Why Visit the Algarve for Your Next Golf Trip?
- Home to some of the best golf courses in Portugal
- Short flight - only 2.5-hour flights from the UK
- Nightlife, restaurants and culture
- Family-friendly amazing beaches and coastal scenery
- The weather - 300 days of sunshine a year!
- Excellent Choice of all-inclusive Algarve packages
- 2020 IAGTO Destination of the Year
- Contact our experienced and friendly team for advice
The Best Golf Courses in the Algarve
Browse our map to find the ideal course and resorts for your next trip to the Algarve. You'll be spoilt for choice with these amazing venues:
Dom Pedro Old
As Algarve courses go, this course was first introduced in 1969 by the famed designer Frank Pennick. Not too much has changed since its introduction, which does speak to the quality of the design and landscape of this beautiful course. This golf course plays like an English heathland course, however with the trademark umbrella pine-lined fairways of the Algarve. The Dom Pedro Vilamoura Old Course is not as tight as some courses in the region. However, a sensible strategy is required to score well.
Millennium
Introduced in Algarve in 2000 when the existing nine holes were combined to make 18 holes of championship quality long with M Hawtree’s design. A challenging course, heading into the pine woods. Many holes at the Millennium golf course are undulating with rolling hills alongside bunkers and trees. Ideal for the serious golfer, it is the slopes that make this course aesthetically pleasing and challenging at the same time.
Pestana Vila Sol
One of our more popular Algarve courses, this undulating course is designed around a very natural landscape, created by British architect Donald Steel, his trademark style of maintaining the natural surroundings is very evident. The opening hole is a tough start with a sloped tight fairway, with trees and bunkers guarding the green. Players are required to be straight off the tee at Pestana vila sol golf course, most holes lined with umbrella pines and while playable, punish errant drives. Water is also a factor to avoid on the course, and overall this is a championship course that will test all levels of golfer.
Penina Championship Course
As the name of the course suggests, it was designed and built by the three-time Open Championship winner, Sir Henry Cotton. He planted over 350,000 shrubs and trees, which is what provides the lovely woodland feel the course enjoys today. The natural streams and lakes were remodelled into a fantastic layout. Don’t forget the other reason many choose this course is the amazing Penina Hotel golf resort.
Faldo Course at Amendoeira
In a modern twist of a traditional recipe, cacti and wild herbs replace the role of Sunningdale’s heather, spartan Holm oaks and ancient olive trees take the place of a lush English woodland, and desert scrub bunkers of crushed limestone replace Berkshire’s sandy tracts in a golf course that revels in the classic principles of strategic play.
Located just along the coast from Quinta do Lago south and some will also say the capital of opulence, it’s not quite golf at Quinta do Lago, but Vale do Lobo is also a popular resort area with some fantastic beaches and numerous restaurants. The resort has many multi-million pound residences, as well as plenty of traditional Algarve style villas and apartments and of course the famous Dona Filipa Hotel.
Vale do Lobo Royal
The Vale do Lobo Royal golf course hosted the 2003 Portuguese Open, and therefore, golfers can expect a good test of their ability. The length of the golf course, 6,166 yards is by no means the longest the majority of visitors will ever play but features more distance than the Ocean Course and has plenty of water hazards and bunkers, which must be avoided to record a low score.
San Lorenzo
The layout of the San Lorenzo Golf Course is superb, and the scenery is fantastic. The course requires plenty of thought to score low but at the same time, presents a delightful challenge, one which golfers of all abilities will enjoy. San Lorenzo has been named as one of the Top 15 Golf Resorts in Continental Europe by Golf World, and it is easy to see why. This course is regarded as a must-play when on holiday in the Algarve.
Albufeira Golf Holiday
Slightly further West along the coast and a top-rated resort for golfers from all walks of life. The town itself used to be famous for its New and Old areas, the new with its fashionable bars, restaurants and nightclubs and the Old with its quaint cafes, bars with Marina front views.
