Why Cyprus is perfect for a Golf Break

Cyprus is blessed with a perfect Mediterranean climate for golfers and the best golf courses are less than an hour of each other, close to world-class hotels and resorts.

The island enjoys a warm climate that’s perfect for year-round golf. Temperatures generally range from winter lows of 17°C to warm highs of 31°C in the summer.

The major golf courses and resorts are all close to each other along the beautifully rugged south-west coast with its stunning coves and beaches, handily close to the exciting cultural city of Paphos with its maze of bars and restaurants and a number of UNESCO World Heritage historical sites.

Aphrodite Hills – Perhaps the standout resort is Aphrodite Hills, home to the superb 18-hole PGA National Course, the first and only golf course in Cyprus to carry the prestigious PGA title. Designed by Cabell B Robinson, it opened in 2002 and is part of a luxury five-star 290-room hotel development making it a great spot for a golf vacation. A clifftop course overlooking the ocean, it’s split into two by a large canyon which comes into play on the spectacular 3rd and 7th holes.

Aphrodite Hills Hotel by Atlantica, which borders the course, also offers a variety of holiday apartments and villas as well as various stay and play packages which can combine golf lessons at the academy. The packages include rounds of golf at the PGA National Course, as well as the golf clubs at Minthis, Elea and Secret Valley.

Secret Valley Golf Club – Just 2km from Aphrodite Hills is Secret Valley Golf Club, elevated even further in 2013 when it was redesigned by four-time Ryder Cup captain Tony Jacklin. The par-71 layout plays through a spectacular rocky valley with mature trees and shrubs adorning the lower holes, while the upper terrain provides stunning ocean views.

Elea Golf Club – About 20km up the coast is Elea Golf Club, ranked by All Square as the best course in Cyprus, designed by six-time major winner Sir Nick Faldo. Opened in 2010, it’s close to the beaches of the Med and the vibrant town of Paphos. There’s an abundance of large bunkering, a Faldo hallmark, lovely views and sloping manicured fairways. The club has a superb tiered clubhouse, the Elea Golf Academy and a full-length driving range.

Minthis Golf Club – Just a few minutes from Elea is Minthis Golf Club, designed by Donald Steel and renovated by Mackenzie & Ebert, spectacularly set in a picturesque valley overlooking the Troodos Mountains. It undulates past ancient groves, olive trees and orchards and the elevated tees invite brave shots into narrow tree-lined fairways. The par-3 13th signature hole requires a tee shot played to the only island green surrounded by water in Cyprus. It’s a tranquil course of great variety where golfers of all abilities will have a lot of fun.

You can also stay here at Minthis Resort in one of the suites, villas or residences, which together offer the perfect accommodation options for groups of friends, families or couples on a golf holiday. The resort is set in secluded countryside, but it’s just 20 minutes to the nearest beach and even less to Paphos.

Columbia Beach Resort – Less than 30 minutes from all these wonderful courses is another excellent accommodation option, the five-star Columbia Beach Resort. The luxurious suites of this hotel overlook the secluded blue-flag beach of Pissouri Bay on the southern coast and are built in a distinctly Cypriot style. There’s an award-winning spa, two pools including an infinity pool, bars and gourmet restaurants.