Golf in the Algarve: the complete guide

The Algarve is synonymous with golf. Every year, thousands of golfers from all around the world come to the southern coast of Portugal for a unique experience. They come here to play challenging courses or take their first steps in the sport. With the Atlantic Ocean to the south and west and the remote mountains to the north, the Algarve is the perfect setting for a memorable golf holiday. Along the 160 km (100 miles) of its southern coastline you can be sure to find, among the more than 40 golf courses available, one that will suit your tastes and needs. After reading this article, you will know all the practical things about playing golf in the Algarve.

Portugal: the best golf destination in the world

In fact, Portugal has been voted the best golf destination in Europe and in the world for several years in a row at the World Golf Awards. The votes have been cast by professionals in the golf industry worldwide. Reasons why Portugal scores so good are the excellent golf courses, the easy accessibility of the country, the hospitality of the people, the quality of the hotels, the price/quality ratio and of course the climate. The Algarve has about 300 days of sunshine every year, which is perfect to play golf.

A golf holiday in the Algarve

The major concentration of golf courses can be found in the area around Vilamoura, Vale do Lobo and Quinta do Lago. Of course there are golf courses in other towns as well, such as Portimão or Lagos. You can play by the ocean or on more sheltered courses inland. Most courses are only a short drive away from the coast, which is ideal for combining golfing with other activities, such as surfing and hiking along the cliffs or some relaxing time at one of the many beautiful beaches of the Algarve. Actually, in courses such as the Ocean Golf Course in Vale do Lobo, you can literally step from the course and onto the beach.

The offer of golf courses in the Algarve is varied and immense. You can choose between 9 and 18-hole courses, you may use a buggy for a more relaxing experience and you will find prices to suit all budgets. Whatever your budget, there will never be a reason not to enjoy one of the many golfing opportunities the Algarve has to offer.

Many of the Algarve’s golf courses are part of a holiday resort complex. In some of the most exclusive ones you have to be a guest of the associated hotel in order to play the course. Most golf courses though, welcome all golfers, regardless of their accommodation choices. It may be a good idea to spend a few hours browsing the packages offered by the resorts and travel agencies when planning your golfing holiday. In this way you may find the options and rates that best suit your needs and preferences.

Weather conditions

The weather in the Algarve is perfect for the practice of this outdoor sport, all year round. Winters are mild, and in the summer the Atlantic Ocean provides a welcoming cooling effect. Even in the winter months, the sun shines for most of the day and the occasional rain doesn’t tend to stay for long. Golfers can enjoy playing in perfect weather conditions while enjoying the magnificent landscape, the culture and gastronomy of the Algarve.

An overview of golf courses in the Algarve

Below we have listed the most renowned golf courses in the Algarve and their characteristics, sorted by region. All of them have a driving range, a putting green and locker rooms. The prices (ranging between low and high season) serve as a reference, as it is possible to get different rates when buying a package.

Albufeira area

Balaia Golf Course

• Founded: 2001
• Location: Albufeira
• Holes: 9
• Par: 27
• Length: 984 metres
• Designed by: Southern Golf
• Difficulty: 3/10
• Price: € 35
• Best hotel nearby: Balaia Golf Village

The Balaia golf course has been designed to be challenging for both professionals and amateurs. There are a few water hazards, making accuracy essential. This course will be a good test of skill and control.

Pine Cliffs Golf Course

• Founded: 1991
• Location: Albufeira
• Holes: 9
• Par: 33
• Length: 2226 metres
• Designed by: Martin Hawtree
• Difficulty: 2/10
• Price: € 47 – € 74
• Best hotel nearby: Pine Cliffs Village & Golf Suites

The many trees on Pine Cliffs make precision a must. This small course has stunning views over the cliffs and onto the Atlantic Ocean. The championship tee, which is called the Devil’s Parlour, is built over a ravine. It requires a carry shot of 197 metres over the cliffs. The setting of this golf course will most certainly make you stop once in a while to enjoy the scenery.

