From iconic resorts to Vilamoura's can't-miss golf hub
This article appeared in the August 2026 edition of Chicago District Golfer.
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Make planning your next European golf trip easy - start in Lisbon, visit Cascais, and then head to the Algarve and let Vilamoura be your home base for world-class golf, sun-soaked resorts, and a front-row seat to Portugal’s rising golf scene.
For this article, I want you to think back to early 2026 and the cold snap most of the country experienced. In the Chicago District, temperatures plunged well below zero. How did you feel about that? Golf – or even feeling your toes again — probably seemed so far out of reach that all you could do was turn up the heat and get your golf fix watching YouTube tutorials (even leaving the house to hit a simulator felt hard). Meanwhile, when you were busy trying to get warm, in an alternate reality, people were playing light-jacket, winter-sun golf in an emerging Portuguese paradise called Vilamoura that is redefining luxury golf travel. I know this because I was there teeing off on some of the world’s most beautiful courses, all while you were scraping windshields, shoveling snow and scrolling Zillow for homes in Florida.
Consider this your reminder that Vilamoura – and the other incredible places to play in Portugal – are very real options the next time winter makes golf in the Midwest feel impossible and you need a place to escape.
As someone who managed to sneak in two Portugal golf trips in a single year, I can confirm: when it comes to winter escapes, Vilamoura, and Portugal in general, more than live up to the hype. Thanks to my job as a golf travel writer (and having some really great connections), I lucked into two golf trips to a country that’s quietly become the worst-kept secret in golf travel. You may have noticed that everyone is talking about golf in Portugal, and it’s for good reason. With more than 90 courses, 300 days of sun and a culture that warmly invites you in for the people, gastronomy, wine and scenery, it’s no wonder golfers everywhere want in on this golf paradise. The CDGA is even running its first Member Trip to Portugal in October of this year.
Let’s start with my first trip this past September with my husband, which, incidentally, is a fantastic time to visit Portugal. The days are warm and sunny, with temperatures in the 75–85°F range, and it’s less crowded than the summer travel season. We started our adventure with an Iberia Airlines flight out of O’Hare to Madrid, hopped on a connecting flight to Lisbon, and set out for a 10-day trip that had us playing seven rounds on seven different courses, stretching from Cascais to the Algarve.
I’m sharing our itinerary here not to brag, but to give you a rough model to borrow, tweak, or flat-out copy for your own Portugal golf adventure. I guarantee our lineup covers all bases, as it was created by area experts from Visit Cascais and Tee Times Golf Holidays, an Algarve-based golf tour operator that’s been booking tee times and golf packages in Portugal and Spain since 1993. They know everything there is to know about golf, accommodations and planning a seamless golf trip.
Our tour included some of the world’s most stunning courses, showing us exactly why Portugal has earned titles like “World’s Best Golf Destination” and “Europe’s Best Golf Destination” from major industry honors, including the World Golf Awards. Each of the seven courses reinforced those accolades. From that whirlwind itinerary, here are the stops we played, and would send any golfer to in a heartbeat:
Penha Longa Resort in Sintra – A Robert Trent Jones Jr. championship design set in the hills above Lisbon, and a former Portuguese Open host. Gorgeous course, equally stunning resort – a Ritz-Carlton property.
Quinta da Marinha, Cascais – A Coastal Robert Trent Jones Sr. course meets the pines, featuring elevated greens, Atlantic views, and plenty of bunkering.
Oitavos Dunes, Cascais – A modern links-style layout woven through dunes and maritime pines, regularly ranked among Europe’s top courses. Family-owned for three generations, it’s a classic example of enduring legacy and a long-term commitment to excellence.
Terras da Comporta - Dunas, Comporta – A new “superstar” designed by David McLay-Kidd, part of the Terras da Comporta development alongside the even newer Torre, which is the first signature course designed by Sergio Garcia (Hot tip - stay at the nearby boutique hotel AlmaLusa Comporta.)
Palmares Golf, Lagos – Ocean-view golf above the Alvor Estuary and Lagos Bay, offering a unique parkland and links-style experience. Stay on property at the adults-only Palmares Beach House Hotel.
Quinta do Lago South, Algarve – A championship par-72 course that has hosted the Portuguese Open eight times, set within the upscale Quinta do Lago golf and resort estate.
Monte Rei Golf & Country Club, Eastern Algarve – A Nicklaus Signature design often cited as Portugal’s top course, set in rolling hills near the Spanish border, with pristine villas for luxurious on-site accommodations.
An itinerary with one of those courses would give you something to remember when your trip is over, and you’re back in cooler temps. But when in Portugal, it’s almost a crime not to take in as many as you can. Which is why I’ve saved the best for last: Vilamoura, a rising star on the Portuguese golf scene known not only for its world-class golf – five courses within the resort and even more nearby – but also for coastal luxury and amazing amenities.
Vilamoura: The Algarve’s Rising Star That Belongs on Your Portugal Golf Bucket List
This past February, I was invited to Vilamoura to play in the Vilamoura Pro-Am, an annual event hosted across Vilamoura’s championship courses that draws golfers from around the world. This easily accessible seaside resort town is built around a marina and a cluster of world-class golf courses. In other words, it’s a paradise for anyone craving a warm-weather escape. (I’m talking to you, CDGA members.) Plus, Vilamoura is easy to reach, at just 30 minutes from Faro’s airport and roughly two-and-a-half hours from Lisbon.
