The Algarve is the southernmost region in Portugal, home to some of the best golf courses in Europe and several world-class golf resorts and hotels. The region runs the entirety of the south coast, with each offering a selection of superb golf resort options. 

Central Algarve

Central Algarve includes golfing hotspots such as Vilamoura, Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo. Golf resorts are abundant here, albeit on the pricier side, owing to its prime real estate and convenient location to Faro Airport. Known as the golden triangle, Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo are famous for their large opulent villas. Plenty of celebrities have second homes here, so don’t be surprised if you bump into the odd retired footballer during your stay. 

Quinta do Lago

The best golf resort in Quinta do Lago is the Four Seasons Country Club. This self-catering complex offers a range of accommodation options and is set up perfectly for families. Guests also receive preferential tee times and discounted green fees at The Quinta do Lago North and Quinta do Lago South Courses, perfect for the busier months of September and October. 

Vale do Lobo

Vale do Lobo Resort is one of the largest in all of Portugal, and you’ll find a wide range of excellent facilities at the complex. It’s home to the Vale do Lobo Ocean Course and Vale do Lobo Royal. Both are magnificent and expertly maintained. Of the two, we’d recommend the Royal, just so you can experience the 16th, a terrifying par-3 hole that plays over a deep ravine with some awe-inspiring cliffs to your left that give way to the Atlantic Ocean. It’s often cited as the most photographed hole in the Algarve.  

Beyond the golf, there is also an impressive tennis academy and 16 bars and restaurants on-site. Once you arrive, you won’t want to leave. For more options, take a look at our guide to the best golf hotels in Vale do Lobo. 

Vilamoura

There are a couple of very high-quality golf resorts in Vilamoura, and the prices can be more attractive too. Pestana Vila Sol Golf and Resort Hotel is an excellent option. Rooms are comfortable and all equipped with flat-screen TV’s and air conditioning. On your doorstep, you’ll have access to Pestana Vila Sol Golf Course. There are 27 holes to play here, enabling golfers to mix and match the 3 loops for different combinations on different days. 

Hilton Vilamoura is another excellent Algarve golf resort next to the famous Dom Pedro Old Course. As expected with a Hilton hotel, the service is polished, and the rooms are expertly appointed. There’s a wide range of family activities during the peak summer months, including a kids club and a dedicated children's pool. The Spa facilities at the Hilton are pretty special too, in fact it made our list for the best golf and spa resorts in the Algarve. Be sure you take full advantage of the Turkish baths after a busy day on the golf course. 

West Algarve

Head further west to discover Albufeira. Keep driving, and you’ll reach Portimao and then Lagos. There’s plenty of choices out west, in particular, you’ll find many of the Algarve’s All-inclusive Golf Resorts out this way. 

Albufeira 

There are four golf resorts in Albufeira. If you fly into Faro, then the closest is Pine Cliffs Resort. Pine Cliffs is great for foodies, boasting an impressive 15 restaurants on-site. You can order anything from the finest steaks to elegant Japanese cuisine. Also onsite is Pine Cliffs Golf Course, a plucky 9-hole track that’s great for beginners and experienced golfers alike. 

Further inland is the Amendoeira Golf Resort. This opulent golf resort is one of the Algarve's premier destinations for golfers. There are self-catering apartments and villas (with private pools) available. 

The resort is home to three golf courses, The Faldo Course, often cited as the hardest golf course in the Algarve, The O’Connor Junior Course and The Academy Course, Portugal’s only floodlit 9-hole golf course. As well as the golf courses, there are also two full-sized football pitches, six Savannah tennis courts and a fully equipped gym. A stay at Amendoeira Golf Resort may result in you leaving fitter than when you arrived!

Travel further along the coast to reach Salgados, home to a range of all-inclusive golf resorts. Two that we recommend are Salgados Palm Village and Salgados Palace. Both are just a short distance from Salgados Golf Course, located in the middle of a nature reserve and home to many endangered bird species. Both Palm Village and Salgados Palace are all-inclusive golf resorts and are a couple of the best options available in the Algarve. 

Portimao

70 kilometres west of Faro airport is Portimao. Here you’ll find two enchanting golf resorts that offer a more peaceful setting than some of the busier locations like Vilamoura and Albufeira. 

Morgado Golf and Country Club

Morgado Golf and Country Club is located inland, just off the A22. Modern rooms provide a comfortable setting for the perfect Algarve golf holiday. Semi-all-inclusive options are available during the peak season. It's possible to arrive at Morgado and never leave the resort. 

Morgado Golf and Country Club is one of a handful of golf resorts in the Algarve that has two golf courses onsite. Guests can choose to play Morgado Golf Course and Alamos Golf Course. Both are relatively new, opened in 2003. Now over two decades old, the plants and fauna are established to provide a delightful setting for multiple rounds of golf. 

Penina Hotel & Golf Resort

Penina Hotel & Golf Resort hosts the oldest golf course in the region. The Sir Henry Cotton Championship Course is where golf began in the Algarve. Set on the grounds of old rice paddy fields, Sir Henry Cotton has created a Championship Course that is both challenging and beautiful. Also at the Penina Hotel is the Resort and Academy Course, perfect for higher handicappers and those new to golf. 

Other amenities at Penina Hotel include tennis courts, bike rental and the largest outdoor heated swimming pool in the Algarve. 

Lagos

Travel a bit further west, and you’ll land in Lagos. One of the most westerly towns for golf resorts in the Algarve, it takes approximately one hour to get there from Faro airport. This classically Portuguese town is home to two golf resorts, with a third found a short drive further west. All offer comfortable accommodation and excellent golf courses on-site.

