Practice Your Putt On The Algarve’s Top Golf Courses

When it comes to golf, Portugal is a prime destination. Every year, the number of tourists that visit the country for golfing tours soars, and this continues despite the fact that Portugal has comparatively few courses on offer — at the moment, the total sits just below 90. What this signifies is that Portugal’s golf courses hold their own when it comes to quality and provide great bang for your buck. On top of this is the fact that virtually every golfing enthusiast who has tried his or her hand at a Portuguese fairway has re-visited time and time again: once you play golf in Portugal, nowhere else will feel quite the same.  

Remarkably, golfing in Portugal offers the best of both worlds in terms of high-quality and all-round inclusivity. There are beautiful greens for individuals and groups of all skill levels; whether you are a complete novice looking to progress in a new sport, or a seasoned professional chasing new challenges, Portugal can facilitate your ambitions and more. With a combination of predictable and reliable weather, a wide choice of luxury accommodation, innumerable opportunities for fine wining and dining, and a generally social atmosphere, Portugal checks every box. 

Top Courses in the Algarve:

If playing golf Portugal style sounds like an appealing proposition, you must prioritise a visit to the Algarve, which serves as the national heartland for golfers far and wide. Here are some of the most popular venues that you really mustn't miss.

Quinta do Lago North Course — fresh from a comprehensive refurbishment, which saw an additional investment of €10 million, this course is as good as new and could mark a flying start to your golf excursion.

Vale do Lobo Royal Course — this cliff-top venue treats its players to breath-taking views of the Portuguese coast, and the landscape around the 16th hole is particularly stunning. If ever there was a course that doubled as a site for fantastic photo opportunities, Vale de Lobo is the one.

San Lorenzo Golf Course — sometimes, what makes an unforgettable course is not so much the style of play that the terrain encourages but the natural environment through which it takes the golfer. That is most certainly the case with San Lorenzo, which winds through dense forestry taking in luminous, blue lagoons. This one is definitely unique.

Old Course, Vilamoura — one of the oldest venues in the area, the Old Course is as much an historical and cultural monument as it is a prestigious setting for golf. This course is enclosed within clusters of pine trees, which promotes the escapist aspect of the golfing experience.

With almost 40 different golf courses of all shapes and sizes to choose from, the Algarve is a global treasure when it comes to golf. Portugal’s sunny coastline offers much more than your regular putting park and presents a tour-de-force of golfing possibilities. 

Author Plate 

Steve Frewin is the Managing Director of A Golfing Experience, a company with more than 29 years experience organising bespoke golf holidays and escapes throughout Europe for individuals, societies and groups. If you're looking for a truly great holiday dedicated to golf, Portugal is one of our top destinations. We also operate in all the other major European golf destinations and, if you'd like to explore options further afield, we can arrange holidays to the world's greatest golf courses in The Caribbean, Mauritius, Bermuda and USA.