Incredible Algarve Golf Holidays

Why Visit the Algarve for Your Next Golf Trip?

• There’s a superb choice of championship quality golf courses
• Short flight – only 2.5 hour flights from the UK
• Nightlife, restaurants and culture
• Amazing beaches and coastal scenery
• The weather – 300 days of sunshine a year!

This popular region in Portugal has to be one of the top golfing holiday destinations in Europe not least because of its first class golf courses, hotel accommodation and sunny climate which attract those seeking short golf breaks or longer stays. The stunning coastal scenery with a blend of sandstone cliffs and Atlantic beaches make the Southern coastline of Portugal a beautiful backdrop for a relaxing break.

Where to Stay?

Quite simply the golfing capital of this region with a fantastic selection of courses. The main area of Vilamoura is the marina where many of the Algarve’s most popular hotels are located such as:

Vila Gale Ampalius

• This 4 star hotel has recently refurbished rooms and is in a great location for playing golf in and around Vilamoura. Lots of golfing customers choose this hotel due to it’s proximity to the beach, bars and restaurants. The free transfer service is available to the local courses. There’s a pool area and spa for guests to use.

Vila Gale Marina

• As the name suggests, the hotel is very close to the marina, with rooms that can be booked to overlook the marina. Within walking distance to the casino, beach, bars and restaurants of which there is a lot of choice.  Spacious and clean, the rooms are perfect for groups of golfers, with most customers appreciating the spread of breakfast before heading out for a day golfing.

Dom Pedro Marina

• The staff at this hotel are very helpful and polite; many guests comment on this which makes your stay even more enjoyable. The local courses are reachable with the drop off service and as with the other hotels.  The hotel provides a superb base for groups of golfers to enjoy the courses of the Algarve and the nightlife in Vilamoura.

Tivoli Marina

• The Tivoli has a commanding position in the harbour, perched right on the corner of the marina with a 360 aspect. This is a luxurious hotel with excellent facilities and comfortable rooms. On-site there are a choice of bars and restaurants, a favourite of ours is Peppers in which the food, service and wine are all superb.

The marina front has many restaurants and bars, a Casino and also four nightclubs as well.

The best golf courses in Vilamoura are:

Dom Pedro Old

• This course was first introduced in 1969 by the famed designer Frank Pennick. Not too much has changed since it’s introduction, which really does speak to the quality of the design and landscape of this beautiful course.  The course plays like an English heathland course, however with the trademark umbrella pine lined fairways of the Algarve. Not as tight as some course in the region, however a thoughtful strategy is required to score well.

Millennium golf club

• Introduced in 2000 when the existing 9 holes were combined to make 18 holes of championship quality long with M Hawtree’s design.  This is a challenging course heading into the pine woods. Many holes are undulating with rolling hills along side bunkers and trees. It is the slopes which make this course asthetically pleasing and challenging at the same time.

Pestana Vila Sol

• This undulating course is designed around a very natural landscape, designed 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, as most holes are lined with umbrella pines and whilst playable, punish errant drives. Water is also a factor to avoid on the course, overall this is a championship course which will test all levels of golfer.

The Central Algarve region stretches from Faro Airport across to Albufeira in the West. There are numerous resorts and hotels which populate this main golfing area. There are great courses to choose from including:

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 the fantastic layout.

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 and some will also say the capital of opulence, it’s not quite Quinta but Vale do Lobo is also a popular resort area with some fantastic beaches and numerous restaurants. The resort is dotted with many multi-million pound residences, as well as plenty of Villas and apartments and of course the famous Dona Filipa Hotel.

Vale do Lobo Royal

• The Vale do Lobo Royal Course hosted the 2003 Portuguese Open and therefore, players can expect a good test of their golfing ability. The length of the course, 6,166 yards is by no means the longest the majority of visitors will ever play but features more length than the Ocean Course and has plenty of water hazards and bunkers, which must be avoided in order to record a low score.

San Lorenzo Golf Course

• The layout of 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 very enjoyable 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 in the Algarve.

Albufeira

Slightly further West along the coast and a very popular 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 popular bars, restaurants and nightclubs and the Old with its quaint cafes, bars with Marina front views. Our favourites 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 region also has one of the best summer attractions in 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 information or to find out about our Algarve golf holidays in Portugal, please don’t hesitate to contact us or click on the popular golf hotel and course links below.

When to Play Golf?

It is actually possible to pay all year round and the courses are well maintained meaning that the region can be a winter golf destination too. However the peak season for golf in Portugal 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

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 travel needs.