Top 60 golf courses of Portugal:
- Monte Rei (North): Renowned for its stunning Jack Nicklaus signature design, Monte Rei offers a challenging yet picturesque layout amidst the scenic Algarve landscape, with immaculate fairways and greens that consistently rank among Europe’s finest.
- West Cliffs: Designed by Cynthia Dye, West Cliffs boasts a dramatic seaside setting along the Atlantic coast, featuring undulating terrain and strategically placed hazards that provide a thrilling test for golfers of all levels, while offering breathtaking ocean views throughout the course.
- Palmares (Praia & Lagos): Palmares offers a unique blend of links and parkland-style golf, with its Praia and Lagos courses providing diverse challenges amidst stunning natural surroundings, including sweeping views of the Alvor estuary and Meia Praia beach, ensuring an unforgettable golfing experience in the Algarve.
- Troia: Situated on the Troia Peninsula, this course offers a challenging links-style layout with stunning views of the Sado Estuary and Atlantic Ocean, providing a unique golfing experience in a tranquil coastal setting.
- Oitavos Dunes: Designed by Arthur Hills, Oitavos Dunes is set amidst the natural sand dunes of Cascais, offering a challenging yet fair test of golf with panoramic ocean views and fast, undulating greens.
- Quinta do Lago (South): The South Course at Quinta do Lago is a championship layout renowned for its pristine conditioning and strategic design, with picturesque fairways winding through umbrella pine forests and scenic lakes, providing a true test for golfers of all abilities.
- Vilamoura (Old): Designed by Frank Pennink, the Old Course at Vilamoura is a classic Algarve layout with tree-lined fairways and undulating terrain, offering a traditional golfing experience with a touch of nostalgia and a challenging yet enjoyable round.
- Praia D’El Rey: Praia D’El Rey features a stunning coastal setting with holes that wind through pine forests and alongside the Atlantic Ocean, offering a unique blend of parkland and links-style golf with challenging bunkers and scenic vistas.
- San Lorenzo: Set within the picturesque Ria Formosa Nature Reserve, San Lorenzo is renowned for its scenic beauty and immaculate conditioning, with fairways that wind through pine trees and along the estuary, providing a challenging yet enjoyable round for golfers of all levels.
- Quinta do Lago (Laranjal): Laranjal is a championship course known for its pristine conditioning and scenic beauty, with fairways lined by orange groves and strategically placed water hazards, offering a challenging yet rewarding golfing experience in the heart of Quinta do Lago.
- Quinta do Lago (North): The North Course at Quinta do Lago offers a parkland-style layout with strategic bunkering and pristine fairways, providing a challenging yet enjoyable round amidst the scenic beauty of the Algarve countryside.
- Penha Longa (Atlântico): Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., the Atlântico Course at Penha Longa offers a challenging layout with panoramic views of the Sintra Mountains and Atlantic Ocean, featuring dramatic elevation changes and strategic bunkering that provide a memorable golfing experience.
- Amendoeira (Faldo): The Faldo Course at Amendoeira is a championship layout designed by Sir Nick Faldo, featuring undulating fairways and large, contoured greens, with strategic bunkering and water hazards that offer a challenging yet rewarding round of golf.
- Estela: Estela is a links-style course set along the rugged coastline of Northern Portugal, offering breathtaking ocean views and challenging winds that provide a true test of golfing skill, with natural dunes and undulating fairways that make for an unforgettable golfing experience.
- Vilamoura (Victoria): The Victoria Course at Vilamoura is a championship layout designed by Arnold Palmer, featuring wide fairways and large, undulating greens, with water hazards and strategically placed bunkers that provide a challenging yet fair test for golfers of all abilities.
- Royal Obidos: Designed by Seve Ballesteros, Royal Obidos is a championship layout with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and Óbidos Lagoon, featuring undulating fairways and challenging greens that offer a memorable golfing experience in a stunning coastal setting.
- Furnas: Furnas is a scenic course set amidst the volcanic landscape of São Miguel Island in the Azores, featuring lush fairways and natural hot springs, with strategic bunkering and panoramic views of Furnas Lake that provide a unique golfing experience in the heart of nature.
- Quinta do Peru: Quinta do Peru is a championship layout known for its strategic design and pristine conditioning, with tree-lined fairways and challenging water hazards that provide a true test of golfing skill, offering a memorable round for players of all levels.
- Vale do Lobo (Royal): The Royal Course at Vale do Lobo is a championship layout with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean, featuring tree-lined fairways and strategic bunkering, with challenging greens that offer a memorable golfing experience in a beautiful coastal setting.
- Quinta de Cima: Quinta de Cima is a championship course known for its strategic design and challenging layout, with water hazards and well-placed bunkers that require precision and skill, offering a rewarding round of golf amidst the scenic beauty of the Eastern Algarve.
