Tag Archives: Barcelona Golf Destination

IAGTO – Barcelona Golf Destination Returns to North American Convention for a Second Consecutive Year

June 24, 2025 – Following a successful debut in 2024, Barcelona Golf Destination has returned to the 16th edition of the IAGTO North American Golf Tourism Convention (NAC), held from 17th to 19th of June 2025 at the Sheraton Birmingham Hotel, Alabama.

This marks the second consecutive year of participation for Barcelona Golf Destination, a collective of elite golf clubs from the province of Barcelona, reaffirming its commitment to positioning the region as a world-class golf destination for the North American market.

Backed by the Diputación de Barcelona Tourist Board and in collaboration with Barcelonagolf.com, this year’s presence has been focused on strengthening relationships with industry professionals and showcasing the unmatched golf and lifestyle offerings Barcelona brings to international travelers.

“Our return to the NAC reflects the enthusiastic response we received last year,” said Marcello Della Vecchia, President of Barcelona Golf Destination.

“We’re excited to further promote the incredible golf experiences that Barcelona offers—where top-tier design, Mediterranean scenery, and cultural richness come together.”

Barcelona Golf Destination is composed of five premier golf courses:

From playing seaside rounds along the Mediterranean at Llavaneras to championship layouts near Montserrat, the region offers diverse playing environments, many of which have hosted multiple European Tour events. These private clubs open to visitors pair exceptional golf with modern clubhouse facilities and a strong sense of local heritage.

“Barcelona is more than just a golf destination—it’s a gateway to authentic Catalan culture, gastronomy, and leisure,” added Ian Denham, Director of Barcelonagolf.com.

“Our updated packages for 2025 and 2026 include curated stays in central hotels, private winery visits, and insider cultural tours, crafted to appeal to the discerning American and Canadian traveler.”

With direct flight connections from major North American cities like New York, Toronto, Los Angeles, and Miami, the region continues to be a convenient and compelling destination for golf travel.

During the three-day convention, the Barcelona delegation will engage with golf tour operators, travel planners, and industry leaders to foster new partnerships and collaborative opportunities that spotlight both golf and the wider tourism offerings of Costa Barcelona.

This renewed participation is part of a long-term strategy to elevate Barcelona’s profile on the international golf tourism stage, reinforcing its reputation as a destination where sport, culture, and Mediterranean lifestyle converge.

Interview – Ian Denham, Manager of Barcelona Golf, leading tour operator in Catalonia and one of the best in Spain

February 27, 2023 – Winner of the prize for ‘Best Inbound Golf Tour Operator in Spain’ in 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2022 at the World Golf Awards, there is no doubt that Barcelona Golf is one of the most important and competitive golf travel agencies in Spain. And this is recognized with awards granted by the votes of professionals in the industry and the specialized media, which gives them with even greater value.

Managing Barcelona Golf is Ian Denham, originally from North Wales, who has lived in Sitges near Barcelona since 1994. With his professional team, he offers golf breaks to tourists who come to Catalonia seeking the best golf courses, with accommodation, gastronomy, leisure, culture and sports, which match the specific needs and budget of his clients. Since the creation of Barcelona Golf in 2003, thousands of players, from couples to corporate groups, have been guided by its know-how, coming from all over Europe, the US, even Asia and Oceania, returning home from their golfing holidays after living a memorable experience.

With the success that comes from constant hard work, Barcelona Golf has become the point of reference for foreign golfers wanting to play on the best courses on the Costa Brava, Barcelona, Costa Daurada and the Pyrenees/Andorra, with the best offers and luxury treatment. So much so, that three years ago it was chosen as travel partner of the Barcelona Golf Destination association and now, in 2023 it is celebrating its 20th Anniversary. We interviewed its manager, Ian Denham, to discover the secrets of Barcelona Golf.

MYGOLFWAY: How were the beginnings of Barcelona Golf?

IAN DENHAM: Ha, ha. Well, I have been living here for 29 years, and 23 years ago I started playing the game again, playing local golf tours in various courses of Catalonia. Then I realized that there was no one organizing golf for foreign visitors. It was the time when web pages were being developed in Internet. So, I started a website, despite my lack of experience, but now, after 20 years, we are a team working full time on the project and we have improved a lot, to the point of being internationally recognized.

MYGOLFWAY: What does it mean for Barcelona Golf to receive its fourth prize of the World Golf Awards? 

IAN DENHAM: We have already won it four times, the previous one was in 2018, and the truth is that it was a surprise in 2022, because after the pandemic and the consequences that it had, we didn’t think that we could win it. The truth is that it is great because of the impact it has on publicity for us, there is also the prestige of winning it, and the satisfaction of being able to display the winners logo on the website, in mailings, etc.

MGW: But it also means that the global golf industry considers you the best valued tour operator in Spain. 

IAN DENHAM: Yes, there are many tour operators that work in the Spanish golf market. So yes, it gives us a lot of prestige. Although we, of course, are focused on Catalonia, not on all of Spain.

MGW: How does Barcelona Golf differ from other tour operators to win this award so many times? 

IAN DENHAM: I think it’s mainly due to personal treatment. We receive requests from all over the world, and we always try to talk to the clients to find out exactly what they want. And that is not so easy to do. If you do everything strictly online it is much more complicated, because often you are not offering exactly what the client wants. Sadly this is happening more and more these days thus distancing the Tour Operator from the client.

MGW: What does the client who comes to Barcelona Golf look for?

IAN DENHAM: Well, we work with almost all the golf courses in Catalonia and of course, some of them much more than others and they all offer something different in their own way. It all depends on the type of client… We work with couples, and even quite large corporate groups… We had two groups of between 80 and 90 people in 2022, and others of around 40. Often it’s easier to organize a large group than a couple, ha, ha. What the clients actually look for is a mixture of golf resorts, city breaks and as we are blessed with the Mediterranean, hotels on or near the beach with golf nearby.

Some people come through the congresses and shows that are held in Barcelona, but the vast majority come through our website. In 2023 we are going to reach the 20th Anniversary of Barcelona Golf, at the beginning of October, and we see this as an achievement in itself.

In addition, we have clients who come almost every year. Some have been coming for 10 or 15 years. And to an extent, it is thanks to the database that we have been creating over many years. Our clients come from the UK, the Nordic countries, Germany, France; and occasionally Asians and Australians, but they are mainly Europeans.

