Portugal has been consecutively heralded as the best golf destination in Europe and in the world by the World Golf Awards. In Lisbon and in Portugal’s Central region one will find a selection of higher quality courses that, allied to a climate that is more than favorable, excellent dining traditions and even better lodging facilities, turn the capital and its neighboring councils into a perfect destination for the practice of this modality. We gather here the best golf courses in and around Lisbon, so that you can profit the most from what is considered one of the best golf destinations in the world.
There are those that can’t resist to play golf right in the middle of downtown at Paço do Lumiar, a green oasis in between the modern developments of Lisbon’s northern zone; or just a few steps away from the city fuss, at the Oeiras Golf & Residence, or even at the Lisbon Sports Club in Belas, with challenging water hazards (particularly hole eighteen, for the most advanced). But it’s along the wide coastal area – especially the one leading to Estoril, Cascais and beyond – that the first rate and top quality courses are located, all offering perfect designs with surrounding sightings to go along.
Estoril Golf Championship Course is one of Portugal’s oldest courses, a true 18-holes test to precision and perfect for more proficient players. Partially built by Fausto Figueiredo, the founder of Estoril Casino, it was finished by Mackenzie Ross.
The Penha Longa in Sintra stars among the most classical courses and is one of the best in the European Circuit. Designed by Robert Trent Jones, the hotel always saves a last minute round for those guests checking in at the end of the afternoon.
Quinta da Marinha golf course is famous for its thirteen hole, on a downhill slope, rolling towards the sea, with an outstanding sight of the ocean as backdrop.
Quinta da Marinha also offers the Oitavos Dunes, the first golf course in Europe to be awarded the Audubon Gold Signature Sanctuary ecological conscience certification. It was elected by Golf Magazine as the best course in Portugal and is among the top 100 worldwide.
The Belas Clube de Campo as well as the C. N. F. Jamor are equipped with the best training and game development conditions and are ideal for those seeking to improve their golfing performance.
Southwards towards Setúbal, many more potential pro-golfers can now be expected, as the course at Troia, also among the world’s top 100, is now open for practice.
But Portugal’s central region is much wider, as it can be witnessed upon a visit to Viseu’s captivating Montebelo Golf, offering wide panoramic views over the Caramulo and Estrela Mountains.
And Óbidos, a medieval town of notable achievement as a touristic destination, is now proposing a selection of courses from the Praia D’El Rey Golf, to the Royal Óbidos SPA & Golf Resort and the Guardian Bom Sucesso Golf, that decidedly put the region in the golf maps. And just before returning to Lisbon, how about a last round at the Dolce Campo Real golf course in Torres Vedras?
Article in partnership with INS
