Is Lisbon the best golf & city destination?

At the end of June, I headed to Portugal’s vibrant capital with a group of friends to experience some of its most spectacular golf courses. The weather was perfect - hot, sunny, and ideal for golf - and it quickly became clear that Lisbon isn’t just another city break. With legendary courses, golden beaches, and incredible food and culture, this trip had everything.

Lisbon is fast becoming one of Europe’s premier golf destinations. Between Troia’s Atlantic dunes, Oitavos’ pure links challenge, and the new wave at Comporta, the region really does cater for every kind of golfer. And when you add in the city’s nightlife, food, and history, it becomes a golf holiday that ticks every box.

The trip began with one of the most unique journeys to a golf course I’ve ever had. We boarded the ferry across the Sado Estuary, the sea air warm, the water sparkling, and even a few dolphins appearing alongside the boat. By the time we set foot on the Troia Peninsula, we already felt like the adventure had begun.

Troia is a Robert Trent Jones Sr. design, DP World Tour host, and is as beautiful as it is demanding. Tight fairways cut through pine forests, natural sand borders every hole, and the Atlantic glistens in the background. Strategy is everything at this course and driver is rarely the answer. What struck me most was just how wild and scenic the place felt, especially when your ball finds the native sand scrub (which, with my golf, it often does). Walking off the 18th I knew I’d played something truly special.

Location: Troia Peninsula, just south of Lisbon Designer: Robert Trent Jones Sr. Ranking: Ranked 8th in Golf World’s Top 100 (Continental Europe) Par: 72 Length: 6,900 yards Style: Coastal / Pine Forest Links Signature Hole: Par-4 3rd Drive Time from Lisbon: 1 hour (including ferry) Difficulty: Challenging

The next morning we ventured west to Cascais, and the legendary Oitavos Dunes. Known as one of Continental Europe’s finest links, and it didn’t disappoint. The course runs through rolling sand dunes within a protected national park, with pine scrub and Atlantic winds shaping every shot.

It’s golf in its purest form: firm fairways, dramatic views, and greens that demand creativity. Some holes feel as though they’ve been there forever, carved naturally into the land. After the round, we grabbed a few ice-cold Sagres beers on the clubhouse terrace, soaking in views of the ocean. The sea breeze, warm sunshine, dramatic views and great company summed up the magic of golf in Lisboa.

Location: Cascais, within the Sintra-Cascais National Park Designer: Arthur Hills Ranking: Ranked 55th in Golf World’s Top 100 (Continental Europe) Par: 71 Length: 6,900 yards Style: True Links / Coastal Dunes Signature Hole: Par-3 14th Drive Time from Lisbon: 40 minutes Difficulty: Moderate

On the final day, we ventured south to Comporta to play Lisbon’s most talked-about new courses. The Dunas Course at Terras da Comporta is already a modern classic, weaving through vast wild sandscapes with a rugged, natural style. It’s raw and beautiful, testing yet fair, and it instantly felt like a bucket-list venue.

Right next door is the brand-new Torre Course, designed by Sergio García. Together, they make ‘the 36 holes to play right now in Europe’ making Comporta a must-visit destination in its own right. Playing these two back-to-back gave us a glimpse into the future of how great Portuguese golf is going to get.

Location: Comporta, just south of Lisbon Designers: David McLay-Kidd (Dunas) / Sergio García (Torre) Ranking: Dunas – Ranked 1st in Golf World’s Top 100 (Continental Europe, New Openings) / Torre – New course unranked Par: Dunas – 71 / Torre – 72 Length: Dunas – 6,800 yards / Torre – 7,000 yards Style: Dunas – Modern Links / Sand Dunes / Torre – Resort / Parkland Links Signature Holes: Dunas – Par-5 18th / Torre – Par-4 10th Drive Time from Lisbon: 1 hour 15 minutes Difficulty: Dunas – Moderate–Challenging / Torre – Moderate

Of course, Lisbon isn’t just about golf. Between rounds, we had plenty of time to explore:

• Explore the City: We wandered through Alfama’s cobbled streets, rode the iconic yellow trams, and found incredible viewpoints across the city at the miradouros.
• Relax on Beaches: A Lisbon beach trip is essential. We spent time at Comporta’s golden sands, and also at Costa da Caparica, one of Europe’s longest continuous beaches with over 20km of golden sand, surf schools, serious waves, and lively beach bars.
• Food & Drink: My personal favourites had to be Bonjardim for authentic Portuguese chicken and the buzzing Time Out Market Lisboa, where we tried everything from fresh seafood to pasta del nata under one roof. We were also lucky enough to visit during the Festas de Santo António - Lisbon’s month-long street festival. Everywhere you looked, there was music, great street food, and locals celebrating their patron saint late into the night.

Lisbon is far more than just another golf destination. It’s the perfect mix of world-class courses, cultural exploration, and culinary delights. Whether it’s the historic charm of Troia, the natural challenge of Oitavos, or the new energy of Comporta, the region has something truly special.

Why choose Lisbon for a golf trip?

• Legendary courses within an hour of the city
• Unique experiences: ferries, national parks, dune landscapes
• Accessible from across Europe with affordable transport
• A vibrant blend of golf, food, beaches, and nightlife

Lisbon isn’t just a trip. It’s the trip.

Q: What are the best golf courses to play in Lisbon? A: Troia Golf Course, Oitavos Dunes, and Dunas Comporta (plus the new Torre Course) are the must-plays. Other strong options include Aroeira I & II, Penha Longa, and Belas Clube de Campo.

Q: How do I get to Lisbon for a golf trip? A: Lisbon is one of Europe’s most accessible capitals, with direct flights from across the UK and beyond. The airport is just 20 minutes from the city. Troia requires a short ferry ride across the Sado Estuary (a highlight in itself), while Cascais and Comporta are about an hour’s drive away. Trains, ferries, and car hire make getting around simple and affordable.

Q: When is the best time of year to take a golf trip to Lisbon? A: The best months are March to June and September to October, when the weather is warm but not overly hot. In summer, the coastal breeze makes seaside courses enjoyable, while winter golf is still possible thanks to Portugal’s mild climate.

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