The 10 Best Golf Courses in Portugal

Portugal is one of the most popular golf holiday destinations in the world. This may come as no surprise considering Portugal is home to 75 (and counting) incredible golf courses and boasts fantastic weather all year round, making it the ideal location for a European golf getaway. Here’s our list of the top 10 best places to play golf in Portugal to help you decide where to take your next trip.

San Lorenzo Golf Course

The San Lorenzo Golf Course is one of the best places to play golf in Portugal if you are looking for tournament-standard golf. The greenskeeper at San Lorenzo has exceptionally high standards and prepares the grounds each morning as if there was a tournament every day. The championship course has hosted the Portuguese Open multiple times and was ranked 15th in the Top 100 Golf Resorts in Europe by Golf World Magazine. The San Lorenzo Golf Course offers magnificent coastal views and beautiful parkland surroundings, and is a must-visit on your next trip to the Algarve.

Location: Faro

Par: 72

Holes: 18

Architect: Joseph Lee

Monte Rei Golf Club

As one of Portugal’s newest courses, opening its doors in 2007, the Monte Rei Golf Course has established a fantastic reputation across the world. The Monte Rei Golf Club was ranked in the top 100 courses in Europe and first in Portugal. Each hole is expertly designed to bring new challenges and test your golfing abilities, with complex water hazards from hole 11 onwards. You can also enjoy breathtaking views of the Serra do Caldeirão Mountains and glistening Atlantic Ocean.

Location: Algarve 

Par: 72

Holes: 18

Architect: Jack Nicklaus

Dom Pedro Victoria

The Dom Pedro Golf Collection includes five of the top golf courses in Portugal, including The Victoria Course. The Victoria has earned an excellent reputation having hosted the Portugal Masters since 2007 and the World Cup Championship in 2005. The course features 7273 yards of luscious greens, dotted with olive and almond trees, bunkers and lakes. The waters provide challenging hazards in addition to the already tricky holes, a difficult test for even the most experienced golfer. The beautiful championship course attracts tourists from all over the world and is definitely worth ticking off your bucket list. 

Location: Vilamoura

Par: 72

Holes: 18

Architect: Arnold Palmer

Morgado Golf Course

The Morgado Golf Course stretches across a 980 hectare estate and offers fantastic panoramic views of the Monchique mountains. The Morgado was inspired by the traditional Scottish links course with undulating greens and flat fairways. However, a traditional links course is typically along the seafront whereas the Morgado’s natural setting with bountiful tree species and terrain, make for more of a parkland course. The Morgado is known for its serene atmosphere making it an ideal course for anyone looking to concentrate on their technique.

Location: Portimao

Par: 73

Holes: 18

Architect: European Golf Design

Salgados Golf Course

Situated just moments from the Praia da Gale beach, the Salgados Golf Course makes for an idyllic day on the green. Yet, don’t let the picturesque views fog your judgement. The Salgados is a very flat course with little vegetation or trees which means limited protection from the elements. This provides a real test of skill to counter the sea breeze and steer clear of the many water hazards throughout the course. 

Location: Albufeira

Par: 72

Holes: 18

Architect: Vasconcelos & R. Muir-Graves European 

Alamos Golf Course

The Alamos Golf Course was opened a few years after its sister course, The Salgados. As such, The Alamos provides the same beautiful mountain views however is considered a greater challenge, even for a more seasoned golfer! All 18 holes meander around the mountains and require a high level of accuracy and putting technique.

Location: Portimao

Par: 71

Holes: 18

Architect: European Golf Design

Dolce CampoReal Lisboa

The Dolce CampoReal Lisboa Golf Course is situated on the grounds formerly used by the Portuguese royal family for hunting. Since opening, the stunning course and resort has received multiple nominations for Best Golf Hotel in Portugal in the World Golf Awards. The Dolce CampoReal has hosted its fair share of tournaments, including the professional Ladies Open of Portugal. The rolling hills and deep valleys flow seamlessly into the natural landscape and offer a tricky game for players of all abilities.

Location: Lisbon

Par: 72

Holes: 18

Architect: Donald Steel

Espiche Golf Course

The Espiche Golf Course is suitable both for beginners as well as experienced golfers. Enjoy winding lakes and streams throughout the course, providing natural obstacles and added difficulty which require serious concentration and attention to detail. The course is set in the stunning countryside on a fabulous nature reserve, surrounded by vineyards and lined with trees. It is known for offering a sustainable golf experience with many planting schemes on-site to enrich the lands and create the most vibrant greens surrounded by natural beauty.

Location: Lagos

Par: 72

Holes: 18

Architect: Peter Sauerman

Boavista Golf Course

The Boavista Golf Course opened its doors in 2002 and quickly became one of the most popular courses on the west coast of the Algarve, just a few minutes drive from Lagos town centre. The coastal championship golf course offers 18 challenging holes and a true test of skill for golfers of all abilities, despite being a relatively short course. You can enjoy stunning sea views and palm trees at every hole – the perfect atmosphere for a peaceful game.

Location: Lagos

Par: 71

Holes: 18

Architect: Howard Swan

Palmares Golf Course

The Palmares Golf Course features 3 rounds of 9 holes which you can play in any sequence. The course was designed especially for international golf tournaments and offers a variety of different holes, each bringing a new test of ability, with the strong sea breeze also adding an extra challenge. Admire the fantastic ocean views of Lagos Bay, sand dunes and the impressive Monchique hills as you play. 

Location: Lagos

Par: 72

Holes: 27

Architect: Robert Trent Jones Jr.

 

If you’re looking for the perfect golf holiday in Portugal, please get in touch with our golf holiday experts.

 

 

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