The golf course at Oitavos Dunes is a lovely mix of woodland and links-type holes that have been expertly laid to make the most of the existing landscape.
The golf course at Oitavos Dunes is a lovely mix of woodland and links-type holes that have been expertly laid to make the most of the existing landscape.
Travelling west along the northern banks of the Tagus River from Lisbon and passing through the pleasant and lively seaside towns of Estoril and Cascais will soon bring us to the resort of Quinta da Marinha. Located in the Sintra-Cascais National Park, sensitive development of the area has been underway now for a number of years and has already included a fine hotel and golf course.
Oitavos Dunes is a most recent addition in golfing terms to the area and was inaugurated in September 2001. The location of Oitavos Dunes is on land at the most westerly tip of Europe and the course mixes wondrous views of the Atlantic Ocean with the stunning backdrop of the Sintra Mountains. Designed by the renowned Arthur Hills, Oitavos Dunes is one of only two European courses that bear his name. Most of Hills’s courses are in the USA and as a consequence there was always the danger that he may have built a stereotypical US ‘target golf’ course. Thankfully, Oitavos Dunes has none of that feel and is a wonderful test that perfectly utilises the rich tapestries of this area of Portugal to create eighteen challenging but playable holes.
Oitavos Dunes is a par 71 course that measures just over 6,300 metres from the competition tees. The course is a lovely mix of woodland and links-type holes that have been expertly laid to make the most of the existing landscape. All the holes flow well and have testing hazards and excellent greens that are always firm and fast and full of slopes and borrows.
The first four holes will demonstrate to the golfer the quality to come without actually being too testing. Having said that they are all tree-lined, have careful bunkering and small, tricky greens that will require controlled tee shots and accurate approaches. The next twelve holes play with more of a links feel to them with lovely sandy ground, dunes and fewer trees with which to contend. For the final two holes it’s back into the trees and a tough finish to a great course.
The pick of the holes on the front nine are the 5th, 7th and 8th. The 5th is a par four measuring 434 metres and plays slightly uphill to a partly hidden green. The 7th and 8th are back to back long par fives, the second being the hardest hole on the course. Both require three long, controlled shots avoiding the trees, dunes and bunkers to achieve par.
On the back nine the pick of the holes are the 14th, 17th and 18th but none of the others can be said to let the course down. The 14th is probably the signature hole, and is a wonderful par three that can play much longer than its 153 metres suggests. The tee shot is played across a storm ravine that then runs all along the right hand side of the hole. The final two holes are wonderful tough tests to finish the round, as they are both par fours in excess of 430 metres. The 17th is slightly easier and has a downhill approach but the green is tricky and the bunker front left must be avoided. The 18th is a classic finishing hole, it is long, dogleg left with a narrow fairway and trees and dunes bordering the rough on both sides.
Host to four Portuguese Opens, the old fashioned “out-and-back” routed Oitavos was the first golf course in Europe to receive Audubon Gold Certification.
Head to Quinta da Marinha for your next golf break, enjoy the cooler temperatures, wonderful scenery and Oitavos Dunes.
Review of the Month November 2018 – Oitavos Dunes Played Oitavos today at the end of a week-long golfing trip to the greater Lisbon area. Oitavos aspires to be something it frankly is not. The above statement includes the caveat that I played it in early November 2018 (for whatever that’s worth!). Don’t get me wrong, Oitavos represents a nice gentle stretch of Portuguese seaside golf at its best, tumbling through coastal sand, pine and native scrubland. All positive. If you can keep the ball out of the trees and scrubland you are left with sufficient room to generous fairways, which coupled with some really interesting raised green sites cut into the side of the ample sandscape. Here’s the rub, in fact here’s two rubs. This place purports to be a natural links course. It's not. No run on fairways, hit and stick on the greens, best played through the air and crater plug marks on the fairways. It looks somewhat like a links, but plays more parkland than it should. I suspect this club also has delusions of grandeur. Suggesting that because Monte Rei (ranked 1 in Portugal on this very website) wasn’t ranked in the 2017 Golf Magazine World Top 100 (and they were) that means they are the best course in Portugal. By Shane Review of the Month November 2018 selected by Editor-in-Chief, Keith Baxter – click to read more about Oitavos Dunes.
