Olivar de la Hinojosa Golf Course

Olivar de la Hinojosa Golf Course opened in 1996 next to Parque Juan Carlos I in central Madrid, designed by José ''Pepín'' Rivero — a member of Spain's Ryder Cup-winning team of 1985 — alongside José F. Marín. The site was once a rubbish tip; developer Joaquín Molpeceres transformed it by planting over 2,000 trees and creating the lakes that now shape the course, turning it into a genuine green refuge inside the city. It holds a real distinction too: this was the first public 18-hole golf course built in Spain, and remains one of the few genuinely accessible clubs this close to central Madrid.

The course runs to 6,300 metres and asks for every club in the bag, with narrow, undulating fairways and greens that reward precision over power. Bunkers and water guard the greens closely, and patience matters as much as distance off the tee. Alongside the main 18 holes, a 9-hole par-29 course gives shorter sessions or a proper warm-up before the main round.

Facilities include a driving range with 44 lit bays, an academy, and locker rooms, all a short walk from a metro station. Few courses offer this much genuine golf so close to the heart of Madrid — well worth building into any city stay.