Golf

Golf is big business here in Portugal, and The Algarve boasts some of the best golf courses and facilities in Europe. Most people head west for golf because of its excellent and well-known facilities. This often makes the courses crowded and limits the tee-off times. The east also has some excellent courses and you may find them better value for money. Below are some tried and tested east and west resort golf courses.

Using Faro Airport as a midpoint, to the west we have the Quinta do Lago Golf Courses (boasting three exceptional courses with magnificent views) and the Vale do Lobo golf courses (offering two 18 hole championship courses with ocean views) both located within a 25-minute drive. 

A further 5-minute drive in the same westerly direction is Vilamoura Golf Club (established in 1969, this is one of the oldest clubs in the Algarve). Offering Pitch and Putt, monthly tournaments and junior competitions, this is a great family friendly club.

To the East you will find the Benamor Golf Course (with views of the mountains to the North and the Atlantic Ocean to the South) located within 35-minutes, and the Quinta de Cima/ Quinta de Ria courses (with see views, beach islands and mountain landscapes) within around a 40-minute drive. 

The Castro Marim Golf & Country Club (with three 9 hole courses) is located within a 45-minute drive and offers some fantastic lesson packages for all levels, with Peter O’Connor (son of the Ryder Cup legend Christy O’Connor Senior).