- Vale do Lobo (Ocean): The Ocean Course at Vale do Lobo is a classic Algarve layout with stunning sea views, featuring undulating fairways and challenging greens, with strategic bunkering and water hazards that provide a memorable golfing experience in a beautiful coastal setting.
- Porto Santo: Porto Santo Golf Course offers a unique desert-style layout with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and Madeira Island, featuring undulating terrain and challenging bunkers, with year-round sunshine that provides an ideal golfing destination for enthusiasts of all levels.
- Vidago Palace: Vidago Palace Golf Course is set amidst the lush landscape of the Trás-os-Montes region, offering a classic parkland layout with tree-lined fairways and scenic vistas, with challenging greens and strategic bunkering that provide a memorable golfing experience in a historic setting.
- Santo da Serra (Machico & Desertas): Santo da Serra offers two championship courses, Machico and Desertas, set amidst the picturesque mountains of Madeira Island, featuring lush fairways and challenging terrain, with panoramic views and a mild climate that provide an ideal golfing destination year-round.
- Aroeira (Pines Classic): The Pines Classic Course at Aroeira is a championship layout with pine-lined fairways and strategic bunkering, offering a challenging yet fair test of golf, with scenic views and a peaceful atmosphere that provide an enjoyable round for players of all abilities.
- Quinta da Ria: Quinta da Ria is a championship course set along the Eastern Algarve coast, featuring scenic views of the Ria Formosa Natural Park and Atlantic Ocean, with undulating fairways and challenging greens that offer a memorable golfing experience in a tranquil coastal setting.
- Morgado: Morgado Golf Course is set amidst the rolling hills of the Algarve countryside, offering wide fairways and large greens, with strategically placed bunkers and water hazards that provide a challenging yet enjoyable round of golf for players of all levels.
- Espiche: Espiche Golf Course is set amidst the natural beauty of the Western Algarve, featuring a sustainable design that blends harmoniously with the surrounding landscape, with native vegetation and strategic bunkering that offer a challenging yet eco-friendly golfing experience.
- Ribagolfe (Lakes): Ribagolfe Lakes Course is set within a protected nature reserve near Lisbon, featuring lakes and wetlands that come into play on many holes, with tree-lined fairways and strategic bunkering that provide a challenging yet scenic round of golf amidst the tranquility of nature.
- Aroeira (Challenge): The Challenge Course at Aroeira is a championship layout with tree-lined fairways and strategically placed bunkers, offering a challenging yet enjoyable round of golf, with scenic views and a peaceful
- Amendoeira (O’Connor): Designed by Christy O’Connor Jr., this course offers a challenging yet scenic golfing experience amidst the Algarve countryside, with undulating fairways and strategically placed bunkers providing a memorable round for players of all levels.
- Penina (Championship): As the first 18-hole course in the Algarve, Penina Championship Course boasts a classic parkland layout with tree-lined fairways and challenging water hazards, offering a timeless golfing experience in a serene setting.
- Palheiro: Nestled in the hills above Funchal, Madeira, Palheiro Golf Course offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and Funchal Bay, with challenging terrain and strategic bunkering providing a memorable round of golf amidst natural beauty.
- Vale da Pinta: Known for its scenic beauty and challenging layout, Vale da Pinta features olive groves and vineyards, with strategically placed bunkers and water hazards providing a rewarding golfing experience for players of all levels.
- Vila Sol (Prime & Challenge): Vila Sol Golf Course offers two challenging layouts, Prime and Challenge, both designed by Donald Steel, featuring lush fairways and well-manicured greens amidst scenic surroundings.
- Ribagolfe (Oaks): Set within a cork oak forest near Lisbon, Ribagolfe Oaks Course offers a tranquil golfing experience with wide fairways and strategically placed bunkers, providing a challenging yet enjoyable round amidst natural beauty.
- Belas: Known for its scenic beauty and challenging layout, Belas Golf Course features tree-lined fairways and panoramic views of the Sintra Mountains, offering a memorable round of golf in a peaceful setting.
- Quinta da Marinha: Set amidst the stunning landscape of Cascais, Quinta da Marinha Golf Course offers tree-lined fairways and breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, providing a memorable golfing experience for players of all levels.
- Pinheiros Altos (Pines & Corks): Pinheiros Altos offers two distinct nines, Pines and Corks, both featuring scenic views and challenging holes, providing a memorable round of golf amidst the natural beauty of the Eastern Algarve.
- Vilamoura (Pinhal): Vilamoura Pinhal Course offers a classic parkland layout with towering pine trees and strategic bunkering, providing a challenging yet enjoyable round of golf amidst the tranquil surroundings of Vilamoura.
- Castro Marim (Atlantic & Guadiana): Castro Marim offers two distinct courses, Atlantic and Guadiana, both featuring scenic views and challenging holes, providing a memorable round of golf amidst the natural beauty of the Eastern Algarve.
