Did you know that Madrid has more licensed Golf Federation members than anywhere else in Spain, it’s one of the European capitals with the most golf courses within city limits, it has courses designed by Jack Nicklaus, José Mari Olazábal, Robert von Hagge and Javier Arana, and it has hosted some of the greatest national and international tournaments, with star players like Gary Player, Seve Ballesteros, Bernhard Langer and Nick Faldo? Impressive credentials. Relax and escape from the routine with a game of golf in Madrid.
And do you Love Bollywood and Want to Meet the Stars? Madrid Welcomes the Oscars of Bollywood ¨IIFA¨ in 2016. Come and enjoy this grand gala in magnificent Madrid!
- Madrid, leisure round the clock
You will always find something to do in Madrid. If you’re looking for culture, we recommend visiting historic sites such as the Palacio Real, or the famous “Art Walk” with world-famous museums like the Prado. The trendiest places to eat right now are the gourmet markets, such as Mercado de San Miguel or Mercado de San Antón, perfect for lunch in an amazing atmosphere. It also has a wide range of good quality restaurants for every taste. Some of them boast Michelin stars, such as DiverXO, Santceloni, La Terraza del Casino, Sergi Arola, Ramón Freixa Madrid and El Club Allard. In the evening, you can always see a show or a musical and then go on to any of the capital’s lively nightspots. And for shopping, you will find the most prestigious brands in areas such as the Serrano neighborhood. You certainly won’t be bored in Madrid.
You won’t have any problem finding somewhere to stay either, thanks to the city’s wide range of hotels. If your focus is on golf, Madrid has plenty to interest you here too. In and around the city, there are several top quality golf courses with excellent facilities. Amongst the many golf courses in the Community (Province) of Madrid, one of the best known is Club La Moraleja, with four 18-hole courses, two of them designed by Jack Nicklaus and the other two by Nicklaus Design. This Madrid club has hosted international competitions such as the Spanish Open, the Madrid Open and the World Cup. In fact, if you go to the official website of the Community of Madrid Golf Federation you can see a video with recommendations for the club from golfing greats like Henrik Stenson (he played his second European Tour tournament there), Ernie Els (who played there in the World Cup) and Sergio García.More examples: 16 kilometres from the centre of Madrid, the challenging Golf Santander course was designed by the celebrated architect Rees Jones. Sergio García describes it as a classic course with a long history and good for practice. It includes top class facilities, a practice course and the Jim McLean golf school.
- Alcalá de Henares, land of Cervantes
Within the Community of Madrid, as well as the capital, there are three more places you will be interested in if you are planning a trip, because all three boast UNESCO World Heritage sites and great opportunities to play golf and test your skills.
We begin with Alcalá de Henares, a little over 30 kilometers from Madrid. Alcalá was the birthplace of Miguel de Cervantes, author of the famous novel Don Quixote. You can visit the house where he was born, now a museum, but other must-sees are the University and the Corral de Comedias, not to mention the highly recommended restaurants to be found in the historic town centre.
For working on your swing, we suggest El Encín Golf, another Von Hagge design: a different, fun course with wide undulating fairways, spacious greens, multiple flag positions and lovely views of the mountains. Are you ready to tackle its challenges and obstacles?
And you also have the option of staying at the 4-star Sercotel Encín Golf Hotel.
- San Lorenzo de El Escorial, the history of a monastery
Within 50 kilometres of Madrid, we suggest a visit to San Lorenzo de El Escorial. Whoever you ask, they will all say there is one obligatory sight here: the Monastery, built by Philip II, with its Courtyard of the Kings, Basilica, Library, the Royal Pantheon, the Pantheon of the Infantes, its palaces… An amazing place. For lunch, you can choose from restaurants, traditional inns and asadores specialising in grilled meats.
And we can’t forget the Real Club de Golf La Herrería, at the foot of Mount Abantos and with incredible views of the monastery and the Sierra de Guadarrama. The first part of the 18-hole course is nestled alongside the local woodland, and the second part is more open.
- Aranjuez, a stroll through gardens
Finally, less than 60 kilometres from Madrid is our third proposal: Aranjuez. The site is famous for its Royal Palace and its beautiful gardens on the banks of the Tagus. The most attractive of all must be the Prince’s Gardens and their spectacular fountains, Labourer’s Cottage and Museum of Royal Barges. Turning to food, the locally grown vegetables are famous for their quality, and the local speciality is game. For a game of golf, you have two options. The first is the Club de Golf de Aranjuez, with a nine-hole course and long and short driving ranges. The second is the Campo Jardín de Aranjuez, which also has a driving range, putting green and chipping green.
Tips and interesting facts
- March, April and October are good months for golfing in Madrid. However, Spain’s good climate means you can play all year round.
- For several years, Madrid has held the Madrid Golf Fair, which in 2015 became the Madrid Golf Experience, Spain’s largest event for golf players, fans and professionals.
- During your visit to Madrid, take the opportunity to enjoy other sports. If you are a football fan and the dates coincide, you can see a Liga or Champions’ League match at the stadiums of Real Madrid or Atlético de Madrid.
- To get away from it all, take care of yourself or enjoy a beauty treatment, you might also want to relax at one of Madrid’s many spas. Some centres, such as Las Thermas de Griñón, the Spa at the Alcalá de Henares Parador and the Real Spa de Aranjuez, are especially well-known. Another option for relaxation is the Hamman Al Andalus, Arab baths in the heart of the capital.
