Best Golf Courses in Portugal

Having risen to the top of the ranks as one of Europe's premier golfing destinations, Portugal now has a total of 75 golf courses with 31 of them in the Algarve.

Boasting a vast array of picturesque courses skirting the stunning coastline, the Algarve still remains the country's golfing hotspot with the Nicklaus designed Monte Rei Resort being at the forefront of this. The emerging stars of the country are the fantastic courses surrounding the capital, Lisbon.

Combining sun, sea and pristine fairways Portugal is tailored to provide for every golfers needs, making it an ideal location for your summer or winter golfing getaway.

Read on to discover the courses our experts have played and consider the best in Portugal or check out some of the best golf holiday deals in Portugal >>

Established in 1969 the Dom Pedro Old Course is often seen as the 'old father time' of the region. In line with other layouts from that era, the Old Course requires players to think their way round rather than simply blast it off the tee.

The renovation of the clubhouse in 1996 has kept the club up with the modern era and the combination of the new with the old makes it truly spectacular venue to play it.

More info on Dom Pedro Old Course >>

"The front 9 is your best bet at making a score with many challenging holes awaiting on the back 9. It is easy to see why so many play here each year."
Oliver (Marketing: Handicap 1)

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Away from Portugal’s golfing paradise of the Algarve lies one of the Europe’s top ranked courses. Oitavos Dunes is located outside the capital city of Lisbon and is the perfect blend of masterful golf course design with the already beautiful natural landscape of the Portuguese coastline.

Renowned mainly for his work in America, Arthur Hills has created a beautiful golfing set up which is reminiscent of some of Scotland’s most famous golf courses. Though not strictly a links course, the fairways are often bordered by woodland but the sandy turf and spectacular sea views still gives golfers the feel of a links set up. This unique golf course sees over 300 days of sunshine a year and is a great place to get some winter sun.

More info on Oitavos Dunes >>

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Taking the title of Dom Pedro's flagship course, golfers are treated to some truly scintillating golf holes throughout a round on the Victoria Course. Designed by the great Arnold Palmer it is no wonder that the course is a regular stop on European Tour playing host to the prestigious Portugal Masters, where winners include the likes of Lee Westwood, Shane Lawry and Padraig Harrington.

Just minutes from the vibrant town of Vilamoura, the course provides you with a fantastic day of golf and leaves you just minutes away from an even better evening.

More info on Dom Pedro Victoria Course >>

"The 17th is a long par-5 stretching well close to 600 yards from the back tees with water in play off the tee and on the approach to the green. With a favourable wind, you can reach this in two but you'll be faced with a high number if you fall short of the green."
Ian (European Team: Handicap 1)

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Arguably Portugal's most renowned golfing estate, there aren't many better places to stay and play than Vale Do Lobo. The Royal Course boasts some of the most dramatic holes in the Algarve culminating with the par 3, 16th which quite literally leaves you on a cliff hanger.

Designed by the great Sir Henry Cotton and revamped by Rocky Roquemore, the stunning golf course will not leave you disappointed and is a must play for anyone heading to the Algarve.

More info on Vale Do Lobo (Royal Course) >>

"The 16th on the Royal Course is an obvious favourite, just don't miss left! It can get windy there so good to practice your knockdown shots before you play here."
Alex (European Team: Handicap 11)

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Bursting onto the Algarve's golfing scene in 2007, the North Course at the magnificent Monte Rei Resort is designed by 18 time major champion Jack Nicklaus. Employing every bit of his golfing knowledge, Nicklaus has sympathetically merged incredible course design with the region's stunning natural landscape.

The course winds its way through the dramatic valleys creating multiple mini amphitheatres which add to the sense of drama with any drive or approach shot.

More info on Monte Rei (North Course) >>

"Each hole is very individual with it rare to see any of the other holes while playing. It is the 1st golf course we book when we visit The Algarve each year, it gets better and better each time we play it."
Oliver (Marketing: Handicap 1)

Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to Oliver about playing this course.