- Bom Sucesso: Located on the Silver Coast of Portugal, Bom Sucesso Golf Course offers a challenging yet enjoyable round with stunning views of the Óbidos Lagoon and Atlantic Ocean, featuring undulating fairways and strategic bunkering.
- Estoril: Estoril Golf Course is one of the oldest and most emblematic courses in Portugal, set amidst pine trees and featuring stunning views of the Estoril coastline, offering a classic parkland layout with challenging holes for players of all levels.
- Oporto: Oporto Golf Club is the second oldest golf club in mainland Europe, offering a historic yet challenging round of golf amidst the natural beauty of the Porto region, featuring tree-lined fairways and panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean.
- Batalha (Lauro & Eucalipto): Batalha Golf Course offers two distinct nines, Lauro and Eucalipto, both featuring challenging holes and scenic views of the surrounding countryside, providing an enjoyable round for golfers of all levels.
- Vilamoura (Millennium): Vilamoura Millennium Course offers a challenging yet fair round of golf with wide fairways and strategic bunkering, providing a memorable golfing experience amidst the scenic beauty of Vilamoura.
- CampoReal: Set amidst rolling hills and vineyards, CampoReal Golf Course offers a challenging yet picturesque round with panoramic views of the Torres Vedras countryside, featuring undulating fairways and well-manicured greens.
- Amarante: Amarante Golf Course is located in the beautiful Douro region, offering a unique golfing experience amidst vineyards and olive trees, with challenging holes and scenic views of the Tâmega River.
- Quinta do Vale: Quinta do Vale Golf Course is situated in the Eastern Algarve, offering a challenging layout with strategic bunkering and water hazards, providing a memorable round of golf amidst stunning views of the Guadiana River.
- Salgados: Salgados Golf Course is set amidst wetlands and lakes, offering a challenging yet enjoyable round with water hazards and strategically placed bunkers, providing a memorable golfing experience in the Algarve.
- Ponte de Lima: Ponte de Lima Golf Course is the oldest in Portugal, offering a historic yet challenging round amidst the scenic beauty of the Lima Valley, with tree-lined fairways and stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
- Silves: Silves Golf Course is set amidst orange groves and vineyards, offering a tranquil round of golf with strategically placed bunkers and water hazards, providing a memorable golfing experience in the Algarve countryside.
- Gramacho: Gramacho Golf Course is known for its unique design with two sets of tees and greens on each hole, offering a challenging yet enjoyable round amidst olive groves and vineyards in the Algarve.
- Boavista: Boavista Golf Course offers panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and Lagos Bay, with undulating fairways and challenging greens, providing a memorable golfing experience in the Western Algarve.
- Vilamoura (Laguna): Vilamoura Laguna Course offers a unique golfing experience with water hazards and strategically placed bunkers, providing a challenging yet enjoyable round amidst the natural beauty of Vilamoura.
- Lisbon Sports Club: Lisbon Sports Club is one of the oldest golf clubs in Portugal, offering a historic yet challenging round amidst the scenic beauty of the Sintra Mountains, with tree-lined fairways and panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.
- Santo Estêvão: Santo Estêvão Golf Course is set amidst cork oak forests and vineyards, offering a tranquil round of golf with challenging holes and scenic views of the Ribatejo countryside.
- Pine Cliffs Resort: Pine Cliffs Golf Course offers a unique cliff-top golfing experience with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean, featuring challenging holes and strategic bunkering, providing a memorable round for players of all levels.
- Benamor: Benamor Golf Course is set amidst olive groves and carob trees, offering a challenging yet picturesque round with panoramic views of the Eastern Algarve, featuring undulating fairways and well-manicured greens.
- Alamos: Alamos Golf Course is set within the Morgado Golf Resort, offering a challenging yet enjoyable round with scenic views of the Monchique Mountains, featuring wide fairways and strategically placed bunkers.
Planning Your Golf Trip
To make the most of your Portuguese golf adventure, consider these tips:
- Timing: The best time for golf in Portugal is spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November), when temperatures are mild and courses are in prime condition.
- Transportation: Rent a car for flexibility, or rely on shuttles and taxis if you’re staying at a resort.
- Accommodations: Choose from luxury resorts, charming boutique hotels, or self-catering apartments to suit your budget and preferences.
- Non-Golf Activities: Explore Portugal’s rich culture, savor its cuisine, and indulge in wine tastings or beach days.
Conclusion
Portugal is a golfer’s paradise, offering a diverse selection of world-class courses and luxurious resorts. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a casual player, Portugal has something to offer everyone. With Golf Getaway’s curated list of the Top 60 golf courses, you’re well on your way to planning an unforgettable golf vacation in this beautiful country.
Have you played any of these gems?
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Book your next Golf Getaway and tee off amongst some of the Top 60 Portugal Courses by contacting Golf Getaway at www.GolfGetaway.tv/Contact