The Algarve is one of Europe's great golf destinations, and with 44 courses on our books you could play a different one every week of the season. This list is not all of them. It is the eight we would put in front of a visiting golfer with one precious week: the current award holders, the signature designs, and the courses whose single holes carry their whole reputation. The claims here are the courses' own and they are not small: Europe's Best Golf Course 2024 at Quinta do Lago South, Portugal's Best 2025 at the Vilamoura Old Course, a Jack Nicklaus Signature in the east, and the Algarve's very first 18 holes at Penina. Book ahead in spring and autumn, which are peak golf seasons here.
Par 72 course at Quinta do Lago designed in 1974 by William Mitchell, named Europe and Portugal's Best Golf Course 2024.
Why we picked it
William Mitchell’s 1974 design, named Europe’s and Portugal’s Best Golf Course 2024. The region’s flagship.
Vilamoura's original course, designed by Frank Pennink in 1969 and named Portugal's Best Golf Course 2025 at the World Golf Awards.
Why we picked it
Vilamoura’s original, designed by Frank Pennink in 1969 and named Portugal’s Best Golf Course 2025 at the World Golf Awards.
Jack Nicklaus Signature course at Monte Rei Golf & Country Club in the Eastern Algarve, a par 72 layout of 7,182 yards played since 2007.
Why we picked it
The east’s destination course: a Jack Nicklaus Signature par 72 of 7,182 yards, played since 2007.
18-hole course in Quinta do Lago bordering the Ria Formosa Estuary, designed by Joseph Lee and opened in 1988, sister course to Dona Filipa Hotel.
Why we picked it
Joseph Lee’s 1988 layout running along the Ria Formosa estuary at Quinta do Lago. Widely considered among the most beautiful settings in Iberia.
18-hole, par 72 course at Vale do Lobo Resort, inaugurated in 1997 by Rocky Roquemore, home to the famous cliff-top par-3 16th hole.
Why we picked it
Vale do Lobo’s headline act, inaugurated in 1997 by Rocky Roquemore and home to the famous cliff-top par-3 16th, the most photographed hole in the Algarve.
Three golf courses at Penina Hotel & Golf Resort in Portimão, including the Algarve's first 18-hole course, built in 1966 by Sir Henry Cotton.
Why we picked it
Where Algarve golf began: Sir Henry Cotton built the region’s first 18-hole course here in 1966, and the resort now holds three.
Two championship 18-hole courses at Amendoeira Golf Resort, designed by Sir Nick Faldo and Christy O'Connor Jnr., with a floodlit 9-hole academy.
Why we picked it
Two championship courses by Sir Nick Faldo and Christy O’Connor Jnr on one resort, plus a floodlit 9-hole academy for the evening.
Par 72 course at Quinta do Lago, totally redesigned in 2014 by Beau Welling with Paul McGinley in a €9 million project.
Why we picked it
The South’s sibling, totally rebuilt in 2014 by Beau Welling with Paul McGinley in a EUR 9,000,000 project.
