10 Best Capitals for a Golf Getaway

We’ve chosen 10 European capital cities which not only offer visitors world-famous attractions, culture and cuisine, but nearby world-class golf courses for the ultimate city golf break.

Edinburgh

With buzzing nightlife and a thriving cultural and comedy scene, it’s little surprise that so many people make this historic city their base for a trip to Scotland, golf’s spiritual home. The golf in this part of the world needs little introduction.

Prestonfield Golf Club is just 2.5km from the city centre, yet is a peaceful parkland layout set below the stunning backdrop of Arthur’s Seat on a former deer estate. Another option just minutes away is Murrayfield Golf Club, one of the world’s best-located courses with legendary links such as North Berwick and Muirfield less than an hour away, as is St. Andrews to the north. The course itself is a mixture of park and heathland with spectacular views over Edinburgh.

Lisbon

Portugal’s capital has in recent years emerged from the shadow of The Algarve, both for golfers and those looking for a memorable weekend away. The city is becoming more and more popular for a city break with its cobbled winding alleyways, ancient ruins and cathedrals.

West of the city on the shores of the Atlantic is Lisbon’s Golf Coast, home to more than 20 golf courses within a range of 40 km, some designed by the world’s most famous course architects. Known for its superb year-round climate, peaceful atmosphere and fantastic wine and gastronomy, the Lisbon Golf Coast is a true golfing paradise.

In the heart of this region, less than 20 minutes from the city centre, lies The Oitavos. It’s a luxurious five-star resort with a world-class golf course, several quality restaurants, a spa and multiple swimming pools. The resident course, Oitavos Dunes, is a superb Arthur Hills-designed layout set against a scenic backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean and Sintra mountains. It’s a stunning natural links.

Dublin

Ireland is home to some of the finest golf courses in the world and a few are just a short journey from its vibrant capital city. Dublin boasts incredible museums, literary history and a thriving arts scene combined with cosy iconic pubs and raucous live entertainment.

Less than an hour by road from the city centre is the K Club, a grand five-star hotel dating back to the 1830s set on a 550-acre estate of gorgeous parkland. This wonderful golf and leisure complex is home to two 18-hole championship golf courses designed by Arnold Palmer. The North Course provided the venue for Europe’s Ryder Cup win in 2006, while the South Course has hosted the European Open in the recent past.

You could also visit some other world-class golf courses within a short drive from the K Club, including Portmarnock Golf Club and The European Club. Tiger Woods said Portmarnock was “one of the most enjoyable links courses I have had the opportunity to play”, while Rory McIlroy once said The European Club was “probably the best links course I have ever played”.

Madrid

Madrid may be more associated with football, but the city is also a great base to explore some of Spain’s finest golf courses. One of Europe’s most magnificent cities, the Spanish capital has a buzzing nightlife, great food and stunning architecture.

Not many European capitals have a major golf club located so close to its centre. Centro Nacional de Golf, just 10 minutes from downtown, offers city skyline views combined with the feeling of playing a British-style links course. Home to the Royal Spanish Golf Federation, it has twice hosted the Spanish Open. The course is the perfect place to play on a golf trip to Madrid as it’s so close to metro stations and bus stops taking you into town. A trip from the city to the golf club by taxi will only cost around 20 Euros.

Its great location means other top-class courses are nearby including Golf Santander just 15 minutes away, which used to be a private facility but is now open to fee-paying golfers. Opened in 2005, Rees Jones worked with Spanish superstar Severiano Ballesteros to create a first-rate course just outside the nation’s capital.

Stockholm

With some of Europe’s most beautiful and varied landscapes, Sweden is home to some truly exceptional golf courses. Many of these are located close to the country’s charming capital. You can enjoy the best shopping, restaurants and culture this cool and sophisticated city has to offer and also play at one of Europe’s best golf clubs only around 40 minutes away.

Bro Hof Slott Golf Club, northwest from the city centre, is home to two incredible layouts. The Stadium Course opened in 2007, situated directly on Lake Malaren and crowned by Bro Hof Castle, while the Castle Course opened in 2010, designed to the same quality but with elements of Scottish links. Both were designed by Robert Trent Jones Jnr and the club hosted the Scandinavian Masters in 2010.

Rome

The Eternal City will leave you speechless with its historic landmarks such as the Colosseum, the Sistine Chapel and the Spanish Steps. It’s hard to believe such a great golf club could be so close to such an old and historic city, but Marco Simone Golf Club is just that.

Just 10km from the city centre, the club hosted the Ryder Cup in 2023 when Europe again claimed victory over the USA. The course was redesigned in 2021 by European Golf Design and Tom Fazio II to create a course specifically for the drama, especially at the par-4 drivable 16th where Tommy Fleetwood clinched the trophy.

The layout is centred around a stunning 11th-century castle the club is named after and there are also elevation changes, providing glorious city views. The club reopened to the public in October 2023.

Copenhagen

Denmark might not be synonymous with golf but there are many great courses within easy reach of the country’s capital. The city in recent years has become one of the coolest destinations to visit, particularly known for its famous Michelin-starred restaurants.

The Scandinavian Club, just 25 minutes from the city centre, is one of Europe’s finest golf clubs and it’ll make a visit to this beautiful maritime city unforgettable. It’s home to two top layouts, both designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. The Old Course opened in 2010 and was followed a year later by the New Course. Together they offer immaculate greens and fantastic golf in a truly peaceful and secluded setting.

Also of note, the clubhouse is one of the world’s most beautiful. Perfectly blending cool and contemporary Scandinavian design with rustic charm, this cathedralesque structure was built using local slate and Douglas fir beams, with windows offering views across the fairways.

Prague

The capital of the Czech Republic is regularly voted among the best cities to visit, particularly if you’re on a stag or hen do. It’s got some of the best beer in Europe, and also some of the cheapest.

During your trip you can play at Albatross Golf Resort, handily less than half an hour from the city centre. Home to the D+D Real Czech Masters on the DP World Tour, we rate this pretty course built next to a nature reserve as the nation’s best.

Another option, the only 18-hole course in the city itself, is Prague City Golf Club. It’s a links-style course inspired by classic British designs, suitable for golf enthusiasts of all levels and kept in fantastic condition.

Amsterdam

One of the party capitals of Europe, the city where anything goes has a great golf club within 10 minutes of its centre. With a 9-hole par-3 course, an 18-hole Championship Course and a driving range, Golf Waterland is just a few minutes from Amsterdam Central Station. Despite its city location, this challenging course is set in a unique rural location between waterways and nature reserves and has affordable green fees.

On your visit to Amsterdam, you could also take in Noordwijkse Golf Club, just 30km west of the city. This layout near the North Sea shore has a links character with pine woods and great views and it has hosted the Dutch Open nine times. We rate this as the Netherlands’ best golf course. Visitors are welcome on weekdays.

Paris

More than just a golf trip, you’ll be visiting one of the world’s greatest cities where you can soak up the Parisian atmosphere, indulge in French cuisine and visit incredible attractions.

Just 10km from the Château de Versailles and 28km from the Eiffel Tower lies Le Golf National, host of the 2018 Ryder Cup. Its location is ideal for those wanting to combine their very own Ryder Cup experience with the cultural and gourmet spots of Paris and Versailles.

This public club has three golf courses for a total of 43 holes. The Albatross Course found worldwide fame when Europe triumphed over the USA, and there’s the 18-hole Eagle Course and the nine-hole Birdie Course. Well worth a visit on your trip to the French capital.