MGW: What packages are the most requested? or do they ask you for tailor-made golf travels? 

IAN DENHAM: Through the website we offer some packages focused on the areas of Barcelona, Costa Daurada and also Costa Brava, more than anything to give ideas. But then the clients themselves can take one of these packages, or choose different hotels or golf courses from those proposed.

MGW: What courses are in highest demand to play in Catalonia? 

IAN DENHAM: In 2022 there was a significant increase in requests for the Costa Daurada, especially asking to play at the Infinitum Golf complex. After hosting the DP World Tour in April, a lot more people have started asking to play golf in this area where the standard of course is generally good and prices of hotels in the golf season are very reasonable. And then, of course, they often request to play at Camiral Golf – formerly PGA Catalunya – on the Costa Brava although this option is that much more expensive nowadays. Finally the RCG El Prat in the Barcelona area is a great favourite as it combines quality, history and personality. And Terramar Golf, next to the beach in Sitges, for hosting a Ladies European Tour event during the last years. These courses in particular are requested because they’ve hosted tournaments on the European Tour, they’ve been on television, or they have promoted themselves well.

MGW: What is Barcelona Golf’s key factor in attracting the attention of foreign clients? 

IAN DENHAM: As I said before, I think the most important thing is the personal touch. For example, an English customer can quite easily contract a tour operator in England who is offering an online package here in Catalonia, but in many cases the tour operators do not have the experience of the country, etc., and I think our advantage is that we are based here. Our ability to offer various alternatives to the client is a definite advantage.

In the end we have so many groups and couples that we cannot accompany each one, but at least we try to visit the clients during their stay here, which I think is a nice touch for most. In addition, they are in contact with us basically 24 hours a day via mobile phone, to solve any doubts or problems such as changes to a tee-time because the plane has been delayed… We are here for all those hiccups.

MGW: The experience with Barcelona Golf must be very gratifying for your clients, because they keep coming back.

IAN DENHAM: Yes, obviously. We are very proud of the treatment we offer to the clients and hope that they continue to return.


Ian Denham with Marcello Della Vecchia, Vicepresident of Barcelona Golf Destination.

MGW: What is the forecast for this 2023 season? 

IAN DENHAM: In 2022 it was almost a record, with levels higher than before the pandemic, and at the moment for the year 2023, it looks as if we might repeat it, at the moment it looks pretty good, although you never know. With the issue of the energy crisis and the war in Ukraine, everything is uncertain.

Our forecast is to continue promoting and offering the golf courses in Barcelona and the rest of Catalonia. We now work as official travel partners to the Barcelona Golf Destination, which is the association of courses in the Barcelona area, so the idea is to do more things with them organizing golf packages for clients entering through the destination’s website. It is early days, but things look very promising

Thanks Ian, and congratulations on your great work.

Barcelona Golf Destination – Barcelona golf, a Biosphere destination for its level of sustainability and responsibility

August 19, 2022 – Golf enjoys a unique and powerful opportunity to stand out for its great differences among other sports. Each golf course is different, beautifully framed by its own nature, and current trends point the way to the efficient and responsible use of resources for the conservation and development of the ecological richness and the landscape that surround all the clubs.

Barcelona Golf Destination is aware of this, and for this reason it supports and endorses each and every one of the initiatives of its seven associated golf courses, which seek to promote quality tourism, focused on improving its facilities and services for its players and visitors. These actions are the source of awards, recognition and official certifications such as Biosphere, placing Barcelona clubs among the world leaders in continuous improvement towards sustainability and the fight against climate change, guided by the 17 sustainable development goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda, and the Paris Climate Summit Guidelines.

The most recent award was achieved by the Real Club de Golf El Prat, which received the Biosphere certification of commitment to tourism sustainability for the Barcelona Destination in June 2022. This distinction recognizes entities that are committed to management that is respectful of the environment, culture and the social and economic return of the city and the local districts of Barcelona.

This year, the RCG El Prat has presented its Yellow Course which has been renovated to become more efficient and responsible. Water from the water treatment plant continues to be used and other improvements are being made in this line. Added to this is the new fitting center and the expansion of the natural grass area on the driving range. The RCG El Prat has also obtained the Safe Travels certification, the first globally approved seal that recognizes destinations that carry out prevention and hygiene actions against Covid-19, with the aim of generating safe spaces for travellers.

The Club de Golf Terramar was actually the first course in Catalonia to get the Biosphere Certification for golf, in 2021, in recognition of its good environmental practices. Recycling, the elimination of plastics, the digitization of communications, inclusive communication and paper reduction, recycled water for irrigation and home automation for energy savings are some of the latest actions that have been carried out.

The CG Terramar successfully hosted the Estrella Damm Ladies Open presented by Catalunya a few days ago, showing the world the excellent conditions of its golf course. Through its Master Plan, almost completed in terms of big infrastructures, it has built a large central lake and transformed the design of holes 10, 13 and 15, recovering the par 72 of the course. In 2022, its projects revolve around the local flora and fauna, and the installation of charging points for electric vehicles.

As another example, the first day of the Ladies European Tour tournament concluded in a very special way, with several participating players, staff members and volunteers carrying out a collective cleaning of the Santa Margarida beach in Sitges, next to the course on the shores of the Mediterranean, with the support of the CRAM Foundation, dedicated to the protection of the marine environment.

Club de Golf Vallromanes acquired the IAGTO ‘Quality Assured’ certification in 2020, which guarantees an excellent experience and the use of good practices for all visitors and tourists who come to the club. In addition, that same year the club launched a program to eliminate single-use plastic bottles, for the consumption of water and drinks on the course, and since then it has not ceased in its commitment to environmental tourism sustainability in all the aspects. During the Covid-19 pandemic, it continued to develop aesthetic improvements and maintenance advantages, with a careful landscaping project and beautification of the layout.

This 2022, the year of its 50th anniversary, it has carried out improvements to the irrigation system throughout the course, drainage, renovation of bunkers, expansion of tees, and so on. The driving range now has lighting and a new tee line. In addition, the change in the management of the restaurant has increased the offer and quality of the menu. Its ongoing projects allow savings in energy consumption, double recharging of electric cars, and an improvement in waste treatment.

Club de Golf Barcelona has undergone an almost total renovation between 2019 and 2020, with the restoration of the fairways and bunkers around the greens, the replanting of the fairways with Bermuda Arden 15, improvements to the tee platforms, the replanting of fifty native pine trees, and the launch of the Barcelona Golf Academy.

