Where Should You Play Golf This Winter? Three Warm-Weather Golf Escapes
- 6 hours ago
- 7 min read
When a round at home starts involving frost delays, waterproof trousers and temporary greens, the thought of playing golf somewhere warmer becomes very tempting.
Fortunately, golfers do not need to travel halfway around the world to escape the worst of the British winter. Cyprus, southern Spain and Portugal’s Algarve all offer milder conditions, established golf facilities and straightforward access from the UK.
The right destination depends on the kind of holiday you want. Cyprus offers an easy all-inclusive package with golf transfers arranged. Spain provides the greatest amount of golf for the lowest headline price. Portugal combines all-inclusive convenience with the familiar courses and relaxed atmosphere of the Algarve.
So, where should you play golf this winter?
Winter golf holidays at a glance
Destination | Hotel | Package | Price | Best for |
7 nights’ all-inclusive, 4 rounds and transfers | From £1,065pp | Convenience and adults-only relaxation | ||
7 nights’ B&B and 5 rounds | From £689pp | Maximum golf for the money | ||
7 nights’ all-inclusive and 4 rounds | From £969pp | Algarve golf and all-inclusive comfort |
It is worth looking beyond the headline price. The Spanish package is considerably cheaper and includes an additional round, but it is based on bed and breakfast. Cyprus and Portugal include meals and drinks, while the Cyprus offer also includes transfers.
Cyprus: best for an easy all-inclusive golf holiday
Cyprus is the option we would recommend for golfers who want most of the holiday organised before they travel.
The package includes seven nights at Leonardo Cypria Maris Hotel & Spa, four rounds of golf and transfers. With the transport between the hotel and golf courses arranged, groups do not have to organise hire cars, divide themselves between taxis or nominate someone to navigate unfamiliar roads.
The hotel’s full official name is Leonardo Cypria Maris Hotel & Spa. It is an adults-only property for guests aged 16 and over, set beside the sea in Paphos. Its all-inclusive offering covers breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and a selection of local drinks, making it easy to understand the likely cost of the holiday before departure.
That makes it particularly appealing to couples and adult golf groups. After the round, guests can use the swimming pool, sauna, gym and spa facilities or settle in for an evening of food, drinks and entertainment without needing to leave the hotel.
Golf around Paphos
The Paphos area is the centre of golf in Cyprus, with several international-standard courses within travelling distance of the hotel.
Among them is Eléa Estate Golf Club, an 18-hole course designed by Sir Nick Faldo with views towards the Mediterranean. Aphrodite Hills provides a championship layout designed by Cabell B. Robinson, while Minthis Golf Club winds through elevated countryside, ancient olive groves and the grounds of a 12th-century monastery. Secret Valley offers another contrasting experience in a sheltered valley near the legendary birthplace of Aphrodite.
The exact courses included will depend on your chosen dates and package arrangements. However, the variety around Paphos means golfers can experience different terrain and course designs rather than simply playing the same layout four times.
Cyprus promotes golf as a year-round activity, helped by its favourable Mediterranean climate. Winter weather can still be changeable, so sunshine is never guaranteed, but conditions are generally far more inviting than a cold January morning in the UK.
What is there to do away from golf?
Paphos gives the Cyprus package another important advantage: this is not somewhere you visit solely for the courses.
The hotel is close to the seafront promenade, cafés, tavernas and the historic areas of Paphos. Its location places guests within four kilometres of the harbour and medieval castle, while the famous archaeological mosaics and Old Town can also be explored during a free afternoon.
That makes Cyprus particularly suitable for couples and mixed groups. Golfers can enjoy four rounds during the week while still having time for coastal walks, historical sites, Cypriot food and a relaxed day beside the sea.
The Cyprus winter golf offer
Seven nights’ all-inclusive, four rounds of golf and transfers
From £1,065 per person
Valid from January to March
Choose Cyprus for: an organised adults-only escape where golf, meals, drinks and transfers are brought together in one straightforward package.
Spain: best for golf and outstanding value
For golfers who want to play as much as possible without spending a fortune, Barceló Montecastillo Golf & Sport Resort is the standout option.
The package includes seven nights’ bed and breakfast and five rounds of golf from £689 per person. That provides one more round than the Cyprus and Portugal offers while carrying the lowest headline price of the three.
The greatest advantage is that the golf course is located at the resort. There is no daily transfer to plan and no need to spend part of the morning travelling across the region. Golfers can have breakfast, prepare their clubs and head straight to the first tee.
Play a Jack Nicklaus-designed course
Montecastillo is an 18-hole, par-72 course designed by Jack Nicklaus. It previously hosted the Volvo Masters for five consecutive years, as well as three editions of the Peugeot Tour, giving it genuine tournament pedigree. Practice facilities include a driving range, putting and chipping greens, a golf school and an expanded pitch-and-putt area.
