Best golf courses in Portugal: Quinta do Lago, Monte Rei and more

You really don’t need us to tell you how good golf in Portugal is.

Of course, the Algarve region in the south boasts more than 30 courses and is renowned worldwide for its raft of world-class golf courses.

But there are plenty of gems to be found in Lisbon, Madeira and beyond, so we’re here to share some secrets.

With over 300 days of sunshine a year, there are few places better for a golf holiday. So, here are six of our favourites.

• 6 of the best golf courses in Spain

• 6 of the best golf courses in Turkey

—

Palheiro Golf

Green fee: From €120

Madeira, otherwise known as the Hawaii of Europe, might be best known for a certain Cristiano Ronaldo, but there’s more where the legendary goal scorer comes from. With views over Funchal and the Atlantic coastline, Palheiro sits 500m above sea level and takes its place among the continent’s finest courses.

—

Praia D’El Rey

Green fee: From €80

Two stunning courses – the championship course and West Cliffs – make Praia D’El Rey one of the best golf resorts in Europe. Only 50 minutes from Lisbon, it’s set along pristine shores where golden beaches run for miles. The 18-hole championship course is the heartbeat, and a proper mix of parkland and links.

—

Terras da Comporta

Green fee: From €125

Only an hour south of Lisbon, the Dunas Course is among the world’s best new golf courses. Designed by David McLay Kidd, the Scot behind Bandon Dunes, Machrihanish Dunes and others, the Dunas Course is postcard perfect. A tremendously unique links-style layout surrounded by pine trees and sand.

• 6 of the best golf courses in the Czech Republic

• 5 of the best golf courses in Austria

—

Vale do Lobo

Green fee: From €84

Unsurprisingly, Vale do Lobo pops up on most golfers Algarve itineraries. The Royal Course and the Ocean Course combine to produce an exceptional resort perched over the sea. The orange-tinged cliff line is immediately visible from the plane window and as soon as you arrive, you’ll be blown away.

—

Quinta do Lago

Green fee: From €140

Europe’s leading golf destination has two stunning courses in the shape of the North and the South, both equally good. Both are set against the immaculate backdrop of Portugal’s southern coast and force golfers to navigate lightning-fast greens and undulating land. The North, redesigned in 2014, is open until 8pm.

—

Monte Rei

Green fee: From €170

Saving the best until last. The North Course at Monte Rei – a Jack Nicklaus design – is widely considered the No.1 in Portugal, set between the Serra do Caldeirao mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. Somehow, this is a classic taste of countryside golf on the coast and is unmissable thanks to the state-of-the-art clubhouse.