With approximately 320 sunny days a year, the Sunshine Coast in Spain lives up to its name. But the coastal stretch is just as deserving of the nickname Golf Coast. If you have a car in Marbella, you’re easily within reach of 50 championship-standard golf courses.
“Some places let you live practically on the fairway of one golf course and have several others within walking distance,” says Erlend Sand. The Norwegian runs the real estate company DZTination in Marbella and understands the charm of holiday homes on the Costa del Sol better than most.
Quantity and Quality
However, it’s not just the density of golf courses that makes Marbella a golf paradise. The sky-high quality is just as crucial.
A prime example is perhaps La Zagaleta, one of the world’s most exclusive clubs, with two fantastic 18-hole courses accessible only to members and their guests. The courses weave through scenic hills, offering a unique golf experience considered among the very best on the continent.
A more accessible option is Villa Padierna Golf Club, with three high-standard 18-hole courses, each with its own profile: Alferini is challenging, Flamingos is more comfortable, and Tramores is fast and fun.
Another gem is Marbella Club Golf Resort. Dave Thomas’s design is a visual symphony with views of Gibraltar, the coast of Africa, the Mediterranean, and the surrounding mountains.
Or how about a round at the Old Course at Atalaya, one of Spain’s most venerable championship courses? It’s a strikingly beautiful park course designed in the late 1960s by the German master architect Bernhard von Limburger.
And so on, and so forth… Based in Marbella, you can play a new fantastic course every week throughout the year. The competition among all the exclusive clubs is so fierce that the standard is consistently high.
A golfer’s dream house
No wonder Erlend Sand reports a high demand from golfers from colder regions wanting to invest in property in the area. He always takes note of properties that would particularly suit golf enthusiasts.
“Right now, I have a newly built villa for sale, which is a dream for a golf-playing family,” he says.
The house, Villa Jefe, is neighbor to a cozy and family-friendly country club with a small nine-hole course, tennis courts, a spa, and a lovely restaurant.
And just a short walk away are another 54 championship holes: the aforementioned Atalaya Golf & Country Club, with its two 18-hole courses, and El Paraíso Golf, 18 holes designed by Gary Player, often featured on lists of the best golf courses on the Sunshine Coast.
“The house has five bedrooms and five bathrooms, and plenty of space both indoors and outdoors, so there’s plenty of room for the whole family, plus guests,” says Sand, as he showcases pictures of the house’s swimming pool, inviting seating areas, and a stylish outdoor kitchen.
With a price tag of just under two million euros, Sand is clear that the villa is not for everyone.
“You need the will and the means to invest in living the good life and buy yourself more sunny days,” he says. “But if you do, I have many options in various price ranges to choose from.”
Fantastic Andalusia
Marbella is also much more than just a golf destination. The city is located in Andalusia, a part of Spain rich in good food and wine, history and culture, with sights and experiences you won’t find anywhere else in the world.
Nearly 800 years of Moorish influence, from the 8th to the 15th century, is still evident in some of the most important attractions, such as the Alhambra fortress, the Mezquita mosque-cathedral, or the many “pueblos blancos” – white villages – dotting the landscape.
Within driving distance from Marbella, you’ll also find Roman ruins, the magnificent “El Caminito del Rey” (King’s Path), and the cliffs of Gibraltar.
One day you can ski in the Sierra Nevada, Europe’s highest mountain range after the Alps. The next day, you can surf in the Atlantic off the Strait of Gibraltar, swim in the Mediterranean, or visit Europe’s only real desert, Tabernas, where several of Clint Eastwood’s spaghetti western films were shot.
Luxury destination Marbella
But real estate agent Sand is clear that you don’t need to leave Marbella for great experiences.
The city is one of the most luxurious destinations in Europe, with offerings that attract well-heeled people from around the world. They come, of course, for the outstanding selection of beautiful golf courses, with good weather and fast greens all year round. But they also come for restaurants and shopping that can compete with the best of the best the world has to offer – and all within short distances.
“From Villa Jefe, for example, you’re only about ten minutes from the famous marina in Puerto Banus, world-class restaurants, and fashion stores, and luxury hotels along the beach in Marbella,” he points out. But then he quickly adds:
“But who needs luxury hotels when you have your own private paradise in El Paraíso?”
If you’re considering investing in property abroad and want to know more about Villa Jefe or other properties in or around Marbella, contact Erlend Sand at DZTination. You can reach him at [email protected].
