The Algarve – still Europe’s #1 for resort golf

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

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

Golf in the Algarve – Sir Henry Cotton’s legacy There’s no doubting the strength in depth of golf courses in Portugal’s Algarve region There can be absolutely no doubt about the quality of the golf courses that are strung out along the sunny southern shores of Portugal in the Algarve region. More than half the entries in our Portuguese Top 40 chart originate from this area and seven of those top tracks are included in our latest Continental European Top 100 listings. Members of the Top 100 Team have played all the leading layouts in recent times; especially those located close to Faro at Quinta do Lago and Vilamoura – each of which boasts three courses – and at San Lorenzo. We’ve also paid several visits to Monte Rei (North), the national number 1 course, which is situated near the Spanish border. An opportunity arose last week to widen our golfing experience in the Algarve when the European Golf and Travel Media Association extended an invitation to attend the NAU Hotels & Resorts Media Championships 2016. This event was held at Morgado Golf & Country Club, located in the foothills of the Monchique Mountains, and at Salgados Golf Course on the Albufeira coastline. It was a great chance to find out more about some of the many courses that are laid out on a 150 kilometre stretch from Golf Santo Antonio Resort in the west side of the region to Quinta do Vale in the east. Although we managed to sample only half a dozen of these facilities, it was more than enough to whet the golfing appetite for a return trip in the near future. Before joining delegates for the official start of the press trip, we thought it was a good idea to see where it all began for golf in the Algarve, at Penina. It’s here that Sir Henry Cotton laid out the region’s very first course exactly fifty years ago so we felt it was rather appropriate to pay our respects and savour the sumptuous surroundings in what is really an arboreal paradise. Just a short 15-minute drive away, half way between the coastal towns of Portimão and Lagos, the 27-hole complex at Palmares was next on our itinerary. The fairways overlook the Meia Praia beach, with lots of elevation changes to cope with on two of the 9-hole circuits. Frank Pennink designed the original 18-hole layout here forty years ago, with Robert Trent Jones Jnr reconfiguring things in 2010. And so it was on to the marvellous 4-star Morgado do Reguengo Resort, on the north side of the A22 motorway, where the 98-bed Morgado Golf & Country Club was the base for the next couple of days. It’s a pity our group of journalists visited at the start of February because it was just a bit too early in the year for an apres-golf plunge into one of the four inviting outdoor swimming pools! Day 1 of the Media Championships was played on the Morgado course, an impressive 18-hole layout consisting of two contrasting nines: the outward half plays out across a valley floor before the inward half rises gently into the hills, where holes are routed over a more undulating landscape. The disparity in topography also applies to the greens, which are more contoured on the back nine. Day 2 of the Media Event then shifted to the newer Alamos course, another layout from European Golf Design that’s located in hillier terrain to the north of the property. Shorter and tighter than its sibling Morgado course, Alamos is configured in a big anti-clockwise loop, with the next hole only revealed upon arrival, until the course opens out a little over the closing six holes. Significant infrastructure improvements are being carried out at the moment on this course with new paths being installed, which will obviously benefit golfers playing here from this summer onwards. Sadly, it was time to leave the peace and tranquillity of the hills above Portimão and head for the brighter lights along the coast at the 5-star Salgados Dunas Suites, close to Albufeira. This modern hotel (one of eleven operated in Portugal by NAU Hotels & Resorts) comprises 155 rooms and suites within six separate buildings and these are attached to nine outdoor swimming pools which are positioned around an enormous palm-fringed garden in front of the beach. The Salgados course sits a mere 5-minute walk away and it was the venue for Day 3 of the program. It’s set within the enormous Herdade dos Salgados Resort, between the beach and the Natural Wildlife Reserve and you can expect to see all sorts of exotic birdlife during a round here on a pancake-flat landscape that has creeks, ponds or lakes in play at nearly every hole – and if the wind gets up, hold onto your golf hat as there’s no place to hide when it gets a little fresh off the Atlantic! The official Press Trip over, there was still time the following day to round off the visit with a final game along the coast at Benamor, next to the lovely little coastal town of Tavira. Although the course opened in 2000, it was actually designed by Sir Henry Cotton before he died in 1987. We’ve since spoken to Howard Swan who walked the property with the great man before he passed away and the architect confirmed he was honoured to complete the project after Henry died. Benamor’s a terrific “second tier” course, a little off the beaten track in the eastern Algarve, but it’s one that its esteemed designer would surely have been pleased to visit if he was still alive to sense the pride that a very vibrant active membership takes in its appearance. There’s certainly a place for each and every one of the thirty-eight courses that lie within the boundaries of the Algarve and they don’t always have to be highly ranked in the charts to provide considerable golfing pleasure. Little could anybody have imagined half a century ago the way the game of golf would totally transform the Portuguese tourism sector into the multi million euro business that it’s become nowadays and there are many thousands of people in the Algarve who owe a debt of gratitude to the pioneering exploits of the revered three-time Open champion, one Thomas Henry Cotton. Jim McCann Editor Top 100 Golf Courses