Portugal's golf scene has undergone a dramatic transformation. A course outside the Algarve claims the number one position, whilst six new entries reshape the rankings and historic venues stage remarkable comebacks. The 2026 Update Top 50 reveals unprecedented movement across all regions, with Lisbon & Central emerging as the nation's new powerhouse. View the complete Top 50 Golf Courses of Portugal Ranking 2026 Ranking Update: A Historic Reshaping With approximately 86 eighteen-hole courses spread across five distinct regions, Portugal continues to deliver exceptional quality relative to its modest course inventory. The 2026 Top 50 represents the most volatile ranking in the country's modern history, with only four courses maintaining their previous positions. A deeper-than-ever panel of well-played locals and international contributors helped make this the best yet. 2026 Top 50 At A Glance Power Shift at the Summit Terras da Comporta (Dunas) is in the number one position, marking the first time since 2008 that a Lisbon & Central course has claimed Portugal's top ranking after a full ranking refresh. Monte Rei (North) holds at number two after a fifteen-year reign as undisputed champion, whilst Quinta do Lago (South) surges three places to third, reclaiming the podium and establishing itself as the Algarve's premier traditional resort course. Six Dramatic New Entries The 2026 rankings welcome six courses, all entering the Top 25: UPDATE - 22 Jan 2026 - Troia Golf – Robert Trent Jones Snr's 1980 design returns triumphantly after resolving conditioning issues from early 2025. The course has new ownership and management, and in 2026, it will be closed for play. We had it ranked 4th upon the release of the ranking. As soon as we know more, we will update the ranking. #8: Pinheirinho Comporta - formerly known as Herdade do Pinheirinho #10: Terras da Comporta (Torre) – The second Comporta layout establishes the region as Portugal's premier new destination #13: The Els Club Vilamoura – Ernie Els Design brings modern championship standards to the crowded Vilamoura market #18: Montado Hotel & Golf Resort – Continues Lisbon & Central's emergence as golf's growth region #21: Ombria Golf Course – Fulfils 2023's prediction as the anticipated Algarve newcomer The Biggest Climbers Pine Cliffs Resort: Enters the Top 50 at #38 Quinta do Vale: Up 16 places to #32, proving Seve Ballesteros's vision endures Vilamoura Golf (Millennium): Up 14 places to #31 Boavista and Benamor: Both enter the Top 50 at #40 and #45, respectively Salgados Golf Club: Up 12 places to #37 Dom Pedro (Pinhal) and Dom Pedro (Laguna): Both up 10 places, strengthening Vilamoura's portfolio Best Portuguese Golf Courses by Region Lisbon & Central firmly establishes itself as Portugal's quality leader despite the Algarve's numerical dominance. The Silver Coast and Comporta corridor – anchored by West Cliffs, both Terras da Comporta layouts, and Praia D'El Rey – forms one of Europe's most exciting coastal golf destinations. Algarve maintains the majority of the Top 50, demonstrating depth across western resort clusters (Vilamoura, Vale do Lobo, Quinta do Lago) and eastern championship venues (Monte Rei, the Quintas da Ria and de Cima). Quinta do Lago's three-course portfolio places all layouts in the Top 20, whilst Vilamoura's renaissance sees five courses ranked, including The Els Club's impressive top 15 debut. Porto & North contributes just one ranked course, but Estela Golf Club's rise to #11 proves quality over quantity. The links layout north of Póvoa de Varzim remains the finest golf north of Lisbon. Madeira & Porto Santo and Azores together provide four island courses, led by Santo da Serra at #24 and Furnas at #22. These Atlantic outposts offer distinctive golf within spectacular volcanic and subtropical settings. What the Rankings Tell Us Lisbon & Central's Renaissance The capital region's emergence represents Portuguese golf's most significant geographical shift in two decades. With Terras da Comporta (both Dunas and Torre), West Cliffs, Herdade do Pinheirinho, Oitavos Dunes, and Praia D'El Rey all positioned in the top thirteen, Lisbon's coastal corridor now rivals the Algarve for championship pedigree. The Silver Coast's clifftop terrain and Comporta's duneland provide dramatic settings that contrast sharply with the Algarve's more manicured resort aesthetic, generally speaking. Monte Rei's Graceful Transition Jack Nicklaus's only Portuguese design, Monte Rei's #2 position and Continental Europe Ranked status confirm its historic pedigree. The heavily sand-protected holes around attractive water hazards remain Portugal's purest championship test. Vilamoura's Four-Course Surge All four previously ranked Vilamoura courses climbed positions, whilst The Els Club debuts at #14. This collective rise seems to indicate continued improvement across the resort's five-course portfolio well-received by the panel. Historic Summary of Portugal’s Rankings 2014: Establishing the Foundation Portugal's Top 40 emphasised quality over quantity, with Monte Rei commanding the summit and the Algarve providing the lion's share of ranked courses. Royal Obidos entered at #20 as Seve Ballesteros's final architectural work, whilst Palmares climbed following Robert Trent Jones Jr's comprehensive remodel. The eastern Algarve quintas – Monte Rei, Quinta da Ria, and Quinta de Cima – established the region as Portugal's championship heartland. 