Staff WriterCamiral has given Europe’s travelling golfers another reason to point their compass towards Girona, after both of its championship courses climbed Golf Digest’s latest ‘Best Courses in Spain’ rankings ahead of the resort hosting the 2031 Ryder Cup.
That sound you hear is not quite the first tee grandstand being assembled, but it is the faint clatter of expectation being loaded into the back of a very smart buggy.
The Catalan resort, already carrying the rather useful calling card of being home to the 2031 Ryder Cup, has strengthened its position as Spain’s No.1 Golf Resort after its Stadium Course rose to No.2 in the national list, while the Tour Course climbed two places to No.8.
In other words, Camiral is not merely polishing the silverware cabinet and waiting for the Ryder Cup circus to arrive. It is doing the less glamorous, more important work: sharpening the golf.
Two Courses, Both In Spain’s Top 10
There are plenty of resorts that like to talk about having “two great courses”, usually in the same way some people talk about having “two reliable knees”. One tends to do most of the work.
Camiral’s current distinction is that both layouts are sitting inside Spain’s top 10. According to Golf Digest’s latest rankings, the critically acclaimed Stadium Course now stands at No.2, while the Tour Course has moved up to No.8.
That makes this European Tour Destination the only resort in Spain to continue to have both its courses ranked among the nation’s top 10 — a neat little fact that does rather more than decorate a brochure. For golfers choosing a destination break, it matters. Nobody wants to fly to Spain, pack the sun cream, unpack the waterproofs out of pure superstition, and discover the second course is there largely to keep overflow traffic moving.
At Camiral, the second act appears to have teeth.
The Stadium Course Carries The Big-Stage Swagger
The Stadium Course has never exactly been shy. It has hosted numerous DP World Tour events, including three Open d’España, and now sits one place higher in Golf Digest’s Spanish rankings.
It also ranks No.8 in Golf Digest’s Continental Europe list, giving the course a wider European weight beyond the usual resort praise. The Ryder Cup tends to find venues with a bit of theatre in the soil, and the Stadium Course has that tournament-ready air: serious, polished, and just menacing enough to make a scratch golfer start negotiating with his own pre-shot routine.
“With preparations for the 2031 Ryder Cup under way, these latest recognitions further strengthen our reputation as Spain’s No.1 Golf Resort and clearly position us among Europe’s best,” commented Flavio Papa, Director of Golf at Camiral.
“The climb in the Golf Digest’s rankings is a testament to the hard work, dedication and expertise of our team, who continue to deliver a world-class golfing experience for our members, residents and international guests, cementing Camiral as a must-visit destination for discerning golfers.”
The Tour Course Refuses To Be The Quiet Sibling
The Tour Course’s rise to No.8 in Spain may be the more revealing movement. The Stadium Course was always going to attract the bigger glare, partly because “Stadium” sounds like something involving flags, roars and men in waterproof trousers making poor emotional decisions.
But the Tour Course has also climbed in national esteem and sits at No.34 in Golf Digest’s Continental Europe rankings. For a 36-hole resort, that depth is the difference between a good golf trip and one that survives the second round without anyone politely suggesting an afternoon in the spa.
It also helps Camiral appeal to a wider travelling audience: serious golfers, Ryder Cup watchers, luxury travel guests, residents, and those sensible enough to know that a golf resort is judged not only by its toughest holes, but by the consistency of the whole stay.
A €7 Million Upgrade With A Practical Edge
Rankings are nice. Course conditioning is nicer.
Camiral is currently undertaking a €7 million investment programme across both courses, with work including bunker renovations, drainage improvements and the conversion to warm-season Bermuda grass.
That may not sound as glamorous as a Ryder Cup gala dinner, but golfers know the truth. Bunkers, drainage and turf quality are where reputations either stand up or quietly remove their shoes and slip out the side door.
The project is designed to help maintain world-class playing conditions throughout the year while reducing water consumption by 33%. In an era when golf resorts are increasingly judged on environmental responsibility as much as fairway presentation, that detail matters.
All upgrades are scheduled for completion in September 2026, giving Camiral a clear runway before the 2031 Ryder Cup brings one of sport’s loudest travelling theatre productions to Catalonia.
Girona, Barcelona And The Luxury Golf Travel Question
Part of Camiral’s appeal is geographical good fortune, though good fortune tends to work best when paired with intelligent planning.
The resort is located just outside Girona and one hour north of Barcelona, placing it within reach of one of Europe’s most visited cities while still offering the calmer rhythm of a dedicated golf and lifestyle destination.
That combination is increasingly valuable in luxury golf travel. Modern golf guests often want more than 36 holes and a bar menu with three sandwiches named after major winners. They want good food, wellness, culture, access and a setting that feels properly removed from ordinary life without requiring a logistical expedition involving three connections and a nervous hire car.
Camiral’s wider offering includes the five-star Hotel Camiral, a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, alongside a state-of-the-art Wellness Centre and culinary experiences. The resort continues to position itself as one of Europe’s leading destinations for luxury travel, golf and gastronomy.
The Final Word
The Ryder Cup will do what the Ryder Cup always does: bring noise, colour, pressure, scrutiny and a sudden spike in people pretending they always understood foursomes strategy.
But the more important story at Camiral is already being written. Two courses are rising in serious rankings. A major investment programme is under way. The resort has location, pedigree and now an even stronger competitive case within Spanish and European golf.
By the time 2031 arrives, Camiral may not simply be ready for the Ryder Cup. It may make the Ryder Cup look as though it chose rather well.
