The 9 Best Golf Courses and Golf Resorts in Greece

Greece is quickly emerging as one of Europe’s most exciting luxury golf destinations. Yet, it remains overlooked by many golfers who traditionally turn to Spain and Portugal for a Mediterranean golf escape. With championship courses, luxury resorts, renowned cuisine and centuries of history to explore, Greece offers a golf experience that extends far beyond the fairways.

At the heart of the country’s growing golf reputation is Costa Navarino, a world-class destination that has helped put Greece’s best golf venues on the map. Home to four distinct courses and exceptional accommodations, it features memorable course design, spectacular scenery, and luxury experiences on and off the course.

From Costa Navarino to other golf venues in Greece, this guide ranks the country’s top places to play while helping you plan an unforgettable Greek golf vacation.

Course	Region	Architect	Opened	Best For
The Dunes Course	Costa Navarino	Bernhard Langer	2010	Sea and river views, international reputation
The Bay Course	Costa Navarino	Robert Trent Jones Jr.	2011	Coastal routing, resort accessibility
International Olympic Academy Golf Course	Costa Navarino	José María Olazábal	2022	Modern championship design
The Hills Course	Costa Navarino	José María Olazábal	2022	Championship challenge, Inland
Glyfada Golf Club of Athens	Athens	Donald Harradine	1966	Historic significance, Athens accessibility
Crete Golf Club	Crete	Bob Hunt	2003	Island golf, resort experience
Porto Elounda Golf Club	Crete	Michel Gayon	1996	Coastal luxury resort environment
Corfu Golf Club	Ionian Islands	Donald Harradine	1971	Mature parkland layout, Island golf
Rhodes Golf Course	South Aegean	Donald Harradine	1973	Historic resort golf, seasonal appeal

Why Greece is Emerging as a World-Class Golf Destination

Greece is quickly gaining recognition as a world-class golf destination, pairing a warm Mediterranean climate with the luxury travel experiences the country is already known for. While Greece may have fewer courses than other European destinations, its lower course density creates a more exclusive environment. Beyond the fairways, golfers can explore ancient history and the country’s rich culture, making the journey about much more than the game itself. This combination is particularly appealing to U.S. golfers seeking a destination that feels fresh and distinctive while still delivering premium accommodations and championship-level play.

The 9 Best Golf Courses and Resorts in Greece

From championship layouts to luxury resorts, the best golf courses and resorts in Greece showcase just how far the country’s golf offering has come. To create this list, we considered each course’s architectural significance, conditioning, prestige, overall experience, and accommodation accessibility. We’ll break down what makes each venue unique, from its layout to playing style and signature views, along with expert recommendations to help you plan your Greece golf vacation.

The Dunes Course

Opened in 2010, The Dunes Course is Greece’s first signature golf course and played a defining role in establishing Costa Navarino as a world-class golf destination. Designed by Bernhard Langer, the course has earned an impressive reputation, with Golf Digest ranking it No. 13 among the Best Courses in Continental Europe. Perhaps the toughest test of Costa Navarino’s four courses, The Dunes rewards precision through strategic routing, tighter fairways and demanding green complexes. With four sets of tees ranging from 5,350 to 6,625 yards and exceptional conditioning, it’s one of the premier golf experiences in Greece.

The Bay Course

Arguably the most scenic of Costa Navarino’s four courses, The Bay Course delivers waterfront holes and postcard-worthy views from the opening tee shot to the final green beside the clubhouse. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., this par-71 layout offers a more forgiving experience, with four sets of tees ranging from 4,810 to 6,100 yards. The Bay Course is approachable for golfers of all skill levels and a standout for those who value scenery as much as the golf itself.

International Olympic Academy Golf Course

Designed by José María Olazábal, The International Olympic Academy Golf Club opened in 2022 as one of the newest additions to Costa Navarino. Set high above the coastline, this par-72 course offers sweeping views across the surrounding landscape and out to sea. Six sets of tees ranging from 4,952 to 7,000 yards provide an enjoyable challenge for a variety of skill levels, while exceptional practice facilities complete the experience.

The Hills Course

The Hills Course is the second of the Costa Navarino courses designed by Olazábal, the two-time Masters Champion and Ryder Cup star. The course winds through a rugged inland landscape, offering elevated views across the surrounding countryside. It’s big, bold, and challenging, with five sets of tee boxes from 4,950 yards to 6,890 yards. Like the Bay Course, it’s designed for all playing abilities, but can challenge the top professionals on any day if playing from the tips.

