Every year, thousands of golfers head to Portugal to play some of the best golf courses in the Algarve.
With over 300 days of glorious sunshine each year and very little rainfall, the Algarve is the obvious choice for those looking to soak up the sun while experiencing some of Europe’s finest courses.
At Golf 4U, we have been providing golfing breaks in the Algarve Portugal and Spain for many years. During this time, we have acquired a wealth of knowledge in terms of which courses offer the best value for money along with the best golfing experience.
Below we list our eight top-rated golf courses in the Algarve based on not only the quality of the course but also the facilities on offer and the value it offers our golfers.
Best Golf Courses in the Algarve, Portugal
#8 – Victoria (Vilamoura)
Image Credit: Dom Pedro Hotels & Golf Collection
Located in the popular tourist destination of Vilamoura, the Victoria course is considered by many to be one of the top courses in the Algarve.
The course is owned by the Dom Pedro Group and is one of five courses operated by the group in the Algarve.
The Victoria course was first opened to the public in 2004 and was designed by golfing legend Arnold Palmer.
At 6,651 metres in length and a par 72, the championship course is the perfect challenge for golfers of all abilities offering six different tee positions.
The course offers wide undulating fairways and a number of well-placed water hazards that are not only positioned strategically to catch wayward shots, but also serve to irrigate this beautiful course.
The Victoria course is so good that it has had the pleasure of hosting the Portugal Masters every year since 2007 and the World Cup Championship in 2005.
The golf and leisure facilities at the resort are first-class and feature a driving range and a 2,500 sqm practice putting green.
| Year Built | 2004 | Par | 72 | Difficulty | Difficult |
| Designer | Arnold Palmer | Walkable? | Yes | Clubhouse | Yes |
| Length | 6,651 Metres | Flat or Hilly | Flat | Location | Vilamoura |
| Facilities | Club house, golf school, pro-shop, putting green, chipping green, pitching green, practice bunker, buggy bar, free Wi-Fi | ||||
#7 – The Old Course (Vilamoura)
Image Credit: Dom Pedro Hotels & Golf Collection
Located in the heart of Vilamoura, The Old Course is considered to be ‘The Grande Dame’ of golf courses in the Algarve.
Owned by the Dom Pedro Group, the course was one of the first established layouts in the region.
Designed by Frank Pennink, the course first opened in 1969 and is well regarded in the golfing world. It was redesigned by Martin Hawtree in 1996 to increase the overall quality of the course while still retaining it’s the initial layout.
At 6,254m in length, and a Par 73, the Old Course remains to be one of the most popular golf courses in the Algarve.
The golf and leisure facilities at the resort are top quality and include a free shuttle to/from Vilamoura hotels, a golf shop, a driving range, a bar/restaurant, valet service, a practice putting green and Wi-Fi.
| Year Built | 1969 | Par | 73 | Difficulty | Moderate |
| Designer | Frank Pennink | Walkable? | Yes | Clubhouse | Yes |
| Length | 6,254 Metres | Flat or Hilly | Flat | Location | Vilamoura |
| Facilities | Clubhouse, golf school, pro-shop, putting green, chipping green, pitching green, practice bunker, buggy bar, free Wi-Fi, valet service. | ||||
#6 – Quinta do Lago North (Almancil)
Image Credit: Quinta do Lago
The Quinta do Lago North course is just one of three courses at the Quinta do Lago resort.
It was originally designed by William Mitchell and was opened to the public in 1974.
In 2014 the North Course was totally redesigned by Beau Welling (the renowned golf course architect) along with Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley. With an investment of 9 Million Euros, the new layout has been built to the highest specifications.
The course has a total length of 6,126m and a Par of 72. All of the holes on the North course have four tee positions and feature strategically placed bunkers and a number of water hazards.
The North course is a great challenge for players of all abilities, particularly those who can draw the ball well and have a good touch around the greens.
The resort offers great golf and leisure facilities including electric buggies, buggy bar and rental, a pro shop and a great clubhouse.
| Year Built | 1974 | Par | 72 | Difficulty | Moderate |
| Designer | William Mitchell | Walkable? | Yes | Clubhouse | Yes |
| Length | 6,126 Metres | Flat or Hilly | Flat | Location | Almancil |
| Facilities | Clubhouse, golf academy, pro-shop, driving range, practice facilities, buggy bar, buggy rental, restaurant. | ||||
#5 – Quinta do Lago South (Almancil)
Image Credit: Quinta do Lago
The Quinta do Lago South course is highly regarded as one of the finest golf courses on the Algarve.
It was first designed in 1974 by William Mitchell and is a favourite among the European Tour Players.
The South course has played host to a number of professional golf tournaments including the Portuguese Open from 1976 to 2001 and It has also won various awards.
The course sits in 2,000 acres of stunning countryside and offers views of the neighbouring Ria Formosa National Park.
Measuring 6,448m in length and a Par 72, the championship status of the Quinta do Lago South course does not deter amateur golfers.
The course is a good challenge for golfers of all abilities. The front nine holes favour a draw from the tee and the back nine holes, which loop around the lake favour a fade. In order to hit the greens in regulation, you will need to be consistent off the tee and drive well.