The largest investment made in 2021 was directed to the rest of the facilities, with the start of the incorporation of solar panels (which will reach 600 units by the end of 2022), chargers for electric cars, the creation of six padel courts, the new summer swimming pool, the gym specialized in golf, improvements in WiFi coverage, etc.

Meanwhile, the club obtained certification as a Global Safe Site in August 2020, renewed six months later, and the Biosphere Sustainable Lifestyle seal in 2022, awarded for its commitment to tourism sustainability. At the same time, it is carrying out a study on the local fauna, which will provide a thorough understanding of the species that inhabit the countryside, and protect them as best as possible.

Finally, Club de Golf Montanyà was the first course in Spain to receive the Global Safe Site certification in 2020, for its model to avoid the risks of Covid-19, awarded by the prestigious security firm Bureau Veritas.

In 2022 it has carried out reforms in the irrigation system that allow it to improve its sustainable efficiency, it has acquired new maintenance machinery, and it is in the last phase of construction of the road network for the circulation of buggies and greenkeeping vehicles. Thus, it has managed to reduce energy and water consumption; and has carried out pruning and forest clearing operations to reduce the combustion hazards in the event of a fire and improve visual comfort and the player’s experience.

The biodiversity of this club is extraordinary, located at the foot of the Montseny Natural Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and it will soon be awarded the Biosphere certificate. Its next project is the construction of a 100KW photovoltaic station for self-consumption in its facilities.

The Barcelona golf courses are aware that each of their actions has an impact on the environment, and in this way they ensure that they act in a positive, sustainable and responsible manner, to the benefit of the environment and its users.

Barcelona Golf Destination – Barcelona, at the forefront of the Tour

Agosto 12, 2022 – This year 2022, the year of normality after the pandemic of Covid-19, amateur golfers have thrown themselves into playing golf with more enthusiasm than ever and, in terms of professional golf, there is a feeling of greater animation than in previous seasons. So much so that, in recent months, we have seen the Barcelona flag flying continuously on the European professional tours, with the successes of Pablo Larrazábal, Adri Arnaus and Carlota Ciganda as the main protagonists.

Some highlights reflect the quality of golf with Barcelona as the destination in the eyes of golfers, nationally and especially internationally. Pablo Larrazábal, a player raised at the Real Club de Golf El Prat and with a long history on the European Tour, gave us our first joy in March by winning the MyGolflife Open in South Africa, in a playoff against the English player Jordan Smith and Adri Arnaus.

After the Masters, the DP World Tour moved to Catalonia with two important events in April, which no one could imagine would be won by two Barcelona golfers. Pablo Larrazábal won his second title of the season at the ISPS Handa Championship in Spain, held at the Lakes Course of Infinitum (Tarragona), one shot ahead of the Basque Adrián Otaegui.

A week later, Adri Arnaus won in the Catalunya Championship, a tournament held at the PGA Catalunya Golf and Wellness Stadium Course (Girona), having fought in a six-hole marathon playoff against South African Oliver Bekker.  In fact, the course has just announced its candidature of Costa Brava – Barcelona to host the 2031 Ryder Cup.

So, at the moment, Pablo Larrazábal and Adri Arnaus are the strongest representatives of Barcelona golf worldwide. The destination of Barcelona also has a lot to say regarding its level of organization, especially in women’s golf. This was demonstrated from July 7 to 10 at the Estrella Damm Ladies Open presented by Catalunya, of the Ladies European Tour, held at the Club de Golf Terramar.

In this beautiful enclave of Sitges, on the shores of the Mediterranean, the player who best showed off the virtues of the remodeled course, always in excellent condition, was Navarra’s golfer Carlota Ciganda. Despite being the outstanding leader during the week, she had to resist the pressure of her rivals to win the title for the second time, two shots ahead of Scotland’s Laura Beveridge.

Once again, the Estrella Damm Ladies Open, in its fifth edition, became a true showcase for Barcelona Golf Destination, and golf throughout Catalonia, from the event’s presentation onwards. The “Sitges Golf Beach Show” was an innovative event organized in Platja de la Fragata, where the authorities expressed their serious commitment to golf as an attraction in the area, promoting quality sports tourism, while the players demonstrated their skills in an original approach contest on the fine sand of the appealing and charming town of Sitges.

Undoubtedly, Barcelona Golf Destination continues to advance with its golf proposal, also promoted by Tour professionals, and looks forward to welcoming players on their golf breaks, where they can experience all the enjoyment that Barcelona courses offer, like Pablo Larrazábal, Adri Arnaus and Carlota Ciganda.

Barcelona Golf Destination – Golf and wine in Barcelona, a perfect pairing

April 20, 2022 – For golfers who appreciate wine, Barcelona is a real paradise. Enjoying good wine is one of the activities that should be on the ‘to do’ list when you come here. There’s no denying that wine and golf go hand in hand. Most events, whether they are big Majors or amateur tournaments, end with trophies being awarded, and we raise our glasses to the players.

Wine tourism and playing on good golf courses make the perfect duo with Barcelona Golf Destination. You might come on business, for culture or holidays, with the added incentive of going winetasting with partners, a group of friends or fellow adventurers. You can come to Barcelona to a trade fair, to admire the Sagrada Familia or to swim at the beach, and at the same time you can enjoy a visit to a winery, take a stroll surrounded by vineyards, or have a gastronomic dinner, following or followed by with a pleasant round of 18 holes.

More than 2,500 years ago, the Romans and the Iberians cultivated vines here to obtain wine. The vinyards have sculpted the Barcelona landscape over time, where the climatic conditions are ideal for the production of world-famous wines and cavas. In the same area, we have some of the best golf courses in Europe.

To breath in the bouquet of these exciting experiences yet to be discovered, there are three main golf and wine routes we’d like to recommend in Barcelona, with which to immerse yourself in ‘Denominación de Origen’ (DO)vineyards while reserving your tee time at the nearby golf courses.

DO PENEDES GOLF, WINE AND CAVA ROUTE

In addition to the DO Penedes, the DO Cava is also of great importance, both framed in an area of ​​24,000 hectares. Being one of the oldest wine regions in Europe, dating back to the 6th century BC, its rolling vineyards are ideal for the production of top quality wines. With more than 75 wineries of different sizes, the Penedés offers dream routes to be enjoyed all through the year, with great wine, fantastic golf plans, and the pleasure of resting in a calm and healthy environment.

