Why Canadian Golfers Should Go Golfing in Costa Blanca By Jovier Navarro
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- 12 hours ago
- 5 min read
My Experience at Meliá Villaitana
If you're a Canadian golfer searching for sunshine, world-class golf, and great value, look no further than Costa Blanca, Spain. I recently travelled to the region to play at the incredible Meliá Villaitana Golf Resort, and it exceeded all my expectations. With two Jack Nicklaus-designed courses, ideal year-round weather, and easy access from both Toronto and Montreal, Costa Blanca is quickly becoming one of Europe’s most exciting golf destinations.
How to Get to Costa Blanca from Canada
(Toronto & Montreal)
Getting to Costa Blanca is easier than you think. The closest airport is Alicante (ALC). Perfect to play in different courses between Alicante & Valencia
Outbound: Toronto (YYZ) → Alicante (ALC) — no direct flights: typical connections through Madrid,
Return: Valencia (VLC) → Toronto (YYZ) — also no direct regular long-haul service; expect 1+ stop (Madrid, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Lisbon)
Transfer: Alicante → Benidorm / Meliá Villaitana ≈ 35–45 minutes by car/taxi;
From Toronto (YYZ):
Air Canada → Madrid / Barcelona → Alicante
Iberia → Madrid → Alicante
British Airways → London → Alicante
Lufthansa → Frankfurt → Alicante
From Montreal (YUL):
Air Transat → Barcelona / Madrid → Alicante
Iberia → Madrid → Alicante
Lufthansa → Frankfurt → Alicante
KLM → Amsterdam → Alicante
From Alicante Airport, it’s just 35–40 minutes to Benidorm and Meliá Villaitana.
My Golf Experience at Meliá Villaitana
Meliá Villaitana feels like a Mediterranean village with palm-lined pathways, pools, and ocean views to the Mediterranean Sea. The golf facilities are exceptional:
Levante Championship Course (Par 72)
Wide fairways, elevated tees, and spectacular views of the sea and Benidorm skyline. A must-play.
Poniente Executive Course
Shorter, technical, scenic—perfect for warm-ups and second rounds.
The combination of great service, practice areas, and conditioning makes
Villaitana is a golfer’s dream.
Why I Loved It
Two Jack Nicklaus–designed courses
Mediterranean views everywhere
Resort-style atmosphere
Perfect weather at the end of May
Where to Stay
Meliá Villaitana (The Level) – premium rooms & lounges
Melia Valencia
Oliva Nova Beach Golf hotel – great value, ocean front
Benidorm Old Town – authentic Spanish charm
Melia Benidorm (Great Location)
Beaches to Explore
Playa de Levante
Playa de Poniente
Cala de Finestrat
Albir Beach
Villajoyosa Beach
Experiences Beyond Golf
Guadalest Village & Castle
Altea Old Town
Algar Waterfalls
Villajoyosa Chocolate Factory
Tapas Alley (Benidorm Old Town)
Best Golf Courses in Costa Blanca
Top Golf Courses I Recommend in Costa Blanca & Valencia Region
After playing and exploring the region, these are the must-play courses I personally recommend for Canadian golfers:
1. Meliá Villaitana (Benidorm)
Two beautiful Jack Nicklaus–designed courses: Levante (championship) and Poniente (executive). Incredible scenery and resort convenience.
2. Puig Campana Golf (Finestrat)
Mountain-meets-Mediterranean views, modern practice facilities, and a fun layout.
3. Oliva Nova Golf (Oliva)
Designed by Seve Ballesteros — flat, wide fairways with water hazards and ocean breeze.
4. El Saler (Valencia)
One of Spain’s top courses. A mix of dunes, pine forests, and links-style holes along the coast.
5. La Galiana Golf (Valencia)
Spectacular mountain setting, known for immaculate conditions and challenging greens.
6. Foressos Golf (Valencia)
A long course with 14 lakes and a great mix of wide and strategic holes.
7. Club de Golf El Bosque (Valencia)
Technically and beautifully designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr, demanding but rewarding.
8. Club de Golf Escorpión (Bétera)
27-hole complex with three loops; one of the premier clubs in Valencia.
9. R.C.G. Manises (Valencia)
Historic, traditional, walkable, and very friendly — excellent for a relaxed round.
10. Altea Club de Golf (Altea)
Charming 9-hole course with incredible views of the bay. Ideal for casual golfers.
11. Club de Golf Ifach (Moraira)
Shorter course with gorgeous sea views — great for practice rounds or mixed-ability groups.
12. Club de Golf Javea (Jávea/Xàbia)
Flat, comfortable to walk, and very welcoming — perfect for holiday golf.
These courses provide a perfect mix of championship layouts, scenic rounds, and local charm — ideal for both groups and individual golfers travelling from Canada.
