Dreaming of teeing off at some of the best European golf courses? Europe is a treasure trove of legendary links, dramatic coastal layouts and modern masterpieces. Whether you’re ticking off bucket‑list courses or planning a family golf holiday, this guide highlights ten iconic venues that every golfer should experience at least once. Each section below includes a suggested package, indicative price and best time to visit to help you start planning.
1. St Andrews – Old Course (Scotland)
Known as the “Home of Golf,” the Old Course at St Andrews has hosted golf since the early 15th century. The public course, now operated by the St Andrews Links Trust, is considered the oldest golf course in the world. Golfers play over common land with the iconic Swilcan Bridge in view and the Royal & Ancient clubhouse beside the first tee. Playing here isn’t just a round of golf – it’s a pilgrimage to where the sport began.
Package: 2‑night St Andrews stay with guaranteed Old Course tee time and a round on a nearby course (from £599 pp including accommodation and transfers).
Price: Green fee for the Old Course alone is about £320; Golf Travel People packages bundle accommodation and additional rounds for excellent value.
Best Time To Visit: May – September when daylight is long and the weather is milder.
2. Royal County Down (Northern Ireland)
Set within the Murlough Nature Reserve, Royal County Down’s Championship Links threads its way through majestic sand dunes with views of the Mountains of Mourne. The narrow fairways bordered by purple heather and golden gorse are both beautiful and punishing for those who stray off line. Its famous “bearded” bunkers with overhanging lips of marram and red fescue and fast, domed greens make this one of the toughest yet most rewarding tests in golf. The par‑4 ninth, played down a 60 ft drop towards Dundrum Bay, is among the most photographed holes in world golf.
Package: 3‑day Belfast & Royal County Down experience including a round on the Championship Links and a Belfast city tour (from £749 pp).
Price: Championship Links green fee roughly £295; packages with nearby hotel and other courses start around £700.
Best Time To Visit: May – September when the Murlough Nature Reserve is at its prettiest.
3. Royal Portrush – Dunluce Links (Northern Ireland)
Royal Portrush’s Dunluce Links occupies a triangle of towering sandhills overlooking the North Atlantic. The layout offers “beauty and brutality” with stunning vistas of the coastline. The club hosted the 2019 Open Championship and will welcome the Open again in 2025, underscoring its global reputation. Expect rolling dunes, testing blind shots and a final stretch that is as scenic as it is challenging.
Package: 2‑night stay in Portrush with rounds on both Dunluce and Valley Links plus distillery tour (from £675 pp).
Price: Dunluce Links green fee about £255; full packages including accommodation and a second course starts from £650.
Best Time To Visit: June – September when the north‑Atlantic weather is kindest.
4. Valderrama (Spain)
This Real Club lies in southern Spain’s cork‑oak forest. The course is famed for its gnarly Cork Oak trees – some dating to the time of Columbus – which architect Robert Trent Jones retained when crafting the layout. Every hole meets championship standard, and the remodelling of the 17th hole by Seve Ballesteros has created one of Europe’s most dramatic risk‑reward par 5s. Professionals praise Valderrama’s immaculate fairways and slick, contoured greens, making it widely regarded as continental Europe’s finest inland course.
Package: 4‑night Costa del Sol golf break including a round at Valderrama, two rounds at nearby courses and car hire (from £895 pp).
Price: Green fees at Valderrama are around €350 (≈£300); packages bundle additional courses and accommodation for better value.
Best Time To Visit: March – May and September – October when Andalusia’s temperatures are comfortable.
5. Monte Rei Golf & Country Club (Portugal)
Rated among the best European golf courses, Monte Rei is Jack Nicklaus’ signature design and the jewel of the Eastern Algarve. The 18‑hole North Course opened in 2007 and sits between the Serra do Caldeirão hills and the Atlantic Ocean. Each hole is secluded in natural beauty, guaranteeing a tranquil experience even for the most demanding golfer. Golfers enjoy world‑class service, wide fairways and immaculate greens; the high green‑fee reflects the exclusivity but packages make it more accessible.
Package: 3‑night Eastern Algarve stay with two rounds on Monte Rei North Course and daily breakfast (from £499 pp).
Price: Single‑round green fees range from €170 to €220 (≈£145–£188) depending upon season.
Best Time To Visit: September – May; avoid mid‑summer heat.
6. Camiral (formerly PGA Catalunya) – Stadium Course (Spain)
Part of the Camiral Golf & Wellness Resort near Girona, the Stadium Course is regularly ranked among the best European golf courses. The resort has been voted Spain’s No. 1 golf resort and has hosted the Spanish Open and DP World Tour events. The course winds through a 540‑hectare forested estate with two championship layouts and hi‑tech practice facilities, creating a perfect golf getaway. Expect plenty of water hazards, strategic bunkering and lightning‑fast greens.
Package: 3‑night Barcelona & Girona break with two rounds on the Stadium Course and access to the resort’s practice facilities (from £525 pp).