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Eastern Algarve area

Castro Marim Golf & Country Club

• Founded: 2001
• Location: Castro Marim
• Holes: 27 over 3 golf courses
• Par: 72
• Length: 6034 metres
• Designed by: Terry Murrey
• Difficulty: 5/10
• Price: € 59 – € 68
• Best hotel nearby: Castro Marim Golf & Country Club

The Castro Marim Golf & Country Club consists of three 9 hole golf courses, all near the historical village of Castro Marim. They are the Grouse, the Guadiana and the Atlantic courses. You will find many pine trees as well as bunkers and obstacles on these courses. They are a joy to play, but require some strategy.

Monte Rei Golf & Country Club

• Founded: 2007
• Location: Vila Nova de Cacela
• Holes: 18
• Par: 72
• Length: 6567 metres
• Designed by: Jack Nicklaus
• Difficulty: 7/10
• Price: € 220
• Best hotel nearby: Monte Rei Golf & Country Club

This is a very picturesque course, with the Serra do Caldeirão hills and the Atlantic Ocean forming a magnificent background. Water hazards abound on this very exposed course created by the great Jack Nicklaus. Monte Rei is a course designed by a champion that will impress even the more experienced players.

Quinta da Ria Golf Resort

• Founded: 2002
• Location: Vila Nova de Cacela
• Holes: 36 over 2 golf courses
• Par: 72
• Length: 6053 metres
• Designed by: Rocky Roquemore
• Difficulty: 3/10
• Price: € 73 – € 107
• Best hotel nearby: Monte Rei Golf & Country Club

Quinta da Ria Golf Resort consists of two fabulous 18 hole golf courses: Quinta da Ria and Quinta de Cima. Both golf courses are surrounded by the stunning landscapes of the mountains, the Atlantic Ocean and the Ria Formosa Natural Park. The Quinta de Cima course requires a great deal of precision and challenges even the most experienced players.

Lagoa area

Amendoeira Faldo Golf Course

• Founded: 2008
• Location: Alcantarilha
• Holes: 18
• Par: 72
• Length: 6598 metres
• Designed by: Nick Faldo
• Difficulty: 7/10
• Price: € 150
• Best hotel nearby: Amendoeira Golf Resort

This modern golf course has won the title of Portugal’s Best Golf Course in 2016, given by the World Golf Awards. There are some bunkers and obstacles, ensuring that you will need to be accurate when playing here. From the golf course you can view the mountains of Monchique in the background.

Gramacho Golf Course

• Founded: 1991
• Location: Carvoeiro
• Holes: 18
• Par: 72
• Length: 6107 metres
• Designed by: Ronald Fream
• Difficulty: 3/10
• Price: € 73 – € 120
• Best hotel nearby: Pestana Gramacho Residences

With 27 different greens, the Gramacho golf course allows you to try different variations on the same course. It is what could be called an obstacle course. From trees to bunkers and boulders, Gramacho will require you to bring your best to the game.

Vale Da Pinta

• Founded: 1992
• Location: Carvoeiro
• Holes: 18
• Par: 71
• Length: 6127 metres
• Designed by: Ronald Fream
• Difficulty: 5/10
• Price: € 73 – € 120
• Best hotel nearby: Pestana Gramacho Residences

The golf course of Vale da Pinta was the host of the European Seniors Tour Qualifying Final for several years in a row, which reflects the quality of this course. The course is situated in a typical landscape, with almond and olive trees. It is suitable for all skill levels, but a strategically placed bunker increases the difficulty level of this course.

Lagos area

Espiche Golf

• Founded: 2012
• Location: Lagos
• Holes: 18
• Par: 72
• Length: 5862 metres
• Designed by: Peter Sauerman
• Difficulty: 5/10
• Price: € 74 – € 120
• Best hotel nearby: Hotel Belavista Da Luz

The Espiche Golf Course balances a beautiful setting with challenging obstacles. Located in a nature reserve, just outside the town of Lagos. From the clubhouse on top of the hill you have a great view over the nature reserve and the course. Every hole poses a new challenge and you have to use your judgement to get the most out of this course.

