Golf holidays in Portugal have seen a real boom in interest over the last two decades. For a truly faultless golf holiday Algarve and Estoril have the bulk of the championship courses. This top 4 list highlights the best ones for great views and challenging world-class courses.
In the heart of the Algarve the San Lorenzo golf club regularly makes top 10 lists of European golf courses and it is easy to see why. The landscaping throughout the 18 holes provides variety throughout a round with the Bermuda grass fairways playing consistently well. The greens are well protected by strategically placed bunkers and play fast all year round thanks in part to the mild climate. The panoramic views off the high tee boxes of the adjoining nature reserve provide some incredible views.
For links-style course fans the Penha Longa Championship course is a real challenge. The course has always been a challenge thanks to the Atlantic wind that factors into all 18 holes on this coastal course and the fast running greens. The fact that the course is host to the 2010 Open meant tee placement on some holes was adjusted to toughen up par 4 holes and really bring fairway traps into play. Amateur golfers should not be put off by this though as the course plays well off the front tees and careful club choice off the tee should win out over long drives.
The Estoril golf club is one of the lesser renowned courses in the Estoril region (Praia Del Rey gets that award) but no less enjoyable to play. At 6100 yards long it is shorter than most courses but this hides the fact that the course design is a canny mix of par 4s and par 5s that reward accurate play rather than long drives off the tee.
Finally the Oceanico Faldo course is a uniquely desert style course on the western corner of the Algarve. Nick Faldo factored in the coastal breezes the area receives in the course architecture to keep a mix of flat undulating fairways and fast greens. It does take some getting used to playing and favors low/high ball flight depending on the wind direction, which can change mid-round.