If you're planning a golf holiday, add these courses to your list:
Why Canadian Golfers Should Choose Costa Blanca
✔ Year-round golf weather✔ Great prices compared to Portugal or UK✔ Easy connections from Toronto & Montreal✔ Beautiful beaches & Mediterranean lifestyle✔ Exceptional golf at Meliá Villaitana and beyond
Flying Toronto → Alicante (arrival)
Returning Valencia → Toronto
4 nights Meliá Villaitana
2 nights Oliva Nova Beach & Golf Hotel
4 nights Meliá Valencia
5 rounds of golf:
2× Villaitana
1× Oliva Nova
1× El Bosque
1× Mediterráneo (Sergio García’s home course)
Everything is structured day-by-day, including transfers, experiences, dining, and optional add-ons.
10 Day Costa Blanca & Valencia Golf Trip
Toronto → Alicante | Valencia → Toronto
🛫 DAY 1 – Travel Day:
Toronto → Alicante
Depart Toronto (YYZ) in the evening with 1 connection (Madrid, Barcelona, Frankfurt, London, or Amsterdam).
Overnight flight to Alicante (ALC).
🛬 DAY 2 – Arrival in Alicante → Benidorm (Meliá Villaitana)
Stay: Meliá Villaitana – 4 nights (The Level recommended)
Transfer: 35–40 minutes from ALC to the resort.
Activities:
Check in, relax by the pool, and enjoy the Mediterranean village-style layout.
Light walk to Benidorm Old Town for Tapas Alley (amazing first-night experience).
Optional:
Sunset at Mirador del Castillo – beautiful viewpoint over Levante & Poniente beaches.
⛳ DAY 3 – Golf Round #1:
Villaitana Levante (Championship Course)
One of the best courses in Costa Blanca:
Jack Nicklaus design
Elevated tee boxes, wide fairways, skyline & Mediterranean views
Afternoon:
Beach time at Playa de Levante
Dinner at Old Town Benidorm (try La Cava Aragonesa)
⛳ DAY 4 – Golf Round #2: Villaitana Poniente (Executive Course)
Perfect warm-up and fun technical layout carved into the hillside.
After golf:
Visit Guadalest Village & Castle (one of Spain's most beautiful mountain towns)
Evening:
Resort dining or explore Cala Finestrat for seaside restaurants.
🏖️ DAY 5 – Benidorm Experience Day
No golf today – enjoy the region.
Suggested options:
Algar Waterfalls – swim in natural pools
Altea Old Town – whitewashed streets, boutiques, views
Villajoyosa chocolate factory
Evening:
Relax at the resort spa
Dinner at Ulia Restaurant (seafront)
🚗 DAY 6 – Benidorm → Oliva (Oliva Nova Beach & Golf Resort)
Stay: 2 nights at Oliva Nova Beach & Golf Hotel
Transfer: ~1 hour 15 minutesBeautiful seaside drive along Costa Blanca.
Afternoon:
Explore the dunes & beach at Oliva
Enjoy bike rentals, spa, or an oceanfront sunset walk
⛳ DAY 7 – Golf Round #3:
Oliva Nova (Designed by Seve Ballesteros)
Flat, fast greens, Seve-style routing, water hazards, ocean breeze.
After golf:
Relax on the beach
Dinner at La Barbería in Denia (excellent Spanish cooking)
🚗 DAY 8 – Oliva → Valencia (Meliá Valencia)
Stay: 4 nights at Meliá Valencia
Transfer: ~1 hr 10 min. Check into your modern, spacious hotel in the city.
Afternoon:
Explore City of Arts & Sciences
Walk Turia Park (9 km long green space)
Evening:
Dinner in Ruzafa district (highly recommended foodie area)
⛳ DAY 9 – Golf Round #4:
El Bosque (Robert Trent Jones Sr.)
One of Valencia’s most challenging and beautifully designed courses:
Undulating terrain
Strategic bunkering
Immaculate conditioning
Evening:
Valencia Old Town
Lonja de la Seda, Cathedral, Plaza de la Virgen
Try authentic paella in its birthplace (Casa Carmela or La Pepica)
⛳ DAY 10 – Golf Round #5:
Club de Campo del Mediterráneo
Sergio García’s home course – spectacular inland layout.
After golf:
Return to Valencia for your last evening
Enjoy the sunset at Malvarrosa Beach
Final dinner near the port
🛫 DAY 11 – Valencia → Toronto
Transfer to Valencia Airport (VLC). Return flight to Toronto with one connection.
🔥 Why This Itinerary Works Perfectly
For booking this trip, connect with Jovier Navarro, Level-21 Golf Trip Planner
✔ Smooth routing from Alicante → Costa Blanca → Valencia✔ Ideal mix of golf, beaches, culture, and sightseeing✔ 5 top-tier courses including Jack Nicklaus & Seve Ballesteros designs✔ You enjoy two of Spain’s best cities & coastlines✔ Perfect for Canadian golfers seeking sunshine + value
