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The Best Golf Resorts in Portugal 2024
Portugal continues to go from strength-to-strength as a golf holiday destination and is a firm favourite with the Golf Escapes team and our customers. Millions of tourists every year choose Portugal as their destination of choice to enjoy the fantastic climate, beautiful beaches, culture, the delicious food and of course the superb selection of golf courses and resorts that have emerged over the last 40 years.
With so much choice and options available we are often asked what are the best golf resorts in Portugal?
As with a similar question regarding the golf courses, this can be quite a personal question and once again can take us from the North and Porto, the excellent quality and value available in Central Portugal and Lisbon and of course down to the ever-popular Algarve.
But what is the correct choice for your next Golf Escape? To help you discover the right choice for you, below are our top 10 best golf resorts in Portugal and our comprehensive guide giving you our thoughts and suggestions in no particular order.
Our hand-picked Portugal golf resorts
Praia d’el Rey Marriott Golf and Beach Resort
Home to miles of beautiful golden beaches and two magnificent golf courses, the resort offers holiday residences and the luxury accommodation of the 5-star Marriott Hotel.
The championship golf courses are the centrepiece of the resort and these maintain its reputation as one of the top destinations for golfers in Europe, and is less than an hour away from Lisbon. Praia d’el Rey and the now even more popular sister course, West Cliffs, are a challenge for any golfer but courses that most golfers simply should play in their lifetime. The resort itself captures the essence of traditional Portuguese architecture matched with contemporary style and an escape here is a great choice for golfing groups or couples looking to discover the Silver Coast region of Portugal.
There is a selection of restaurants and bars located within the Praia d’el Rey resort, including those within the Five Star Marriott Hotel. Due to its location, this resort naturally showcases traditional Portuguese dining, fresh seafood and salads, and more informal dining options at the Clubhouse where the restaurant and bar is open from breakfast through to dinner and offers a takeaway service and drinks on the terrace. If it is Ocean views you desire then the restaurant Mare, located at the Beach Village, has stunning beach and Ocean views and is the perfect spot for a chilled sparkling white Sangria while the sun goes down.
Penina Hotel & Golf Resort
One of the true originals of the Algarve golfing scene and voted Portugal’s Leading Golf Resort many times, Penina Hotel & Golf Resort was the glittering jewel in the Algarve’s crown for many years. Set in the Western Algarve, Penina is easily accessible by flying into Faro Airport and making the 40-minute drive to the resort.
The resort is located in 360 acres of grounds offering guests the choice of the ever-popular on-site 18 hole Championship Course which holds a place as one of the most historic golf courses in Portugal. There are also two 9-hole options being the Resort & Academy courses to keep you occupied.
Best described as a traditionally designed and decorated hotel, many of our customers return year after year always commenting on the fantastic and friendly service they receive during their stay.
After that round of golf, it’s then your choice to relax by the pool, take a drink in the beach bar or enjoy one of the many first-rate restaurants and watering holes that are on offer. When it comes to resort golf breaks in Portugal, then this firm favourite continues to be as popular as ever.
Amendoeira Golf Resort
Set in an area of outstanding natural beauty, Amendoeira is a resort of tranquillity in the centre of the Algarve offering a mix of modern apartments and villas. This resort is popular with golfers due to the close proximity of the award-winning Faldo Course, designed by Sir Nick Faldo, the challenging O’Connor Jnr. Course and the Academy Par 3 course which is the only illuminated course in Portugal. Both courses are overlooked by the superb resort clubhouse, and also offer fantastic practice facilities.
There is a large restaurant and bar within the clubhouse that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Pre or post-golf drinks can be enjoyed here whilst looking out over the courses and taking in the Algarve sun.
Amendoeira Golf Resort is situated in Silves amongst the striking Monchique Mountains; however, the South coast isn’t far away for those who want a day at the beach whilst Faro Airport is approximately 40 minutes away. The resort offers modern two bedroom and two-bathroom apartments which are each fitted with a fully equipped kitchen and large lounge.
For larger groups looking for a golf holiday in the Algarve this is an option that we recommend you explore further, and you can also discuss with our team about the complimentary buggy packages we offer and unlimited golf.
Palmares Beach House Hotel
Palmares offers a unique golfing experience with exceptional facilities and award-winning architecture to create a resort unlike any other in the Algarve. Dominated by the natural beauty of the surrounding area, this destination offers a beach, ocean and golf destination like no other.
The hotel is a 10-minute drive or taxi ride to the charming, whitewashed town of Lagos, and once here you’ll discover the busy marina and historical heritage whilst the resort itself provides views onto the neighbouring golf course and, in the distance, the long golden beach of Meia Praia. Faro airport is around one hour away.
This resort is popular with Golf Escapes clients who enjoy the adjoining 27-hole golf course which is famously designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. There are three returning nine-hole loops which can be played in any order, one of which is in the sand dunes by the sea. The Palmares clubhouse is also worthy of a mention as it’s stunning, and the service is friendly with a typical Algarve welcome and the staff are always ready and willing to help across the board. A buggy is on-site to take guests down to the beach, which is a five-minute journey through the golf course and is highly recommended.
Monte Rei Golf & Country Club
Positioned in the foothills of the Eastern Algarve, between the Serra do Caldeirão mountains and the Atlantic Ocean, Monte Rei Golf and Country Club is regarded as one of the best and is beautifully woven into 1,000 acres of unspoilt countryside which overlooks the award-winning Jack Nicklaus Signature North golf course, consistently ranked as the best in Portugal. The magnificent clubhouse at Monte Rei is something special offering culinary delights aplenty and your needs are attended by exceptional staff throughout.
