Best golf courses in Portugal
Massively popular among our customers, Portugal has so many options for a golf break. Take a look at our comprehensive guide to the very best golf courses in Portugal.
Alex Mabbutt
7 mins read
PortugalEuropeGolf & beachStay & playParklandLinks
With immaculate playing conditions, glorious weather year-round, and an abundance of incredible courses to choose from, it's no surprise why Portugal is a golfer’s dream destination.
We are often asked by our customers, what are the best golf courses in Portugal? Naturally, a Vilamoura golf trip springs to mind when exploring the Algarve for ideas, but do not forget about the country's capital, Lisbon, with its own fair share of iconic coastal layouts to brag about. We've put together our list of the best and most popular layouts for your next [Portugal golf trip][4}, in no particular order.
1. Oitavos Dunes
Inaugurated in 2001, Oitavos Dunes bears a delightful mix of links and woodland-type holes that are settled seamlessly into the landscape of Sintra-Cascais National Park. The par 71 Course was built at the most westerly point of mainland Europe and has astonishing views of the Atlantic Ocean, clearly no mistake when Arthur Hills decided on the idyllic location. A multiple-time host to the European Tour's Portuguese Open and GolfSixes, why not try your hand at tackling this incredible championship spec course.
"Oitavos Dunes is one of the more challenging courses in Portugal, especially if you catch it on a windy day! The front 9 winds through a tight sand-dune landscape, before the course opens up on the back 9 as you head towards the coastline. A highlight of the round is the par-3 9th, with an elevated tee shot down towards a green framed by striking views of Portugal’s west coastline." ~ Joel Martin, European Product Manager
Oitavos Dunes facts
- Location: Cascais, Lisbon
- Length: 6,526 yards
- Par: 71
- Architect: Arthur Hills
- Founded: 1890
- Course type: Links
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"Monte Rei is the best premium golfing experience in the Algarve. From a welcome fit for royalty, to the final shot into the spectacular 18th hole – fronted by water and with the stunning clubhouse overlooking behind the green – it’ll be a golfing highlight of your year. The course itself is a real test for all golfers, but you’ll find it in immaculate condition to match the five-star service." ~ Tom Clayton (Head of European Sales)
Monte Rei Golf Resort facts
- Location: Tavira, Eastern Algarve
- Length: 7,182 yards
- Par: 72
- Architect: Jack Nicklaus
- Founded: 2007
- Course type: Parkland
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Monte Rei Golf Resort
"Troia Golf Course is my favourite course in the Lisbon area. My recommendation would be to jump on the ferry from Setubal to Troia for that added special experience – we were even lucky enough to see Dolphins on the trip across the bay! The golf course itself is a gem and has a true links feel, with a routing winding in and out of the sand dunes. Every hole is challenging but ultimately playable for all levels of golfer. " ~ Joel Martin (European Product Manager)
Troia Golf facts
- Location: Troia Peninsula, Lisbon
- Length: 6,908 yards
- Par: 72
- Architect: Robert Trent Jones Sr
- Founded: 1980
- Course type: Links
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Troia Golf
San Lorenzo Golf Course facts
- Location: Quinta do Lago, Algarve
- Length: 6,384 yards
- Par: 72
- Architect: Joseph Lee, Rocky Roquemore
- Founded: 1988
- Course type: Parkland
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Dona Filipa Hotel & San Lorenzo Golf Course
Victoria Golf Course facts
- Location: Vilamoura, Algarve
- Length: 7,274 yards
- Par: 72
- Architect: Arnold Palmer
- Founded: 1999
- Course type: Parkland
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Dom Pedro Victoria
6. South Course, Quinta do Lago Golf
With a number of holes overlooking the Ria Formosa Natural Park, William Mitchell’s brainchild is well up in the top class of courses not only in Portugal but Europe. Being a Quinta do Lago championship course and host to the Portuguese Open no less than eight times, this course should still not scare off players of any handicap. There is a real sense of fluidity that snakes through the fairways scattered with Japanese umbrella pine that make the South course a real work of art.