Five rounds give golfers time to understand the course properly. The opening round can be used to learn where the trouble sits, while later rounds provide opportunities to adjust strategy, choose different tees and settle a few friendly competitions.
The five-star hotel sits on the outskirts of Jerez de la Frontera and offers spacious rooms, restaurants and a sports-focused spa with saunas, a hot tub, massage rooms and a fitness studio. Jerez Airport is approximately 15 kilometres away, while the city itself can be reached without turning a golf holiday into a long sightseeing expedition.
Discover Jerez de la Frontera
Montecastillo may be a self-contained resort, but we would still recommend spending some time in Jerez.
The city is closely associated with sherry production, flamenco and Andalusian horses. Its wineries are among Spain’s most visited and many offer tours explaining the traditional solera ageing process. Some experiences combine wine with flamenco performances, equestrian displays or art collections.
Jerez also has historic squares, local restaurants, flamenco venues and traditional bars. This gives golf groups somewhere interesting to spend a free evening while adding more character to the holiday than staying entirely within the resort.
The Spain winter golf offer
Seven nights’ B&B and five rounds of golf
From £689 per person
Valid from January to March
Choose Spain for: the strongest golf-to-price ratio, an on-site championship course and a holiday where playing regularly is the main priority.
Portugal: best for an all-inclusive Algarve escape
Portugal remains one of the most dependable choices for a European golf holiday, and the Algarve is particularly popular during the winter.
The region has around 40 courses and enjoys mild weather throughout the year. Portugal’s official tourism service specifically highlights the excellent winter playing conditions found across the Algarve, although popular tee times can become busy and should be arranged early.
The Pátio Suite Hotel provides a different experience from a traditional golf resort. Rather than staying directly beside one championship course, golfers are based in Açoteias between Albufeira and Vilamoura, giving them access to a broader selection of golf.
A comfortable base near Algarve golf
The hotel offers spacious one and two-bedroom apartments with modern, nature-inspired interiors. Its open shared spaces, restaurants and relaxed atmosphere make it especially useful for groups who appreciate having more room than a standard hotel bedroom.
Its location is another major strength. The Pátio Suite Hotel is approximately 200 metres from Pine Cliffs Golf Course, 12 kilometres from Vilamoura and 29 kilometres from Faro Airport. The included four-round course selection will depend on the package, but the hotel’s position makes several parts of the central Algarve easy to reach.
The all-inclusive basis is useful for groups that want greater control over their spending. Breakfast, meals and drinks form part of the package rather than becoming a daily discussion about which restaurant to choose and how the bill should be divided.
That does not mean guests have to stay inside the hotel all week. The surrounding area contains plenty of restaurants and places to visit when the group wants a change.
Beaches, marinas and Algarve evenings
The hotel is around 1.2 kilometres from Falésia Beach, a long stretch of sand backed by distinctive red and golden cliffs. The beach extends for almost six kilometres, making it ideal for a winter walk on a non-golf day.
Vilamoura Marina is approximately 12 kilometres away, while Albufeira’s historic centre is around 10 kilometres from the hotel. Golfers can therefore add a marina lunch, seafood dinner or evening in Albufeira without travelling to another part of the Algarve.
The Algarve also works well for groups with mixed priorities. Some guests may want four competitive rounds, while others may be more interested in beaches, coastal walks, restaurants and time relaxing at the hotel.
The Portugal winter golf offer
Seven nights’ all-inclusive and four rounds of golf
From £969 per person
Valid from January to mid-February
Choose Portugal for: all-inclusive convenience, spacious accommodation and access to the variety of golf, beaches and resort towns found across the central Algarve.
Which winter golf holiday is right for you?
Choose Cyprus when convenience matters most. With all-inclusive accommodation, four rounds and transfers included, it removes much of the organisation that can make group golf trips complicated. The adults-only hotel is another advantage for couples and groups looking for a more relaxed atmosphere.
Choose Spain when golf and price are the main priorities. Five rounds and seven nights from £689 per person represent excellent value, while having the Jack Nicklaus-designed course at the resort keeps the week simple.
Choose Portugal when you love the Algarve and want a balance between golf and a broader holiday. The Pátio Suite Hotel combines all-inclusive accommodation with access to several golf areas, Falésia Beach, Vilamoura and Albufeira.
Our overall verdict is that there is no bad choice among the three, it simply depends on what your group values most:
Winter golf does not have to mean waiting for the frost to lift or checking whether temporary greens are in use. With the right destination and package, January can involve Mediterranean views, proper greens and a scorecard rather than another cancelled tee time.
At Hashtag Golf Travel, we can compare the available dates, courses and travel options before recommending the package that best suits your group.
All prices are per person and subject to availability. Packages apply to selected dates. Flights and any services not specifically listed are not included unless confirmed at the time of booking.
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