2016: Mid-Decade Momentum The fifth edition maintained Top 40 structure whilst showcasing that all ten elite Portuguese courses occupied Continental Europe Top 100 positions. Oceanico (now Dom Pedro) Old climbed to third, Royal Obidos surged seven places to thirteenth, and Vale do Lobo Royal, Estela, and Vale da Pinta all made appreciable gains. Troia rose two places to fourth after addressing earlier conditioning concerns. 2018: West Cliffs Sensation Rankings expanded to Top 50 despite just 87 clubs operating nationally. Cynthia Dye's West Cliffs made a sensational debut at #2, having already crashed into Continental Europe's Top 100 at #16. The clifftop design generated immediate superlatives and established the Silver Coast as a premier destination. Quinta do Lago South rose to ninth, Vilamoura Victoria climbed to nineteenth, and Estela advanced to twenty-first. 2020: Steady Evolution With only 75 facilities supporting just over 15,000 registered golfers, Portugal maintained Top 50 status whilst placing eleven courses in Continental Europe's Top 100. Monte Rei announced its South course under Nicklaus Design construction. Palmares, Quinta do Lago South, and Quinta do Lago North all rose two places, whilst Ribagolfe (1) surged fourteen places to #29. Four courses debuted: Santo Estêvão, Ribagolfe (2), historic Estoril, and Quinta do Vale. 2023: Expansion and Anticipation In the eighth edition, Palmares climbed to third, Quinta do Lago Laranjal advanced to tenth, continuing its steady ascent since 2012, and Vilamoura Victoria rose to sixteenth. Vale do Lobo Ocean soared eleven places whilst Quinta da Ria rebounded eight positions. The rankings teased four imminent debuts – Ombria, Costa Terra, Pinheirinho, and Terras da Comporta (Dunas) – all described as making "substantial impact" on future rankings. That prediction proved accurate. Planning Your Portugal Golf Trip Portugal's compact geography allows for a remarkable variety of courses within modest driving times. Faro airport provides direct access to eastern Algarve champions Monte Rei, Quinta do Lago's three-course complex, and the Quintas da Ria and de Cima. Combine these with The Els Club Vilamoura and Dom Pedro Old Coursefor a week exploring championship pedigree alongside resort convenience. Lisbon's coastal corridor deserves dedicated attention. Terras da Comporta's two courses will eventually pair with Troia, whilst the Silver Coast delivers West Cliffs, Praia D'El Rey, Herdade do Pinheirinho, and Royal Obidos. Oitavos Dunes and both Aroeira layouts complete a Lisbon hub within an hour's drive of the capital. Porto & North rewards adventurous golfers with Estela, the nation's finest northern links, whilst Madeira and Azores offer distinctive Atlantic golf on island escapes. Santo da Serra and Palheiro showcase Madeira's subtropical splendour, whilst Furnas provides the Azores' volcanic drama. Looking Ahead Portugal's golf market shows signs of maturation after decades of resort-focused expansion. The new entries at Comporta, Pinheirinho, Montado, and Ombria suggest that the focus has shifted toward distinctive sites and architectural pedigree rather than quantity. David McLay Kidd's work at Comporta and Ernie Els's Vilamoura contribution exemplify this quality-first approach. Portugal's position within Continental Europe's elite appears secure, with 10-15 courses now in the discussion as Top 100 Europe contenders. As the golf world seeks authentic experiences beyond heavily manicured resort golf, Portugal's coastal drama, Comporta's duneland, and the Silver Coast's clifftop settings position the nation perfectly for sustained growth. View the complete Top 50 Golf Courses of Portugal Ranking
More Portuguese resorts for your consideration We embarked on our resort golf feature last January and thought we could maybe publish five or six articles for this topic. It turns out now, a year later, we’ve produced more than a dozen write-ups, with scope to revisit a few more mainstream European countries that still have more to reveal. Over the next couple of months, we’ll dive back into the Spanish Costas and take another look at France and Italy, but first we’re going back to the west side of the Iberian peninsula to sunny Portugal. We’ll start in the north, near Porto, then travel down past Lisbon before finishing in the south coast Algarve region. Vidago Palace Vidago Palace was built by King Carlos I in the early 1900s but it never became the monarch’s intended summer retreat as he died before it was completed in 1910. Instead, this regally appointed building became a hotel and in 1936 a 9-hole course (designed by Philip Mackenzie Ross) opened for business. In 2010, after a 5-year refurbishment of the entire property, the course re-emerged as an 18-hole layout with six of the original holes intact. The hotel boasts 60 guest rooms (41 Classic, 16 Superior, 3 Privilege), along with 6 Junior Suites and 4 Suites. In addition, there are 4 bars and restaurants, with breakfast served in the stunning Winter Garden on the ground floor. The spa offers hydrotherapy and thermal treatments, complemented by indoor and outdoor swimming pools. All told, Vidago Palace is a magical place to visit, presenting visitors with a unique journey back in time to a forgotten era of elegance and grandeur. Bom Sucesso