South Course, Quinta do Lago facts
- Location: Quinta do Lago, Algarve
- Length: 7,095 yards
- Par: 72
- Architect: William Mitchell
- Founded: 1974
- Course type: Parkland
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Quinta Do Lago Golf
"The 18 holes at Praia D’El Rey offer a true balance of traditional Portuguese cork pine-lined fairways and a beach-links style back-nine, which offers stunning views of The Silver Coast. The back-nine at Praia D’El Rey is home to one of the best par-3s in Portugal, with an ‘infinity-look’ green, framed completely by the Atlantic Ocean." ~ Mark Bell (European Sales Manager)
Praia D'El Rey Golf Course facts
- Location: Obidos
- Length: 6,251 yards
- Par: 72
- Architect: Cabell B.Robinson
- Founded: 1997
- Course type: Parkland / Links
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8. Palmares Golf Club
Robert Trent Jones Jnr has once again pulled out all the stops with a magical 27-hole course overlooking the beautiful Bay of Lagos. A mixture of 3 loops of 9 provides a number of different scenarios from large sand dunes with links-style holes to woodland and tree-lined fairways. Dramatic elevation changes and depth of challenging environments earn the ‘jewel in the crown of the Algarve’ its place in our list of top golf courses in Portugal.
"Palmares is my favourite course in the Algarve, a perfect blend of playability, challenge, and excellent conditioning – all laid out across a spectacular coastline landscape in the West Algarve. Of the 27 holes, I always recommend 10-27 which are the closest to the beach, routed through the dunes – the closest thing to links golf in the Algarve! Holes 1-9 are also superb, the 4th & 5th holes in particular, which have unrivalled vistas from Lagos to Alvor." ~ Sam Brinsden (Senior European Travel Consultants)
Palmares Golf Course facts
- Location: Lagos, West Algarve
- Length: 6,140 yards
- Par: 72
- Architect: Robert Trent Jones Jnr
- Founded: 2010
- Course type: Parkland / Links
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Palmares Golf Club
9. West Cliffs Golf Links
"West Cliffs is Lisbon’s newest course and is a fantastic addition to the Portugal’s golfing portfolio. Off the back tees, West Cliffs’ long carries can present a real test, but it’s also home to extremely tricky green complexes with significant undulations to negotiate. It is a must-play for any discerning golfer visiting Lisbon!" ~ Luke Bown (Senior European Travel Consultant)
West Cliffs Golf Links facts
- Location: Obidos
- Length: 6,490 yards
- Par: 72
- Architect: Cynthia Dye
- Founded: 2017
- Course type: Links
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Old Course facts
- Location: Vilamoura, Algarve
- Length: 6,840 yards
- Par: 73
- Architect: Frank Pennick
- Founded: 1969
- Course type: Parkland
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Dom Pedro Old Course
North Course, Quinta do Lago facts
- Location: Quinta do Lago, Algarve
- Length: 6,670 yards
- Par: 72
- Architect: William Mitchell, Rocky Roquemore
- Founded: 1971
- Course type: Parkland
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Quinta Do Lago Golf
Faldo Course, Amendoeira Golf Resort facts
- Location: Alcantarilha, Algarve
- Length: 7,190 yards
- Par: 72
- Architect: Nick Faldo
- Founded: 2007
- Course type: Parkland
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Amendoeira Golf Resort
Atlantic Championship Course, Penha Longa facts
- Location: Cascais, Lisbon
- Length: 6,500 yards
- Par: 72
- Architect: Robert Trent Jones Jnr
- Founded: 1992
- Course type: Parkland
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Feeling inspired?
Portugal features some of Europe's most popular golfing destinations and it's easy to see why. Experience the Algarve, Lisbon or Porto on your next golf trip.
Published
Alex Mabbutt
Senior Groups European Travel Consultant
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