Portugal is a golfer's paradise, where you can play every day of the year. On every course, you will find new and surprising landscapes, backed up by first class services and facilities.
There are more than 20 golf courses and academies in the Lisbon Golf Coast, awarded as the Best Established Golfing Destination in Europe in 2007, and there's plenty to offer to beginner and experienced players. From old school scottish links to modern park courses, there are great challenges expecting you!
Lisbon Area
Oitavos Dunes lies within the Sintra-Cascais National Park, designed by Arthur Hills. Stage to the European Tour's Portuguese Open in 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2009, the Oitavos is, according to GOLF Magazine, one of the Top 100 Golf Courses in the world. Hills has maintained and preserved the unique characteristics of the land, creating a 6.303 metre, par 71 golf course. The environmental certification was done in cooperation with Audubon International, an American environmental association.
Quinta da Marinha course was designed by the legendary Robert Trent Jones, with over 6,071 metres for a Par 71. This Course was the 1988 host of the Quinta da Marinha Ladies Masters and in 2002 was host to the Estoril Open (Senior PGA Tour Event). Expect breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean or the Sintra-Cascais Park on every hole.
Quinta da Penha Longa is an important historical site, having housed Portuguese kings. Over the past 600 years Penha Longa has undergone several changes and many buildings have been constructed, such as the Palace, the Church, the Fountain of Tears, the Fountain of St. Gonçalo and the Palace of the Marquis of Angeja. Designed by golf architect Robert Trent Jones Jr, the course is 6,290 metres long from the championship tees. There's also a 9 hole beautiful beginner course, called "Mosteiro".
Estoril Golf Club dates back to 1929. The 18-hole course was designed in 1945 by Mackenzie Ross, one of the best golf architects in the world. There is another nine-hole course, the Blue Course, normally used by beginners.
Quinta da Beloura is a recent resort park course on the Estoril Coast, set in 60-hectares halfway between Cascais and Sintra. It was designed by the American architect Rocky Roquemore. Its eighteen holes, with excellent views over the Sintra mountain range, extend over 5,878 metres for a par 72.
The International Golf Academy at Estoril-Sol is a small par-3 nine-hole golf course; excellent for beginners or for practice. The academy offers players the possibility of visualising all shots they may have to make in a real game on the course.
Belas Clube de Campo is set in a 465-hectare (1.150-acre) residential complex close to the towns of Belas and Queluz, with its royal palaces. This area was popular with the nobility and the royal family in the 19th century as an ideal place to come and spend the summer. Be prepared for long tee-shots in this 6100 metre par-72 golf course.
The Lisbon Sports Club was founded in 1922 by british residents in Lisbon. It is the oldest golf club in the Lisbon area and one of the oldest in Portugal, second only to the Oporto Golf Club. Located close to the town of Belas, the LSC is a tricky moutain course, sitting amidst low hills and valleys of beautiful biodiversity, thanks to the inexistence of houses or real-estate development. Look-out for the lazy creek across most holes, and be prepared for accurate driving and sharp pitching skills.
Quinta da Belavista and Paço do Lumiar are two 9-hole city golf courses. Both located on the eastern side of Lisbon, they are ideal for a quick round and a snack or just for practice.
South of Lisbon
Quinta do Perú Golf & Country Club is a cosy par-72 park course, situated in Azeitão, with beautiful views over the Arrabida Moutain Range National Park. Expect immaculate fairways and greens on a course that hosted several European Challenge Tour events.
Aroeira Clube de Campo and its 2 eighteen-hole golf courses (Aroeira I & II) are located in Charneca da Caparica, close to the Atlantic Ocean. Protected by sand dunes and tall pine trees, Aroeira boasts perfect conditions all year round. Designed by Frank Pennink (I) and Donald Steel (II), both courses were designed with European Tour events in mind.
Tróia Golf is a typical links golf course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. in the Tróia peninsula, next to Troia Resort. Set up between the Atlantic Ocean and the Sado estuary in an amazing scenario, expect narrow fairways and unforgiving roughs in this Championship Course.
Golfe do Montado is a challenging park course situated close to Palmela. After undergoing a deep makeover in 2005, this 18 hole par-72 runs its 6300 metres along a typical portuguese landscape of vines and corktrees, and its quality stands up to the fame of the surrounding golf courses.
Aldeia dos Capuchos Golf is a small 9 hole golf course located in Costa da Caparica. The site boasts wonderful views over the Atlantic Ocean, and it is perfect either for beginners or just for a quick round.
North of Lisbon
Praia d'el Rey is a difficult championship seaside links, located one hour to the North of Lisbon, close to the famous medieval town of Obidos. Narrow fairways and deep bunkers define the character of this beautifully set Cabell Robinson design par-73 golf course.
Golden Eagle Golf Club is located in Rio Maior, 65 km Northeast to Lisbon. Once one of the most exclusive golf courses in Europe, the Golden Eagle opened its doors to the world circa 2000, and golfers from around the globe were able to enjoy a challenging park course, sourrounded by lakes and bordered by mature umbrella-pine and oaktrees.