Ranked inside the European top 100 golf courses, San Lorenzo has long been considered one the country’s finest golfing setups. Situated in the heart of the Ria Formosa nature reserve, American architect Joseph Lee has combined superb golf course designed with the beautiful natural landscape to create a true golfing spectacle.

With holes like the stunning par 4, 6th which leaves players hitting out towards the ocean it is easy to see why the course has played host to the Portuguese Open on 7 different occasions.

More info on San Lorenzo >>

"There are countless spectacular holes, like the sixth, a par-4 towards the ocean which gets the juices flowing, before the course builds up to a magnificent crescendo with the closing stretch."
Bronagh (European Team: Handicap 2)

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At the helm of Quinta do Lago's 3 courses is the South which has played host to a number of European Tour Amateur events. The 18 hole championship layout tests all aspects of a players game but with its variety of tee boxes it is accessible by all abilities of golfers.

Overlooking the Ria Formosa National Park, you will be hard pushed to find a course in the Algarve which offers many better inland views that here at Quinta do Lago.

More info on Quinta do Lago (South Course) >>

"The holes around the water on 15, 16 and 17 provide a grandstand finish before heading to the testing 18th before you enjoying a well-earned beer in the 19th with views across the 1st hole and beyond."
Oliver (Marketing: Handicap 1)

Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to Oliver about playing this course.

Having only opened in June 2017, West Cliffs Golf Course is a one of the hottest new courses that have been added to Portugal’s golfing portfolio. As you may have guessed the course skirts the Silver Cliffs of the country’s spectacular coastline and gifts golfers with superb views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Each hole on this glorious golf course is unique from the other with one featuring the dramatic sand dunes of the coast to another being lined by pines before you emerge out to a strong Atlantic breeze. In true links fashion the course has a rather rugged feel to it and is reminiscent of some of the world renowned Open Championship setups.

More info on West Cliffs Golf Course >>

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Since its opening in 1975, Palmares has gone from strength to strength and now features on the PGA Europro circuit. The course offers up spectacular views of Lagos Bay and the Monchique Hills which are good enough to make even your worst round of golf worthwhile.

With 5 of the holes skirting the stunning coastal sand dunes the course is made to feel like a links but with the rest winding its way through tree lined fairways players are treated to the best of both set ups.

More info on Onyria Palmares Golf >>

"Five of the holes border the sand dunes near the coastline, and have a distinct links feel, while the remainder winds through the lovely tree-lined undulations of the estate's higher ground."
Nick (European Team: Handicap 16)

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Designed by one of the game’s greats, the Faldo course utilises the natural landscape of the region to create a truly spectacular golfing set up which is due to become one of the regions most desirable courses. With 5 different tees Faldo has created the perfect layout which aims to challenge golfers of abilities through their accuracy and their distance. Those seeking the round of a lifetime should be sure to include this course on their Algarve adventure.

More info on Oceanico Faldo Course >>

"The undulating layout along with all the olives trees, rocky hazard areas and scrub areas can make it a little tricky to score well if like me, you can't always keep the ball in play, but it made it interesting thinking about which club to play on each tee."
Gabriella (Marketing Team: Handicap 23)

Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to Gabriella about playing this course.

Terras da Comporta Dunas Course is one of the most exciting golf courses to launch in recent years. Designed by David McLay Kidd who has been responsible for many great golf courses including Queenwood, Bandon Dunes and The Castle Course, The Dunas Course has utlised the natural landscape to create an excellent links course. Located around an hour from Lisbon, this is a must-play for those taking a golf holiday in Portugal.

More info on Terras da Comporta Dunas Course >>

"The layout of The Dunas Course is incredible. The way the holes fit between the pines and sand dunes make for an amazing day on the course. Well recommended."
Ian (European Team: Handicap 1)

Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to Ian about playing this course.

Handicap: 1
Favourite Course: Valderrama
My 'Expert' areas: Portugal, Spain, France & Turkey
Best trip I've done: Valderrama, Finca Cortesin & Real Club de Sotogrande
Where my next trip is to: La Manga

Give Ian a call on 0800 043 6644 to arrange your next golf break.