Golf and tourism in the Community of Madrid

The tourist, gastronomic, cultural and leisure offer, with its golf courses as the main attraction, has captured the attention of foreign and local markets. 

The Madrid region has more than 30 golf courses and sports facilities spread throughout the Community. Their standards of quality, design, maintenance and facilities have left their mark among national and foreign tourists who have played on their fairways and putted on their greens.

Some of Madrid's courses are well-known amongst European golfers, such as the Real Club de Golf La Herrería, located in the Madrid town of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, the Real Club La Moraleja, with its four 18-hole courses designed by Jack Nicklaus, Golf Santander or the Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, regular venue of the DP World Tour and Ladies European Tour. 

The men's and women's professional circuits have been seduced by top-level facilities, excellent playing conditions and, of course, by their designs to hold their events. Jack Nicklaus, Seve Ballesteros, Robert Von Hagge, José María Olazábal and Javier Arana have left a historical and indelible legacy in the form of golf courses in the Community of Madrid. Moreover, Course 1 of Real Club La Moraleja was the first golf course in Europe designed by Jack Nicklaus, one of the best players in history and one of the great course designers.

The following Madrid courses also deserve special mention for the quality of their designs and practice facilities: Real Sociedad Hípica Española Club de Campo, RACE, Real Club Puerta de Hierro, Golf Negralejo, Club de Golf Retamares, Club de Golf La Dehesa, Club de Golf Lomas Bosque, Centro Nacional de Golf, Club de Golf El Robledal, Escuela de Tecnificación de Madrid, Club de Golf Somosaguas, Real Club de Golf Las Rozas, Club de Golf El Olivar de la Hinojosa and Golf Park.

There are many reasons why tourists choose Madrid to play golf and immerse themselves in its history and culture during their vacations. According to the Golf Federation of Madrid, during the last year, almost one million rounds have been played in the golf courses of the Community, which means more than 70,500 hours of golf per year. The quality of the designs, the good climate and the historical and cultural environment surrounding the Madrid courses make golf in the region a great attraction for tourists.

Three of its courses are located next to UNESCO World Heritage Cities: Real Club de Golf La Herrería, very close to the Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial; El Encín Golf Hotel, near the university and historical center of Alcalá de Henares and Club de Golf Aranjuez, next to the Aranjuez Gardens and the Royal Palace.

The historic UNESCO designation is completed with the Hayedo de Montejo, declared a World Natural Heritage Site, and the Madrid Landscape of Light, a World Heritage Site.

Tourists coming to Madrid can choose from 35 five-star hotels for their hours of rest, 29 Michelin stars in its restaurants to taste the local gastronomy, 55 wineries and six wine routes in the region as a cultural alternative after playing 18 golf holes.

The Sierra de Guadarrama national park, its nine protected natural areas, two biosphere reserves, regional parks and 450 kilometers of cycling routes provide the perfect connection with nature. 

The Community of Madrid is full of reasons for national and international tourists to spend a few days of vacation with family or friends. Golf and tourism are the main attractions of the region.

More information about golf in Madrid.