There are charming places to visit, such as the archaeological centre of Olérdola or the monumental complex of Sant Martí Sarroca, and notable towns such as Sant Sadurní d’Anoia, with its Cava Centre, and Vilafranca del Penedés, with its VINSEUM. Macabeo, Xarello and Parellada have established themselves as the traditional white varieties of sparkling wine. A recommended visit is to the modernist Codorniu winery, with 26 kilometres of underground cellars, in addition to the Freixenet, Torelló, Raventós i Blanc or Gramona cellars, together with wine cellars of great international prestige such as Familia Torres.

In the heart of Alt Penedes is the Club de Golf Barcelona, in Sant Esteve Sesrovires, with facilities surrounded by a sea of ​​vineyards and masias (typical rural residences), and impressive views of the south side of the Montserrat mountain. You have the comfort of staying at the Hotel Barcelona Golf Resort, a 4-star hotel right in front of the golf course, from where a ‘Special Cellar’ getaway is organized for you.

From the mountains to the sea, the maritime Penedes includes beaches such as those of Sitges, a beautiful coastal town south of Barcelona which is ​ popular for its special charm. Its attractions include architectural jewels such as Cau Ferrat and Palau Maricel, 17 beaches, three marinas and, of course, the Club de Golf Terramar. Flanked by a series of recommended hotels, such as the Sunway Playa Golf & Spa, Me Sitges Terramar and Dolce Sitges, it is the best option for lovers of links.

DO ALELLA GOLF AND WINE ROUTE

Just 15 minutes north of Barcelona, ​​the DO Alella lies between the Serralada Litoral Park and the Mediterranean coast, where the sun shines almost every day of the year. With its 225 hectares it looks relatively small, and yet it is home to almost a dozen family cellars that have earned a high reputation for the superb quality of their light, perfumed, elegant and crystalline white wines, made from the native Pansa Blanca variety.

The area includes routes through Alella, Badalona, ​​Tiana-Mongat, Vallés and Maresme. In the Vallés Oriental, the Celler Maria Can Roda and the church of Santa Maria de Martorelles are worth a visit, while playing at the Club de Golf Vallromanes, in Vallromanes, and staying at the Hotel Can Galvany or the Hotel Mas Salagros Ecoresort. In the same area you can play at Golf La Roca, in La Roca del Vallés, the ideal spot for those who love shopping, since it is just one kilometre from the La Roca Village shopping mall.

On the same route, at the edge of Alella but on the other side of Mataró, the Club de Golf Llavaneras in Sant Andreu de Llavaneras offers a charming British-style course. Here you can play with impressive views of the Mediterranean from its 18 holes, with the opportunity to stay at the Santa Romana Resort Apartments or the Atenea Port Mataró Hotel.

DO PLA DE BAGES GOLF AND WINE ROUTE

Located in the heart of Catalonia, the DO Pla de Bages emerges from dry stone constructions, excavated wine presses and vats in the middle of the region’s forests, where wine from the Bages lands was historically stored and produced. Fifteen wineries run by lineages of vineyard owners and century-old cooperatives continue the tradition, producing wine with a unique bouquet on the northern slopes of Monserrat and the Geopark, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which is an ideal natural area for geotourism.

Appreciated for its native grape variety, Picapoll, the white wines are light and exquisite, bright yellow in color.  The red and pink wines, using other varieties, are fruity and aromatic. With authentic treasures in the midst of the vineyards, there are numerous tailor-made oenological experiences around Manresa. One of the best game options is Golf Montanyà in El Brull, another place of great beauty in the interior of Barcelona ​​at the foot of the Montseny Natural Park, where you can enjoy a splendid meal accompanied by a good local wine in its gastronomic restaurant L’Estanyol.

If the plan is to enjoy the full spread by touring and experiencing all the golf and wine options in Barcelona for several days, the best option is to play at the exclusive Real Club de Golf El Prat, in Terrassa, with recommended accommodation at the modern Hotel La Mola Resort. Located at a strategic point almost equidistant from Penedes, Alella and Pla de Bages, its central location offers great accessibility to all routes, as well as to the other Barcelona Golf Destination golf courses. You can choose the courses you’d like to play by creating your own Golf Pass BCN.

Finally, remember that Barcelona is the venue for important events related to wine. The last one is the Barcelona Wine Week show, which was held from 4th to 6th April, 2022 at the Montjuïc facilities of Fira de Barcelona.

Let’s raise a glass to your next golf and wine gateway to Barcelona, of course.

Barcelona Golf Destination – Barcelona focuses on golf tourism for 2022

January 13, 2022 – The tourism potential of Barcelona is huge, and golf will be one of its great strengths in 2022. Therefore, as we emerge from the Covid pandemic and from now on, at Barcelona Golf Destination we have restarted our action plan to connect with the enthusiasm of our future visitors and encourage them to come here to enjoy their next golf break.

We are well aware of the need to adapt to the changing reality, to attend to the motivation, interests and desires of travelers. All the golf courses of the association are working together to join forces with the global tourism of Barcelona. That is why we have the collaboration of the Diputació de Barcelona (Barcelona Provincial Council), ​​Barcelona is Much More and the Catalan Tourist Board, and now represent part of their offer.

In 2021 the city has made the promotion of sustainable and responsible tourism a priority, and Barcelona Golf Destination has aligned itself perfectly with these guidelines. We contribute to the development of activities in our courses, we care about the well-being of golfers who visit us, and our courses are better places for our local players as well.

In this sense, golf is going to be one of the strong points of tourism around Barcelona in 2022, as is reflected in the latest meeting of the Cercle de Turisme held at the TecnoCampus in Mataró, where the main challenges of the tourism industry in the post-pandemic era were discussed.

Barcelona is already a successful destination.  However, the city can go a little further by making itself known as a golf destination, a product for which it is perhaps less well known due to the great attraction it has in other areas. Positioning the city in a segment that tourists do not expect is always positive.

Barcelona golf establishes a transversal axis involving the four areas that frame the tourism of Barcelona: nature, sports, gastronomy and wine, and culture. Barcelona is unique in the world in all of them, and our alliance of seven wonderful courses means golf can contribute to the success of the whole offer.

