Vilamoura, in Portugal’s Algarve, is a magnet for tourists looking to enjoy the resort’s fabulous beaches, marina and, of course, the golf. Oh, the golf…
If you know your backspin from your birdie and your pitch from your plunk, you’ve probably heard of Vilamoura. The resort’s golfing opportunities are world-renowned, and it has a reputation as the finest golf destination in Europe. There are several championship courses along with a raft of other pro-designed courses of varying difficulty. The resort also plays host to a number of high-profile tournaments throughout the year.
If you’re heading there, two-iron in hand, here’s a rundown of some of the best courses.
The Old Course
Opened in 1969, this is the second oldest course in the Algarve, but it’s been entirely remodelled, including the addition of a new clubhouse. Retaining much of the native vegetation and set amongst the picturesque pinewoods, the moderate to hard course’s appeal lies in its integration with the existing contours of the landscape. The clubhouse has an excellent restaurant (with some great reviews) where you can enjoy lunch overlooking the greens and review your game.
Fast facts:
- Facilities: pro-shop, valet service, putting green, driving range, clubhouse, restaurant
- Holes: 18
- Par: 73
- Handicap limit: men 24, women 28
- Designer: Frank Pennink
Located at Volta do Medronheiro, Edifício Old Course, 8125-507. Tel: +351 289 310 333
Prices start at €120 for 18 holes and €62.50 for 9 holes.
Victoria Golf Course
The longest 18-hole course in Portugal (with a total of 6560m), this championship course is sprawled over 90 hectares of predominantly flat terrain. Its practical and aesthetic design incorporates waterfalls, lakes and a series of manmade mounds that mirror the contours of the surrounding mountain range against which the course is set. Pro golfers love this course because each of the 18 greens has been designed in a different size and shape.
Fast facts:
- Facilities: huge 2500m putting green, valet service, driving range, golf shop, bar and restaurant, clubhouse
- Holes: 18
- Par: 72
- Handicap limit: men 28, ladies 36
- Designer: Arnold Palmer
Located at Apartado 970, 8126-912 Vilamoura. Tel: +351 289 320 100
Prices start at €118 for 18 holes, with twilight deals starting at €82.
Pestana Vila Sol
Host of the 1992 and 1993 Portuguese Open, Pestana Vila Sol has gone on to garner a long list of fans for its challenging, high quality greens. There are actually two courses set within its 75 acres: the Championship 18-hole and the 9-hole Academy Golf Course. With plenty of established vegetation and narrow fairways, the course maintains many of the natural features of the landscape, making it extremely pleasant to play, and there’s a very welcome bar and restaurant offering both fine dining and more casual fare.
Fast facts:
- Facilities: 2 putting greens, Golf Academy, driving green, chipping green, pro shop, tennis courts, bar and restaurant
- Holes: 18 + 9
- Par: 72
- Handicap limit: men 27, women 35
- Designer: Donald Steel
Located at Morgadinhos, 8125-307, Vilamoura. Tel: + 351 289 320 370. Prices start at €66 for 18 holes.
San Lorenzo
This exclusive, award-winning course is only available to private members and guests of the Dona Filipa Hotel. Consistently voted one of Golf World’s ‘Top 30’ courses in Europe, its 18 greens border the saltwater lagoons and marshlands of the Rio Formosa estuary, which provide a stunning backdrop for the figure eight Bermuda grass course. The clubhouse is home to a fantastic terrace restaurant, with an all day menu of high-class cuisine and relaxing views over the fairways.
Fast facts:
- Facilities: clubhouse, pro shop, 2 chipping greens, putting green, driving range, practice bunker, golf tuition, PGA pro
- Holes: 18
- Handicap limit: men 28, women 36
- Designer: Joe Lee
Located at Quinta do Lago, 8135-162, Almancil. Tel: +351 289 396 522. Prices start at €115 for 18 holes.
Millennium Golf Course
One of the newer courses in the region, the Millennium course is extremely well planned with an interesting and challenging layout set amidst beautiful pinewoods. Living up to its original design, the very open layout of the Millennium now includes 27 holes set over two distinctly different courses, which include narrow fairways, lakes and bunkers. The course shares a well-facilitated modern clubhouse with the neighbouring Laguna course, and drink buggies circulate regularly so you don’t have to interrupt your game to get some refreshment.
Fast facts:
- Facilities: driving range, putting green, restaurant and bar, pro-shop, shared clubhouse
- Holes: 18 + 9
- Par: 72
- Handicap limit: men 28, women 36
- Designer: Martin Hawtree
Located at Tivoli Victoria, Av dos Descobrimentos nº 0, 8125-309 Vilamoura. Tel: +351 218 507 708. Prices start at €77 for 18 holes, with twilight sessions starting at €53.
Getting Around
If you’re planning on trying out the facilities of a number of different courses, it’s advisable to rent a car to get you and your golf clubs around. While the resort itself only covers about 20sqkm, some of the courses are out of the immediate area. There are a number of car hire firms in the resort with rates starting from around €35 per day.
If you’re not afraid of lugging your clubs on public transport (or if you plan on renting them), the local Linha Verde (Green Line) bus follows a circular route around Quarteira and Vilamoura. There’s also a service covering other routes right around the Algarve. Fares start at €0.75.
A local taxi is an excellent way of getting to any of the nearby golf courses. It’s advisable to book in advance as the ranks can get congested at peak times. Vilamoura Taxis tel: +351 289 300 160.
While you might find it hard to drag yourself away from these courses, there’s plenty more than golf to discover in this lovely resort. Have a look at its many attractions and prepare for a truly memorable holiday!
How to Get to Vilamoura
Flights from the UK to Faro take around two hours and 40 minutes. Getting the rest of the way is easy on a pre-booked shared or private Faro airport transfer with Shuttle Direct. The driver will meet your flight and take you and all your golfing equipment right to the door of your accommodation in Vilamoura in around 30 minutes.
There is no direct public bus from the airport to the resort, but you can take a bus from outside the arrivals area to the centre of Faro then connect with a local service to Vilamoura.
If you’re driving from the north of Portugal to The Algarve, follow the A2 motorway then the A22 and EN125 in the direction of Faro. Vilamoura is well signposted.
Where to Stay:
Marina Plaza by Garvetur – Under 2km from the Pinhal Golf Course, the Marina Plaza by Garvetur is perfect for a budget friendly golf holiday. The rooms are fresh and bright and the private balcony offers a charming place to enjoy a quiet drink overlooking the marina. Everything is within walking distance so you don’t have to go far to find a great restaurant after a long day on the greens.
Parque Mourabel Oasis Village – Walk outside and onto the doorstep of Vilamoura’s best golf courses from the Parque Mourabel Oasis Village. Mix it up with a game of tennis, relax in one of two pools within the garden setting, and get into the holiday groove with live music and karaoke at the onsite bar. Enjoy a golf holiday in style in a peaceful and relaxing environment, with the bonus of a free shuttle to the beach.
Tivoli Victoria – Within an easy stroll of no less than 3 golf courses, the Tivoli Victoria is luxury personified, with panoramic views, private balconies and exotic cuisine. Iron out the golfing kinks with an indulgent treatment in the onsite Elements spa, and follow up with a cocktail in the Bartini Bar overlooking the tranquil view. A late checkout means you can enjoy your holiday right up to the last minute.