Price: Green fees typically around €120–€150 (≈£100–£125); packages with hotels start around £500.
Best Time To Visit: April – June and September – October.
7. Crans‑sur‑Sierre – Seve Ballesteros Course (Switzerland)
Perched at 1,500 metres above the Rhône Valley, the Seve Ballesteros Course at Crans‑sur‑Sierre is perhaps the finest golf course in the Alps. Locals claim it is the premier alpine course; golfers enjoy clean mountain air and spectacular views of peaks such as the Matterhorn and Mont‑Blanc. The original nine holes opened in 1906, and Seve Ballesteros remodelled the layout to make it both challenging for professionals and beautiful for amateurs. Numerous golf magazines include the par‑72, 6,341‑metre course in lists of the world’s most beautiful.
Package: 4‑night Swiss Alps golf tour including two rounds at Crans‑sur‑Sierre and a day of mountain excursions (from £725 pp).
Price: Green fees typically from CHF 170 (≈£150); packages with hotel and mountain rail passes offer good value.
Best Time To Visit: June – September when the high‑alpine course is open and the weather is pleasant.
8. Royal Dornoch – Championship Course (Scotland)
Royal Dornoch offers a uniquely memorable links experience. Golf Monthly describes it as a northern gem providing a varied test of golf with captivating views. The friendly clubhouse and town‑club atmosphere enhance the experience. Reasons to play include the incredible views across the Dornoch Firth and its status as the most northerly course in many rankings. Golf has been played here since 1616, and Old Tom Morris created its famous plateau greens that challenge even the best golfers.
Package: 3‑night Highlands experience with a round at Royal Dornoch, a round at Brora or Tain and whisky distillery visit (from £575 pp).
Price: Championship Course green fee is about £210; packages combine accommodation and other courses to offer better value.
Best Time To Visit: June – August for long days and (relatively) warm temperatures.
9. Kingsbarns Golf Links (Scotland)
Opened in 2000, Kingsbarns is a modern links that quickly earned a place among the top golf courses in Europe. The course occupies 1.8 miles of North Sea shoreline near St Andrews. It is rated as one of the best courses in Scotland and consistently ranks in the world’s top 100. Designed by Kyle Phillips, the routing unfolds across three tiers of land, offering ocean views from nearly every hole. Kingsbarns co‑hosts the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship alongside the Old Course and Carnoustie, cementing its reputation.
Package: 2‑night Fife links break with rounds at Kingsbarns and Crail (from £495 pp).
Price: Green fees around £300; off‑season deals can lower costs when paired with nearby courses.
Best Time To Visit: May – September; mid‑summer offers the best chance of clear skies.
10. Royal St George’s Golf Club (England)
Located in Sandwich, Kent, Royal St George’s is the only Open Championship venue in south‑east England. The club has hosted 15 Open Championships since 1894 and stands on the rota with past champions including Collin Morikawa, Darren Clarke and Greg Norman. Founded by surgeon Laidlaw Purves in 1887, the course is set in wild dunes and features blind or semi‑blind shots. Its deep bunkers and dramatic undulations make it one of the most challenging yet exhilarating links experiences in Europe.
Package: 3‑night Kent coast itinerary including a round at Royal St George’s, a round at Prince’s or Royal Cinque Ports and visits to historic Canterbury (from £695 pp).
Price: Green fee around £280; packages with accommodation and additional rounds begin at about £650.
Best Time To Visit: Late spring or early autumn to avoid summer crowds and maintain firm links conditions.
Plan Your Iconic European Golf Course Journey Today!
If you’re serious about golf, these best European golf courses deserve a place on your lifetime itinerary. From the historic fairways of St Andrews and Royal County Down to modern masterpieces like Monte Rei and Kingsbarns, Europe offers variety to thrill any golfer. Golf Travel People specialises in bespoke packages that combine these world‑class courses with hand‑picked accommodation, travel arrangements and non‑golf activities.
FAQs related to Best European Golf Courses
Q1. Why are these courses considered the best European golf courses?
They combine history, championship pedigree, scenic settings and outstanding course design. Many host major tournaments and consistently rank in top‑100 lists.
Q2. How far in advance should I book tee times at famous courses like St Andrews?
Demand is high, so book 8–12 months ahead. Golf Travel People can help secure tee times through their guaranteed package allocations.
Q3. Can non‑golfers enjoy these resorts?
Yes – many resorts offer spas, hiking, historic tours and family activities. For instance, St Andrews and Royal Dornoch are charming towns, and resorts like Camiral and Monte Rei include wellness centres and restaurants.
Q4. Are these courses suitable for high‑handicap golfers?
While challenging, each course provides multiple teeing options so golfers of all abilities can enjoy the experience. Packages often include caddie services or professional tuition to help you navigate the course.
Q5. Do packages include flights and transfers?
Packages can be tailored to include flights, transfers, car hire and additional sightseeing. Speak to Golf Travel People to customise your itinerary and ensure a hassle‑free golf holiday.
