The Best Algarve Golf Courses

The Algarve golfing scene, in the southernmost region of Portugal, boasts one of the best climates in the whole of Europe and is the leading golf break destination in Europe. With over 35 top-quality golf courses to choose from combined with over 3,000 hours of sunshine to enjoy every year, it's little wonder so many choose Algarve for their annual golf holidays. The best courses vary from resort-style to heathland and links, which are available for the travelling golfer to experience.

With that in mind, it's little wonder that the Algarve has become one of the top destinations in Europe for golf lovers. Many Algarve courses feature in our guide to the top golf courses in Portugal.

• The Algarve region, Portugal's southernmost gem, is internationally celebrated for its stunning beaches, vibrant culture, and, notably, its world-class golf courses.
• With a mild climate year-round, the Algarve has become a mecca for golf enthusiasts, offering a diverse range of courses that cater to players of all skill levels.
• There are over 30 courses to play stretched along the coast, often with panoramic views & scenery.
• Trust me when I say that Portugal golf holidays provide exceptional value, with several resorts providing outstanding value and PGA professional instruction.
• The Algarve has won multiple awards including being recognised as Europe's best golf destination.
• The latest addition to the golfing scene in the course at Ombria. This world-class course is at one with the natural surroundings and GEO certified. 

1. Quinta do Lago South Course
2. Vale do Lobo Ocean Course
3. Quinta da Cima Golf Course
4. San Lorenzo Golf Course
5. Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course

For me, a place like no other that holds a lot of memories for me, tucked into the Ria Formosa Nature reserve with a 7 million Euros investment, this course combines nature with award winning real estate. The Quinta do Lago resort is home to 54 holes, Quinta south, Quinta North and Laranjal all of which offer a challenging round for any standard of golfer.

Quinta do Lago South Golf Course has held the Portuguese Open no less than 8 times, this course does favour the long hitters, with its wide tree lined fairways; however, accuracy is a must around here, with trouble waiting for the mis-hit shots. There are birdies to be made if you plot your way around the tricky holes. My tip would be to take one more club to these big greens and pay attention once you hit the greens there are some subtle breaks on these quick greens.

The 16^th green and 17^th tee overlook jaw dropping scenery of the Ria Formosa Lake and stunning Villas a view that I never tire of.

For me this is a must play if you are visiting The Algarve anytime soon.

I was lucky enough to do my PGA Golf Professional training at Vale do Lobo. The Vale do Lobo Resort is a ten-minute car journey from Quinta do Lago, with its luxurious atmosphere it’s a place I have fond memories of, the early morning starts opening the Pro Shop to the hours of Practise out on the golf course with an early tee time.

It is a hard push to establish which course I prefer, the two 18-hole courses are both stunning and have some iconic holes to enjoy.

But for me, The Vale do Lobo Ocean Course is often overshadowed by The Royal Course with its famous 16^thHole over the beach, but The Ocean course has some iconic holes in its own right.

The front nine is slightly hilly, with open fairways and tricky greens, bunkers and water are also scattered precariously. Club selection is crucial to get around this course to handicap.

Reaching the 11^th hole coming over the brow of the hill from the tee shot, is one of the most breath-taking views of the Atlantic Ocean. I would describe this course as a perfect mix of links and parkland with a beautiful par 3 15^th hole with views along the beach to Quartiera and Vilamoura.

This course is an appealing challenge for any standard of golfer well worth a visit.

This course has a completely different feel to the previous courses I have listed, it is in the less commercial area of Tavira which is a traditional town full of Portuguese Culture.

Quinta da Cima is the sister course to Quinta da Ria, this is a championship course hosting several prestigious events.

Hazards are placed to catch you out which makes you really think your way around this course, the water is easily found with wayward shots and good club selection is a must around here. 

Although this course is said not to be as picturesque as its sister course it still has some beautiful ocean views and with no real estate on the course unlike the resorts such as Vale do Lobo and Quinta, I love the natural peacefulness when playing here.

Cork, olive and orange trees line the fairways which add to the character of this course.

The closing holes are particularly tricky, with a river chasing through the fairway on the 16^th leading into a lake by the right side of the green. The 17^th and 18^th both have water in play meaning a strong finish is needed.