Onyria Palmares Beach & Golf Resort

• Founded: 2010
• Location: Lagos
• Holes: 27 over 3 golf courses
• Par: 72
• Length: 6321 metres
• Designed by: Robert Trent Jones Jr.
• Difficulty: 7/10
• Price: € 76 – € 103
• Best hotel nearby: Onyria Palmares Beach House Hotel

The Onyria Palmares Beach & Golf Resort has stunning views and is a great joy to play. It consists of 3 parts: the Alvor course, the Lagos course and the Praia course. A couple of years ago, Onyria Palmares was featured in the Golf World magazine as the 21st best golf course of continental Europe. It is a gently sloping course without too many obstacles, ideal for a relaxing golfing experience.

Boavista Golf Course

• Founded: 2002
• Location: Lagos
• Holes: 18
• Par: 71
• Length: 5751 metres
• Designed by: Howard Swan
• Difficulty: 6/10
• Price: € 54 – € 83
• Best hotel nearby: Boavista Golf & Spa – Bela Colina Village

The Boavista Golf Course is a delight to play and can be found not too far from the town of Lagos. It is full of trees, water hazards and bunkers, which presents plenty of challenges. The 6th and 8th hole are extra adventurous, since you have to hit the ball across a ravine. The setting of the golf course is just fantastic, since the Atlantic Ocean is visible from most holes.

Portimão area

Alto Golf

• Founded: 1997
• Location: Alvor
• Holes: 18
• Par: 72
• Length: 6102 metres
• Designed by: Sir Henry Cotton
• Difficulty: 3/10
• Price: € 63 – € 99
• Best hotel nearby: Pestana Alvor Praia

This golf course has become one of the classics. It has challenging parts for golfers of all skill levels. The most difficult part is the 591 metre par 5, which is one of the longest holes in Portugal. Located close to the Atlantic Ocean, you will enjoy the occasional sea view.

Sir Henry Cotton Championship Course

• Founded: 1966
• Location: Portimão
• Holes: 18
• Par: 73
• Length: 6273 metres
• Designed by: Sir Henry Cotton
• Difficulty: 4/10
• Price: € 69 – € 95
• Best hotel nearby: Penina Hotel & Golf Resort

This was the first golf course in the Algarve. Formerly it was called the Penina Championship Golf Course. The course has hosted the Open de Portugal (formerly called the Portuguese Open) tournament on many occasions. It is a very demanding course, with its flat grounds and abundance of pine trees and water hazards. It is also a very beautiful course, that will require a lot of focus to get that 73 par.

Silves area

Silves Golf

• Founded: 2006
• Location: Silves
• Holes: 18
• Par: 70
• Length: 5615 metres
• Designed by: Fausto Nascimento
• Difficulty: 5/10
• Price: € 63 – € 99
• Best hotel nearby: Morgado do Quintão

This golf course offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains, combined with the smell of typical trees from the Algarve. However, your skills will be seriously tested on this course. For example, there are water hazards on both flanks on the first tee. It is a serious challenge to come in under par.

Vilamoura / Vale do Lobo / Quinta do Lago area

Laguna Golf Course

• Founded: 1990
• Location: Vilamoura
• Holes: 18
• Par: 72
• Length: 6121 metres
• Designed by: Joseph Lee
• Difficulty: 5/10
• Price: € 85 – € 97
• Best hotel nearby: Anantara Vilamoura

On the Laguna Golf Course you will encounter many water hazards and relatively few trees. The well placed bunkers and obstacles make sure you have to bring your A game to this course.

