Golf Courses in Almería: Where to Play in the Andalusian Desert
Almería is the only province in Europe where you can play golf in a genuine desert setting. It sounds like a marketing line, but it's literal: the Tabernas Desert, the same one Sergio Leone chose to shoot his spaghetti westerns, is the backdrop for a handful of courses that faithfully replicate the great Arizona and California desert golf routes. It's the main reason the golf courses in Almería have quietly become one of Spanish golf's best-kept secrets.
This guide covers the 7 active courses in the province, with technical data for each one (architect, par, length, year), updated price ranges and recommendations by player profile. If you're planning a golf trip to the south of Spain, you'll find here everything you need to choose the right course and book your green fee.
Check real-time availability and book your tee times at golf courses in Almería with live rates and instant confirmation.
Why play golf in Almería
Almería brings together three conditions that turn it into a first-tier golf destination, even if it remains less well known than the Costa del Sol. First, the climate: more than 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, average winter temperatures that never dip below 14 °C, and the lowest rainfall index in the whole of Andalusia. You can play golf 365 days a year, literally.
Second, the landscape. The region combines inland desert (Tabernas, Sierra Alhamilla), arid mountain ranges and Mediterranean coastline within very short distances. Many courses offer sea views while still sitting in semi-desert vegetation. It's a setting that's almost impossible to find anywhere else in continental Europe.
Third, the value for money. Green fees are noticeably lower than on the Costa del Sol, courses are far less crowded, and the hotel infrastructure is solid, with several integrated golf resorts ready for long stays.
Semi-desert climate with over 3,000 hours of sunshine per year
Mild winter temperatures that make January and February genuine playing months
Two desert-style courses unique to continental Europe
Green fees between €35 and €85, well below the Andalusian average
Three international airports within reach: Almería, Murcia (Corvera) and Alicante-Elche
Resorts with hotel, spa and course on site for full golf stays
What a desert course is and why Almería is Europe's desert golf capital
The desert course, as a concept, was born in the 1960s in Arizona and Nevada, when golf architects started designing layouts that respected the arid environment instead of disguising it with unbroken green fairways. The result is unmistakable: bermuda or rye grass fairways and greens surrounded by sand, rock, cacti, dry washes (arroyos) and natural stone outcrops. Off the fairway there's no traditional rough, there's desert.
Almería is the only spot in continental Europe where this model has been faithfully reproduced. Desert Springs, in Cuevas del Almanzora, came first (opened in 2000) and was built to full USGA specifications, matching the technical quality of any course in Scottsdale or Palm Springs. Valle del Este followed in 2002 and Aguilón Golf in 2008, both built on semi-desert terrain, consolidating the Almería - Murcia axis as the stretch of the Costa Cálida with the highest concentration of desert golf anywhere on the continent.
For the player, two things follow. First, accuracy matters far more than distance: a ball off the fairway is usually a ball lost. Second, the landscape becomes part of the game. Anyone who has played Tabernas, Aguilón or Desert Springs in late afternoon light knows exactly what this means.
The best golf courses in Almería
The province has 7 active courses plus one more currently under full renovation, with reopening scheduled between 2026 and 2027. Here they are, ordered by a combined criterion of reputation, design singularity and services.
Desert Springs Golf Club, Cuevas del Almanzora
Architect: Peter McEvoy. Year: 2000. Holes: 18 (Indiana Course). Par: 72. Length: 6,128 m from back tees. Style: USGA desert course.
Desert Springs is Almería's most iconic course and the first desert-style course ever built in Europe. Designed by Peter McEvoy, former captain of the Great Britain and Ireland team, the Indiana layout sits on a plateau overlooking the Almanzora Valley, with bermuda fairways winding between rocky outcrops, dry arroyos and cactus, with more than 50% of the surface left unirrigated. The comparison with Arizona isn't marketing, it's literal: USGA specifications are identical.
It's a fast, technical and demanding course from the back tees. The resort includes villas and apartments, a PGA academy, two restaurants and tennis, padel and cricket facilities. If you only have time for one round in Almería, it has to be here. Handicap certificate required (28 for men, 36 for women).