Palmares Beach House Hotel

Palmares Beach House Hotel is an adults-only boutique hotel. This luxury Algarve golf resort is perfect for grown-ups and provides a secluded, relaxing golf break next to one of Europe’s premier golf courses. There are only 20 rooms here, so this intimate setting and one-to-one service make Palmares a special place to stay. 

Guests can enjoy sumptuous dining at El Sud, headed up by Chef Louis Anjos, who worked at several Michelin-starred restaurants. The views from the restaurant are something to behold, occupying an elevated position in the clubhouse with spectacular views of the course and Lagos Bay.

On the resort is Palmares Golf Course, one of the best golf courses in the Algarve. There are 27 holes to play here, broken down into three loops of nine holes. Guests can play the Praia, Lagos and Alvor loops, each offering a unique style, ranging from links to parkland-type holes. Our favourite combination of Lagos and Praia, so try and combine these during your stay. 

Boavista Golf & Spa – Bela Colina Village

Boavista Golf & Spa is a golf resort in the Algarve providing self-catering private villas and apartments for golf holidaymakers. There are two restaurants on-site, the Clubhouse and Bistro, that serve up international dishes. 

There’s also a spa and gym on the resort providing daily fitness classes, massages and spa treatments. There are weekly swimming and tennis lessons for kids, perfect for keeping little ones entertained and well-exercised during your golf holiday.

Boavista Golf Course is located on the golf resort and is a championship golf course with some of the most breathtaking views of any Algarve golf course. Boavista has four tee positions for every hole and caters well for golfers of all abilities. 

Quinta da Floresta Santo António Villas, Golf & Spa

Quinta da Floresta Santo António Villas are the most westerly of the Algarve golf resorts we feature. A range of private, self-catering villas are available to rent, with some complete with a private pool. There’s also an onsite restaurant that serves international cuisine for days when cooking isn’t on the to-do list. Other activities available include tennis courts, horseriding and mountain biking. 

The resort is home to Santo Antonio Golf Course, a delightful 18-hole track that caters well for golfers of all abilities. Designed by Pepe Gancedo, Santo Antonio blends into its natural surroundings and has a wide variety of holes, a few of which have expertly placed water hazards. It’s a course you’ll want to play a few times to master fully. 

East Algarve

Tavira

Heading over to the other side of the Algarve, due East and close to the Spanish border, you’ll find Tavria. An area often overlooked by golfing enthusiasts, it’s home to some of the best golf resorts in the Algarve, including Monte Rei, often quoted as Portugal’s best golf course. There are three golf resorts in Tavira which offer superb golf and excellent value for money.

Monte Rei Golf & Country Club

Whilst Monte Rei Golf & Country Club may not be the cheapest golf resort in the Algarve, it’s undoubtedly one of the best. Monte Rei is synonymous with luxury and service of the highest quality. If you want to be pampered during your Algarve golf holiday, Monte Rei has to be considered. 

Accommodation is available in the form of private apartments and villas with private pools on a self-catering basis. There are superb dining options available at the resort too, so if cooking isn’t your thing, you can still enjoy excellent food and drink without needing to leave the resort. 

Michelin-starred Vistas Rui Silvestre offers an exquisite fine dining experience, while The Grill is the social hub of Monte Rei where residents, guests, and visitors can enjoy a leisurely lunch, afternoon tea, or casual evening meal.

Monte Rei Golf Course is the big draw here. This Jack Nicklaus signature course will delight you from the first hole to the last. Each hole is in its own valley, so it can often feel like you have the place to yourself. 

The service is exceptional too. A member of staff will take your clubs to the first tee and will provide you with some tips before teeing off, ensuring you make the most of your round of golf. Monte Rei is a truly special golf resort and one you’ll want to return to again and again. 

Castro Marim Golfe and Country Club

Located close to the Spanish border, Castro Marim Golfe & Country Club provides private villas and apartments with a communal swimming pool. Castro Marim represents excellent value for money, with nightly and weekly rates lower than many of its counterparts in the region. 

Castro Marim Golf Course is located close to the resort and provides golfers with 27 holes based on three loops of nine holes. Golfers can opt to play any combination of the Atlantic, Grouse or Guadiana loops during their stay. Our favourite combination is the Grouse and Atlantic loop as it offers a splendid mix of challenging holes and wonderful views. 

Robinson Club Quinta da Ria

Robinson Club Quinta da Ria is an all-inclusive golf resort near Tavira. It’s one of the few golf resorts in the Algarve that provides access to two golf courses. Quinta da Ria and Quinta de Cima Golf Course are both just a stone's throw from the accommodation, giving golfers 36 holes to choose from whilst on holiday. 

Overlooking the Ria Formosa National Park, Robinson Club offers spectacular views and modern, clean rooms coupled with all meals and drinks included. Additional activities include water sports, luxury spa treatments and guided walks. For a hassle-free golf holiday in the Algarve, Robinson Club Quinta da Ria is hard to beat.

Both Quinta de Cima and Quinta da Ria take advantage of their stunning natural surroundings, with many of the tee’s offering spectacular views of the coast. An added bonus, is the fact there are no significant developments surrounding the courses, so you’ll feel at one with nature during your rounds of golf. 

Five man-made lakes, integrated into the course design, add a sense of danger on several holes whilst doubling up as irrigation for the entire resort. We love Robinson Club Quinta da Ria for its hassle-free approach and natural setting, and it is one that we have no problem recommending to our readers.