Why the Cascais Golf Passport Makes Lisbon, Portugal’s Go-To Golfing Destination

Oitavos Dunes Golf Course

For golfers, the region of Cascais seems to be flying under the radar, but is that all about to change?

Regarding golf in Europe, Portugal is high up on the list. The British golf contingent loves some winter sun; often, the Algarve is where to be. Of the 89 golf courses in Portugal, nearly 40 of them exist in the Algarve, the nation’s southernmost district is famous for its beautiful beaches, energetic nightlife, seafood, and of course its golf courses. But this is not the only region of this sun-kissed nation that offers all this and more.

Bathed by the Atlantic Ocean, Cascais offers the best of all worlds: the exceptional beaches, attracting lovers of vitamin D and surfers alike; the enchanting streets of the historic center; the parks and gardens that invite family moments; the restaurants – ever-increasing and improving; the golf courses and of course the views, designed to take your breath away.

Starting with the mild climate and ending with a calendar that shows no signs of stopping, the DNA of Cascais is unparalleled and continues to attract people from all over the world, all year round.

The beaches of Cascais, kissed by the crystal-clear waters of the Atlantic, form a charming natural spectacle. The municipality has a total of 17 beaches along its 30 km coastline, and the hardest part is choosing between the impressive scenery they offer. They narrate the rich history of Portuguese culture and the stories of families and friends who gather there in the summer for their swims, and in the winter for seaside strolls.

This is an epicenter of culture and dynamism in its various ways. The creation of the Museum Quarter concept elevated the town’s culture to a new level, offering a unique program with a diverse range of offerings to foster a taste for art.

The art scene is active, with art galleries scattered throughout the town showcasing works by local and international artists. Frequent cultural events, such as outdoor music and theater festivals, contribute to Cascais’ cultural vitality. Cool jazz festival is a perfect example of this: since 2004, it has celebrated culture in the municipality with iconic concerts and top-notch artists.

The town of Cascais and each of its wonderful golf clubs are located no more than 20 minutes away from Lisbon Airport – an international travel hub that serves direct return flights from over 100 major cities, including London, Paris, Munich, and New York – so now visiting one of Portugal’s most established and emblematic golf destinations is easier than ever before.

With TAP Air Portugal being based at Lisbon Airport, the airline serves over 90 destinations across three continents. TAP is available for UK golfers from three airports: London Heathrow, London Gatwick, and Manchester. For more information, or to purchase tickets with TAP, please visit flytap.com.

Cascais Digital Golf Passport

In the hope of boosting golf tourism in the region Cascais has launched its very own golf passport. The Cascais Digital Golf Passport connects the region’s seven golf venues and their live tee sheets together onto one platform to provide you with the ability to instantly book multi-round golf trips at the lowest fixed prices available.

Allowing golfers to play at multiple golf courses at reduced rates, makes it an excellent option for those looking to explore the region’s golfing scene without breaking the bank. Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or just starting out, the Cascais Golf Passport provides a convenient and affordable way to experience the beauty and excitement of golf near the Portuguese capital of Lisbon.

The passport rates vary from three to five courses. As an indication of cost, in the low season, for three courses start at €230 per player, and five courses from €320 per player. As a comparison, five courses during high season can be booked from €370 per player and three courses from €260 per player. These rates amount to a significant reduction over the normal green fees and offer a great opportunity to play some excellent courses whilst saving some cash. For all passes, a supplement of €85/88 in High Season and €28/30 in Low Season applies to include Oitavos Dunes in the passport.

• A first-of-its-kind digital solution to make multi-venue tee-time bookings
• Save time and money booking multiple tee times 
• Book 3-5 rounds in less than a minute
• Guaranteed lowest fixed prices available

Whether you are a resident, a travel-seeker planning your next golfing holiday, or just simply traveling to the region on business, you can now book 3, 4, or 5-round packages at the best prices available on the market, in just about as many clicks.

Accessible from the Visit Cascais website, the Golf Passport by Cascais enables golfers looking to book 3-5 rounds across the city’s seven golf courses to do so in under a minute and at the lowest fixed prices available.

“Cascais is at the vanguard of digital innovation with the mission to help improve the lives of its visitors and residents.” Said Bernardo Corrêa de Barros, President of Visit Cascais, the region’s tourism board. “Golfers can book with confidence knowing this the fastest, simplest, and most cost-efficient means to play at multiple courses in Portugal.”

 “This is a world first for the golf travel industry and has been achieved through the close collaboration between us as a technology provider, the Visit Cascais tourist board, and each of the golf clubs, to deliver a fully integrated and highly functional booking solution for tour operators and consumers.” Said Jo Maes, chief commercial officer of Zest.golf, which developed the platform on behalf of Cascais. “We anticipate Golf Passport will significantly drive visitation to the region and carve a path for further innovation and collaboration between destinations, travel partners, and golf venues.”

The Courses

The seven courses synching up for the Cascais Digital Golf Passport are: Golf do Estoril (Mackenzie Ross), Oitavos Dunes Golf Course (Arthur Hills), Lisbon Sports Club (Hawtree & Sons), Penha Longa Resort (Robert Trent Jones Jr.), Belas Club de Campo (Rocky Roquemore), Pestana Beloura Golf Resort (Rocky Roquemore) and Quinta da Marinha Golf (Robert Trent Jones Sr.).

Whilst all of these courses offer great challenges and sublime views none quite took my breath away like Oitavos Dunes did.

Oitavos Dunes is one of the great courses to open this Millennium and one of the few genuine links in continental Europe. Designed by the renowned Arthur Hills in 2001, this beguiling course 30 minutes from Lisbon, is considered by many to be Portugal’s finest and one of the world’s Top 100.

Laid out with great sensitivity towards the delicate ecosystem of the spectacular dunes on which it sits, Oitavos Dunes is the first course in Europe and second in the world to have Gold Signature Sanctuary status in recognition of conservation.

All 18 holes of the 6,900-yard course – which has hosted the European Tour on four occasions, producing champions of the caliber of Gregory Bourdy and Ryder Cup man Paul Broadhurst – offer stunning views over the Atlantic Ocean and of Sintra.

European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley was part of those Tour fields and has said of this oasis of sea, pine trees, and sand dunes across 168 acres: “This has the potential to be the best course in Europe” while Broadhurst insisted “Oitavos Dunes compares to the best courses we play.”

On the drive into Oitavos, you can’t help but notice the structure being built on your left-hand side by none other than Cristiano Ronaldo. This indicates how much of an appeal this location has when one of the world’s best football players and most followed man on social media decides to build his £17 million home within touching distance of the course’s clubhouse.

About the Author

Will Shreeve-Peacock – Golf Equipment Writer

Will is an expert in golf shoes, GPS watches, rangefinders, and training aids.

He has a degree in journalism from Sheffield Hallam University and four years’ experience working in golf retail with American Golf where he was trained by a host of the big-name manufacturers.

A six-handicapper, Will has played golf for more than a decade and is a member at Burghley Park Golf Club in Stamford, Lincolnshire.