Aguilón Golf, Pulpí
Architects: Blake Stirling and Marco Martin (Stirling & Martin). Year: 2008. Holes: 18. Par: 71. Length: 6,012 m. Style: desert, named by Eurosport "best desert course in Europe".
Located in Pulpí, in the north of Almería right next to the Murcia border, Aguilón Golf is probably the most visually striking course on the entire Mediterranean coast. Nestled between the Sierra del Aguilón and the sea, the layout features more than 100 bunkers, 6 lakes, natural ravines (ramblas) and sharp elevation changes, with views over Pulpí Bay from practically every hole.
It's a technical and demanding course, recommended for low to mid handicaps. The design allows 5 different playing routes depending on the tee you choose, so repeat rounds never feel flat. Full services on site (restaurant, pro shop, academy, buggy rental).
Valle del Este Golf Resort, Vera
Architect: José Canales Gálvez. Year: 2002. Holes: 18. Par: 71. Length: 5,693 m. Style: semi-desert.
Valle del Este was the second desert-style course built in continental Europe. Its 18 par-71 holes blend into a semi-desert environment with elevated tees, wide fairways and generous greens offering multiple pin positions. Lakes, palm trees and natural ravines give it a distinctly Andalusian character, less extreme than Desert Springs but equally rewarding.
Its main advantage is that it belongs to a 4-star resort with 142 rooms, spa, heated pool and gym. It's probably the Almería course best set up for full golf holidays, with every service on site. Accessible for mid to high handicaps.
Golf Almerimar, El Ejido
Architects: Gary Player and Rob Kirby. Year: 1976 (expanded in 2005). Holes: 27 (18 par 72 + 9 additional). Style: flat parkland by the sea.
The grandfather of Almería golf. Opened in 1976, Golf Almerimar was the first golf course in the province and one of the earliest in all of Andalusia. The design carries the signature of Gary Player, three-time Masters champion, together with architect Rob Kirby. In 2005 it was expanded with an additional 9 holes, making it the only 27-hole course in Almería and the largest in surface area (around 802,000 m²).
It's a flat layout with wide fairways lined by palm trees and plenty of water hazards (the lakes and canals typical of the Almerimar marina area). Suitable for every level: technical enough for experienced players thanks to its well-defended greens, but comfortable for higher handicaps because of the generous fairway widths. Located right next to the marina and a 3-minute walk from the 5-star Hotel Golf Almerimar. Reference green fee: €55 - €75 for 18 holes.
Alborán Golf, El Toyo (Almería city)
Architect: Ramón Espinosa. Year: 2005. Holes: 18 Championship. Par: 72. Length: 6,278 m. Host of the 2005 Mediterranean Games.
Alborán is the most urban course in Almería. Located in El Toyo, 5 minutes from Almería airport and 15 from the city centre, it faces the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park, with sea views from practically every hole. Ramón Espinosa's design plays with 66 strategically placed bunkers and two large lakes across the front nine, in a semi-desert environment that gives the layout real personality.
It was the venue for the 2005 Mediterranean Games and is run by Almería City Council, which keeps green fees below the provincial average. It's the best option if you're flying into Almería and want to play without straying from the city.
Club de Golf Playa Serena, Roquetas de Mar
Architects: Peter Alliss and Ángel Gallardo. Year: 1979. Holes: 18. Par: 72. Length: 6,169 m. Style: British, beachside.
Playa Serena is the other great Almería classic. Opened in 1979, the course was designed by the legendary Peter Alliss, the historic voice of golf on the BBC, together with Ángel Gallardo, a figure of the European Tour. The layout is catalogued as one of the flattest courses in Spain. Its 18 holes wind between 9 lakes (7 of them natural) and run alongside Roquetas beach, set within varied Mediterranean vegetation.
