Golf in Barcelona

Weekday golf outings to one of the 22 golf courses within an hour of Barcelonaare a good way to exercise and see the Catalonian countryside. Midweek greens fees range €50-€85; weekend prices double. Midweek availability is excellent except during Easter vacation and August. Call ahead to confirm a tee time, and remember to bring proof of your USGA handicap or membership in a golf club or you may have trouble playing.

Club de Golf de Sant Cugat. This hilly 18-hole course, par 68, costs €75 Monday through Thursday and €155 Friday through Sunday. Sant Cugat del Vallès, Catalonia, 08172. 93/674-3958.

Club de Golf Terramar. On this breezy seaside 18-hole course—par 72—you'll pay weekday greens fees of €75, and €130 on weekends and holidays. Sitges, Catalonia, 08870. 93/894-0580.

Club de Golf Vallromanes. Thirty kilometers (19 miles) north of Barcelona, between Masnou and Granollers, this challenging 18-hole, par-72 course requires a handicap of 28 or less to play. The club is closed Tuesday. Greens fees are €85 weekdays and €140 weekends. Vallromanes, Catalonia, 08188. 93/572-9064.

Reial Club de Golf El Prat. In its new location near Terrassa, 30 km (19 mi) north of Barcelona, Reial Club de Golf El Prat is a lovely but extremely difficult 18-hole, par-72 course. Greens fees for nonmembers are €114 on weekdays and €228 on weekends and holidays. Special bargains for nonmembers include Monday for €60 and Sunday after 2 pm for €114. Plans de Bonvilar, 17, Terrassa, Catalonia, 08227. 93/728-1000.

Farther Afield

Club de Golf Costa Brava. This 18-hole, par-70 course, charges nonmember greens fees of €50 during the winter months (October-March) and €80 from Easter Week through September. Urbanizació de Golf "La Masía", Santa Cristina d'Aro, Catalonia, 17246. 972/837150.

Club de Golf Pals. An 18-hole, par-73 seaside course, Club de Golf Pals costs €65 during the week and €95 on weekends. Platja de Pals, Pals, Catalonia, 17256. 972/637009.

Peralada. With 18 holes and par 71, this is a relatively flat course built around the luxurious Golf Peralada hotel on the alluvial plain of the Empordà. Greens fees are €60 on Monday, €70 Tuesday through Friday, and €90 on weekends. Paraje La Garriga, Peralada, Catalonia, 17491. 972/538287. www.golfperalada.com.

PGA Catalunya. A mountainous marvel an hour from Barcelona, PGA Catalunya is ranked one of Europe's top 10 courses. With plenty of water hazards in addition to the 7,160-meter (7,032-yard) length, this 18-hole, par-72 course is always a challenge, if not an outright thrashing. Greens fees are €75 during the week and €95 on weekends and in summer (June 15-September 15). Caldes de Malavella, Girona, Catalonia, 17445. 972/472577. www.pgacatalunya.com.

Torremirona. This 18-hole, par-72 rolling inland course is in the town of Navata, an hour north of Barcelona, just southwest of Figueres. Greens fees are €60 weekdays and €85 weekends. Ctra N260 Km 46, Girona, Costa Brava, Navata, Catalonia, 17744. 972/566800.