The Best 10 Golf Courses In Portugal

The golf ecosystem in Portugal is well-developed, with numerous golf courses located throughout the country, particularly in the southern region of the Algarve. Portugal is known for its sunny climate, scenic coastline, and varied terrain, which make it a popular destination for golfers from around the world.

Portugal has over 90 golf courses, with the majority located in the Algarve region. Many of these courses are designed by renowned architects and offer a range of challenges for players of all skill levels. In addition to traditional golf courses, Portugal also has several links courses and resort-style courses.

Portugal is also home to several major golf events, including the Portugal Masters, a European Tour event held annually in Vilamoura, and the Ladies European Tour's Estrella Damm Mediterranean Ladies Open, held annually in the Troia region.

The country has also been recognized for its golf tourism, with awards such as the “Best Golf Destination in the World” by the World Golf Awards in 2020, and several courses have been ranked highly on various golf course ranking lists.

Portugal's golf ecosystem is supported by a range of services and facilities, including golf academies, equipment rental shops, and golf tour operators. The country also has a strong golfing community and hosts numerous events and tournaments throughout the year.

Quinta do Lago - Almancil, Algarve, Portugal

Quinta do Lago is a luxury resort located in the Algarve region of southern Portugal, in the town of Almancil. The resort is situated within the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve and is known for its natural beauty and its championship golf courses.

Quinta do Lago has three 18-hole golf courses, including the South Course, which has hosted multiple Portuguese Open championships and is considered one of the top courses in Portugal. The resort also has a golf academy, practice facilities, and a golf pro shop.

In addition to golf, Quinta do Lago offers a range of amenities for guests, including a spa, fitness center, tennis center, and several restaurants and bars. The resort also has a variety of accommodations, including private villas and apartments.

Quinta do Lago has received numerous awards and recognitions, including being named the “Best Golf Resort in Portugal” by the World Golf Awards multiple times.

Monte Rei Golf and Country Club - Vila Nova de Cacela, Algarve, Portugal

Monte Rei Golf and Country Club is a luxury golf resort located in Vila Nova de Cacela in the eastern Algarve region of Portugal. The resort is known for its championship golf course, designed by Jack Nicklaus, which has consistently been ranked as one of the top courses in Portugal and Europe.

Monte Rei Golf and Country Club offers a range of amenities for guests, including multiple restaurants and bars, a swimming pool, a spa, tennis courts, and private villas.

Monte Rei Golf and Country Club has received numerous awards and recognitions, including being named the “Best Golf Resort in Portugal” by the World Golf Awards multiple times. The resort has also been recognized for its environmental sustainability efforts, receiving the Green Globe certification for its commitment to responsible tourism.

The Monte Rei golf course itself has also received multiple awards, including being named the “Best Golf Course in Portugal” by Golf Digest and being ranked as one of the top 100 courses in the world by Golf Magazine. The course is known for its stunning views, challenging layout, and immaculate course conditions.

Vale do Lobo - Almancil, Algarve, Portugal

Vale do Lobo is a luxury resort located in the Algarve region of southern Portugal, in the town of Almancil. The resort is situated on a beautiful stretch of coastline and is known for its championship golf courses, stunning beaches, and high-end amenities.

Vale do Lobo has two 18-hole golf courses, including the Royal Course, which is considered one of the top courses in Portugal. The resort also has a golf academy, practice facilities, and a pro shop.

Vale do Lobo has received numerous awards and recognitions, including being named the “Best Golf Resort in Portugal” by the World Golf Awards multiple times.

San Lorenzo Golf Course - Almancil, Algarve, Portugal

San Lorenzo Golf Course is a championship golf course located in the Algarve region of southern Portugal, in the town of Almancil. The course is situated within the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve and is known for its stunning coastal views and challenging layout.

Designed by American golf course architect Joseph Lee, San Lorenzo Golf Course is consistently ranked as one of the top courses in Portugal and Europe. The course has a links-style design, with water hazards and strategically placed bunkers challenging golfers of all skill levels.

San Lorenzo Golf Course is known for its impeccable course conditions and high-end amenities, including a clubhouse with a restaurant and bar, a golf pro shop, and a driving range and practice area.

The course has received numerous awards and recognitions, including being named the “Best Golf Course in Portugal” by Golf Digest and being ranked as one of the top 100 courses in the world by Golf Magazine.

