Porto & the North of Portugal, The Ideal Atmoshpere For Golfing

The romantic city of Porto is a medieval dreamscape, with stunning baroque churches as well as professional courses with infrastructure that rivals the best in the world. With its fresh mountain breezes, excellent weather, and fascinating surroundings, this colourful part of the country offers an ideal atmosphere for golfing.

Whether you enjoy strolling through museums and galleries, coastal walks or simply soaking up the ambiance of one of Europe’s most irresistible cities, Porto has it covered.

In fact, there is little not to love about the captivating city. Outstanding beaches and coastal walks can be found just moments from the city centre. Low prices mean that Porto can easily be accessed from across Europe. While the architecture is truly magnificent.

Perhaps the highlight of a trip to the vibrant metropole is its varied and mouth-watering cuisine. A new wave of Portuguese chefs has helped put Porto firmly on the culinary map. Combined with Porto’s long-standing reputation as a wine producer and visitors will find themselves immersed in a foodie’s heaven.

Then there is the golf.  An array of fantastic course within easy reach means Porto is the ideal spot to combine a fun-packed city break with some time on the fairways. We take a look at some of our favourite layouts.

Estela Golf Club

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Estela offers an authentic taste of links golf, only with much better weather! Warmed by the Gulf Stream in the winter and cooled by the Atlantic winds in the summer, there is never a bad time to play golf at Estela.

A truly top-class golf course matches the conditions. Largely shaped by the natural duneland, Estela runs along the dramatic Minho coastline. One of Portugal’s very finest layouts, the course has played host to several top events including the Portuguese Open.

Vidago Palace

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Once a summer retreat for Portuguese royalty, Vidago Palace has been a popular golf resort since the 1930’s. A $50 million refurb of its facilities in 2010 would see the resort elevated to a whole new level, with the original nine-holer upgraded into a championship layout.

The highlight of the round is the stunning 17th hole, which offers views so spectacular that some have described it as the most striking hole in Portuguese golf.

Clube de Golf Miramar

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A founding member of the Portuguese Golf Association, Miramar opened for play in 1932. The country’s third eldest club, the 9-hole course has changed very little since then, bar a few minor upgrades.

Situated on a strip of coastal land between Espinho and Porto, the course features just one par-5 and two short holes, including the fabulous par-3 5th.

Despite being a 9-holer, a round at Miramar remains a must for golfers traveling to Portugal’s Northern coastline.

Axis Golfe Ponte de Lima

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Amarante Golf Club

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In contrast to the fabulous links courses that can be found on the coastline, the short 18-hole layout at Amarante carves its way through mountainous terrain. It’s a short picturesque course that meanders its way through the undulations of the Quinta da Deveza estate. There are no fewer than seven par-3’s on the card. Nonetheless, with plenty of sharp inclines and tricky slopes golfers should be sure to pack their long games if they wish to score well.

Oporto Golf Club

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Oporto opened for play in 1890 making it the first layout in Portugal, and the fifth eldest in continental Europe. While the layout has changed significantly since then, it remains one of the country’s most popular courses. Laid out across traditional links terrain, a round at Oporto is remarkably akin to playing in Scotland or Ireland. With one notable difference. The sun is usually shining.