Portugal is now one of Europe’s best and most popular golf destinations. The golf is championship level combined with some of the best weather in the world. Portugal’s top golf courses include Oitavos Dunes near in Cascais, Penha Longa in Sintra and Monte Rei in the Algarve. Aside from golf, a vacation to Portugal offers excellent cuisine, spectacular wine from Douro valley reds and whites to sweet Ports and Maderia, spectacular beaches and countless cultural attractions.
The top areas for golfers seeking a mix of golf and culture include the Lisbon coast, Sintra, Cascais, north to Obidos and south of Lisbon in Comporta. The Algarve on the southern coast of Portugal is a golf mecca. In many ways the region is defined by the unique contrast between its eastern and western ends. Combining Lisbon with the Algarve can make for a perfect Portugal golf experience. From Lisbon south to the Algarve is approximately 3 hours by car. From the Algarve east to the Costa del Sol in Spain is about 5 hours crossing the border with the Spanish city of Seville half way. Let Sophisticated Golfer create your custom Portugal or Spain golf vacation package.
Set in 1,000 acres in the Eastern Algarve, between the Serra do Caldeirão mountains and the Atlantic Ocean lies a haven of peace and tranquility that is the jewel in the crown of Portugese Golf: The Monte Rei Golf and Country Club.
In addition to the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course, consistently rated number one in Portugal, and a magnificent clubhouse Monte Rei also offers state of the art luxury accommodation to suit all tastes.
Penha Longa Resort is a historic estate that traces its origins back to the 14th century when both hermit monks and Lisbon royalty called the tranquil Sintra Mountains home. Today, guests will experience the very same sense of beauty and calm at one of the top resorts 40 minutes from Lisbon.
When Robert Trent Jones, Jr. set out to design the course at this Portugal golf hotel, he had the breathtaking scenery of Sintra to inspire him. His 27-hole course takes players through the surrounding hills and the resort itself, offering three circuits filled with bold drives, courageous approaches, and artful greens.
The coastal region around Portugal's capital city, Lisbon, is full of world class golf courses and hotels. Consider staying onsite at Penha Longa or the Oitavos Hotel, both feature onsite golf. Towns such as Estoril & Cascais offer a wide selection of restaurants and nightlife and with Lisbon close by there are plenty of cultural activities.
Golf travelers are sure to enjoy a golfing vacation in the Algarve, a scenic section of coastline in the southwest of Portugal. The region is serviced by Faro airport a 3 hour drive south from Lisbon. The Algarve benefits from a warm temperatures year round with the best months being fall and spring.
Algarve's we personally recommend the Dona Filipa hotel, which boasts San Lorenzo, arguably the country's finest golf course, and the beautiful Monte Rei development in the Algarve's east. The premier golf courses in the Algarve region it’s Monte Rei, San Lorenzo, Oceanico Old, plus Quinta de Cima and Quinta do Lago.
Featured Portugal Golf Courses
West Cliffs Golf Course
West Cliffs Golf Course has been designed to perfectly fit into the natural environment and create one of the most wonderful golf experiences. Nature is in abundance and from every hole there is a stunning view over the Atlantic Ocean and Óbidos Lagoon.
Penha Longa Alantico, Lisbon, Portugal
Penha Longa Atlántico is another one of Europe's best golf courses. Integrated within the luxury Penha Longa resort near Sintra, the 72 Atlântico course sits within a protected natural reserve overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Penha Longa's was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr, who took full advantage of the spectacular setting and designed exceptional layout. Penha Longa sits on an exposed plateau and when gusts are funneled across the mountains. The par-five 6th is a signature hole, a picture postcard green framed by a lake and a centuries-old aqueduct and castle tower.