Laranjal Golf Course

• Founded: 2009
• Location: Quinta do Lago
• Holes: 18
• Par: 72
• Length: 6480 metres
• Designed by: Jorge Santana da Silva
• Difficulty: 5/10
• Price: € 152
• Best hotel nearby: Vale do Lobo Resort

While Laranjal is a relatively new course, it has already won the title of best golf course in Portugal at the 2011 Portuguese Travel Awards. Since the golf course is located in a former orange grove, you will find many orange trees, as well as pine trees. There are also five beautiful lakes. This course requires a high level of accuracy and concentration.

Millennium Golf Course

• Founded: 2000
• Location: Vilamoura
• Holes: 18
• Par: 72
• Length: 6176 metres
• Designed by: Martin Hawtree
• Difficulty: 5/10
• Price: € 101 – € 112
• Best hotel nearby: The Residences at Victoria

The Millennium Golf Course is an excellent course and an absolute pleasure to play. The course is surrounded by beautiful pine trees. Around holes 17 and 18 there are also some several lakes. You will encounter a couple of difficult situations here, but that makes the course more interesting. The clubhouse of the Millennium Golf Course is shared with the Laguna Golf Course.

North Course

• Founded: 1974
• Location: Quinta do Lago
• Holes: 18
• Par: 72
• Length: 6126 metres
• Designed by: Rocky Roquemore & William Mitchell
• Difficulty: 5/10
• Price: € 152
• Best hotel nearby: Vilar do Golf

The North Course of Quinta do Lago is surrounded by pine trees, which makes for a very beautiful environment. The course was completely redesigned in 2014. It made the course more playable, while at the same time still being challenging. The course favours players who can draw the ball. It is not as long as the South Course, but the course is sure to make your day as a golfer.

Ocean Golf Course

• Founded: 1968
• Location: Vale do Lobo
• Holes: 18
• Par: 73
• Length: 6137 metres
• Designed by: Sir Henry Cotton
• Difficulty: 5/10
• Price: € 96 – € 119
• Best hotel nearby: Vale do Lobo Resort

The Ocean Golf Course consists of two 9 hole golf courses, and is famous for running alongside the beach. It is the sister course of the Royal Golf Course in Vale do Lobo. They actually complement each other beautifully. Since it was designed by Sir Henry Cotton in the 1960s, it has helped to shape the Algarve as a top golf destination. From the course, you have a beautiful view over the Atlantic Ocean and the beach. The golf course brings you closer to the beach than any other golf course in the Algarve.

Old Course

• Founded: 1969
• Location: Vilamoura
• Holes: 18
• Par: 73
• Length: 6254 metres
• Designed by: Frank Pennink
• Difficulty: 7/10
• Price: € 143
• Best hotel nearby: Dom Pedro Vilamoura

One of the oldest courses in the Algarve, the Old Course is renowned all over the world due to its layout and harmony with the environment. Formerly it was called the Oceânico Old Course. The abundance of trees makes this a beautiful course, but a challenging one too.

Pinhal Golf Course

• Founded: 1976
• Location: Vilamoura
• Holes: 18
• Par: 72
• Length: 6353 metres
• Designed by: Frank Pennink
• Difficulty: 3/10
• Price: €93 – € 103
• Best hotel nearby: Hilton Vilamoura

This was the second golf course of Vilamoura when it was built. It was designed by Frank Pennink in 1976, improved by Robert Trent Jones Sr. in 1985 and completely renovated in the year 2000. It is one of the best golf courses in the area. From the clubhouse of the golf course you also have an amazing view.

Royal Golf Course

• Founded: 1997
• Location: Vale do Lobo
• Holes: 18
• Par: 72
• Length: 6059 metres
• Designed by: Rocky Roquemore
• Difficulty: 5/10
• Price: € 96 – € 119
• Best hotel nearby: Vale do Lobo Resort

Based on another project by Sir Henry Cotton, Vale do Lobo Royal Golf Course was designed by Rocky Roquemore. Pictures of the 16th hole, perched on a cliff top, are some of the most celebrated by golf enthusiasts all over the world. Not a particularly difficult course, Vale do Lobo Royal Golf Course provides you with beautiful views over the Atlantic Ocean.

