Golf Holidays in Portugal

Portugal Golf Holiday Destinations

The Algarve is synonymous with golf, and benefits from a pleasant year round climate that is perfect for holiday golf. For big groups, Vilamoura is the ultimate with plenty of evening action focused around the marina along with easy access to countless championship courses. For a longer hop, sunny golf holidays are now on offer on the charming island of Madeira, but the emerging star of Portuguese golf is the Lisbon coast.

There are endless golfing delights to be experienced in the Algarve but we personally recommend the Penina Resort, host to the Portuguese Open on numerous occasions, Dona Filipa which boasts arguably the country’s finest track and the breathtaking Monte Rei development in the Algarve’s east. The Atlantic shoreline of the Lisbon coast has awe-inspiring courses with first class golf resorts to match like Quinta da Marinha set against a breathtaking backdrop of the Sintra Mountains and Praia D’El Rey perched atop a bluff overlooking the ocean.

With the old favourites being supplanted by fantastic new venues, Portugal is as popular as ever, and remains one of the best destinations for a golf holiday in the sun.

The Vilamoura region of the Algarve offers plenty of championship courses laid down by the like of Sir Nick Faldo and Christy O’Connor Jnr, as well as Dom Pedro Victoria which hosts the European Tour’s Portugal Masters. San Lorenzo, considered by many as Portugal’s finest course is a must play while the Royal course at Vale do Lobo serves up one of the best par 3’s in the whole of the Algarve. The Trent Jones Jnr designed Palmares has become an Algarve favourite in recent years offering a mixture of tree-lined undulations along with coastline links golf. Oitavos continues the links theme with 18 holes of sandy turf along the rugged Atlantic coastline.

Quick Facts

• Portugal is home to 80 golf courses, 42 of which are in the Algarve
• Average Monthly temperature ranges from 12°C (54°F) to 24°C (74°F)
• Flights range from 2h 30 min (Lisbon) to 2h 50 min (Faro) from the UK
• Home to the Portugal Masters (Oceanico Victoria)

Reasons to visit

• Huge variety of courses designed by some of golf's biggest names
• Expect to play in sunshine regardless of the season
• Stunning beaches and scenery
• Plenty of options for night time entertainment
• Unbelievable value

Flying time

• 2 hours 30 minutes direct to Lisbon
• 2 hours 50 minutes direct to Faro (Algarve)

Weather in Portugal

Portugal's stunning array of world class golf courses and breathtaking beaches are complemented by one of the best and most reliable climates in Europe. Golfers should expect to play in brilliant sunshine while being kept cool by the gentle sea breeze that flows in from the coast.

Average Temperature - What you might be wearing on the golf course
Polo Shirt, Trousers, probably a jumper in the evening
Polo Shirt, Tailored Shorts
Polo Shirt, Tailored Shorts - No Waterproofs Required!

When to go

With more than 300 days of annual sunshine and a fantastic all year climate, Portugal is perfectly suited for golf. September and October are particularly popular with golfers taking their annual golf holiday. You can generally take advantage of cheaper prices during November through to the end of February.

Handy information

• Time difference: GMT +1
• Local currency: Euro (€)
• Language: Portuguese (many locals will speak English)
• Cost of a pint: 3 Euros (£2.30)

Recommended for

Championship Golf

Portugal has been a regular stop since the inception of the European Tour. The Estoril Open de Portugal (Portuguese Open) moved around the nation’s top courses up until 2010, with hosts including Penina, Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo, The Oitavos and Penha Longa, and the likes of Sam Torrance, Mark McNulty and Miguel Angel Jimenez among the list of champions. More recently the Portugal Masters has taken over as the nation’s premier golf tournament. The Dom PedroVictoria Course in Vilamoura has hosted the event since 2007. Winners have included Lee Westwood (2009), Shane Lowry (2012), David Lynn (2013) and most recently Alexander Levy (2014). The Madeira Islands Open is also held each year on the very scenic Santo da Serra Golf Club which is situated on the Portuguese island of Madeira.

Societies

The Dona Filipa Hotel is one of the best 5* resorts in the Algarve and occupies an enviable position overlooking the beach in Vale do Lobo. Guests at the hotel get exclusive access to San Lorenzo, which is one of the leading courses in Europe and is a must-play for any keen golfer. Quinta da Marinha is an excellent 5* resort located close to Lisbon and with a Robert Trent Jones Jr designed course on site. Golfers may opt to stay in one of the resort’s 44 villas, which have a large balcony, a spacious living area and a kitchenette, which lend themselves perfectly to larger groups. The Amendoeira resort is a particularly popular option for groups travelling to the Algarve, with a fantastic variety of spacious villas and apartments, plus two championship golf courses on-site. The unlimited golf and free buggies also tends to be a winner!

Couples

The Marriott Praia D’El Rey Resort is a big hit with couples; guests enjoy stunning views across the beach (best enjoyed from your private balcony or terrace, or from the Cliffs Bar with an afternoon cocktail in hand) and the rooms are simply amazing. The perfect option for a luxury golfing holiday. The renowned Penina Hotel & Golf Resort may be best known for its three golf courses, but there is so much more on offer away from the fairways. In the summer, you can try your hand at water sports like wind-surfing, water-skiing and sailing. The resort’s five restaurants and two bars allow you to sample cuisine from around the world, year-round. For a convenient weekend break, Pestana Vila Sol is a lovely 5* resort that’s just five minutes from Vilamoura Marina and the beach, plus only 20 minutes from Faro airport.

Night Life

For those travelling with the intent to party, Lisbon is a fantastic option. There is a rich diversity of venues; from the restaurants which line the streets serving local delights like fresh seafood and paella, to the selection of bars and clubs that roar to life with the late night crowd. The Bairro Alto area has a fascinating evening scene with intimate live music venues where people overflow onto the street, and a handful of clubs that pump long into the morning. Hotel Vila Galé Cascais makes for a great base for both exploring the city and enjoying the many golf offerings in the greater Lisbon area.

In addition to its selection of first class golf courses, Vilamoura also has an exciting nightlife. The town’s magical marina is surrounded by brilliant bars. Favourites include the Irish Pub, which has live music and an enormous outdoor terrace, and Figo 7, a an extremely popular sports bar where you can catch all major live events. The town also has an array of gentlemen’s establishments and a casino, should you fancy a flutter on the tables.

Luxury Hotels

The Oitavos is an opulent 5* hotel in Quinta da Marinha (half hour’s drive from Lisbon) that makes the most of its spectacular location overlooking Portugal’s western Atlantic coastline. The facilities here are first-class, from the stylish rooms and on-site spa and dining, to the outstanding Oitavos Dunes Golf Club on your doorstep. The lavish suites at the Conrad Algarve are the epitome of luxury, with amazing add-ons such as your own private sauna and steam bath, and use of the Conrad Butler! Exceptional service is one of the cornerstones of the highly exclusive Monte Rei resort, which boasts accommodation befitting the revered Jack Nicklaus golf course. Be warned - after a night in the luxury villas, you may not want to leave!

Blog articles

Around the Algarve in 18 holes
A-Z of golf in Portugal
A guide to Lisbon’s golf coast
Golf in Portugal: a photo guide
Darren Clarke’s Favourite Holes in The Algarve