Glyfada Golf Club of Athens

Opened in 1966, Glyfada Golf Club of Athens holds a special place in Greek golf history as the country’s first 18-hole course and its oldest and largest golf club. Designed by Donald Harradine, the course offers a classic parkland layout, providing a distinctly different experience from Greece’s newer resort courses. Its convenient location near Athens makes it an accessible addition to a Greece itinerary, particularly for travelers looking to pair a round with historic sites and cultural attractions.

Crete Golf Club

Crete Golf Club is a par-71 course with a challenging desert-style layout and panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and Aegean Sea. The island’s mild climate provides favorable playing conditions, while the on-site luxury hotel creates a convenient stay-and-play experience. Located within easy reach of Heraklion International Airport, the course is particularly appealing to international travelers looking to combine golf with the beaches and culture of one of Greece’s most iconic islands.

Porto Elounda Golf Club

Located along the eastern coast of Crete, Porto Elounda Golf Club offers a relaxed golf experience within a luxury seaside resort setting. The nine-hole, par-3 course features double tee options that allow golfers to simulate a full 18-hole round. While less demanding than Greece’s championship layouts, Porto Elounda is ideal for travelers looking to combine casual golf with a luxury resort and coastal escape.

Corfu Golf Club

Founded in 1971 and designed by Donald Harradine, Corfu Golf Club offers a classic island golf experience. Its mature parkland layout winds through the Ropa Valley, creating a peaceful setting that feels distinctly different from Greece’s more modern resort courses. With decades of history and a scenic island location, Corfu Golf Club is an ideal addition for golfers looking to combine a round with a broader Greece journey.

Rhodes Golf Course

Opened in 1973, Rhodes (Afandou) Golf Course brings historic resort golf to the island of Rhodes. Designed by Donald Harradine, the course offers a traditional layout in a relaxed setting near the eastern coastline. Its location makes it an appealing seasonal golf option for travelers looking to complement their time on the course with the island’s beaches, historic sites, and resort experiences.

Why Costa Navarino Has Transformed Golf in Greece

Costa Navarino has played a great role in Greece’s emergence as an international golf destination. The luxury resort is home to courses designed by some of the game’s most respected names, including Bernhard Langer, Robert Trent Jones Jr. and José María Olazábal. With four world-class courses concentrated in one destination, it has become the centerpiece of golf in Greece and a fixture among the country’s top-ranked courses. More importantly, its success has reshaped perceptions of a Greek vacation, showing travelers how championship golf can be seamlessly combined with luxury accommodations, Mediterranean beaches, and authentic cultural and historical experiences.

Planning a Golf Trip to Greece

A golf trip to Greece can easily combine championship courses, luxury resorts and some of the country’s most iconic destinations. Athens International Airport is the primary gateway for most international travelers, while Kalamata International Airport provides convenient access to particular resorts. Depending on your itinerary, private transfers or a rental car can make traveling between courses, resorts, and sightseeing destinations easier. Spring and fall are among the best seasons for golf, offering comfortable temperatures and fewer crowds than the peak summer months. Travelers can also extend their vacation with time in Athens or a Greek island escape, pairing days on the course with beaches, historic sites, and the Mediterranean lifestyle.

Suggested Greece Golf Itineraries

---

7-Night Costa Navarino Experience

• 7 nights at The W, Costa Navarino
• 5 rounds of golf: The International Olympic Academy, The Bay Course, The Hills Course, & The Dunes Course
• Fabulous Infinity Swim Up king or twin room

7-Night Luxury Greece Golf Vacation

• 2 nights at the Eli Ermou Hotel in Athens
• Private walking tour of Athens
• 5 nights at the Romanas Hotel, The Luxury Collection, Costa Navarino
• 4 rounds of golf: The International Olympic Academy, The Bay Course, The Hills Course, & The Dunes Course

Golf and Greek Islands Escape

Start Planning Your Greece Golf Vacation

Premier Golf makes it easy to experience the best golf Greece has to offer. Every itinerary is customized around your preferences, combining sought-after tee times with luxury accommodations, seamless transportation, and exceptional resort experiences. Whether you want to spend your stay at one golf resort or combine multiple destinations across Greece, our experts can coordinate every detail to create a trip tailored to you. Premier Golf brings golf, culture, and luxury together for an unforgettable Greece golf vacation.

FAQs