San Lorenzo Golf Club is situated in Quinta Do Lago close to the Ria Formosa Nature Park, it has been awarded one of the top 15 golf resorts by Golf World Magazine. 

After being struck by a fire in 2022 a lot of the facilities are being rebuilt however the course was largely untouched.

A tricky opening par 5 sets you off as the following holes are tree lined with pinewood, from hole no.5 it opens up to a beautiful dog leg left with stunning views of the Atlantic and the Ria Formosa saltwater marsh land.

The par 4’s are demanding on this course and the 18^th is a signature hole with water surrounding the green you will need to navigate your way up this hole to have a strong finish, it certainly is a course you won’t forget.

Again, This American style Golf Course may not be as scenic as some of my previous favourites, however the wide undulating fairways coupled with water and bunkers mean this course has earned the title of being a championship course. The Dom Pedro Victoria Course has been home to The Portuguese Masters since 2007.

It holds the title of being the longest 18 holes in Portugal and each hole has a minimum of 5 tees from which you can play from, meaning the course can really vary in distance, it really does cater for all standards of golfer.

The 5th is probably the toughest hole on the course, out of bounds Is calling you down the right-hand side and the elevated green is surrounded by bunkers meaning you need to take plenty of club to hit this green.

The 7^th hole is particularly tough, a long par 4 that has water and is often into wind a particularly good drive is needed here.

The 18^th is a tricky closing hole with water on the left side and bunkers lining the right, you need to navigate your way down the last to finish this championship course in style.

These are just a handful of my favourites on the Algarve although it has been a tough task to pick out five as the Algarve really is scattered with some stunning golf courses.

Other Golf Courses to Consider When Playing Golf in the Algarve:

Dom Pedro Old Course

The Dom Pedro Old Course is located by the popular coastal town of Vilamoura. Designed by Frank Pennink, it's the second oldest golf course in the Algarve and offers tight fairways, and tough greens, all of which are in brilliant condition. A par may be a rare occurrence for several players, but when obtained, it's a real pleasure, as are the clubhouse and restaurant, which are both well-designed. This is a customer favourite and definitely one of the best-rated courses to play during a golf holiday to Vilamoura.

Pestana Vila Sol

Leaving Vilamoura in an Easterly direction brings you to Pestana Vila Sol. A lovely golf resort eaturing an 18-hole championship course and a 9-hole academy course, Vila Sol has something for everyone. Inaugurated in 1991 by architect Donald Steel, the course takes full advantage of its delightful surroundings and is very well maintained.

Vale do Lobo Royal

The Algarve's oldest golf course is the Vale Do Lobo Royal. Part of the most prominent luxury resort in Portugal, the Royal Course is the better of the two on offer. This course was used to stage the Portuguese Open in 2003 and features a stunning cliff-side par-3, which is one of the most photographed holes in Portugal, if not the world.

Nestling alongside the Atlantic Ocean is the world-class golf course of San Lorenzo. Having started life in 1988, this golf course has consistently starred in lists of the world's best golf courses. Gorgeous backdrops of the beach and sea can leave you breathless as you play your way around one of the best courses in the Algarve.

Penina Sir Henry Cotton Championship

The Penina Championship course offers a much more wooded feel than many other golf courses in the Algarve region. This may have something to do with the fact it is built upon ground previously used to grow rice, and therefore over 360,000 trees and plants were grown on it. The Penina Championship resort course has been used to stage many professional tournaments over the years, and it's easy to see why, with well-placed hazards and smooth, rolling fairways.

Monte Rei Golf Resort

Finally, we come to possibly the best golf course in the Algarve region, Monte Rei Golf and Country Golf Club. A Jack Nicklaus signature course, Monte Rei is easily one of the best golf courses in Europe and is located in the hills, towards the Spanish border. The mountain setting affords spectacular views, and the water hazards and bunkers are second to none. The clubhouse's service and style add an extra special touch to a round of golf at Monte Rei Hotel and Country Club and will keep you coming back for more.

We believe these to be the very best golf courses, which the Algarve region has to offer. They each provide something different, whether it is a difficulty, style, location or scenery and combine to make golfing holidays in the Algarve extremely popular.

Why not read our expert guides to other regions in Portugal, golf courses hand-picked by our golf travel specialists:

• Expert guide to golf courses in Lisbon
• Expert guide to golf courses in Vilamoura