And, thanks to Vilamoura’s sophisticated blend of championship golf with upscale amenities such as yacht-lined waterfront dining, beach clubs, clean beaches, casino, nightlife, and spas, it’s easy to see why golfers, families, vacationers, and ex-pats are drawn to the place people call “Portugal’s Monaco.”
How Does a Trip to “Golf Heaven” Sound?
As it turned out, I’d actually stayed in Vilamoura at the Tivoli Marina Vilamoura Algarve Resort during my September trip and fell hard for the high-end hotel with its luxe amenities, marina views, private beach, and walkable access to waterfront restaurants and shops. While we were there, my husband and I also toured one of the area’s newly renovated courses, The Old Course, where we were blown away by the gorgeous clubhouse, restaurant and bar, as well as the beautifully renovated layout. Little did I know I’d be back in February to play that very course as part of the Vilamoura Pro-Am.
What I initially thought was simply a cool marina town surrounded by golf courses turned out to be much more. Vilamoura is actually a tournament town, anchored by The Els Club Vilamoura – a new private club on the former Victoria Course, where the Portugal Masters was hosted multiple times and where the July 2026 Portugal Invitational – the first PGA Tour Champions event held in Europe – was held. The area is a legit force in professional and recreational golf.
The lineup for the Pro-Am gave me access to some of the finest courses in the world: the classic, tree-lined Pinhal Course (designed by Frank Pennink and updated by Robert Trent Jones Sr.); The Old Course, one of the Algarve’s originals with sustainability- focused improvements and a new clubhouse; and The Els Club, Vilamoura’s newest headline course on the former Portugal Masters venue, featuring a contemporary Ernie Els redesign. Vilamoura’s other standout courses – Millennium and Laguna – round out a five-course lineup that gives Vilamoura its reputation as a world-class golf destination that’s been nicknamed “Golf Heaven.”
Vilamoura Off the Course
My February Vilamoura stay had me at Victoria Resort + Spa, a high-end property that’s directly connected to the new, private Els Club Golf Course. Be sure to stay here if you have your sights set on playing the uber-exclusive Els Club – guests of the Victoria Resort + Spa have privileged access to play this otherwise completely private course. Plus, you’ll be able to enjoy all the resort’s amazing amenities and delicious dining options. My accommodations were incredible — my suite was bigger than my first apartment, and was exquisitely appointed with high-end fixtures, beautiful furnishings, and a balcony overlooking the gorgeous property. Add multiple outdoor pools and cabanas, a dedicated spa and fitness center, a kids club if you’re traveling with family, and shuttle service to the beach and marina, and you’ve got the perfect resort.
The Victoria Golf Resort & Spa is just one example of how the European investment firm, Arrow Global, and its hospitality arm, Details, are breathing new life into Vilamoura and transforming it into a “live, stay, and play” base for golfers, families, vacationers, and those looking to relocate to the area. From course renovations and new clubhouse facilities to enhanced marina amenities and residential developments, Arrow Global and Details are turning Vilamoura into a year-round destination for sun and golf seekers ranging from those looking for a long golf weekend to families seeking a lifestyle base in the Algarve.
Other resorts and hotels in the area include: the Hilton Vilamoura As Cascatas Golf Resort & Spa (with access to Pinhal Golf Course), Tivoli Marina Vilamoura Algarve Resort, The Lake Resort and Vila Vita Parc Resort & Spa.
Coastal Vacation… or Maybe Coastal Living?
A trip to Vilamoura is so restorative and inspiring that it might have you wondering - Could I live here? And the answer would be yes, yes, you can. Vilamoura World, Arrow Global’s luxury housing development, also offers villas, townhouses, apartments, penthouses and even plots to build your own home (or second home) from the ground up. Beyond the housing, Arrow Global is building out a full lifestyle infrastructure that includes an international school, sports centers, 10 km of hiking and cycling trails, tennis and padel courts, an environmental park, and over 2 km of beachfront access. Projects like The Nine (starting at €570,000) and Vilamoura Parque (gated villas from €990,000) are designed to attract everyone from young families to retirees, making Vilamoura less of a vacation spot and more of a year-round home base. It’s a total transformation – golf resort meets live-work-play coastal town.
The Bottom Line? Portugal is a Golfer’s Dream Come True That the Whole Family Will Love
I’ve taken you from Lisbon to the Algarve, leaving you with only one question… When are you going to visit this golf paradise yourself? Keeping in mind that Portugal is generally a good choice most days of the year (remember, they have over 300 days of sunshine), the best times for a golf trip to the Algarve are spring (March to May) and fall (September to November), when you’ll find ideal weather, excellent course conditions and fewer crowds. With that in mind, get your passport ready and start planning your Portuguese golf getaway. Not sure where to start? A Portuguese tour operator like Tee Times Golf Holidays (teetimes.pt) is a great place to start, or you can look into Portuguese tourist board sites with special sections devoted to golf. Visit Cascais (visitcascais.com) even has a golf pass with special discounts. And, if I’ve captured your attention with the beautiful Vilamoura, be sure to check out vilamouraworld.com for information on golf, accommodations, or even housing information if you want to head there for more than just a few days. And with that, I’ll leave you to plan your trip with fair warning - trips to Portugal may be habit-forming!
Abbey Algiers is a travel writer from Wisconsin who specializes in golf destinations.