The most popular region for golf holidays in Portugal is the Algarve due to its great climate and over 3 decades of massive expansion in the number of golf courses and golf resorts being built. This post showcases the best courses on the Algarve and the variety from the east coast through to the west coast.
Generally deemed a safe bet for a golf holiday Algarve, in southern Portugal, receives year round fine weather with few rainy days calling off play.
The eastern Algarve region tends to have some of the more exclusive clubs. The challenging Quinta De Cima or the Benamor are picture perfect from tee to green with great facilities (clubhouse, buggies, etc.). The Monte Rei, by Jack Nicklaus, is in a level all of its own with a design that perfectly navigates the hilly terrain. Every hole provides its own challenges whether that be the fairway traps or the rough.
The western Algarve has equally scenic countryside but the presence of strong gusty ocean breezes factors into how courses play. The Penina championship course is an enjoyable challenge to navigate while the Oceanico Faldo desert-style course plays differently as the ocean wind direction alters bringing dunes, traps and rough into play at different times.
For many though the central Algarve area around Vilamoura will be their main golf destination thanks to the dozens of courses all within close proximity. Oceanico has some excellent courses with the finest being the Millenium parkland course and the more mature Old Course (both of which are landscaped to such a high condition).
Many of the locals though will be seen playing the excellent Quinta do Lago Laranjal or Pinheiros Altos with provide an enjoyable variety of holes to play without breaking the bank. Finally, any trip to Vilamoura wouldn’t be complete without attempting the Vale Do Lobo Royal course. Having hosted the Portuguese Open numerous times it is one course that is aging very well maintaining a high level of difficulty especially on the long par-4s and par-5s.