It's technically easy in terms of elevation but demanding on the greens and the longer holes. It has hosted events on both the Spanish national circuit and the European circuit. The clubhouse includes a restaurant run by chef José Álvarez of the Michelin-starred La Costa in El Ejido. 15 minutes from Almería airport and 20 km from the city centre.
Marina Golf Mojácar
Holes: 9. Style: coastal, beginner-friendly.
Marina Golf Mojácar is a 9-hole course set right on the coast, designed for quick rounds, beginners and golfers travelling with family who don't want to commit a whole day to golf. The setting is relaxed, with its own academy, equipment rental and restaurant. It pairs well with a beach week in Mojácar or Garrucha, and it's the most affordable option in the province.
Playa Macenas Beach & Golf Resort, Mojácar
Original design: Ramón Espinosa (2005). Renovation: Stirling & Martin, reopening scheduled for the 2026 season. Holes: 18 executive. Par: 66.
Playa Macenas was closed for years after the 2008 property crisis. The Cosentino group acquired the complex and in 2022 commissioned the Stirling & Martin studio (the same team behind Aguilón) to completely redesign the course, which will reopen as an executive 18-hole par 66 layout with a strong short-game focus. It's scheduled to reopen during the 2026 season, within the Macenas Mediterranean Resort. If you're planning a trip in the coming months, confirm opening status before booking.
Comparative table of golf courses in Almería
A quick side-by-side of the 7 active courses, with the key technical data for each one.
Which Almería golf course to choose based on your profile
With 7 active courses, picking the right one isn't obvious. This quick guide crosses player profile and trip type to recommend the course that fits best in each case.
How much does it cost to play golf in Almería
Green fees in Almería are, on average, between 20% and 40% cheaper than on the Costa del Sol or around Alicante. These are the reference ranges you'll find when booking a green fee in the province, with variations between high season (October to May) and low season (June to September).
On TeeTimesBooking you can check real-time rates and book green fees at the best golf courses in Almería with time-specific discounts.
Best time of year to play golf in Almería
Almería's micro-climate means you can play golf every day of the year, but some windows stand out for their combination of temperature, course traffic and conditions.
Spring, March to May: mild temperatures (18-25 °C), courses in prime condition and traffic still moderate. Probably the best window of the year.
Autumn, September to November: summer heat gone, courses recover their colour and demand hasn't yet pushed prices up.
Winter, December to February: average daytime temperatures of 16-18 °C. The best option if you're coming from northern Europe to escape the cold, though greens run slower.
Summer, June to August: play early in the morning or late in the afternoon. In July and August, midday tee times are unplayable on desert courses like Desert Springs or Aguilón.
How to get to the golf courses in Almería
Almería is well connected by air and road, with three international airports within less than two hours' drive. Here's the nearest airport for each course.
Almería Airport (LEI): the most direct option for Alborán Golf (5 min), Playa Serena (15 min) and Golf Almerimar (40 min).
Murcia-Corvera Airport (RMU): the fast route to the north of the province, ideal for Aguilón Golf (40 min), Desert Springs (1 h) and Valle del Este (1 h 10 min).
Alicante-Elche Airport (ALC): the alternative with the most flight frequencies and low-cost options, 1 h 30 min to 2 h 30 min depending on the course.
How to book your tee time in Almería
Booking your green fee at the golf courses in Almería through TeeTimesBooking is direct and intermediary-free: the platform connects live to each course's system, so the availability you see is the actual availability.
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You can book your round at golf courses in Almería in less than two minutes.
Extend your golf trip from Almería to the Costa del Sol
If you're planning a full week (or more) of golf in the south of Spain, it makes real sense to combine Almería's desert experience with one of the Costa del Sol's benchmark resorts. Three hours down the A-7 motorway takes you straight into the heart of Sotogrande, one of Europe's great golfing destinations, home to Real Club Valderrama, Real Club de Sotogrande and La Reserva.
In this area, the course we recommend to round off the trip is La Hacienda Links Golf Resort, in San Roque. It's the only authentic links-style course in the south of Spain, was crowned Spain's Best Golf Course at the World Golf Awards 2023, and its layout runs for almost two kilometres along the coastline with views of the Mediterranean, Gibraltar and the African coast. It's the perfect closing chapter for a golf road trip that begins in the Almería desert and ends on the sea.