Oitavos Dunes Golf Course - Cascais, Lisbon, Portugal

Oitavos Dunes Golf Course is a championship golf course located on the Lisbon coast in the town of Cascais, Portugal. The course is situated within the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park and is known for its stunning seaside location and challenging links-style design.

Designed by American golf course architect Arthur Hills, Oitavos Dunes Golf Course has received numerous awards and recognitions since it opened in 2001, including being named in the Top 100 Golf Courses of the World by Golf Magazine.

The course features undulating fairways, strategically placed bunkers, and fast greens, making it a challenging and memorable experience for golfers of all skill levels. The course also boasts stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding natural landscape.

In addition to the golf course, Oitavos Dunes offers a range of amenities for guests, including a clubhouse with a restaurant and bar, a pro shop, and a driving range and practice area.

Troia Golf Course - Troia, Portugal

Troia Golf Course is a championship golf course located on the Troia Peninsula, about an hour south of Lisbon in Portugal. The course is part of the Troia Resort, which offers a range of luxury accommodations, dining options, and leisure activities.

Designed by American golf course architect Robert Trent Jones Sr., Troia Golf Course is known for its stunning seaside location and challenging layout. The course features narrow fairways, well-placed bunkers, and fast greens, making it a challenging and rewarding experience for golfers of all skill levels.

Troia Golf Course has received numerous awards and recognitions, including being named in the “Top 100 Golf Resorts in Continental Europe” by Golf World magazine.

Penha Longa - Sintra, Lisbon, Portugal

Penha Longa Resort Golf is a luxury golf resort located in Sintra, just outside of Lisbon in Portugal. The resort is situated within a 545-acre national park and features two golf courses designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. - the Atlantic course and the Monastery course.

The 18-hole Atlantic course is known for its stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Sintra Mountains, while the 9-hole Monastery course is set within the grounds of a 14th-century monastery and features ancient ruins and historic artifacts.

Penha Longa Resort Golf has received numerous awards and recognitions, including being named in the “Top 100 Best Golf Resorts in the World” by Golf World.

In addition to the golf courses, the resort offers a range of luxury accommodations, dining options, and leisure activities, including a spa, tennis courts, and a fitness center.

Praia d'El Rey Golf and Beach Resort - Obidos, Portugal

Praia d'El Rey Golf and Beach Resort is a luxury resort located in Obidos, along the Silver Coast of Portugal. The resort is situated within a protected natural landscape and features a championship golf course designed by Cabell B. Robinson.

The Praia d'El Rey golf course is considered one of the top courses in Portugal and was named “Portugal's Leading Golf Resort” at the World Travel Awards. The course features a challenging layout with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and Berlengas Islands, and has hosted numerous national and international tournaments.

Praia d'El Rey Golf and Beach Resort offers a range of luxury accommodations, dining options, and leisure activities, including a spa, tennis courts, and a fitness center. The resort is also home to a beach club, which provides direct access to the miles of pristine beaches that line the Silver Coast.

Dom Pedro HotelsGolf Collection - Algarve, Portugal

Dom Pedro HotelsGolf Collection is a group of luxury hotels and golf courses located in Portugal. The group owns and operates five hotels and five golf courses located in the Algarve region and Lisbon.

The five golf courses in the collection are the Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course, the Dom Pedro Old Course Golf Club, the Dom Pedro Millennium Golf Course, the Dom Pedro Pinhal Golf Course, and the Dom Pedro Laguna Golf Course. All of these courses have received numerous awards and accolades for their quality and challenging layouts.

The group has received many awards and recognitions for their hotels and golf courses, including being named the “Portugal's Best Golf Hotel Chain” at the World Golf Awards. The Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course has been the host of the Portugal Masters for many years, which is part of the European Tour.

Palmares Golf Course - Lagos, Algarve, Portugal

Palmares Golf Course is a championship golf course located in the Algarve region of Portugal, near the city of Lagos. The course is situated on a beautiful piece of land with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and the nearby Ria de Alvor nature reserve.

Designed by renowned golf course architect Robert Trent Jones Jr., Palmares offers a unique and challenging golfing experience, with a mix of parkland and links-style holes. The course is known for its strategic layout, undulating fairways, and well-protected greens, making it a favorite among both amateur and professional golfers.

Palmares Golf Course has received numerous awards and accolades, including being named one of the “Top 100 Golf Resorts in Continental Europe” by Golf World Magazine. The course has also been recognized as one of the best courses in Portugal by various golf publications and websites.