Oitavos Dunes, Lisbon, Portugal
The world-class Oitavos Dunes is a stunning natural links golf course designed by Arthur Hills. The course is located in a natural park situated between Cascais and the hills of Sintra. Oitavos is a course that has been designed to take advantage of its environment and sea views through the pine wood forest which surrounds all its holes. The superb design and immaculate condition makes this Lisbon’s finest course. The modern 5 star Oitavos Hotel is a Sophisticated Golfer top recommendation for golf travel accommodations near Lisbon.
Dunas Course – Terras da Comporta, Lisbon
The Dunas Course opened in 2023 and quickly found its name listed on the World’s Best New Courses. Dunas Golf Course is now in the top 10 best courses in Continental Europe, the highest ranking ever for a new golf course. The holes are played over sandy dunes that fringe the beaches, where the breeze constantly blows. Dunas is a beautiful, natural, and uncontrived golf course, a true links, unique throughout southern Europe.
Vale do Lobo Golf Club’s Royal and Ocean, Algarve
The Royal Golf Course located in the Algarve region is a prestigious 18-hole championship course, considered one of the most challenging courses in the country. The Royal course offers amazing views, especially on the par three 16th which features a cliff-top carry. The Ocean course at the Vale do Lobo Golf Club boasts five ocean holes that take you closer to the water than any other course in the Algarve. Both are recognized as Portugal’s most prestigious golf courses.
Quinta do Lago, Algavre, Portugal
Quinta do Lago South Course has played host to the Portuguese Open 8 times. Designed in 1974 by William Mitchell, who raised the bar by introducing American-standard greens, tees and bunkers to the Algarve, it soon gained a reputation as one of the foremost courses in Europe and remains to this day one of the flagship European Tour Courses. The favorite course of many European tour players, it’s set amongst umbrella pines, lakes and wild flowers, overlooking the spectacular scenery of the Ria Formosa National Park.
Quinta de Cima, Algavre, Portugal
This sister course to the also impressive Quinta da Ria is one of true Championship character. Quinta de Cima is set in rolling land dotted with almond trees. The course features open fairways and well placed bunkers. The area around Quinta de Cima and Quinta da Ria golf coures is located in protected national reserve surrounded by the sea and the Algarvean mountains.
Oceanico Old Course, Algavre, Portugal
Situated in the heart of Vilamoura 20 minute drive from Faro airport, it’s one of the oldest in the region and renowned all over the golfing world. The ‘Grande Dame’ of Algarve courses, it meanders throughout impressive pine trees over gently undulating natural terrain. This course opened in 1969 and was designed by Frank Pennink.
Monte Rei Golf Club, Algavre, Portugal
Monte Rei is located in the eastern Algarve among a rugged landscape studded with cork oak and olive trees. The course is within striking distance of the coast and an assortment of resorts and amenities, although Sophisticated Golfer recommends staying in the on-site villas taking advantage of the excellent five-star clubhouse facilities. The undulating 18-hole par-72 layout is just one of a handful of Jack Nicklaus signature courses in Europe.
Quinta Do Lago North and South , Portugal
The exclusive Quinta do Lago community boast 3 championship level golf courses, the South Course, North Course and Laranjal. The South has played host to the Portuguese Open 8 times and remains to this day one of the flagship European Tour Courses. The South is set amongst umbrella pines, lakes and wildflowers, overlooking the spectacular scenery of the Ria Formosa National Park. The North course is the newest of the three and also features magnificent views. While the Larajal course winds its way through and orange grove.
San Lorenzo Golf Course, Algarve, Portugal
One of the most popular golf courses in Portugal and finest in Europe, San Lorenzo Golf course enjoys a magnificent location on the exclusive Quinta do Lago estate in the Algarve. Designed by Joe Lee, the course is laid out in a figure of eight. San Lorenzo is surrounded by some of the most appealing landscapes in the Algarve: the serene Ria Formosa estuary, with its shallow lagoons and golden beaches, provides a suitably beguiling backdrop. The course is only open to Sophisticated Golfer’s clients staying at the glamorous Dona Filipa Hotel.
