Golf

Parque da Floresta - 5 mins away
Located amongst rolling, hilly terrain near the south-western tip of Portugal, the 'Land's End' of Continental Europe.
The layout, designed by former Spanish amateur champion Pepe Gancedo, architect of the well-known Torrequebrada course near Malaga in Spain, was virtually carved out of the hills and many of the natural contours were retained.
Unlike most courses, the controversial Parque da Floresta has an infinite variety of holes, each one with individual character.

Quinta da Boavista - 15 mins away
Designer Howard Swan has successfully integrated his layout into the existing natural terrain, using the very features that make Boavista a delight to the eye.
In addition to the 18-hole championship golf course and driving range, there is a teaching academy.
This is a golf course that has all the attributes to fulfil the expectations of all golfers - irrespective of their playing overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and the historic town of Lagos

Penina (Portimao)- 30 mins away
The Championship course is the late Sir Henry Cottons masterpiece and the course by which he wished to be remembered. Unlike the vast majority of Algarve courses, Penina is a flat, parkland type course, having been built on former rice paddies and scrubland. Most of the drainage ditches in the paddies were retained and partially modified into tricky water hazards, but the dramatic change of terrain was helped by the planting of 250,000 trees which now line most of the fairways. It is complemented by two separate 9 - hole courses.

Palmares (Lagos) - 20 mins away
An interesting course, is best known for its breathtaking scenery. The setting is idyllic, with the majority of the holes on gentle slopes above the extensive beach stretching from the Lagos marina to the mouth of the Alvor River. Course architect Frank Pennink took full advantage of the magnificent site and, in passing, threw in a sequence of five pure links holes between the railway and the beach.
The upper holes wind through groves of almond and fig trees and the course is renowned for its annual Almond Blossom tournament week in February.

Futher afield

Pinta (Carveiro)
Set in an area of undulating land not far from the popular seaside village of Carvoeiro, Pinta and Gramacho are the work of a master of course design, Ronald Fream.
Indeed, as soon as Fream saw the land, he declared it to be "God given" for golf. Scattered with almond, carob and olive trees - many, centuries old - and with natural rocky outcrops, he envisaged the construction of two courses with minimal of environmental disruption.
A challenging course for golfers of all standards. The exciting features provided by nature and embellished by well-positioned bunkers and two ornamental lakes.
Green size is well matched to the lenght of the approach shot. This 6.152 metres, par 71 course, will be appreciated by all knowledgeable golfers.

Gramacho (Carveiro)
The present course is the result of a conversion from Ronald Fream’s original unique double-nine layout. The opening holes remain much as they were, but the new holes, five through thirteen, are those, which bring the course to potential championship status. All are on undulating land, with narrow fairways demanding careful play. As with its sister course, Pinta, the condition of Gramacho is maintained to a high standard all year round.

Alto Golf (Alvor)
The course is located in an attractive area steeped in golfing tradition. Just a few kilometres away is the area where the game was first played in the Algarve, a long extinct, rudimentary layout with sand and oil greens, or 'browns', dating back to the 1920`s between Portimão and Praia da Rocha.
Alto is also less than seven kilometres from the venerable Penina, Algarve´s first grass golf course. Like Penina, Alto was designed by Sir Henry Cotton, British Open champion in 1934, 1937 and 1948, who made the Algarve his home back in the sixties. The course was opened in 1991 by Portugal`s President Mário Soares who made the inaugural stroke with a driver which is on display in the clubhouse.
Built on ideal, undulating terrain amongst traditional vineyards close to the coast, Alto is blessed with fine views of both the sea and the Monchique range of hills in the hinterland. Nearby is the fishing village of Alvor at the estuary of a river of the same name.

Morgado de Reguengos (Alvor)
This course is the newest course to open in the Algarve. Lying to the north of Portimão it is laid out in a large 980 hectare estate through undulating small valleys.
The immediate main characteristic factor is its large greens which place demand on good putting skills. Also, the accuracy of the player's shot will be questioned by deep aggressive bunkers. A further 18 hole course is already in the planning stage.