Golf in Lagos combines the western Algarve's cliffs and beaches with characterful courses such as Palmares, with views of the Monchique mountains, and the hilly Boavista Golf & Spa Resort. The town's restaurants and old centre make it a lively base. Compare green fees and book your tee times in Lagos online.

Golf in Lagos: Palmares and Boavista, two characterful courses close to the beaches of the western Algarve. Compare green fees and book tee times online.

Lagos

Vilamoura

Golf in Portimão centres on Penina, the championship course designed by Sir Henry Cotton and a classic of the western Algarve. Portimão's beaches and harbour restaurants are close by, so it is easy to combine golf with time by the sea. Compare green fees and book your tee times in Portimão online.

Golf in Portimão: play the classic Penina Championship Course by Sir Henry Cotton in the western Algarve. Compare green fees and book tee times online.

Portimao

Faro

Penina Sir Henry Cotton Championship Course 

Penina Championship Golf Course, located in the western Algarve, is a must-play for golfers visiting the whole of Portugal. The course was designed by Sir Henry Cotton, the father of Portuguese golf, and has been the site of the Portuguese Open several times. The course's layout is unique, featuring water hazards, precarious ditches, and elevated greens that challenge golfers of every level. The highest standard of maintenance is evident on the reasonable short greens and throughout the entire course. Major renovations and small refinements keep the course in prime condition. The course's picturesque location amidst the Algarve paddy fields is a pleasant surprise. 

<h2>Best golf courses in the Algarve</h2><p><a href="/golf-course/quinta-do-lago-south">Quinta do Lago South</a> is part of a top resort with three courses: South, <a href="/golf-course/quinta-do-lago-north">North</a> and <a href="/golf-course/quinta-do-lago-laranjal">Laranjal</a>. Each has its own character and challenges, and all three share world-class facilities that suit golfers of all levels.</p><p><a href="/golf-course/penina-championship-course">Penina Sir Henry Cotton Championship Course</a> in the western Algarve was designed by Sir Henry Cotton. It is a must-play for golfers visiting Portugal and a classic test of the game.</p><p><a href="/golf-course/palmares-golf-course-alvor-lagos">Palmares Golf Course</a> combines two very different nines. The Alvor loop runs through rolling parkland with views of the Monchique mountains, while the Lagos nine adds water hazards and strategic bunkering that demand accuracy.</p><p><a href="/golf-course/boavista-golf">Boavista Golf & Spa Resort</a> is a short drive from Lagos. The front nine climbs to the highest point of the course and the back nine brings water into play, so a buggy is a good idea on this hilly layout.</p><p><a href="/golf-course/espiche-golf-algarve">Espiche Golf</a> stands out as one of the most environmentally friendly courses in the region. Its natural layout makes it a relaxed and enjoyable round in the western Algarve.</p><p><a href="/golf-course/pestana-gramacho">Pestana Gramacho</a> offers 18 interesting holes with strategically placed hazards and well-preserved natural vegetation. It is a good choice for golfers staying in the central Algarve.</p><p><a href="/golf-course/castro-marim-golfe-and-country-club">Castro Marim Golfe and Country Club</a> lies in the peaceful eastern Algarve, just minutes from the Spanish border. It is ideal for golfers who want quiet fairways away from the busier resorts.</p><h2>When to play golf in the Algarve</h2><p>The Algarve has a mild Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and gentle winters. Spring and autumn are the most popular seasons for golf in the Algarve, and the mild winters make it a favourite escape for golfers from northern Europe. In high summer, early-morning or late-afternoon tee times in the Algarve are the most comfortable. Demand is highest from autumn to spring, so book early for the best choice of times and green fees in the Algarve.</p><h2>Getting there</h2><p>Faro Airport is the main gateway to the Algarve, with direct flights from many European cities. Many courses in the central Algarve, around Quinta do Lago and Vilamoura, are a short drive from the airport, while the courses near Lagos and Portimão take longer to reach. Lisbon Airport is an alternative if you want to combine your Algarve golf holiday with a city break.</p><h2>Golf areas in the Algarve</h2><p>The central Algarve, around Quinta do Lago and Vilamoura, has the highest concentration of resort courses close to Faro. In the west, <a href="/golf-destination/algarve/lagos">Lagos</a> and <a href="/golf-destination/algarve/portimao">Portimão</a> combine golf with dramatic cliffs and beaches. The eastern Algarve, towards the Spanish border, offers quieter golf in the Algarve with a more relaxed pace.</p>

Golf in the Algarve means sunny winters, Quinta do Lago, Penina and courses near Lagos, all close to Faro Airport. Compare courses and book tee times.

Algarve

Golf in the Algarve combines mild Atlantic weather, golden beaches and one of the largest choices of courses in southern Europe. Resort golf around Quinta do Lago and Vilamoura, hillside and parkland courses near Lagos and Portimão, and quiet layouts in the east all lie within reach of Faro Airport. With sunny winters and short transfers, the Algarve is one of the easiest places in Europe to plan a golf holiday.

Golf courses in Portimao

Portimao golf highlights

Penina Sir Henry Cotton Championship Course

Other cities in Algarve

About Portimao

Ask golfers who played in Algarve