game will be played in a quiet and relaxing setting. You will experience a unique feeling while you play the course at El Saler in Valencia, which has some fantastic views of the Mediterranean; or in Artxanda in Bilbao, which has the mountain of the same name as a backdrop. The golf courses are suitable for all levels of players, and many, such as the Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, have been chosen to host important international competitions. They also offer facilities to people who want to begin at the sport: there are usually practice areas and academies for both adults and children.

But the merits of Spanish cities do not end there: thanks to a wonderful climate, in some of them you can play almost all year round. They also have excellent transport links, with international airports, high-speed trains and major roads nearby. And of course, you should not forget the many leisure-time activities available. You can discover a rich historic and artistic heritage, enjoy a world-class cuisine, go shopping in the best shops, and take part in a huge variety of cultural events and activities.

Come and enjoy what the major cities of Spain have to offer, and return home with the memory of an unforgettable holiday spent enjoying your favourite sport.