One of 28 worldwide golf facilities in the European Tour Destinations roster, the resort of Bom Sucesso lies near the medieval town of Óbidos, with an 18-hole layout designed by Martin Ebert when he worked with Donald Steel. Holes on the golf course occupy a property close to the Lagoa de Óbidos, where fairways weave between substantial residential clusters, with water coming into play at a couple of holes. Accommodation comprises a range of 77 fully equipped villas and townhouse – created by 23 masters of contemporary architecture – which are set around the resort. They all feature a private furnished patio and access to an outdoor swimming pool (private or shared). There’s also a variety of other sports on offer, including 4 tennis courts, 2 padel courts and a multi-game court. CampoReal The course at Dolce CampoReal Lisboa is located around a 45-minute drive north of the capital in the Torres Vedras district, and it’s another early millennium production from Martin Ebert when he and design partner Tom Mackenzie were with Donald Steel’s company. Host venue for the LET’s Ladies Open of Portugal in 2010 and 2011, CampoReal is a fine test of golf, with holes laid out across rolling terrain. The hotel has 151 guest rooms and suites available for stay and play golfers and these extend to 133 deluxe and superior deluxe rooms, 11 suites and 7 premium rooms. There’s also self-catering apartment, townhouse and villa options outwith the main hotel building. The spa includes signature massages by therapists and a “water circuit” with sauna, jacuzzi and Turkish bath. Aroeira Aroeira Golf Resort on the Setubal Peninsula incorporates the Pines Classic course (formerly known as Aroeira 1) and Challenge course (renamed from Aroeira 2) and both 18-hole layouts are routed around a sandy-soiled pine forest which lies only a couple of kilometres from the golden sands of Praia Fonte da Telha. Both courses staged editions of the Ladies Open of Portugal between 2002 and 2004 and the Open de Portugal on the men’s professional circuit was also held at the older Pines Classic in 1996 and 1997. The nearby 4-star Aroeira Lisbon Hotel opened a couple of years ago now and it’s already established a reputation as one of the best in the area. The accommodation amounts to a total of 66 double rooms in three varieties (standard, pool view and garden view), plus a couple of large suites. Massage therapists operate in the hotel’s wellness centre and there’s a handy shuttle service to both the clubhouse and the Aroeira Beach Bar. Morgado Russell Talley designed the course at Morgado Golf & Country Club when he worked with European Golf Design twenty years ago. This 36-hole golf facility is run by NAU Hotels and Resorts, who also operate another 18-hole course (called Álamos) at the same location near Portimão on the Algarve coast. The par 73 Morgado layout was first to appear here – with the par 71 Álamos unveiled three years later in 2006 – and this course hosted three editions of the Open de Portugal from 2017 to 2019. The on-site 4-star hotel has 98 air-conditioned guest rooms in total – 16 Standard (30m2), 52 Superior (36m2), 25 Deluxe (88m2) and 5 Duplex rooms composed of two rooms connected by an internal staircase – and the buffet restaurant can seat 90 residents. There’s also a lobby bar with terrace and a clubhouse snack bar. During the summer, all four outdoor swimming pools are popular, especially the two that are reserved for children. Salgados The Salgados course is situated 30 kilometres east of Morgado, laid out within a coastal Nature Reserve near Albuferia, where the palm-fringed fairways are set around quite a few large and testing water hazards. It’s also owned by NAU Hotels and Resorts so if you like alternative styles of golf then combining games at Morgado and Salgados is a great idea. All sorts of exotic birds reside in the small lakes, ponds and streams that are strung out along this stretch of the Algarve shoreline and if you factor in the fresh sea breezes that often blow in off the Atlantic then it can be quite a challenge to try and finish with the same golf ball that you first teed up on the 1st hole. The 5-star Salgados Palace hotel is positioned next to the course, with 228 guest rooms that range in size from 41 to 148 square meters. All the rooms – whether it’s a standard double, double with pool/sea view, or one of the various suites – have space, light and view in common. The spa has a 15-metre heated relaxation pool, jacuzzi, sauna and Turkish bath and there are four outdoor swimming pools. If you have any comment to make on the above article then please use the “WRITE A RESPONSE” link at the bottom of this page. Jim McCann Editor Top 100 Golf Courses
The latest ranking of the Top 100 Golf Courses in the World serves as the ultimate global golf bucket list. Most members of our World Top 100 Panel are seasoned golfers, each playing 20-30 of these courses annually while travelling extensively over decades to form their opinions on others. We recognise that opinions vary—even among our panel members. Rankings are subjective, and there are undoubtedly 50 or more courses in the UK and USA alone that could easily fit onto this list. Links Golf Pilgrimages The rankings
California, United States
New Jersey, United States
Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
New York, United States
New York, United States