We love golf fans to enjoy tourism in Barcelona, ​​whether they come as a family, on a short holiday or for meetings or congresses. At the same time, they can enjoy playing golf surrounded by nature, tasting Catalan wine or cava at an inviting table, resting in a quality hotel, or learning about the history and visiting the monuments of the city.

Now that mobility restrictions are relaxing, we have started actions aimed at reconnecting with the international market. We have developed new PACKAGES that include accommodation and green-fees at different golf courses, in addition to the GOLF PASS, our flat rate to pay and play with guaranteed course availability. These are open to local, ​​national, and foreign players, and are an efficient way to cater for the needs of the modern golf traveler who has no time to waste.

We have also been getting ourselves up to date by attending important professional events in recent months. We have attended congresses of the Spanish Association of Golf Managers, the PGA of Spain and the Spanish Association of Greenkeepers, in our continuous search for excellence of our courses. In addition, we participated in the first face-to-face professional show organized after the pandemic, with a stand at the International Golf Travel Market held in Wales, where our destination offer was very well received by the attending European tour operators.

Our philosophy of sustainable and responsible intervention guides the work of maintenance and conservation, so that our seven golf courses can be enjoyed in excellent condition by new and repeating visitors.

We are ready to start the 2022 season. That is why we also seek to be closer to golfers, connecting with you through this website, with blog updates, or through the latest campaign on our social media networks, which we invite you to follow closely.

Everything is set for our visiting golfers to have the best possible experience, and to finish their golf holidays with pleasant, happy memories, and the desire to repeat the following season.

Miguel Ángel Buil
Editor of MyGolfWay.com
IGTWA Member

Barcelona Golf Destination – 10 reasons for a golf break to Barcelona

September 29, 2021 – Once you start hitting the ball, you’re hooked on golf for life. Well, that’s what they say anyway. The truth is that we’re always wanting to experience the pleasant sensation of seeing our ball fly, shot by shot, until it disappears into the hole.

Well, the same thing will happen to you on a golf break to Barcelona. You’ll never tire of coming back again and again, because there are always new and surprising things to discover. And to give you a glimpse of what you’re in for, here is a summary of the top 10 reasons for coming to play golf in Barcelona.

1) For the golf offer: Golf in Barcelona has an extensive, varied and very complete offer. From very competitive and challenging courses, which are very demanding; to flat, smooth and calm courses, suitable for golfers who play for leisure and pleasure. However, all of them have the flexibility to adapt their characteristics and welcome players of all levels.

2) For the proposal of clubs: Real Club de Golf El Prat, Club de Golf Terramar, Club de Golf Llavaneras, Club de Golf Vallromanes, Club de Golf Barcelona, ​​Club de Golf Montanyà and Golf La Roca, are the members of the Barcelona Golf Destination association, offering you advantageous packages of accommodation and golf.

3) For the quality of the layouts: The quality of the facilities comes by the hand of renowned architects, with names such as Greg Norman, José María Olazábal, David Thomas, F.W. Hawtree, Ramón Espinosa, Manuel Piñero, Jim Fazio, Enrique Saenger, Alfonso Vidaor and Magi Sardà. The result is a set of modern, diverse and well-equipped courses, permanently maintained in excellent condition.

4) For the climate: Barcelona’s climate is Mediterranean, characterized by relatively humid and mild winters and dry summers. Thanks to this, the area maintains a constant mild climate, registering average temperatures of between 15º and 25ºC, which make it possible to play golf throughout the year.

5) For the environment: Barcelona’s rich landscape allows you to enjoy golf courses framed in very different environments, while being attractive and pleasant at the same time. You can play near the beach, overlooking the sea, next to forests, on plains, at the foot of the mountain or just by a natural park. The golf venues in Barcelona all have incomparable surroundings, contributing to their sustainability and safeguarding the environment.

6) For the gastronomy: Catalan cuisine, which has Barcelona as a point of reference, is recognized worldwide for the prestige of its chefs, and for being the finest reflection of Mediterranean cuisine. Its traditional, imaginative and sophisticated dishes pleasantly surprise visitors with exceptional recipes and flavors, with local gastronomic products, and all accompanied by wines and cavas from local cellars. You have a perfect demonstration in the restaurants of the golf clubs.

7) For the heritage and culture: Barcelona is an inexhaustible source of activities and tourist attractions for all tastes. From the Gothic quarter to Gaudí’s modernism, passing through the ancient Roman city and the modern Olympic city, its buildings, museums and monuments make up its historical heritage and are the focus of cultural interest. Fairs, congresses, exhibitions, markets, opera, concerts, festivals, football, shows, traditional fiestas, etc., are all deeply rooted in local daily life, and tourists visiting Barcelona have a unique opportunity to integrate and experience it all.

8) For the people: The character of the city of Barcelona and its province is extraordinarily open and friendly, and everyone who travels here will discover that the people are kind, cosmopolitan and tolerant, which makes visitors feel at home.

9) For the transport and packs: Barcelona’s international airport, El Prat, is the main access route to our destination, which is very well connected by bus, metro, train, taxi or transfer. The city is full of hotels and apartments, of all categories. However, the packages designed by Barcelona Golf Destination expressly for golf travelers are the best solution. They offer maximum comfort in partner hotels, for stays of 3 nights or more, and guarantee green fees in the chosen combination of golf courses, and also enable you to design your own customized itinerary through partner agencies based on your needs.

10) For the BARCELONA GOLF PASS: Barcelona Golf Destination has created the BARCELONA GOLF PASS, a flat rate to play on the best golf courses in Barcelona, so that visiting golfers can enjoy several golf courses with a single payment. You can buy the pass for 3 or 5 courses in an agile and comfortable way, with guaranteed availability by confirming green fees in less than 48 hours.

Barcelona Golf Destination – Crown your golf break to Barcelona with the excellent gastronomy of the golf clubs

July 9, 2021 – One of the many reasons to play golf in Barcelona is the added value of its gastronomy. Catalan cuisine is world famous for the prestige of its chefs and for its Mediterranean cuisine. The capital of Catalonia is a hub of this gastronomic tradition, loyally reflected in the restaurant services of its golf courses, which bring pleasure to the palate of golf lovers.

