The Best Mediterranean Golf Courses — and why Luštica Bay’s The Peaks belongs on every golfer’s radar,

Golf course Lustica Bay
The Mediterranean is golf without apology: sapphire seas, citrus-scented breezes, championship design pedigree and resorts that pair seriously good golf with restaurants, marinas and easy access to culture. From Spain’s legendary fairways on the Costa del Sol to Portugal’s sun-drenched Algarve and Greece’s dramatic links-style layouts, the region serves a rare combo: world-class golf played beside some of Europe’s most spectacular coastlines. Into this fold now steps Montenegro — compact, dramatic and quietly ambitious — with Luštica Bay’s The Peaks, Montenegro’s first 18-hole course and a genuine contender for golfers who want coastal views and a new Mediterranean address.

Why the Mediterranean remains the ultimate golf destination

Golfers travel to the Mediterranean for three simple, irresistible reasons: climate, variety and lifestyle. Mild winters and long shoulder seasons mean more playable days; course architecture ranges from tight, tactical inland layouts to expansive seaside links that reward bold play; and the post-round life — from Michelin-level dining to private marinas and cultural gems — turns a golf trip into a full sensory holiday. The Costa del Sol alone hosts dozens of top-tier courses, from elite tests such as Valderrama to resort complexes like PGA Catalunya — each offering unique playing challenges framed by Mediterranean scenery.

Spotlight: The Peaks — Luštica Bay’s seaside masterpiece

Luštica Bay’s golf project, branded The Peaks, represents Montenegro’s first full 18-hole public course and one of the region’s most dramatic new entries. Designed in partnership with Gary Player Design, The Peaks promises a rare selling point: sea views from virtually every hole, carved into the natural ridgelines of the Luštica Peninsula so that each tee and green frames open Adriatic panoramas and the UNESCO-listed Boka Bay in the background. The routing takes full advantage of local topography — cliffs, coves and indigenous stone — producing holes that play to a variety of shot shapes and wind conditions while prioritising environmental stewardship.

What this means for players: the course looks and plays like a classic links-by-the-sea in many stretches — long, bold drives rewarded, approach shots to contoured greens testing club selection — while still remaining accessible for higher-handicappers through smart tee placements and generous fairway corridors. For owners and long-stay visitors, The Peaks is more than a golf course; it’s the spine of a new residential lifestyle that blends private villas, townhouses and apartments with a clubhouse, practice facilities and the island-meets-resort ambience the modern luxury buyer seeks.

A short drive from Porto Montenegro — the best of both worlds

Tivat Porto Montenegro real estate

Location is everything in luxury real estate. Luštica Bay sits on the Trašte Bay side of the peninsula, offering a quieter, more residential pace than the bustling glamour of Porto Montenegro, but the two are close enough to combine: Porto Montenegro’s high-end marinas, boutiques and dining are roughly 14–16 km from Luštica Bay — roughly a 15–30 minute drive depending on route — making it ideal for buyers who want marina life and nightlife within easy reach of a more serene, golf-centred home. This proximity lets owners enjoy both the sociable yacht culture of Porto Montenegro and the golf-focused tranquillity of Luštica Bay.

Other Mediterranean must-plays to pair with a Montenegro trip

If you’re plotting a Mediterranean golf tour, combining The Peaks with classic routes in Spain, Portugal and Greece gives a truly world-class itinerary.

Real Club Valderrama, Sotogrande (Spain)
Often called the “Augusta of Europe,” Valderrama is a benchmark for turf quality, strategic design and championship pedigree. It rewards pinpoint accuracy and plays a major role in any golfer’s Mediterranean wishlist.

PGA Catalunya / Camiral (Spain)
Near Girona, this modern classic boasts a “Stadium” course that challenges every part of a player’s game with elevation changes, intricate bunkering and laurel-lined fairways. It’s a perfect counterpoint to seaside links.

Finca Cortesín (Spain)
Host of world-class events, Finca Cortesín offers immaculate conditioning, luxurious clubhouse facilities and a layout that encourages aggressive iron play into sculpted greens.

Monte Rei (Portugal, Algarve)
A contemporary favourite in the Algarve, Monte Rei pairs dramatic elevation and wide airways with a refined, private-club experience and excellent year-round weather.

Costa Navarino (Greece)

For those eager to pair golf with islands and ancient sites, Costa Navarino offers two championship courses set against the Messinian Gulf and an emphasis on sustainable design and local culture.

These courses provide variety: tactical parkland, expansive links by the sea, and resort complexes with five-star hospitality. Building a trip around Luštica Bay and adding one or two of these classics will satisfy both the competitive player and the leisure traveller.

Living where you play: golf villas, apartments and townhouses at The Peaks

Where The Peaks really changes the game is in the real estate. The development’s Peaks neighbourhood is conceived as an integrated golf community of villas, townhouses and apartments positioned to maximise green and sea views. Properties range from intimate two-bed apartments ideal for seasonal escapes to expansive golf villas with private terraces and direct course access. The design language favours local stone, generous glazing and terraces that blur indoor/outdoor living — perfect for the Mediterranean climate and the entertaining lifestyle of golfers and families alike. For buyers seeking an active, service-rich lifestyle, this is a rare opportunity to combine ownership with a true resort experience. Examples of available listings in Luštica Bay — from one-bed apartments to multi-bedroom townhouses — can be explored on Sotheby’s Realty Montenegro’s Lustica Bay pages.

Why golf real estate buyers are choosing Montenegro now

Montenegro’s rise on the luxury map is fast but measured. Developments like Porto Montenegro, Portonovi and Luštica Bay are reshaping the Adriatic with carefully curated residential communities, hotels and marinas while capitalising on the region’s dramatic natural assets. For property buyers, the appeal is threefold: comparatively competitive pricing versus Western Mediterranean hotspots, a growing luxury-service ecosystem (hotels, marinas, dining) and the cachet of a newer destination where inventory remains limited — a key factor for long-term value. For golfers specifically, owning near a signature course is both a lifestyle perk and a way to increase rental appeal during shoulder seasons.

Practical travel notes for golf visitors

Timing: The Mediterranean shoulder seasons (April–June and September–October) often provide the best balance of course conditions, quieter resorts and pleasant temperatures. Montenegro’s climate aligns well with these windows.

 

Accessibility: Luštica Bay and Porto Montenegro are served via Tivat Airport (close) and Podgorica for wider international connections. Transfers between Porto Montenegro and Luštica Bay are short — ideal if you want to combine marina life with golf.

 

Course bookings & memberships: New courses like The Peaks typically offer a mix of pay-and-play, resort tee times and member packages. If you’re considering purchase as well as play, investigate owner benefits and reciprocal access across local clubs.

Planning an itinerary: play, stay, dine

An ideal long weekend could look like this: arrive into Tivat, settle into a Peaks villa or apartment with sunset views, play an early round at The Peaks, lunch at the clubhouse, relax by the villa and spend an evening in Porto Montenegro — dining by the marina and walking the promenade.

Ready to make The Peaks your home course?

If the idea of waking to Adriatic vistas, stepping onto a Gary Player-designed course and returning to a villa or townhouse beside the fairway appeals to you, there’s never been a better time to explore Luštica Bay. Browse current golf villas, golf apartments and townhouses in The Peaks neighbourhood on Sotheby’s Realty Montenegro and arrange a viewing to experience the course and coastline in person. Whether you’re a committed player seeking a private base, a buyer looking for a luxury holiday home, or an investor targeting the fast-growing Adriatic market, Luštica Bay offers a unique Mediterranean lifestyle laid out on immaculate greens.