Construction on the South Course is soon to begin which will add another 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Course. With resort accommodation featuring many serviced villa options and the Clubhouse Residences, these modern one, two and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses are just minutes from the famous Monte Rei clubhouse and offer something special to Golf Escapes clients.
Penha Longa Resort
Located in a protected Natural Park and lying in the folds of the mountains just minutes from Cascais and Sintra with Lisbon being less than 30 minutes away, Penha Longa Resort is a rare blend of authentic European charm and modern luxurious facilities. Penha Longa, which means “Long Rock” has a long history of tranquillity and natural beauty; this resort is truly one of Europe’s most attractive and exclusive retreats.
Quality facilities and a great selection of high-end food options in a large choice of restaurants make this hotel stand out from the crowd in Portugal. When it comes to golf, the Robert Trent Jones Junior course, The Atlanti,c is a championship, 18-hole, par 72 course; now split into three possible circuits. Leisure facilities include a quality spa, with yoga platforms, hot tub, meditation options, treatments and an over-riding general feeling of wellness.
There are indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts, a fitness centre and jogging track. You will always find the service to be excellent, with friendly staff always happy to go the extra mile.
Evolutee Royal Obidos Hotel & Spa
This charming resort located close to the town of Obidos includes a 5-star hotel, a spa, self-catering apartments and an 18-hole golf course designed by Seve Ballesteros. This par 72 golf course measuring in at 7100 yards was described by the late Seve as a “great and wonderful place” which offers a true test of golf to players of all abilities.
From the outset, this golf course is a challenge with a difficult right-handed dogleg to get you straight into the action. Golfers are rewarded with a spectacular array of holes as you work your way around this thrilling track.
The state-of-the-art clubhouse boasts views across the golf course and ocean that can only be described as stunning so do take the time to enjoy a refreshing beverage from the Spike Bar after your round to make the most of this special place. There is also a restaurant and pro shop to make sure you have everything you need during your round at Royal Obidos.
The 5-star Royal Obidos Spa & Golf Resort is just an hours drive north of Lisbon and the airport, and this resort is ideal for those who want to blend golf with tranquillity and nature. Golf packages offered by Golf Escapes allow you to also play at the nearby courses of Praia d’el Rey, West Cliffs, Campo Real and Bom Sucesso with courtesy transfers subject to availability at the time of booking.
Anantara Vilamoura Golf Resort
Awarded “Best International Resort 2023” by Condé Nast, this hotel is the perfect example of a five-star venue where the service and standards are impeccable. Anantara Vilamoura welcomes guests with a modern concept including an area exclusively for adults to enjoy.
Situated just 25 minutes from Faro airport to the West and offering spacious rooms to relax in with sweeping views of the pools and the stunning Victoria golf course. There are also two bars, three restaurants, and five pools along with a luxurious spa.
This is a golfers paradise as the hotel has three golf courses within a 200-metre radius: Victoria (on-site), Millennium and Laguna. In addition, The Old Course and Pinhal are only a short drive away.
The Oitavos Hotel
Surrounded by sand dunes and pines, within the Sintra-Cascais National Park and facing the Atlantic Ocean, this resort is truly unique in so many ways including the design and the hotel’s décor. Just 20 minutes from Lisbon and 5 minutes from the centre of Cascais town, there are so many local options at your disposal.
The Oitavos Hotel is a statement in itself and could not be more different from the traditional white-washed Portuguese hotels. Instead, impressive contemporary sculptures are aplenty to compliment the modern façade, which is constructed from steel and glass.
This is the last word in the open plan concept; as you walk inside, the whole length of the hotel opens up from end to end with the infinity pool and the sea view beyond it. With restaurants situated on either side of the main corridor, the entire hotel is filled with light and although the modern feel isn’t for everyone, it certainly isn’t hard to be impressed.
The rooms are large and spacious, again with open-plan living being the order of the day which maybe isn’t something all golfers want to see when it comes to bathrooms but for couples this is very special offering both showers and tubs and Japanese/smart loos. Soaking up the sea views is something you will never tire of and not forgetting that this is also home to the Oitavos Dunes Golf Course, one of the most challenging golf courses in Portugal.
Pestana Carvoeiro Golf Resort
Location, location, location is the order of the day with five championship courses to enjoy all within a stone’s throw from this resort. Just 45 minutes from Faro airport, this resort is easy to get to and is well worth the journey with the two courses onsite offering a strong championship pedigree having hosted elite championships on many occasions. With the Alto and Silves courses also in the local area, you will have world class Algarve golf at your fingertips.
Pestana Carvoeiro is the perfect place for large golfing groups with self-catered accommodation consisting of apartments, townhouses and villas as well as being on the doorstep of the best beaches in the Algarve, whilst the Monchique Mountains provide a beautiful backdrop for this resort. With the towns of Lagoa and Carvoeria being a short taxi ride away, you can take in some authentic culture whilst on your golf escape eating and could even include drinking with some of the locals! If you are looking for great quality and value, this really is a great choice for any golf break.
So that brings our top 10 to a conclusion for your consideration and we hope you enjoyed our thoughts on the Best Golf Resorts in Portugal as part of Golf Escapes’ ultimate golf holiday in Portugal. With so much choice available to this great country here you can read some of the other golf resorts in Portugal that we think are well worth your consideration but didn’t make this list. If you need more information about Portugal you can also check our other guides such as the best of resorts in Algarve or the best golf courses in Protugal.
As always, our friendly and professional team are on hand if you need some further independent advice or please do view our offers and packages at your leisure by visiting our website.
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