Portugal is one of the capitals of European golf and a firm favourite with holidaymakers, with layouts designed by Seve Ballesteros, Jack Nicklaus and Robert Trent Jones Jnr. But which golf course comes out on top?
From The Algarve to Lisbon, Porto, and the idyllic island of Madeira, here’s All Square’s countdown of the top 20 golf courses in Portugal.
20: Santo Da Serra Golf Club
Machico-Madeira
Robert Trent Jones Snr’s 1991 redesign is a 27-hole complex in a beautiful natural landscape with views of Porto Santo and the bay of Machico. The Machico and Desertas nines form the championship course where the European Tour’s Madeira Islands Open was held on 10 occasions.
19: Quinta Da Ria Course
Vila Nova De Cacela
Designed by Rocky Roquemore and set within the Ria Formosa Natural Park, this course offers incredible views of the Atlantic and the beach of Cacela Velha, one of the most beautiful in the world.
18: Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course
Vilamoura
Designed by Arnold Palmer, this superb course incorporates natural wetlands, clever bunkering, and carob, olive and almond trees. Hosted the Portugal Masters on the European Tour since 2007.
17: Quinta Do Peru Golf and Country Club
Quinta do Conde
A Rocky Roquemore parkland course, just 20 minutes from Lisbon. Set in the landscape with the Arrabida Hills, Quinta Do Peru provides a unique and outstanding backdrop.
16: Clube de Campo Da Aroeira I
Charneca de Caparica
Set in a pine wood with several lakes, in a microclimate allowing golf play all year, the Aroeira I and II golf courses here offer a stimulating and varied challenge. Aroeira I was designed by Frank Pennink and hosted the Portuguese Open in 1996 and 1997.
15: Quinta Do Lago – Laranjal
Almancil
Opened in 2009 and originally an orange grove, Laranjal is situated in the Ludo valley with five beautiful lakes and an abundance of umbrella pines, cork and orange trees. Highly manicured across rolling terrain.
14: Porto Santo Golf
Vila Baleira
Designed by Seve Ballesteros, this course sits on Porto Santo, an island off the coast of Madeira. Opened in 2004 to environmentally conscious standards, Porto Santo is made up of two distinct nines, spanning an area from sand dunes to high up basalt cliffs.
13: Amendoeira Golf Resort – Faldo Course
Algarve
Designed by Sir Nick Faldo with his trademark strategic style in mind, this sometimes hilly course runs across dramatic rocky outcrops, through olive trees and water features. Sits alongside the O’Connor Jnr golf course to make one of the best golf complexes in Portugal.
12: Quinta do Lago – North Course
Almancil
The newest addition to Quinta do Lago’s five-star golf facilities, redesigned by Beau Welling and former European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley. The North Course is great all-rounder with a combination of undulating greens, well positioned bunkers and water hazards.
11: Royal Obidos Spa & Golf Resort
Vau
With some holes overlooking the stunning Obidos lagoon, and some the Atlantic Ocean, this open and undulating Seve Ballesteros design is a true test of golf with plenty of water hazards. The state of the art clubhouse has fantastic views.
10: San Lorenzo Golf Club
Quinta do Lago
Great location on the Quinta do Lago peninsular, this is prime seaside terrain of sand and pines which has particularly been used in the finishing holes to both nines. Classic Algarve course of undulating and open beauty.
9: Penha Longa Resort
Linho
Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jnr and laid out across one of Portugal’s most inspiring landscapes. Requiring bold drives and approaches and clever green reading, the Atlantic Championship Course here is one of the country’s finest with an elevated, undulating, tree-lined design.
8: Quinta Do Lago – South Course
Almancil
Open American style with three nine-hole loops, with B&C considered the best 18. Improved further in 2020, South Course got pine tree-lined fairways, bold bunkering, plenty of water features and hosted the Portugal Open several times.
7: Dom Pedro The Old Course Golf Club
Vilamoura
Frank Pennink design, upgraded in the late 90s and situated amongst impressive pine trees and set out over gently undulating terrain. Considered a typical example of the English style of course design, Dom Pedro The Old Course is testing with tree-lined fairways and exemplary greens.
6: Praia d’El Rey Golf
Obidos
Cabell B. Robinson’s links-style course at Praia d’El Rey runs across picturesque seaside terrain directly facing the Atlantic. A front nine set in an extensive pine forest contrasts with an ocean-side back nine with undulating dunes and fantastic sea views.
5: Palmares Ocean Living & Golf
Lagos
A Robert Trent Jones Jnr design, Palmares has 27 holes that sweep down to the ocean, integrated into the natural amphitheater of the Bay of Lagos. A mix of links and inland tree-lined golf offers a unique golfing experience in a naturally beautiful setting.
4: Monte Rei Golf and Country Club – North Course
Vila Nova de Cacela
One of only a handful of Jack Nicklaus ‘signature’ courses in Europe and the only one in Portugal. Opened in 2007, it offers stunning panoramas of the Atlantic and the Serra do Calderon mountains. An abundance of water, superb bunkering, and highly manicured beauty rich with indigenous trees and plants make North Course a standout.
3: West Cliffs Golf Links
Obidos
Designed by Cynthia Dye, this is even better than the sibling Cabell B. Robinson’s course at the superb Praia d’El Rey resort. Opened in 2017 to great acclaim, West Cliffs is a pure links layout and a superb test which runs alongside the coast with fantastic views of the Atlantic Ocean.
2: Troia Resort
Carvalhal
A Robert Trent Jones links-style course on the tip of a long peninsula with plenty of pine trees and his trademark bold bunkering, raised greens and doglegs. He said the 3rd hole was one of the best he has ever designed, one of the finest sea-lined holes in Portugal.
1: Oitavos Dunes
Cascais
Oitavos Dunes lies within the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, among pine woods and dunes, in an area of great natural beauty. Arthur Hills has designed a seaside course with awesome sea and mountain views. A stunning natural links.
