Costal del Sol Golf Courses
Half of Andalucia´s golf courses are located in Malaga province, along whose coastline stretches the famous costa del sol. The main attractions of this coastal area, wich welcomes more than eight million tourists a year, are (apart from golf) quite varied: gastronomi, beaches, marine ports, nightlife, shopping, typical villages, historical buildings...Marbella (the Costa del Sol´s most international municipality), Estepona, Mijas and Benahavis are home to most of the courses in the province, though the sport can also be enjoyed in many other Malaga areas.
Malaga
The capital city of Malaga, birthplace of Pablo Picasso and site of the magnificent museum dedicated to Guernica´s creator offers beaches, a bustling night-time atmosphere, and an outstanding selection of historical buildings and monuments, including the Cathedral and La Alcazaba.
Located in Malaga minincipality, are the El Candado, Guadalhorce, Real club de Campo de Malaga (known as the Parador) golf courses. The Costa del Sol´s pionner course, and one of the oldest in Spain, having been founded in 1925. Real Club de Malaga extends along the beach and is close to Malaga airport.
Malaga capital tourist attractions are numerous, and are by no means limited to the city´s historical facet
Marbella
The Costa del Sol´s cosmopolitan city, Marbella is a tourist must, especially for golfers. In a fact, it has the most golf courses of any municipality in Spain;a dozen. In bustling Puerto Banus home to ostentatious yatchs worth millions of euros, or in any of the fashionable restaurants or terraces, you could find your self rubbing shoulders with famous people from the glossy magazines and TV gossip programmes.
The "Golf Valley", a superb area situated behind Puerto Banus in the Nueva Andalucia macro-urbanisation, includes Las Brisas, Los Naranjos, La Quinta, aloha and La Dama de Noche, where you can play in the evening thanks to its artificial lighting system. Close by is the Guadalmina club, wich has two 18-hole courses. Within one kilometre of the centre of Marbella is Monte Paraiso, and just past the city, in the direction of Malaga, is Rio Real, whose picturesque course winds down the sea. Alittle further along, near the Costa del sol Hospital, is Santa Clara Golf and Marbella Golf. Greenlife Golf, Santa Maria Golf, El soto and Cabopino golf are situated at the eastern of the municipality..
Mijas golf course
Mijas
After Marbella, Mijas has the second highest number of golf courses in Malaga province, with eleven. Standings out as a popular destination for tourists is Mijas golf, with one of the highest number of green fees sold on the Costa del Sol. This expansive complex has two 18 hole golf courses. The same is the case for La Cala, wich has 54 holes and a six-hole par-three layout. One of the latest additions to Mija´s golf amenities is Santana Golf, a magnificent 18 hole course set in a former avocado farm. Also newly opened are the 18 hole and El Chaparral, Calanova. There are three 9-hole golf courses: La Noria, La Siesta y Miraflores.
Mijas is known for its large colony of foreign residents, immaculately maintained town centre, typically Andalucian architecture, spectacular views over the mediterranean, and a whole variety of other attractions, including ehe emblematic dondey-taxis, an usual model of transport wich enables visitors to enjoy a very special ride around the town.
Estepona
Golf course view of Estepona
Estepona is another municipality with impressive golf facilities: Atalaya (two 18-holes courses); El Paraiso, designed by Gary Player; Estepona Golf; and Coto de la Serena. Tradition and modernity blend together perfectly in this small city, with an "old town" that retains its Andalucian charm - narrow streets, whitewashed houses and flower bedecked balconies.
One of the main centres of activity in the munincipality is the marine port, located at the western end of the town. It comprises 400 mooring berths and a lively day and nightlife thanks to the presence of numerous establishments.
Gastronomy is another of Estepona´s main dishes. It would be difficult not to find a restaurant to satisfy your tastes, as there are no less than 200 in the municipality. The bars, cafeterias, pubs and discoteques offer a wide variety of enviroments for everyone.
Benahavis
Benahavis is a picturesque mountain municipality much admired among other reasons, for its gastronomy, wich can be savoured at one of the many restaurants. Not surprisingly, the village is popularly known as "The Coast´s restaurant". Obviously, it is charming in many ways, from the typical Andalucian "pueblo" houses and streets to the natural landscape stretching out to the municipal limits, wich border Marbella and Estepona.
Benahavi´s golfing credentials are outstanding. In spite of being a small village, as far as number of residents is concerned (less than 2000), the municipality spreads out expansively, with galf a dozen golf courses: La Zagaleta; La Quinta; Monte Mayor, Marbella Club Golf Resort, Los Arqueros, and Flamingos. The hilly terrain forms and integral part of earch of these courses.
Costa Del Sol in Spain is a paradise for golfers, with a wide choice of surperb courses, excellent facilities and an ideal climate.