Portugal is a top destination for golf enthusiasts worldwide and boasts some of the best golf courses in Europe. Seasoned pros and amateurs alike can enjoy the variety and quality of the courses, coupled with Portugal’s beautiful landscapes and pleasant climate. Here are the 12 best golf courses in Portugal that should be on every golfer’s list.

1. Monte Rei Golf & Country Club

• Location: Sitio Do Pocinho, Sesmarias, Apartado 1180, 8901-907 Vila Nova de Cacela, Algarve
• Cost: €170 – €263 per round (18 holes)
• Why Visit: Designed by the legendary Jack Nicklaus, Monte Rei is consistently ranked as the best golf course in Portugal. This challenging yet rewarding course is set in the stunning Algarve countryside, offering immaculate fairways and greens with gorgeous trees and elevation change along the way. The layout is both strategic and visually breathtaking, making it a must-play. A second Nicklaus-designed South Course is currently under construction.

2. Oitavos Dunes

• Location: Iote 64, Oitavos, 2750-374 Cascais, Lisbon Coast
• Cost: €111 – €161 per round
• Why Visit: Ranked among the top 100 courses in the world, Oitavos Dunes is a beautiful blend of natural beauty and world-class design. This Arthur Hills-designed course features a unique layout that looks down on the stunning Atlantic coast at every turn, with rolling dunes and pine forests adding to the challenge and beauty.

3. San Lorenzo Golf Course

• Location: Quinta do Lago, 8135-162 Almancil, Algarve
• Cost: €125 – €145 per round
• Why Visit: Located within the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve, San Lorenzo is known for its stunning views and challenging water hazards. The course is a favorite among many due to its scenic layout and the fact that it’s often rated as one of the top courses in Europe.

4. Troia Golf

• Location: Carvalhal, Grândola, 7570-789, Lisbon Coast
• Cost: €102 per round
• Why Visit: Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., Troia Golf offers a challenging layout with some of the most picturesque holes you’ll find in Portugal. Situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the Sado River, this course provides a unique golfing experience with its challenging bunkers and narrow fairways. Set in a very unique location, Troia Golf is about a 1 hour and 45-minute drive from central Lisbon.

5. Penha Longa Golf Resort

• Location: Estrada da Lagoa Azul Linhó, 2714-511 Sintra, Lisbon Coast
• Cost: €85 – €143 per round
• Why Visit: Penha Longa boasts two courses, the Atlantic and the Monastery. The Atlantic Course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., is the star, offering a challenging and scenic course set in the rolling hills of Sintra. Penha Longa has holes laid out in the charming private park of a 14th century monastery and has hosted the Portuguese Open. Please note that it sometimes experiences strong winds.

6. Quinta do Lago South Course

• Location: Av. Ayrton Senna da Silva, 8135-162 Almancil, Algarve
• Cost: €152 – €215 per round
• Why Visit: Quinta do Lago’s South Course is a favorite among European Tour professionals, having hosted the Portuguese Open multiple times. The course offers wide fairways and strategically placed hazards, making it both challenging and enjoyable. Its location in the heart of the Algarve ensures stunning scenery and top-notch facilities.

7. Praia D’El Rey Golf & Beach Resort

• Location: Avenida D. Inês de Castro No. 1, 2510-451 Amoreira, Óbidos, Lisbon Coast
• Cost: €63 – €110 per round
• Why Visit: A true links course, Praia D’El Rey is set along Portugal’s Silver Coast, offering stunning ocean views and challenging winds. Designed by Cabell B. Robinson, the course is renowned for its dramatic holes and challenging layout. The combination of beachside beauty and a tough course makes it a must-visit.

8. Dom Pedro Old Course

• Location: Volta do Medronho, Vilamoura, 8125-548 Quarteira, Algarve
• Cost: €175 – €236 per round
• Why Visit: Known as the “Grande Dame” of Algarve golf, the Dom Pedro Old Course is one of the oldest and most prestigious courses in the region. The course is nestled among umbrella pines and offers a classic parkland layout that challenges all levels of golfers. Its history and beauty make it a standout in the Algarve.

9. West Cliffs Golf Links

• Location: Estrada do Rio Cortiço 4, 2510-665 Vau, Óbidos, Lisbon Coast
• Cost: €63 – €110 per round
• Why Visit: One of Portugal’s newer courses, West Cliffs was designed by Cynthia Dye and offers a true links experience with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. The course opened to the public in 1917 and is a masterpiece of design and nature, offering challenging holes that wind through dunes and coastal vegetation. It’s already earning a reputation as one of the best in the country.

10. Vale do Lobo Royal Golf Course

• Location: Av. Da Lagoa 24, 8135-107 Almancil, Algarve
• Cost: €100 – €148 per round
• Why Visit: The Royal Golf Course at Vale do Lobo is famous for its 16th hole, one of the most photographed in Europe, featuring a dramatic cliff-top carry over the beach. The 9th hole is also almost an island green. Designed by Sir Henry Cotton, this course offers stunning views and a challenging layout, making it a favorite among visitors to the Algarve.

11. Amendoeira Golf Resort (Faldo Course)

• Location: Morgado da Lameira, 8365-006 Alcantarilha, Algarve
• Cost: €125 – €167 per round
• Why Visit: Designed by Sir Nick Faldo, the Faldo Course at Amendoeira Golf Resort is a desert-style course with strategically placed bunkers and challenging water hazards. The course offers a unique playing experience in the Algarve, with beautiful surroundings and a design that requires careful shot-making.

12. Dom Pedro Vilamoura Victoria Golf Course

Location: Caminho da Fonte do Ulme, 8125-406 Quarteira, Algarve

• Cost: €175 – €194 per round
• Why Visit: The Victoria Golf Course, designed by Arnold Palmer, is one of the most challenging and prestigious courses in Portugal. Host to the Portugal Masters between 2007 and 2022, the course features wide fairways, extensive water hazards, and strategically placed bunkers. Its modern design and immaculate condition make it a top choice for serious golfers.

Final Thoughts

Portugal is certainly a top destination for golf lovers and its golf courses offer a variety of challenges, scenic views, and world-class facilities. Whether you’re drawn to the dramatic coastal courses or the historic layouts in the rolling hills, these 12 courses represent the pinnacle of golf in Portugal. Their unique designs, impeccable maintenance, and stunning locations each provide an unforgettable golfing experience.