Updated on November 8, 2026
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What is the best golf course in Portugal? Terras da Comporta (Dunes), south of Lisbon, ranks No. 1 in both rankings published in 2026. It is ahead of Monte Rei and West Cliffs. The Algarve has nine courses in our top 15, including those in Vilamoura and Quinta do Lago, where Pro-Am tournaments are held every year.
Top photo: The entrance to the Quinta do Lago golf courses in the Algarve, beneath the umbrella pines. Abspires40, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
The 15 Best Golf Courses in Portugal, Ranked
15 courses shown.
| Rank | Course | Location | Golf Digest 2026 | Top 100 2026 | Golf World 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Terras da Comporta (Dunes) | Comporta (Alentejo) | 1 | 1 | — |
| 2 | Monte Rei (North) | Vila Nova de Cacela (Algarve) | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| 3 | West Cliffs | Óbidos (central) | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| 4 | Vilamoura Old Course | Vilamoura (Algarve) | 4 | — | 4 |
| 5 | Quinta do Lago (South) | Almancil (Algarve) | 8 | 3 | 9 |
| 6 | Quinta do Lago (North) | Almancil (Algarve) | 6 | — | 14 |
| 7 | Oitavos Dunes | Cascais (Lisbon) | 7 | Top 8 | 6 |
| 8 | The Els Club Vilamoura | Vilamoura (Algarve) | 5 | 13 | 25 (Victoria) |
| 9 | San Lorenzo | Almancil (Algarve) | 9 | — | 12 |
| 10 | Vale do Lobo (Ocean) | Almancil (Algarve) | 10 | — | 31 |
| 11 | Vale do Lobo (Royal) | Almancil (Algarve) | 11 | — | 46 |
| 12 | Tróia | Tróia (Setúbal) | 12 | — | 2 |
| 13 | Quinta do Lago (Laranjal) | Almancil (Algarve) | 13 | — | 22 |
| 14 | Praia d’El Rey | Óbidos (central) | 14 | — | 5 |
| 15 | Penha Longa (Atlantic) | Sintra (Lisbon) | 15 | — | 10 |
Rank: our consensus rank. Golf Digest 2026 and Top 100 2026: the course’s position in these rankings; “—”: not listed, or rank not published for Top 100 Golf Courses. Golf World 2021: for informational purposes only; not included in the count.
Where are Portugal's golf courses located?
Click on a number to view the golf course, then click on its name to read its profile. Base map © OpenStreetMap.
How We Ranked the Portugal Golf Courses
We compared the two rankings for Portugal published in 2026: Golf Digest (May 2026) and Top100GolfCourses (January 2026). The consensus ranking is the average of the two; a course not included in Golf Digest’s Top 15 is assigned the 25th rank. Since Top100GolfCourses publishes only a portion of its rankings for free, only the published rankings are counted. The ranking of Golf World (2021) is displayed for informational purposes. This ranking is reviewed annually.
The Rankings in Detail
Designers, opening year, par and length: the courses' Wikipedia pages (or the table's Designer column), checked on November 8, 2026; nothing is shown when the source does not say. Photos under free licenses via Wikimedia Commons.
1. Terras da Comporta (Dunas) 🇵🇹
Rankings: Golf Digest 2026 1 · Top 100 2026 1 · Golf World 2021 —
David McLay Kidd's course, set among the dunes and pine trees of Comporta, south of Lisbon, took first place in both 2026 rankings, ending Monte Rei's long reign.
2. Monte Rei (North) 🇵🇹
Rankings: Golf Digest 2026 2 · Top 100 2026 2 · Golf World 2021 1
The course designed by Jack Nicklaus in the eastern Algarve, at the foot of the hills, it was ranked No. 1 in Portugal for more than fifteen years. It remained No. 2 in 2026.
3. West Cliffs 🇵🇹
Rankings: Golf Digest 2026 3 · Top 100 2026 4 · Golf World 2021 3
A course designed by Cynthia Dye atop the Atlantic cliffs north of Lisbon, nestled among dunes and pine trees. Ranked 3rd by Golf Digest and 4th by Top100GolfCourses.