The golf and leisure facilities Quinta do Lago are great and include electric trolleys, buggy bar, buggy rental, a practice putting green and a clubhouse.
| Year Built | 1974 | Par | 72 | Difficulty | Moderate |
| Designer | William Mitchell | Walkable? | Yes | Clubhouse | Yes |
| Length | 6,448 Metres | Flat or Hilly | Flat | Location | Almancil |
| Facilities | Clubhouse, golf academy, pro-shop, driving range, practice facilities, buggy bar, buggy rental, restaurant. | ||||
#4 – Vale do Lobo Ocean (Vale do Lobo)
Image Credit: Vale do Lobo
The Vale do Lobo Ocean course was designed by Sir Henry Cotton and is a creation of two of the original 9-hole golf courses he designed.
The nine hole courses were opened to the public in 1968 and 1972 and his plans to merge them both didn’t become a reality until after his death in 1995.
The course measures 6,137m in length, is a Par 73 and features gentle undulating fairways that run parallel to a nature reserve, offering stunning views to the Atlantic Ocean.
The Ocean course differs from the neighbouring Royal course. There you need to be consistently hitting straight shots, whereas the Ocean course requires more shaping of your shots if you are to shoot a low score.
The Ocean course offers fantastic facilities including the Royal Spa, Beauty and Fitness Centre.
| Year Built | 1995 | Par | 73 | Difficulty | Moderate |
| Designer | Sir Henry Cotton | Walkable? | Yes | Clubhouse | Yes |
| Length | 6,137 Metres | Flat or Hilly | Flat | Location | Vale do Lobo |
| Facilities | Clubhouse, golf academy, pro-shop, driving range, practice facilities, mini golf, tennis, spa, fitness and beauty centre. | ||||
#3 – Vale do Lobo Royal (Vale do Lobo)
Image Credit: Vale do Lobo
The Vale do Lobo Royal golf course is the sister to the neighbouring Ocean course. It was designed by top American golf architect Rocky Roquemore, using the original drawings of Sir Henry Cotton and opened in 1997.
Thought by many to be one of Portugal’s most prestigious golf courses, it’s features include the famous 16th hole, with its cliff-top carryover – one of the most photographed holes in European golf.
The Royal golf course is 6,059m in length, a Par 72 and features some beautiful and challenging golf holes.
The course offers great golf and leisure facilities including a bar and restaurant, golf shop, practice facilities, a wellness centre and a lovely clubhouse.
| Year Built | 1997 | Par | 72 | Difficulty | Moderate |
| Designer | Rocky Roquemore | Walkable? | Yes | Clubhouse | Yes |
| Length | 6,059 Metres | Flat or Hilly | Flat | Location | Vale do Lobo |
| Facilities | Clubhouse, golf academy, pro-shop, driving range, practice facilities, mini golf, tennis, spa, fitness and beauty centre. | ||||
#2 – Monte Rei Golf & Country Club (Vila Nova de Cacela)
Image Credit: Monte Rei
The Monte Rei and Country Club was designed by Jack Nicklaus, who after retirement became synonymous with the design and development of top-flight courses across the world.
His signature course, the Monte Rei and Country Club is regularly rated as the best golf course in Portugal and has challenged players of all levels since 2007.
Measuring 6,567 metres in length from the tournament tees and a Par 72, the North course has wide forgiving fairways that weave through mature trees and valleys creating a unique challenge on every hole.
The golf and leisure facilities at the Monte Rei Golf and Country Club are outstanding and include the clubhouse, cafe, restaurant and grill, driving range and swing studio and a luxury hotel and spa.
| Year Built | 2007 | Par | 72 | Difficulty | Moderate |
| Designer | Jack Nicklaus | Walkable? | Yes | Clubhouse | Yes |
| Length | 6,567 Metres | Flat or Hilly | Flat | Location | Vila Nova de Cacela |
| Facilities | Clubhouse, golf academy, pro-shop, driving range, putting green, short game practice area, tuition, swing studio, restaurant & bar | ||||
#1 – Quinta do Lago Laranjal (Almancil)
Image Credit: Quinta do Lago
Located 2km east of the Ludo Valley in what was once an orange grove, the Quinta do Lago Larajal golf course opened to the public in 2009.
It was designed by Jorge Santana da Silva and won the Best Golf Course Award at the Portuguese Travel Awards in 2011.
With a total length of 6,480 metres and a Par 72, the Laranjal compliments the neighboring North and South courses.
This championship course is quite demanding, it has five Par 5’s, eight Par 4’s and five Par 3’s and will require a high level of creativity and accuracy from tee to green.
The resort offers great golf and leisure facilities including a splendid clubhouse, a bar, restaurant, pro-shop, practice facilities, buggy rental and a buggy bar.
| Year Built | 2009 | Par | 72 | Difficulty | Difficult |
| Designer | Jorge Santana da Silva | Walkable? | Yes | Clubhouse | Yes |
| Length | 6,480 Metres | Flat or Hilly | Flat | Location | Vila Nova de Cacela |
| Facilities | Clubhouse, golf academy, pro-shop, driving range, practice facilities, buggy bar, golf buggy rental, restaurant. | ||||
So there you have it! Eight of the best value courses for you to experience while on your golfing holiday in the Algarve.
It’s fair to say that although there could only be one course in the number one spot, all of the courses are of a very high standard and we would definitely encourage you to play as many as you can while in the Algarve.
If you are yet to book your next golf break, please take a moment to view our current range of algarve golf breaks.
