Your Ultimate Guide to Golf in the Algarve

Discover everything the Algarve has to offer from outstanding golf to exquisite culture and vibrant nightlife

Discover the amazing golf, experiences, and culture the Algarve has to offer on your next break in the sun

The Algarve stands as one of Europe’s best golfing destinations, drawing visitors from far and wide. Offering an array of enticing features, this remarkable place caters to all preferences. Whether you seek energetic nightlife, vibrant bars, and restaurants, or prefer cozy accommodation on a budget or opulent luxury options, the Algarve has it all. With exceptional golf courses, conveniently short flight times from the UK, and a delightful golfing climate during the Spring and Autumn months it’s an idyllic golfing haven.

For your Algarve golf break, you have the luxury of selecting from diverse experiences. The bustling nightlife of Albufeira beckons to party-goers and groups in search of fun-filled evenings. On the other hand, the captivating Marina towns of Lagos and Vilamoura provide a charming backdrop for golfers, with an abundance of delightful dining spots to choose from.

If you venture a bit further, you’ll discover the lesser-explored regions like Eastern Algarve, where hidden gems like Tavira await, offering glimpses into the authentic Portuguese culture. In this guide, we take you through some of the finest golf courses in the Algarve and recommend the best places for a golf holiday. Armed with this knowledge, you’ll be well-equipped to book your ideal golfing holiday in the mesmerizing Algarve!

We profile six fantastic resorts along the Algarve for you to consider when planning your next trip:

5* Monte Rei Golf And Country Club

In Eastern Algarve, the one place you must stay and play if you are looking to tick off your dream courses on your golfing bucket list is the beautiful Monte Rei! 

Set in 1000 acres of stunning countryside and boasting a Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course on-site, this five-star resort boasts numerous accommodation options such as apartment or luxury linked villas, so whether you are traveling with a partner or family, or a larger golf society you’ll always be well accommodated.

4* AP Cabanas Beach & Nature

Staying East of Faro International Airport you’ll find some of the best golf courses the Algarve has to offer, including some real hidden gems – Quinta Da Ria, Quinta De Cima, and Quinta Do Vale.

We’ve picked out AP Cabanas Beach & Nature as your ideal base whilst you tick off rounds on this area’s top courses. It’s a four-star property which offers an all-inclusive board basis making it perfect for groups of any size who want to ensure they get the best value for money! Plus you’ve got the scenic town of Tavira close by where you can sample traditional Portuguese culture and architecture – as well as plenty of excellent restaurants should you wish to divert away from the resort for the evening.

5* Penina Golf Resort

Set within 360 acres of grassland and beautiful scenery, Penina is home to the Algarve’s first 18-hole Championship golf course! The Sir Henry Cotton Course has hosted the Portuguese Open on ten separate occasions so you can be assured of its quality.

Off the course, there are 188 rooms and suites with varying room type options to suit all budgets as well as a number of restaurants and bars to keep you entertained and provide variety throughout your stay. 

4* Dom Pedro Vilamoura Hotel

The Dom Pedro Vilamoura Hotel is renowned as one of the most popular destinations for UK golfers to visit. Vilamoura features a beautiful marina surrounded by hotels and five Dom Pedro Golf courses as well as Pestana’s Vila Sol golf course. 

What makes the Dom Pedro Vilamoura Hotel a great pick is the discount on accommodation and green fees when combined that they offer as well as access to the free Dom Pedro Golf shuttle bus service that they operate. Plus, what better way to top off a day on some sunny fairways than stepping out of the hotel and dining in one of the many restaurants around the marina that is on your doorstep, before sampling the local beers and wines in the various bars. 

5* NAU Sao Rafael Suites – All Inclusive

This resort proves incredibly popular with larger groups due to it being located just ten minutes from Albufeira which offers fantastic nightlife with plenty of bars and restaurants to keep you entertained all through the evening. 

As well as its location, this resort offers incredible value with the all-inclusive board basis helping keep your golf holiday budget in check. Costs are helped further by the free golf shuttle bus which can take you to either Salgados, Morgado, or Alamos. 

4* Marina Club Lagos Resort

If you are a veteran of the Algarve and are looking for somewhere else to try after exploring both Albufeira and Vilamoura on your next stay in the region, then the beautiful marina town of Lagos is well worth checking out. Similar to Vilamoura but slightly more peaceful on an evening, you are still surrounded by stunning yachts moored in the marina with restaurants and bars dotted around it – the perfect place to grab a beer or have a meal and reminisce about that birdie putt earlier in the day! 

Marina Club Lagos Resort is positioned in the heart of the action, offering four-star apartment accommodation. This resort offers some great packages with green fees on the nearby Palmares Golf Course – one of the Algarve’s finest courses! Here you will find 27 memorable holes, with each loop of nine very distinctive and providing different scenery and challenges.  

How To Get To The Algarve

Faro Airport is serviced by numerous airlines from most UK airports with a flight time between 2 hours 45 minutes and 3 hours 25 minutes depending on which UK airport you take off from.

When it comes to picking which time of year to go, golf breaks are at their most popular here in Spring and Autumn when flights and accommodation can be cheaper than they are in the peak Summer season. Also, it’s worth considering the weather too, because the temperature is slightly cooler and more comfortable for playing golf, averaging around 16/17 degrees celsius in March and 20 degrees celsius in late September and October.

Fancy escaping to the Algarve on your next golf break? Contact Glencor Golf Holidays on 01904 406550 or email info@glencorgolf.com