4. Vilamoura Old Course 🇵🇹
- Designed by Frank Pennink; redesigned by Martin Hawtree
- Founded 1969
- Par and length Par 73 · 6,254 m (6,839 yards)
Rankings: Golf Digest 2026 4 · Top 100 2026 — · Golf World 2021 4
The first course in Vilamoura (1969), set among the umbrella pines, is one of the most popular in the Algarve. It hosts Pro-Am tournaments every year: see our Pro-Am calendar.
5. Quinta do Lago (South) 🇵🇹
Rankings: Golf Digest 2026 8 · Top 100 2026 3 · Golf World 2021 9
The historic Quinta do Lago course, which has hosted the Portuguese Open several times, is located on the shores of the Ria Formosa. Ranked No. 3 by Top100GolfCourses in 2026. The resort hosts a Pro-Am every fall: see our Pro-Am calendar.
6. Quinta do Lago (North) 🇵🇹
Rankings: Golf Digest 2026 6 · Top 100 2026 — · Golf World 2021 14
The resort's second major course, completely renovated, with more wood and more undulating terrain than the South Course. Ranked 6th by Golf Digest.
7. Oitavos Dunes 🇵🇹
Rankings: Golf Digest 2026 7 · Top 100 2026 Top 8 · Golf World 2021 6
A links course designed by Arthur Hills in the dunes of Cascais, overlooking the Atlantic and exposed to the wind. Ranked in the top 8 by Top100GolfCourses.
8. The Els Club Vilamoura 🇵🇹
Rankings: Golf Digest 2026 5 · Top 100 2026 13 · Golf World 2021 25 (Victoria)
The former Victoria Course, host of the Portugal Masters, has been completely redesigned by Ernie Els. Ranked 5th by Golf Digest.
9. San Lorenzo 🇵🇹
Rankings: Golf Digest 2026 9 · Top 100 2026 — · Golf World 2021 12
A course designed by Joseph Lee, nestled among the pine trees and the lagoon of the Ria Formosa, near Quinta do Lago. Ranked 9th by Golf Digest.
10. Vale do Lobo (Ocean) 🇵🇹
Rankings: Golf Digest 2026 10 · Top 100 2026 — · Golf World 2021 31
The Vale do Lobo seaside course, with its holes set along the Algarve’s ochre cliffs.
11. Vale do Lobo (Royal) 🇵🇹
The famous No. 16 par-3 hole, played over the cliffs toward the sea, is one of the most photographed holes in Europe.
12. Tróia 🇵🇹
A course designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. on a sandy peninsula between the ocean and the Sado Estuary. Ranked No. 2 by Golf World in 2021.
13. Quinta do Lago (Laranjal) 🇵🇹
The third course at Quinta do Lago, set among orange trees and lakes. It is part of the Quinta do Lago Pro-Am: see our Pro-Am calendar.
14. Praia d'El Rey 🇵🇹
A course by Cabell Robinson along the Atlantic coast, among pine trees and dunes. Ranked 5th by Golf World in 2021.
15. Penha Longa (Atlântico) 🇵🇹
A course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. in the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, a former host of the Portuguese Open.
Where can you play in a Pro-Am in Portugal?
Vilamoura and Quinta do Lago host Pro-Am tournaments open to amateurs every season: in November (Vilamoura and Quinta do Lago), in January, March, and October (Vilamoura). The dates, courses played, and organizers are listed in our Pro-Am calendar.
Fred's Take on Portugal Golf Courses
For a first visit, the Algarve is still unbeatable: Vilamoura, Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo, and San Lorenzo are all less than twenty minutes apart. For the newest, world-class courses, you’ll now have to head to Comporta, south of Lisbon.
Portugal Golf Courses: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best golf course in Portugal?
Terras da Comporta (Dunas), ranked No. 1 in the 2026 rankings by Golf Digest and Top100GolfCourses, ahead of Monte Rei and West Cliffs.
What is the best golf course in the Algarve?
Monte Rei (North), ranked second in Portugal, ahead of the Vilamoura Old Course and the South Course at Quinta do Lago.
Where can you play in a Pro-Am in Portugal?
In Vilamoura and Quinta do Lago, in the Algarve, in November, January, March, and October. The dates are listed in our Pro-Am calendar.
When is the best time to play golf in Portugal?
In the spring and fall. The Algarve is also a great destination in the winter, with mild temperatures.