In this guide we profile all the top golf courses across Portugal’s popular Algarve and charming Lisbon regions, where lush green fairways meet the stunning Atlantic coastline to create unforgettable golfing experiences. Our latest blog post unveils a coveted list: the crème de la crème of Portugal’s golf courses.
Beyond the sun-kissed beaches, Portugal has long been a popular choice for British and Irish golfers looking for the perfect golf break abroad. In this blog, we reveal Portugal’s top fairways which you should consider adding to your itinerary on your next trip – from those which perch on the dramatic cliff tops of the Algarve to the links courses carved into Lisbon’s Silver Coast.
Whether you are a seasoned golfer in search of a championship-calibre challenge or the casual player seeking a few rounds when they tear themselves away from the beach or the bars of your resort, Portugal promises to provide a great golf break which is why it continues to be incredibly popular with British tourists after so many years.
In no particular order, we reveal our list of the best golf courses in Portugal!
Monte Rei
This Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course has long been a favourite for the team at Glencor Golf Holidays! The fairways are so well protected that you don’t see anyone else whilst on your round, and the scenery of the Serra do Caldeirão mountains in the background just add to the beauty of where you are playing.
Set over 1,000 acres in Eastern Algarve, close to the border with Spain, this resort often picks up awards for the best golf course in Portugal, let alone the Algarve and rightly so in our opinion!
If you do get a chance to tick this off your bucket list, you’ll experience exceptional service and the facilities and on-site accommodation are genuinely first class.
- Location: Eastern Algarve
- Par: 72
- Length: 6567m
West Cliffs
If you are a fan of links courses, this is going to blow you away! This course offers 18 holes laid out on Lisbon’s famous Silver Coast, decorated with rolling sand dunes and typical coastal vegetation. There are plenty of sea views when playing here, and the course designers have been incredibly clever in immersing their man-made holes into the surrounding scenery so that they blend together beautifully.
There are numerous packages at the nearby Praia D’El Rey Resort which allow you to play this course and offer a complimentary shuttle bus too.
- Location: Obidos, Lisbon
- Par: 72
- Length: 6382m
Dom Pedro (Old Course)
This Frank Pennink-designed course is the jewel in the golfing crown of that well-travelled golf holiday destination, Vilamoura in the Algarve.
The bonus for golfers staying in hotels close to the marina is that a complimentary golf shuttle bus service from Dom Pedro is available. Further savings can be had with the ‘Dom Pedro Experience’ packages which combine green fees and accommodation in resorts like Dom Pedro Vilamoura Hotel and Dom Pedro Marina Hotel.
- Location: Vilamoura
- Par: 73
- Length: 6254m
Penha Longa (Atlantic Course)
There are 27 holes at Penha Longa Resort but we’ve picked out the holes 1 to 18 which make up the Atlantic Course.
Having opened in 1992 and designed by the legendary architect Robert Trent Jones Jr, this resort quickly marked its place amongst Portugal’s best as it hosted the Portuguese Open two years later. Some iconic holes include the sixth which is a Par 5 and features some ruins from the ancient Monastery which not only protect the green but provide some stunning scenery.
- Location: Sintra, Lisbon
- Par: 72
- Length: 6482m
Palmares
It was hard for us to pick out the best round of 18 holes here as the three loops of nine (Alvor, Lagos, & Praia) are all excellent. The first 18 holes opened in October 2010, and then the additional nine holes in June 2011, giving ample time for all the holes to mature into the quality they are today.
The Alvor Course is predominantly a parkland setting with the majority of holes surrounded by mature trees, with a sneak peek of sandy dunes which appear on the Lagos course near the end. The Praia Course is distinctive for the train line which runs parallel to the fairway, and multiple holes which the beach wraps around.
For those staying in or near the pretty marina town of Lagos, this is a must-play! There are some excellent value packages at Marina Club Lagos Resort that partners with the resort for some great deals.
- Location: Lagos, Algarve
- Par: 72
- Length: 6516m / 6133m / 6321m
Oitavos Dunes
This Arthur Hills course is positioned just outside of the pretty coastal town of Cascais with incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean, Sintra Mountains in the distance, and Cabo da Roca (Cape Roca).
