When it comes to Mediterranean golf holidays Portugal has the sunshine and quantity to make for a great golfing destination. This article highlights some of the key golfing regions along with the must-play courses in each.
For a trouble-free golf holiday Algarve has been welcoming holidaying golfers for decades. The area has the largest range of courses (links, parkland, desert) in the country.
Vilamoura town affords the greatest selection of courses, resorts and accommodation options and thankfully has some mature & challenging courses with a short drive of town. The 2 Vale do Lobo courses or the Oceanico Old Course are definitely the most memorable to play.
Western Algarve is open to the sea and the many links courses are made all the more tricky as a result. Some highlights are the scenic Boavista that overlooks Lagos, the hillside Parque da Floresta, Penina and the Oceanico O’Connor & Faldo courses. The Faldo course has a unique desert-style design which makes this all the more challenging with the Atlantic breeze.
Eastern Algarve experiences cooler summers and warmer winters than the region (making it playable all year round) and course like Benamor, Quinta da Ria and the pricey, but spectacular, Monte Rei can make this area truly memorable.
The Estoril region along the west coast is growing in popularity with over 10 resorts and some unique courses. Penha Longa is a championship course surrounded by some of the most beautiful countryside while the links at Troia is an adventure to get to (by ferry) and an adventure to play when the sea breezes are up.
Finally, the Oeste region is an up-and-coming golf region as new course developments are springing up at Rainha, Sizandro and Paimogo to name but a few. It may not have the volume of courses, in comparison to the Algarve, but it still attracts those who wish to enjoy scenic drives mixed in with their golf holidays in Portugal.
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