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, Vila Nova de Cacela, Algarve
• Cost: €190 – €245 per round, depending on the season (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, Cascais, Lisbon Coast
• Cost: €142 – €211 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, Almancil, Algarve
• Cost: €139 – €179 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.

Please note that San Lorenzo is scheduled to close on October 19, 2026 for a complete renovation and is expected to reopen around spring/mid-2028.

4. Troia Golf

• Location: Carvalhal, Grândola, Lisbon Coast
• Cost: Currently unavailable
• 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.

Please note that Tróia Golf is currently closed for a comprehensive renovation. Tróia Resort itself says the work is expected to last about 12 months and that the course is scheduled to reopen in early 2027.

5. Penha Longa Golf Resort

• Location: Estrada da Lagoa Azul Linhó, Sintra, Lisbon Coast
• Cost: €85 – €135 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, Almancil, Algarve
• Cost: €178 – €243 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, Amoreira, Óbidos, Lisbon Coast
• Cost: Approximately €82–€122 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. Old Course Vilamoura

• Location: Volta do Medronho, Vilamoura, Quarteira, Algarve
• Cost: €215 – €275 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, Vau, Óbidos, Lisbon Coast
• Cost: €131 – €190 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 2017 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, Almancil, Algarve
• Cost: €143 – €204 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, Alcantarilha, Algarve
• Cost: €159 – €197 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. Royal Óbidos Golf Course

• Location: Cabeço da Serra, Óbidos, Leiria
• Cost: €105 – €163 per round
• Why Visit: Designed by legendary Spanish golfer Seve Ballesteros, Royal Óbidos is a championship course that combines challenging golf with spectacular views of the Óbidos Lagoon and Atlantic Ocean. The 18-hole, par-72 course stretches across undulating terrain with the front nine overlooking the lagoon and much of the back nine facing the Atlantic. Water comes into play on several holes, while the course’s varied elevation and strategic layout provide plenty of challenges for experienced golfers without making it inaccessible to less advanced players. The 2nd and 18th holes are particularly stunning. Royal Óbidos has also hosted the Open de Portugal, which cemented its reputation as one of Portugal’s premier golf destinations.

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.