Portugal

The border area between Spain and Portugal is a fabulous area in which to play golf with some fabulous courses. The pride of this area of Portugal is Monte Rei – voted the best golf course in Portugal – it is an absolute golfing gem and is a real treat.

Accommodation options include staying in Tavira town centre at the Vila Gale. Tavira is a relatively small town but still enjoys a good selection of restaurants and bars, including a couple of lively Irish bars.

For a great All Inclusive option look no further than Robinson Club. The hotel complex sits within walking distance of the first tees of Quinta da Ria and Quinta da Cima – both really good golf courses with Ria featuring some stunning holes by the Ocean and Cima perhaps being a little more challenging. Perhaps better than the walking distance to the first tee is the 18th green on Ria – right next to the hotel pool bar and that all inclusive cold beer !! The resort is also only 10 minutes transfer to Monte Rei.

Vilamoura is the perfect choice for a golfing holiday. There are 19 golf courses in and around the town and it is only around 45 minutes from Faro Airport.

If you enjoy the luxury of a high class golf resort there are plenty to choose from in Vilamoura. If instead you want to be in the heart of the nightlife we can arrange accommodation in the centre of town and arrange transfers to your preferred courses.

At the heart of Vilamoura is the marina. The marina is surrounded by large hotels and luxury holiday homes as well as a large casino and numerous restaurants and vibrant bars.

If you want nightlife and to stay in the centre of town. More on the outskirts of town there are a wide choice of hotel options

If you prefer a stay at a purpose built golf resort then our recommendation is Pestana Vila Sol – the hotel is right next door to 27 holes of golf.

Quinta do Lago Resort is only around 15 – 20 minutes from the centre of Vilamoura and offers 3 superb golf courses – Laranjal, North Course and South Course.

Adjacent to Quinta do Lago is Vale do Lobo with further 2 golf courses – Royal and Ocean – both are at the top end of golf options in the Vilamoura area.

Heading West along the Algarve brings you to the lively town of Lagos – in our opinion perhaps second only to Vilamoura for the choice of bars, restaurants and nightlife. From the long Avenida dos Descobrimentos you can enjoy the city's profile and the busy and lively Marina. This avenue leads to the sea and the beaches, which are amongst the most beautiful in the Algarve

There is plenty of nightlife in Lagos both around the Marina area and in the town centre – within easy walking distance of each other – with a wide selection of restaurants, local bars, Irish bars and nightclubs available.

Lagos is about a 1 hour transfer from Faro airport. If time allows the journey takes you close to Vilamoura, Albufeira, Portimao and Alvor so playing 9 or even 18 holes en route between the airport and Lagos is possible.

We offer a broad selection of accommodation options from self catering apartments in the heart of Boa Vista golf resort to hotels in the centre of town and a real treat boutique hotel (only 20 rooms and very modern) overlooking the golf course and beach at Palmares.

There are 3 golf courses within 15 minutes of the centre of Lagos – Palmares with its 27 holes is probably the jewel in the crown – we played it twice in 2019 and the greens were the best we have played in the Algarve, Espiche is a real challenge with most fairways being lined with thorn bushes, and Boa Vista golf resort.

In our opinion this would be a great location to stay for those guests that prefer a town centre location with a broad choice of golf courses and there are plenty of other golf course options within 30 minutes transfer time.

The nearest major town to Alvor would be Portimao – about 15 minutes by taxi but for the best nightlife a visit to Praia da Rocha and its famous strip is the place to go – also around 15 minutes from Alvor.

From a golfers perspective Alvor is really 'owned' by Pestana – whilst there are no golf courses in the town Pestana own and operate 5 hotels in the town – each to suit a variety of budgets and board options. In our opinion the best value All Inclusive option is available at The Delfim in Alvor.

Depending on which of the hotels you prefer it takes between 10 and 20 minutes to walk into town.

A little out of town is the Viking Hotel, also owned by Pestana.

Pestana own 5 golf courses in the Algarve, 4 of which are easily reached from Alvor (about 20 minutes transfer to each) – Gramacho, Pinta, Silves and Alto. The fifth is Vila Sol in Vilamoura.

As is the norm, the best value green fee packages at the Pestana golf courses are reserved for guests staying at any of the groups hotels.

These are other trips.