Our favourite golf resorts for trips to Albufeira include:
Amendoeira Golf Resort
Pestana Carvoeiro
Sao Rafael Suites
Algarve West
The west region stretches along the coastline from Albufeira in the East to Lagos in the West. This region has many fantastic beaches in Carvoeiro, Alvor, Praia da Rocha and Lagos.
Algarve East
The east region takes in the area immediately East of Faro and runs along the coast as far as the famous Guardiano River. The main town in the region is the quaint town of Tavira, visiting this town will take you back hundreds of years to when the moors roamed the land. The architecture here has not changed, and there is still clearly a Moorish influence. If you enjoy fresh fish, then you have come to the right region with some of the best examples of the daily catch on sale in the heart of the town at the many bars and restaurants.
The area also has one of the best summer attractions on Tavira island – just off the coast of Tavira. This island has fantastic beaches and grilled sardines to die for. Sold already? Then you won’t forget that the region also has four good quality golf courses and one outstanding one in Monte Rei golf course, arguably the best and certainly one that has to be added to your must-play golf tour list.
For more golf tours information or to find out about our Algarve golf holiday special offers in Portugal, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
When to Play Golf?
It is possible to pay all year round, hence why European tours are often played here and why so many choose breaks in the Algarve. Golf courses in Portugal are generally well-maintained and Algarve is no exception meaning that the region can be a winter golf destination too. However, the peak season for luxury golf holidays is generally the months of March-May and September-November. Summer golf in the Algarve can be extremely hot, and we would recommend early morning tee-times during this period. If you elect to pay during the early evenings, some courses offer twilight green fees.
Getting there
Travel access to the Algarve is easy. The main international airport is Faro which is served by all major UK airports and airlines. We have relationships with local transfer and car hire companies and can assist your group with all your golf travel needs.
Nightlife
The Algarve has a variety of nightlife depending on what your preferences are,Vale, do Lobo
A great place to eat Al Fresco and enjoy a few drinks beachside - Monty's is one of our haunts.
Carvoeiro
Not as busy as most, it does, however, have a great choice of bars and for those who enjoy the catch-of-the-day some great sea-food restaurants.
Alvor
Quickly becoming more and more popular with plenty of bars and restaurants to choose from, a speciality of the house in Bolans Bar is the sweet-tasting Caipirinhas.
Lagos
Another great place to eat out either in the old town, the marina or on Meia Praia Beach in the Bahia Beach Bar & restaurant.
Whatever, or wherever your choice The Algarve has more to offer than just fantastic golf courses.
Don't forget, there are many other golfing destinations for Portugal golf holidays you ought to consider including Lisbon and Vilamoura.
Frequently Asked Questions?
Where do I fly into for Golf Holidays in the Algarve?
Faro
When is the best time to play golf?
The golf courses are slightly quieter from May through to the end of August, which coincide with the warmest months of the year.
Where are the best places for great nightlife?
Vilamoura, Albufeira, Alvor and Lagos are the best places - all offer a great selection of restaurants, bars, casinos and nightclubs to keep the most active of golfers amused.
Which UK Regional Airports serve this destination?
London Gatwick, Heathrow, Luton, Stansted, Birmingham, East Midlands, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Bristol, Southampton, Cardiff and Southend
What other activities are available here?
Discover great Sea-Fishing, Formula One Experience days out at the Autodromo do Algarve, Portimao, take a trip to Tavira Island and visit the local wildlife. The best beaches in Europe can be found at Praia do Sao Rafael, see spectacular geological formations at Ponta da Piedade. Take a boat tour to Ria Formosa and the islands of Ilha Armona, Ilha do Faro and Ilha Deserta, discovering the nature reserve in all its beauty.
How many golf courses can I play?
There are forty-two 9-hole or 18-hole layouts that can be played at thirty-five different courses.
Which currency is applicable for use here?
The Euro is the currency used here.