San Lorenzo Golf Course

• Founded: 1988
• Location: Almancil
• Holes: 18
• Par: 72
• Length: 6238 metres
• Designed by: Joseph Lee
• Difficulty: 7/10
• Price: € 128 – € 143
• Best hotel nearby: Dona Filipa

This world-class, award-winning course is among the best in Europe. Bordering the nature reserve and bird sanctuary, San Lorenzo has an idyllic setting. The first few easy holes bear no clue to what awaits you later. As you progress beyond the 3rd hole, the course reveals itself in its full beauty and demanding features. The 18th hole will bring you to an apotheotic finale that will surely make for some of the fondest memories of those who love the sport.

South Course

• Founded: 1974
• Location: Quinta do Lago
• Holes: 18
• Par: 72
• Length: 6488 metres
• Designed by: William Mitchell
• Difficulty: 5/10
• Price: € 139 – € 155
• Best hotel nearby: Vilar do Golf

The South Course is the jewel of the golf courses in Quinta do Lago. It is an all-time favourite for many professionals and amateurs alike. It is a tricky course because there are easy and difficult routes and the former are not always easy to discern at first. William Mitchell designed this course, bringing into it the American standards in greens, tees and bunkers.

Victoria Golf Course

• Founded: 2004
• Location: Vilamoura
• Holes: 18
• Par: 72
• Length: 6651 metres
• Designed by: Arnold Palmer
• Difficulty: 7/10
• Price: € 143 – € 161
• Best hotel nearby: The Residences at Victoria

Without a doubt, this is one of the best golf courses in the Algarve. Designed by golf legend Arnold Palmer. It is so good that it hosts international tournaments, such as Portugal Masters. The Victoria Golf course is actually also the longest 18 hole golf course in Portugal. Lakes and bunkers are strategically placed to make the golf course as challenging as possible.

Vila Sol Golf Course

• Founded: 1991
• Location: Vilamoura
• Holes: 27
• Par: 72
• Length: 6393 metres
• Designed by: Donald Steel
• Difficulty: 5/10
• Price: € 99 – € 140
• Best hotel nearby: Pestana Vila Sol Golf & Resort Hotel

The Vila Sol golf course is built in harmony with nature. You can find pine, almond and fig trees around the course, as well as lakes and flowers. You will surely enjoy the peacefulness here when you are playing on this course. The Open de Portugal tournament was hosted here several times in the past, which shows the quality of this course.

Learning how to play golf

If you are new to golf or if you want to improve your skills, you can take golf lessons in the Algarve. There are many places where you can learn how to play golf in the Algarve, including golf academies with a good international reputation. Many of the golf courses mentioned on this page also offer training programs.

If you play golf in the Algarve, you can either bring your own equipment or rent the equipment. Renting can be quite expensive though. If golf is one of your main holiday activities, it might be better to bring your own equipment. Below you can find our favourite complete golf set, in case you don’t have one yet.

History of golf in the Algarve

The Algarve couldn’t actually be more different from the place where modern golf originates from. Golf, as we nowadays know it, was developed in rainy and windy Scotland in the 15th century. The first 18-hole course was created in St. Andrews, north of Edinburgh, in 1764. It was more than 150 years later that the sport made its first appearance in the Algarve. It was in the 1920s when a primitive golf course was built near Praia da Rocha in Portimão. Due to difficulties in irrigation, grass was difficult to maintain and the greens were made out of sand and oil.

In 1966, the first proper grass course in the Algarve was built under the supervision of Sir Henry Cotton. Altogether he was responsible for three golf courses in the region. The most famous of those, the Sir Henry Championship Course (formerly called The Penina), frequently hosts the Portuguese national golf championship. After the first golf courses in the Algarve were built by Sir Henry Cotton, many other courses followed. The first golf tourists in the Algarve came in the 1970s and 1980s, after which golf has continued to increase in popularity. Nowadays, the Algarve is a very popular golf destination.