Golf Courses and resorts

Michlifen Resort & Golf – A different getaway to Morocco, to play on the best mountain golf course in Africa

February 2, 2026 – When Spanish golfers think of Morocco, their imagination usually travels automatically to the Atlantic courses, the desert, or the sunny fairways of Marrakech and Agadir. But Morocco is much more than palm trees, beaches, and dunes.

In the heart of the Middle Atlas, at more than 1,600 meters above sea level, there is a destination that breaks all the stereotypes and redefines the golf experience in North Africa: Michlifen Resort & Golf, home of the Michlifen Golf & Country Club, awarded Best Mountain Golf Course in Africa at the 2025 World Golf Awards.

“As hoteliers and golf promoters, for us it is an important milestone to offer the destination as a whole,” explains Tarik Kerdoudi, Cluster Commercial Director of the Michlifen Resort & Golf, from his stand at FITUR 2026.

“At our luxury hotel and its excellent facilities we organize sporting and corporate events throughout the year, whether for golf enthusiasts, nature lovers or business professionals, all at the same time.”

Ifrane, the Moroccan surprise

The journey begins in Ifrane, a unique city in Morocco, known as the Little Switzerland for its alpine architecture, sloping roofs and cool climate. Surrounded by centuries-old cedar forests and gentle mountains, Ifrane offers an atmosphere that surprises even the most experienced traveler. Here there are no traffic jams or extreme heat; there is clean air, silence and nature.

It is precisely in this environment where Michlifen Resort & Golf is located, just over an hour from Fez-Saïssinternational airport, presenting itself as an ideal getaway for the European golfer looking for something different, far from the country’s most crowded circuits.

“We are close to Fez, which is an easily accessible destination for tourists coming from the main European cities who want to escape to play golf in Michlifen.”

“Our high season begins in March, April, May and June, when we see a notable increase in foreign tourists who come to enjoy the resort, as we are open all year round.”

“Not so the golf course in winter, since at that time it can be covered with snow, but the rest of the year it is in perfect condition for playing,” continues Tarik Kerdoudi.

A five-star resort with the soul of an alpine chalet

Michlifen Resort & Golf is a five-star hotel that combines contemporary luxury with the warm charm of a large mountain chalet. Stone, noble wood, fireplaces and large windows create a cozy, elegant atmosphere deeply connected to the natural surroundings.

The hotel, also recognized as Best Golf Hotel in Morocco at the 2019 World Golf Awards, has 71 rooms and suites, many of them with direct views of the golf course or the forests of the Middle Atlas. Everything is designed for the golfer’s rest: silence, spaciousness, comfort and discreet but impeccable service.

Special mention should be made of its spa of more than 3,500 m², one of the most complete in Morocco, ideal for recovering after a demanding round at altitude. Indoor pools, fitness facilities, tennis courts, hammam, sauna, personalized treatments and relaxation areas make wellness an essential part of the experience.

The gastronomic offer matches the level of the overall complex, with several restaurants that alternate refined international cuisine, Moroccan specialties and lighter options designed for athletes.

Michlifen Golf & Country Club: golf in its purest form

But if there is something that makes Michlifen a truly exceptional destination, it is its golf course. Michlifen Golf & Country Club is an 18-hole, par 72 course designed by Jack Nicklaus, “a genius in terms of complexity and playability when laying out his courses,” in what was his first Signature course in Africa.

Officially inaugurated in September 2018, with the presence of HRH Prince Moulay Rachid of Morocco, it marked a milestone in the development of mountain golf in the region. After the pandemic, the course began to be promoted more actively, being continuously present at the latest editions of FITUR in Madrid.

Playing in Michlifen is unlike anything else in Morocco. Here golf unfolds among dense forests, constant elevation changes and spectacular mountain panoramas, in an environment that is more reminiscent of emblematic courses in Central Europe or North America than of the country’s usual imagery.

The wide fairways, fast and well-defended greens, and the masterful use of the natural terrain make the course as strategic as it is visually impressive. It is not an excessively long course, but it does require thinking through every shot, adapting to the altitude and managing the slopes well. An honest and tremendously enjoyable challenge for players of all levels.

As the most recent international event, we recall the organization of the Michlifen Atlas Pro-Am 2025, with the participation of professionals and amateurs, confirming the competitive quality of the course. And the next one will be in May 2026, with the Morocco Rising Stars, an event on the Asian Development Tour, which is the satellite circuit of the Asian Tour.

The maintenance is outstanding and the feeling of exclusivity is constant: here you play without haste or crowds, surrounded by nature and silence.

“Here, in the middle of the Atlas, with impressive panoramic views of the course and the mountains, the golfer can feel in a relaxed atmosphere, different from other courses they may have tried before.”

“In addition, we encourage clients staying at the hotel to discover golf in Michlifen. We have a golf academy, and at the same time they can enjoy the wellness facilities, tennis and the hotel spa, which is one of the best in Africa.”

“Without a doubt, it is a unique experience that both golfers and non-golfers will remember,” concludes Tarik Kerdoudi.

The clubhouse, elegant and functional, offers privileged views of the course and is the perfect place to calmly discuss the round. The club also has a high-level golf academy, equipped with advanced technology (TrackMan, SAM PuttLab, etc.) and qualified PGA professionals, ideal both for improving one’s game and for training stays.

Beyond golf, the region offers multiple possibilities: hiking, nature, cultural visits to Fez and even skiing in winter. Michlifen is a four-season destination, something unusual in Morocco.

A different getaway for the Spanish and European golfer

Michlifen Resort & Golf represents another way of understanding Morocco. It is the perfect choice for Spanish and European golfers who already know the country’s major destinations and are looking for a new experience, more intimate, greener and cooler. A place where golf is enjoyed calmly, surrounded by nature, discreet luxury and authenticity.

“We have a mainly European golfer profile, coming mostly from France, followed by Spain, and from the rest of Europe such as England, Sweden, Portugal and Italy. We also receive local Moroccan golfers throughout the year,” says Widad Harmal, Cluster Sales Director of the Michlifen Resort & Golf.

“Here we have the advantage that, being at high altitude, it is not so hot in summer. In July and August it is still possible to be comfortably outdoors, something highly valued by clients who come to Michlifen to play golf at that time.”

“We know that golf is a very popular sport in Spain, which is why it is a key market for us. The proximity between Morocco and Spain makes the Spanish golfer a very interesting client.”

“If they have already come to our country to play on the classic Moroccan courses, now they can also escape to play on the best mountain golf course in all of Africa,”concludes Widad Harmal.

In short, Michlifen is not only a great golf course: it is a unique destination, a major surprise and an undisputed reference for mountain golf in Africa. A well-kept secret that undoubtedly deserves to be discovered.

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Por MIGUEL ANGEL BUIL