The Barcelona golf clubs make up a very varied offer in terms of location, distributed between the coast and the inland, surrounded by vineyards, near the sea, at the foot of Montseny or next to the mountain of Monserrat. They are ideal for your next golf break, and for that reason, our recommendation is that before or after playing, be sure to visit some of the restaurants on these wonderful golf courses, topping a memorable sports day by enjoying a fine meal in the restaurants of the clubs.

REAL CLUB DE GOLF EL PRAT

In the Real Club de Golf El Prat, a club of international prestige which breaths exclusivity, the options for eating are as varied as those for playing golf. In a 45-hole golf club with a choice of possible courses, its extraordinary gastronomic offer is diversified from the main restaurant to the different services such as the English Bar, the Snack Bar, the Palos Bar, or the Pool Restaurant and the Family Chiringuito, aimed at extending excellence from the golf course to the table.

At any time, the guest golfer will find here what is just perfect for every moment of the day, whether it is based on a good breakfast before going out on the course, the refreshment snack while playing, or as a culmination of the golf day with a pleasant meal when leaving the course, to the delight of the most gourmet golfer.

The El Prat Restaurant proposal, with a modern living room and a terrace overlooking the driving range, focuses on a kitchen with very fresh, seasonal products of the highest quality. In its menu, you can choose the classic dishes of the house, or venture innovations following the latest trends, with elaborate preparations that enhance flavor and textures. Star dishes are the truffle and cheese omelette, the Cuban rice or the steak tartare.

CLUB DE GOLF TERRAMAR

A visit to the Club de Golf Terramar is like a day at the beach on a green carpet. The golf course is so close to the Mediterranean Sea that playing here is a luxury for any golfer. And to satisfy your appetite after the round, nothing better than taking a table in its Gramen Restaurant, which offers a carte and a daily menu.

Opened in 2006, the gastronomic project mixes elements of traditional cuisine with the best current creative trends, counting on the advice of Paolo Casagrande, chef de cuisine of the Lasarte Restaurant, a 3-star Michelin restaurant in Barcelona. Delicious starters, seafood paella, grilled meats, side dishes…

With the highest quality prime materials used in all its dishes, the restaurant experience at Terramar combines an exquisite selection of elaborate dishes, a careful choice of wines to accompany, and extraordinary desserts created in the kitchens. Although for something quicker before going out onto the course, its bar offers appetizing tapas, sandwiches and mixed dishes.

In the Summer months the restaurant opens its terrace three nights a week. With the support of the Agora Group, these evenings host haute cuisine in an incomparable setting.

CLUB DE GOLF LLAVANERAS

The Club de Golf Llavaneras clubhouse offers members and visitors a terrace with splendid views of one of the best golf courses in Barcelona and, at the same time, the attractive coastline with the Mediterranean Sea. With all the comforts for a magnificent day of golf, its Club de Golf Llavaneras Restaurant is one of the most emblematic places in Maresme to enjoy a good meal.

Here, in this beautiful place, you can enjoy Mediterranean cuisine made with top quality products, including the best fish and seafood in the area, always fresh, with a pleasant, attentive and friendly atmosphere, and reasonably priced.

The Club de Golf Llavaneras Restaurant, with large windows that accentuate the brightness of its interior, is open in Summer every day for lunch, and on Friday and Saturday for dinner; while the rest of the year it is open every day except Monday.

CLUB DE GOLF VALLROMANES

Inside the impressive and historic stately mansion that houses the clubhouse of the Club de Golf Vallromanes, whose façade features ornamental ceramic altarpieces dating from the early 18th century, is the Torre Tavernera Restaurant, surrounded by an extraordinary natural environment.

The entrance to the clubhouse features the snack bar, where golfers can recharge their batteries by having breakfast before the game, or replenish them after their round of golf. The dining room is inside, with a large capacity but very cozy, conveyed by the warmth and friendly service. You can enjoy its characteristic Mediterranean cuisine with fresh and seasonal products. The Torre Tavernera Restaurant offers set menus of the day, chef’s specialties that surprise for their flavor and originality, and a wide selection of wines and cavas. Without a doubt, a perfect combination for a day of golf and gastronomy.

A must see is Hole 19, a cozy outdoor terrace located in the adjoining wing of the building, on the other side of the proshop and reception, where you can breathe peace and comfort while enjoying a gin & tonic, a cocktail or a soft drink to end the day of golf in the open air.

CLUB DE GOLF MONTANYÀ

In addition to a golf course framed by the natural beauty of Montseny, the second of the great attractions of the Club de Golf Montanyà is its famous L’Estanyol Restaurant, where lovers of haute cuisine, whether golfers or not, can enjoy local products of the highest quality. This is a family establishment located in the old farmhouse of l’Estanyol, today one of the most attractive culinary proposals in the area.

With 30 years of history, this restaurant maintains tradition, quality and good taste in cuisine through a menu made up of varied and fresh market products, in the form of sophisticated fish or meat dishes, with the best flavors of the region. With a careful, meticulous and friendly service, L’Estanyol Restaurant breathes a rustic and modern atmosphere, with a dining room, private rooms, cafeteria, outdoor tent, and a terrace which is ideal for unforgettable evenings during Summer nights.

In addition, the Gastrobar L’Estanyol is the ideal place to taste small portions and tapas of its specialties, prepared with the same fresh and tasty ingredients as the restaurant. And all this, combined with a wide selection of local wines, spirits and international gin & tonics.

CLUB DE GOLF BARCELONA

A couple of years ago the Club de Golf Barcelona began its great renovation, and it has not stopped growing, improving its facilities and services. One of the most appreciated places is, since the end of 2020, its new OAK Restaurant.

With a broad perspective of world gastronomy, and the modern vision of its management, where social atmosphere is a priority, the dining room offers an executive, fresh and dynamic look where you can feel very comfortable before and after playing, or having dinner on Fridays and Saturdays. Located at the back of the clubhouse, the OAK Restaurant has a terrace with magnificent views of the mountain of Montserrat and the Masia Bach golf course.

It has a gastronomic offer which adapts to everyone, including a good menu that combines classic and signature dishes, with special touches by the chef, along with a lunch menu, and the cafeteria has tapas, sandwiches and burgers, for when you have to eat quickly before or after playing.

GOLF LA ROCA

After playing your round at Golf La Roca, you should visit the Vilalba Restaurant in the clubhouse, a modern construction designed for maximum comfort. When entering the room, the first thing that draws the eye is its splendid terrace, on the other side of the windows, surrounded by green. Less than a minute’s walk away you have both the driving range, with Toptracer Range, and the tees of holes 1 and 10 of the golf course.

