Oitavos Dunes

Set within the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, just 30 minutes from Lisbon, Oitavos Dunes is widely regarded as Portugal’s finest golf course and one of the great links experiences in Europe. Perched among ancient pine forests and natural sand dunes beside the Atlantic, the course offers sweeping views of the Sintra Mountains, the ocean, and Cabo da Roca – the westernmost point on the European mainland.

Designed by renowned American architect Arthur Hills and opened in 2001, the layout follows a classic out-and-back links format, moving through three distinct landscapes: dense umbrella pine forest, towering native sand dunes, and an exposed coastal stretch fully at the mercy of the Atlantic wind. It is this variety – and the wind – that makes Oitavos Dunes such a compelling and memorable test of golf.

The course plays to a par of 71 over 18 holes, stretching to 6,372 metres from the championship tees. Five par threes, including the spectacular back-to-back 14th and 15th with their breathtaking ocean backdrops, demand precision and course management. Quick, undulating greens reward accurate approach play, and the wind can transform even seemingly straightforward holes into real challenges. Oitavos Dunes was ranked in Golf Magazine’s Top 100 Courses in the World in 2017/18 and is a Platinum Clubs of the World member – recognition of its status among the finest private courses globally.

Awards & Accolades

• Golf Magazine Top 100 Courses in the World (2017/18)
• Golf Magazine Top 100 Golf Resort (2024/25)
• Platinum Clubs of the World
• Audubon International Gold Signature Sanctuary – 1st course in Europe and 2nd in the world to receive this environmental certification

History

Oitavos Dunes was inaugurated in September 2001, developed on the grounds of the Quinta da Marinha estate on the Cascais coastline. From the outset, environmental protection was central to the project. Arthur Hills worked closely with Audubon International to ensure the design preserved the native flora and fauna of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, with certain areas of the course remaining permanently off-limits to people and machinery.

The course quickly earned recognition on the world stage, entering the conversation among Europe’s elite layouts within just a few years of opening. Its commitment to sustainable course management – using native grasses, protecting dune ecosystems, and minimising water consumption – has been as important to its reputation as the quality of the golf itself.

Today, Oitavos Dunes is managed as a semi-private club, welcoming visiting golfers while maintaining the high standards and exclusivity its members expect. It remains one of the most sought-after tee times on the Lisbon coast.

Facilities

• Clubhouse with panoramic Atlantic views
• Restaurant and snack bar
• Pro shop (open daily 7:45am – 8:00pm)
• Driving range (with TrackMan)
• Putting green
• Chipping and pitching practice area
• Buggy hire (available, limited GPS)
• Trolley hire (manual and electric)
• Club hire (full sets available)
• Golf academy and lessons (resident professionals)
• Locker rooms and changing facilities

Contacts

Tel: +351 214 860 600
Address: Quinta da Marinha, Casa da Quinta 25, 2750-004 Cascais, Portugal
Website: oitavosdunes.com