Hills has created a world-class links course which shares similar terrain to West Cliffs and Praia D’el Rey which are further around the Silver Coast. Sandy dunes, coastal vegetation, and beautiful green fairways are dominant features.
- Location: Cascais, Lisbon
- Par: 71
- Length: 5967m
Troia
Nestled within the core of the peninsula to the south of Lisbon near Setubal, awaits an enthralling and demanding golfing destination – Troia Golf. This course has earned numerous plaudits including a spot among Golf World magazine’s top 10 resorts in Continental Europe back in 2019.
Spread across an expansive 6 hectares, Troia Golf boasts an 18-hole masterpiece, a par 72 marvel from Robert Trent Jones Senior that really ticks all the boxes. In fact, the man himself apparently rates the third hole here as one of the best he has ever crafted! This par 4 fits neatly in the landscape with stunning sea views.
- Location: Setubal, Lisbon
- Par: 72
- Length: 6317m
Ombria
Some might say it is too early to put this in our list as it only opened in 2023 but this 18 hole course designed by Jorge Santana da Silva looks like it has been part of the landscape for much longer.
A key design principle of this golf course is sustainability, so the use of natural resources is minimal, with greens and fairways woven into the surroundings by repopulating indigenous trees and plants.
This course is just 25 minutes away from Vilamoura, so if you are a regular visitor to the Algarve but want to experience something new without compromising on quality then this is definitely one to add to your package.
- Location: Loulé, Algarve
- Par: 71
- Length: 5800m
Quinta Do Lago (South Course)
Established in 1974 by the skilled hands of William Mitchell, renowned for introducing American-standard greens, tees, and bunkers to the Algarve, this remarkable course has cemented its reputation for excellence. A vital fixture on the European Tour, it has consistently stood out.
The proof of its exceptional quality lies in its prestigious history as the host of the Portuguese Open on eight occasions. Among the standout moments, Colin Montgomerie’s triumphant victory in 1989 is etched in memory. His awe-inspiring performance saw him clinch victory at an astounding 24 under par, leaving his competitors in the dust, and making a resounding impact on the global stage by setting a new world record with a dazzling round of 63 strokes.
A par 72 which stretches 6,500 meters and is decorated with umbrella pines, wildflowers and stunning lakes with views of the Ria Formosa Natural Park.
Vilamoura is just 25 minutes away so it’s easy to add a green fee here if you fancy staying in the popular marina town, or you can opt for the luxury five-star on-site Quinta Do Lago Hotel so you can go straight from breakfast to the first tee in no time!
- Location: Almancil, Algarve
- Par: 72
- Length: 6500m
Praia D’el Rey
American architect Cabell B. Robinson created the 18 holes at Praia D’el Rey which opened in June 1997. In the twenty-five-plus years since then, it has matured into an incredible links golf course with its deep bunkers, sloping green, and sandy dunes contrasting with lush fairways.
With a choice of accommodation on-site ranging from apartments to a five-star hotel, Praia D’El Rey Resort is the perfect destination for high-quality golf no matter what your budget is!
- Location: Obidos, Lisbon
- Par: 73
- Length: 6492m
We’ve kept it to ten golf courses in Portugal for our list of the best but we could have written about so many more! Imagine walking down the pristine fairways of the Algarve’s Monte Rei or tackling the links courses on Lisbon’s Silver Coast with those beautiful ocean views on your next trip abroad. These are just a few of the incredible golfing experiences that await you if you book a golf break to Portugal with Glencor Golf Holidays.
About Glencor Golf
For a truly unforgettable golfing escape, we encourage you to reach out to us here at Glencor Golf Holidays. Drawing from our extensive knowledge and many years of experience, we’re ready to assist you in curating the ideal golf holiday to Portugal, perfectly tailored to your group’s desires.
Feel free to give us a call at 01904 406550 or drop us an email at info@glencorgolf.com, and our expert team will guide you in crafting a truly exceptional golfing experience. Prepare to embark on an exceptional golfing adventure across Portugal’s most remarkable courses, crafting everlasting moments during your envisioned golf retreat.