With a gastronomic experience that comes up to the mark for the demanding gourmet, the Vilalba Restaurant offers quality local cuisine that allows the golfer to taste all kinds of dishes, with a remarkable varied of flavors. The menu of the day has a wide variety of dishes to choose from. A quiet, relaxed place to eat, surrounded by nature, with carefully presented menus at very good value.

More information at Barcelona Golf Destination:

Barcelona Golf Destination – The best accommodation for your Barcelona golf break

May 18, 2021 – When you travel to Barcelona for a golf break, albeit with the excuse of a business trip, a congress or a holiday trip with family or friends, your first thought is probably to stay in the center of the big city. It’s all there: culture, gastronomy, entertainment, the buzz of life… the moment you set foot on the street.

However, for a full golf experience in Barcelona, ​​it pays to opt for recommended accommodation local to the golf courses you want to play, which offer good facilities and services, starting with booking your greenfee. A nearby hotel makes it easier to get to the 1st tee first thing in the morning, and the hotel will resonate with the quality of the golf clubs, perhaps for its charm, its design, or even for the innovation in its welcome and personal attention.

The clubs know the best places to stay where the services are coordinated for the golf visitors. Golfers can also benefit from pack agreements, price adjustments, and access to other interesting Barcelona courses that shouldn’t be missed.

REAL CLUB DE GOLF EL PRAT

Integrated in the famous Real Club de Golf El Prat is the Hotel La Mola Resort & Spa, placed within the ​​Plans de Bonvilar, in Terrassa. This is the perfect base from which to play one of the most respected courses in Europe, which has hosted the Open de España ten times. It’s a modern hotel, well equipped for conferences, which is ideal for sports and for relaxation, with select cuisine, a fine spa, a gym and swimming pool.

Further recommended accommodation includes the Aparthotel Attica 21 Vallés, in the residential area of ​​Castellarnau, in Sabadell, with fully equipped apartments, suitable for combining work, leisure and rest; the Hotel Sant Cugat, a modern, comfortable place in the center of Sant Cugat, with comfortable rooms, beautiful gardens and terraces which ideal for business trips, family or friends; and the Gran Hotel La Florida (5*GL), a luxurious resort in a unique setting of tranquility, at the top by Tibidabo, looking over Barcelona 500 metres above sea level, with amazing views of the city and the Mediterranean.

CLUB DE GOLF TERRAMAR

The privilege of a getaway to Sitges is to enjoy its welcoming combination of history, culture, beaches and golf, in its sunny microclimate by the sea. The Club de Golf Terramar is an authentic Mediterranean jewel, just five minutes from the city centre and with two key hotels, which you can reach as you enjoy strolling along the seafront. From the clubhouse you can see the Sunway Playa Golf & Spa (4*), on the other side of the emblematic 3rd hole of the links. This hotel has functional rooms with lovely views and some special apartments. A little further on is the ME Sitges Terramar, run by Meliá Hotels & Resorts, a design hotel with a cosmopolitan and sophisticated vision of the coast, offering exclusive services and facilities wrapped in contemporary luxury in a chic setting.

An alternative is the Hotel Dolce by Wyndham Sitges, on the hill that crowns the golf course, inspired by the sea that bathes the town. It’s Oasis Club of outdoor pools, and its many rooms and suites, create a luxury experience to be enjoyed as a couple or with the family.

CLUB DE GOLF LLAVANERAS

As the best balcony overlooking the Mediterranean in El Maresme, the Club de Golf Llavaneras recommends several hotels from the Aqua Hotel program, with reservation advantages at Onabrava & Spa (4*S), Promenade (4*) and Silhouette & Spa (4*). Other top quality hotels are the Hotel Kaktus Playa (5*) in Calella, 15 kilometres from the club, for a sensational experience by the sea; and the Ohla Barcelona (5*), a boutique hotel with a neoclassical façade in the heart of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, with the gastronomic offer of Caelis, a Michelin Star restaurant.

For accommodation closer to the golf course, you can enjoy Santa Romana Apartments & Suites (4*), 3 kilometres away in Caldes d’Estrac, a magical oasis with exclusive but practical areas, fantastic views of the sea and English-style gardens; or the Hotel Atenea Port (4*) 4 kilometres away, located in the port of the maritime town of Mataró, with good rooms and apartments, a garden, a private pool, and a wellness Spa from which to breathe the coastal atmosphere.

CLUB DE GOLF VALLROMANES

The Club de Golf Vallromanes breathes history, tradition and authenticity, with its stately mansion converted into a clubhouse built on the foundations of an old palace dating from 1718. You can peacefully enjoy its charming 18 holes just 24.8 kilometres away from the city of Barcelona. Of the three recommended hotels, the Ecoresort Mas Salagros (5*) stands out for being the first 100% ecological EcoResort on the Iberian Peninsula. It is located in a natural reserve overlooking the protected park of the Serralada Litoral, and foments responsible and sustainable tourism throughout, from its gastronomy to its fantastic thermal circuit, lived as a complete experience to be embraced without haste.

The Hotel Augusta Barcelona Vallés (4*), in Vilanova del Vallés, provides a more dynamic perspective with its comfortable rooms, the Transit restaurant with Mediterranean cuisine, fresh and local products, and its magnificent outdoor terrace. Closest to the club is the Hotel Can Galvany (4*), located just 1.3 kilometres from the club, in the quiet town of Vallromanes, divided into two complexes with their own style, one more rustic and romantic, the other more modern, from where you can enjoy golf, go shopping at the malls and relax in the spa.

CLUB DE GOLF MONTANYÀ

You will discover the pleasure of playing golf integrated in nature at the Club de Golf Montanyà, just a step away from the biosphere reserve of the Montseny Natural Park. This course is further away from Barcelona, ​​some 60 kilometres (less than an hour by car), and it is a good idea to stay in one of its two preferred establishments. The closest is the Montanyà Hotel & Lodge, in Seva, refurbished with a variety of different rooms and apartments, and with attractive gastronomy, spa and sports facilities, ideal for a good family vacation.

For a more exclusive experience, Les Clarisses Hotel Boutique is located in the heart of Vic, very close to the historic center. This is a comfortable and charming hotel, ideal for a pleasant stay where you can relax after golf, with renowned views of the hanging garden from the rooms, the exquisite Santa Clara restaurant and the original La Biblioteca pub.

