In 2011 Oitavos Dunes was considered the 68th best course in the world.
Welcome to Portugal and the country’s most popular destination, the Algarve. With its scenic beauty, gorgeous beaches and the country’s best golf courses the Algarve is well worth exploring as you will find some immaculate courses like Vale Do Lobo and Vilamoura Old, which host some of the best golfers in the world every year. The area boasts ideal golfing conditions year round with over 300 days of sunshine and in 2006 was voted the best golf destination in the world.
Don’t forget to visit Lisbon, the capital of Portugal and soak in the history of this city while enjoying many of the championship courses in the surrounding region. Lisbon is a charming base where you can visit some of the city’s treasures as you get lost in its magnificence and a perfect way to start or end your stay in Portugal.
Lisbon is built on seven steep hillsides that overlook the Tagus River.
Please review our sample tour to Portugal. To book this trip or design a custom tour to fit your exact specifications, please Request a Quote from one of our golf travel specialists.
SUGGESTED TOUR
Best of Portugal – Prices starting at $2,295 per person
Day 1: Depart the States
Day 2: Arrive Portugal. Meet & Greet by the Grand Golf Travel’s Portugal Representative on arrival including assistance with transfer to your automatic transmission vehicle.
Day 3: Play Praia del Rey.
Day 4: Play Oitavos.
Day 5: Play Vilamoura.
Day 6: Play Quinta do Lago.
Day 7: Play San Lorenzo.
Day 8: Depart Portugal for the USA.
Tour Inclusions: Six nights accommodations, 5 rounds of golf including Praia del Rey, Oitavos, Vilamoura, Quinta do Lago & San Lorenzo, breakfast each day, an automatic vehicle and all local taxes.
One of the many gorgeous beaches of the Algarve that you can enjoy while not golfing.
GOLF COURSES
PENHA LONGA: Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jnr. and home of two previous Portuguese Opens, Penha Longa is situated in beautiful countryside in the foothills of the Sintra mountains. This hilly course has a natural feel, where lush, velvet fairways are punctuated by rocky outcrops and mature pines.
OITAVOS GOLF: Officially opened for play, September 1, 2001, this Arthur Hills design, (his first in Europe), is destined to become one of the finest courses in Portugal. It’s large undulating greens and general design give you a distinctly “links” flavor. It is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and Sintra Mountain and Cabo da Roca to the North. Venue for the 2005 Portuguese Open.
QUINTA DO LAGO (North Course and South Course): Two excellent 18-hole courses, with a great variety of challenging par fours. For sheer variety, quality and consistency they are hard to beat and you’ll find plenty of dog-legs, super-fast greens and tenacious bunker placements. Past hosts to six Portuguese Opens. Previously known as Ria Formosa and Quinta do Lago, the courses were recently renamed North and South.
SAN LORENZO: San Lorenzo is consistently ranked as one of the Europe’s best courses and was designed by Joseph Lee. The course is blessed with outstanding views, features large fast greens and undulating fairways that are bordered by pine trees. Always wonderfully maintained this course is situated amidst unspoilt natural beauty.
San Lorenzo is consistently ranked alongside the best courses in the world.
PRAIA DEL REY: About one hour’s drive north from Lisbon, the Cabell B. Robinson designed links design offers magnificent ocean views and is destined to become one of Europe’s most attractive golfing venues. Praia D’El Rey, rated 13th best course in Europe by Golf World magazine and Peugeot Golf Guide rated it the best course in golf rich Portugal.
VILAMOURA OLD: This is the second oldest golf course in the Algarve, set in pinewood and laid out to take advantage of the natural contours. A testing course that requires straight hitting with contoured greens that will challenge all comers.
VILAMOURA LAGUNA: An excellent course that has some similar challenges to a links where the occasional strong winds can make for an interesting round. Open fairways with the occasional water hazard and strategically placed bunkers will provide quality hard to beat in the Algarve.
VALE DO LOBO, OCEAN & ROYAL – The Ocean Course is located in an enviable position with wonderful views of the sea. Fairways are narrow while wandering through pine woods and the greens are beautifully contoured. The Royal Golf Course is a stunning and acclaimed course sitting among lakes and pine trees with beautiful views of the coast, The 16th hole is one of the most photographed par 3’s in the world from which one needs to go over three spectacular cliffs to reach the green.
VILAMOURA OLD: This is the second oldest golf course in the Algarve, set in pinewood and laid out to take advantage of the natural contours. A testing course that requires straight hitting with contoured greens that will challenge all comers.
Praia D’El Rey is set among extensive pine forests and undulating dunes, with spectacular views over the Atlantic and the Berlengas Islands beyond
SELECTION OF HOTELS
ESTORIL PALACIO HOTEL, Estoril (Deluxe): Since the 1930’s the Estoril Palaci Hotel has entertained guests from all around the world with its elegance, classic surroundings and splendor. Situated in the heart of Estoril, just a 20 minute drive from Lisbon, this luxury five star property enjoys beautifully landscaped gardens and magnificent sea views. All the rooms are tastefully furnished and many have garden or sea views. Enjoy the delicious selection of international cuisine at the Grill Four Season served with impeccable taste. The hotel overlooks the famous casino and guests can enjoy the hotel’s very own Championship golf course.
MERIDIEN DONA FILIPA HOTEL, Vale do Lobo (Deluxe): Surrounded by the villas and gardens of the Vale do Lobo estate, Le Meridien Dona Filipa Hotel offers 154 plush guest rooms appointed in traditional Portuguese style. The hotel grounds are impressive as its embraces the rugged coastline with its sandy bays. The interior is lavished with marble fireplaces, ceramic lamps and green silk banquettes. Each bedroom is handsomely finished with antiques, handmade rugs and rustic accessories. Guests will savor the old world charms with breath taking sea views. Indulge your tastes in one of the hotel’s three exquisite restaurants and bars.