Where to stay for a golf trip to Almería
Two accommodation models work well in Almería: the resort with on-site course (so you never need to leave the complex) and the base in a city or coastal town combined with short drives to several courses. These are the strategic spots.
Valle del Este Golf Resort, Vera: 4-star hotel, spa and course within the same complex. For those who want to stay put.
Desert Springs Resort, Cuevas del Almanzora: luxury villas and apartments built specifically for golfers.
Hotel Golf Almerimar and Hotel AR Almerimar, El Ejido: 5-star and 4-star properties steps away from the 27-hole course, next to the marina.
El Toyo - Retamar, Almería city: five 4-star hotels around Alborán Golf, with beach access and a conference centre.
Mojácar and Garrucha: ideal for pairing Marina Golf Mojácar with a beach-and-food stay.
Frequently asked questions about golf courses in Almería
How many golf courses are there in Almería
The province currently has 7 active golf courses (Desert Springs, Aguilón, Valle del Este, Golf Almerimar, Alborán, Playa Serena and Marina Golf Mojácar) plus one more, Playa Macenas, under full renovation with reopening scheduled for the 2026 season. The Spanish Association of Golf Courses counts four of them among its members: Aguilón, Alborán, Playa Serena and Valle del Este.
Which is the best golf course in Almería
It depends on the criteria. For international reputation and technical quality, Desert Springs is the most acclaimed: the first and only USGA desert course in Europe. For visual spectacle, Aguilón Golf has been named by Eurosport as the best desert course in Europe. For history and signature design, Golf Almerimar (Gary Player, 1976). All three are legitimate answers to the question.
Can you play on Almería courses without being a member
Yes, all 7 active courses let visitors play by simply booking a green fee. In high season (October to May) it's advisable to book at least one week in advance. Some courses like Desert Springs require a certified handicap (28 for men, 36 for women).
Which course is best for beginners
Marina Golf Mojácar is the most accessible thanks to being a 9-hole course with no handicap requirement. Playa Serena and Alborán are also comfortable for higher handicaps because of their wide fairways and minimal elevation. Valle del Este is a good option for mid-level players wanting a desert experience without the demand of Desert Springs or Aguilón.
Which is the nearest airport to the golf courses in Almería
Almería Airport (LEI) is the closest to Alborán, Playa Serena and Golf Almerimar. For the northern courses (Aguilón, Desert Springs and Valle del Este), Murcia-Corvera Airport (RMU) is usually more practical. Alicante-Elche (ALC) is the alternative with the most low-cost flight connections.
Can you play golf in Almería in winter
Yes, and in fact it's one of Europe's best winter golf destinations. Average daytime temperatures in January and February sit at 16-18 °C, with very low rainfall probability. Thousands of British, Scandinavian and German golfers choose Almería every year precisely for this reason.
How much does a green fee cost in Almería
The average 18-hole green fee ranges from €45 to €85 depending on course and season. Desert Springs and Aguilón sit in the higher band (€70-€85), Valle del Este and Golf Almerimar in the mid band (€55-€75), and Alborán and Playa Serena in the lower band (€45-€65). Booking in advance on TeeTimesBooking unlocks time-specific discounts.
Can you rent clubs and a buggy
Yes, every course offers club rental, electric buggies, manual trolleys and private lessons with qualified professionals. The one caveat is Aguilón Golf, which according to Leading Courses does not offer on-site club rental, so it's worth checking ahead or bringing your own set.
Almería, the most singular golf destination in Europe
Few places in the world let you play a desert course in the morning, eat lunch at a Mediterranean beach bar, and finish the day on a Gary Player layout next to a marina. Almería is that place, and it's still off the radar for most European golfers. If you're planning a golf escape, there's still time to discover it before everyone else does.
Check availability and book your green fees at golf courses in Almería at the best market rates.
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