CLUB DE GOLF BARCELONA

If your luck leads you to the Club de Golf Barcelona, you will be captivated by the landscape of the Montserrat mountain and the views of the surrounding vineyards. Here the best option is to stay at the Hotel DoubleTree by Hilton Barcelona Golf & Spa (4*), which is located just 200 metres from the clubhouse.  Its natural sophistication has transformed the headquarters into an international brand resort, but with its own character. The result is a cozy and modern place that reflects quality and serenity, with health experiences in the spa or treatment rooms, combinable with golf, classes at the academy, swimming in the pool, padel and perhaps an excursion along the Wine Route.

GOLF LA ROCA

The closest hotel to Golf La Roca is the Hotel Ciutat de Granollers (4*), just 5 kilometres from this entertaining and open 18-hole course. Located on a small hill on the outskirts of Granollers, and just 10 minutes walk from the historic centre of the town, it is perfect for holidays, business stays and shopping trips. At the same distance from the golf club is the Circuit de Catalunya of Formula 1 and the outlet of La Roca Village.

If you are looking for relaxation and charm, 7 kilometres from the club is the Hotel Blancafort Spa Termal (4*), in La Garriga, whose 1900 architecture is inspired by Gaudí’s modernism, surrounded by the Montseny Natural Park. This is an ideal setting to disconnect and allow yourself to be carried away by the sites of the ancient Roman baths and the medicinal properties of the excellent waters.

More information at Barcelona Golf Destination:

Barcelona Golf Destination – Change of strategy to continue promoting Barcelona as a golf destination

Real Club de Golf El Prat

February 11, 2021 – When the ‘Associació de Clubs i Camps de Golf de Barcelona’ was presented at the Club de Golf Terramar in September 2019, focussing on the tourist promotion of Barcelona Golf Destination, no one imagined that in March 2020, just six months later, the young project would find itself on standby. An interruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic that paralyzed the world at a global level, and tourism in general, in which golf tourism figures as one of the major engines.

In the year of lockdown and restrictions, of closures and reopenings of golf courses, and when in 2021 we still don’t know where the end of the tunnel is, we observe how golf associations have had to reinvent their strategies to keep their tourist offer alive, despite the uncertainties posed by the future.

Club de Golf Barcelona

 

In the case of Barcelona Golf Destination, which brings together seven courses in the province of Barcelona, ​​the programmed promotion plans were completely disabled. However, its promoters are still working to place Barcelona as the emerging golf destination at an international level, especially emphasizing the new technological and digital resources.

To talk about 2020, get a perspective on the actions carried out, and how the 2021 season is looking now and what the future holds, we interviewed Carmen Nevot, Director of the Club de Golf Barcelona and current President of the Association.

MYGOLFWAY: Half a year after the creation of Barcelona Golf Destination, suffering the setback of the Covid-19 pandemic didn’t favor the development of the project. How has the golf sector in Barcelona faired? How is it fairing now?

CARMEN NEVOT: It really has been a very hard blow for all of us, since we were just starting out and we had a very ambitious marketing plan for 2020. We were forced to completely modify the strategy several times, according to how the pandemic developed throughout the months and in the different markets.

In Barcelona the impact has been quite strong. The pandemic arrived in mid-March, 2020 which is when, under normal conditions, we would begin the high season for international players. And even today, foreign golfers still cannot come to visit us.

In general, regarding the association’s golf courses, we could say that the figure is around a 95% drop in international golf tourism.

Club de Golf Terramar
Club de Golf Llavaneras

MGW: With international tourism paralyzed and a dramatic situation for Barcelona’s golf clubs, especially those that depend on foreign golfers, has any aid been received to help their survival and subsequent recovery?

CN: The situation is dramatic in terms of international players. The clubs have tried to weather the storm by attracting national and local players, such as the French market, who have responded well, when restrictions have allowed, as they have been able to visit us.

Regarding the tourist promotion of the destination, the administrations have reacted with a change in strategy, modifying their marketing plans as the pandemic evolves. We have been able to work together closely to redirect these strategies and continue promoting the destination in various media and formats. They have also launched some financial aid to tourism companies and sports entities, which we have been able to welcome.

Club de Golf Vallromanes

MGW: And at the collective level of the Association, have they been able to take joint actions to cushion the blow?

CN: From the Association we have modified our initial marketing plan, which was based on a busy calendar of participation in international golf tourism shows. In 2020 we started out strongly at the main Nordic shows, but everything stopped when we still had the rest of Europe to cover, and even a planned expedition to the Asian market.

Now we have started to focus on promoting the destination from the web, for which we are providing valuable content, and through social networks, with new accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

We will continue to keep these tools going for as long as the pandemic lasts and while we cannot leave home, to make ourselves better known. Meanwhile, we are alert to the opportunities that may arise, whether from agencies or tour operators, from airport and hotel facilities, or the idea of ​​health passports and the opening of tourist corridors.

MGW: On the other hand, recent international studies have shown that the pandemic has been beneficial for golf, in the sense that many clubs have been able to increase the number of national members and affiliated players, even increasing the demand for green-fees when they have been able to open, due to the characteristics of golf as a relaxed activity that is practiced outdoors and maintains a safe distance, in addition to rigorously applying the protocols. Has it been the same for the golf courses of Barcelona?

CN: In general, Barcelona golf clubs have noticed this trend, registering a good increase in new members and affiliated players, which has helped to alleviate the effects of the drastic decrease in international visitors.

Club de Golf Montanyà
Club de Golf La Roca

MGW: Lastly, what are the next steps to be followed by Barcelona Golf Destination in 2021?

CN: The Association’s next steps are to continue working to make Barcelona’s golf destination known through the potential of our courses, with the resources that are within our reach, given the circumstances and until the situation normalizes.

We have an impressive and varied product, with options from playing by the sea to surrounded by the mountains, with a complementary offer of the highest quality in terms of hospitality, gastronomy, culture and entertainment.

This is the message what we seek to convey in our new presentation video in which all the Association’s clubs and courses participate: RCG El Prat, Terramar Golf Club, Llavaneras Golf Club, Vallromanes Golf Club, Montanyà Golf, Club de Golf Barcelona and Golf La Roca. We hope you like it..

More information at Barcelona Golf Destination: