Sunshine, Views, Golf: Welcome to The Algarve

The Algarve epitomises golf in Portugal but this wasn’t the case prior to the 1960s when this region was turned into a golfer and tourist’s dream following heavy redevelopment. Fast-forward 60 years later and this district of Portugal is seldom beaten as a golf retreat.

There are plenty of golf courses in the area and due to the heavy investment that the vicinity has received, there are a collection of five-star hotels and other outstanding accommodation options on offer - including the fantastic Pestana Hotel & Resort Group.

When the sun sets, the Algarve truly comes to life as there’s plenty of nightlife activities and entertainment provided to keep you and your party occupied well into the early hours of the morning.

Below, we provide information on the Pestana Hotel Group; the golf courses and the beautiful, paradisiac environment that is the Algarve.

Pestana Hotels & Resorts

Pestana own nine hotels situated in the Algarve region and they all contain first-class services to make any trip memorable. Included within the accommodation options are three golf courses that are linked to the resorts. The golf courses are: Alto Golf, Silves Golf and the Gramacho. All three layouts are highly valued by both local and travelling golfers alike and visitors to the Pestana group will receive priority tee time booking.

The accommodation options from Pestana are extensive and this is no exception in the district of Algarve. The hotels are: Pestana Delfim All-Inclusive Beach and Golf Hotel, Pestana Alvor Praia Beach and Golf Resort, Pestana Dom Joao II Beach and Golf Resort, Pestana Alvor Park Beach Aparthotel, Pestana Viking Beach and Golf Resort, Pestana Vila Sol Premium Golf and Spa Resort, Vilamoura, Pestana Alvor Atlantico Beach Aparthotel, Pestana Carvoeiro Golf Resort, and Pestana Palm Gardens Ocean and Golf Villas.

The Pestana Hotel & Resort group offer an array of sporting activities, these include: tennis, volleyball, and a selection of water sports. The hotels all come equipped with swimming pools and easy access to the nearest beach. Every resort also boasts its own gastronomic facilities, where you can trial and experiment local cuisine.

Golf Courses

The Algarve provides sublime golfing conditions, which is largely due to its warm climate and year round sunshine exposure. There are 31 golf courses within the Algarve and the consensus regarding the quality of the courses warrants a trip to this golfing mecca in Portugal.

The Gramacho Golf Course is situated closely to Carvoeiro and it was initially constructed as a nine-hole course before an extension resulted in the redesign to accommodate 18 holes. A stern and formidable challenge, the course covers undulating terrain with a collection of olive, carob and almond trees scattered across the premises that had been planted by local farmers years ago. The course caters to the shot maker and understanding which club to take and in what scenario is the true secret to scoring well. Anything other than utter commitment will likely result in a difficult afternoon in the Portuguese sun. The golf course is part of the Pestana Hotel & Resort group.

Vale de Pinta is located closely to Gramacho and sits on the outskirts of Carvoeiro. The layout has been given careful consideration and the course is set in true Algarve landscape: with plenty of olive, carob and almond trees decorating the perimeter of the holes. Additionally, the fairways roll through small valleys and hills, meaning precise placement of the golf ball is pivotal if you are looking to find the green in two. It has been reported that some of the aforementioned olive trees have been part of the region for over 1,500 years! There are two particular holes that should warrant the golfer’s attention; the par-3 10th and the par-5 13th. The former has a colossal bunker defending the green while the latter weaves through a valley that measures 591 yards.

Silves Golf is situated 10 km away from the historical town of Silves, while the serene spot that the golf course has been constructed on boasts incredible views. Located at the foot of the Monchique Mountain, this layout demands ultimate concentration from the offset as the opening drive will have to contend with water hazards lining each side of the fairway. This course has been designed with lower handicaps in mind and thus, provides a worthy challenge. If you hold a higher handicap, fear not, as there will be scoring opportunities but this course puts an emphasis on creative and intellectual thinking. The majority of holes offer incredible vistas and sweeping mountain views; overlooking palm and olive trees, while the surrounding cork and citrus farms capture the true authentic feel of golf in Portugal. Silves Golf is also part of the Pestana Hotel & Resort group.

The Alto Golf Course is an 18-hole layout that is situated near to the fishing village of Alvor, close to Portimao. The course sits adjacent to the ocean, which offers expansive views of the sea. Golfers are welcomed by a fairly straightforward par-3 but the intentional deception is evident, as the course winds up in difficulty the further you progress. This layout can accommodate an array of golfers, but strategic thinking is mandatory. You can expect a plethora of bunkers, twisting dog-legs, elevated greens and carefully placed trees. The signature hole is the par-5 16th; measuring at 604 yards from the tips, it is regarded as one of the longest holes throughout Europe. This course is linked to the Pestana Hotel & Resort group.

The golf course at Quinta da Beloura boasts an 18-hole layout which is situated near Estoril, located to the west of Lisbon. The layout lies between Cascais and the Sintra Hills, meaning you can experience otherworldly views - despite the fairways weaving through a residential resort! The design of the course was given careful consideration with an emphasis placed on the golfer’s enjoyment whilst also implementing challenging aspects. There is plenty of water to avoid and the par-4 18th provides an exquisite finale to the round; measuring 406 yards, your tee shot must avoid the lake that awaits patiently to swallow any poorly struck shots. Additionally, the approach shot is blind, as the putting surface is hidden behind another enormous lake, which demands precision from both the tee and approach shot.

The premises at Vila Sol boast of 27 holes of championship golf and the facility is located on the doorstep of the Vilamoura Holiday Resort area. The maintenance of the course is kept up to excellent standard while the original topographical nature of the undulating terrain remains pristine. There are three loops of nine to choose from: Prime, Challenge and Prestige. The outward nine holes are testing from the off, opening with a par-4 that measures 416 yards from the tips. The following hole is a longer par-4 before the third plays identical to the first. The 6th and 8th holes are both par 5s and thus, offer a short respite from the demanding distance of the previous par 4s. The back nine features two par-3 holes that have been attractively designed while the par-5 14th will prove difficult thanks to the tricky green that awaits the player.

The District

The Algarve is located in the south of Portugal and the area is known for its Atlantic beaches and newly developed golf courses. What once stood as whitewashed fishing villages has since been converted into luxury resorts and plenty of golf courses, as the area underwent severe redevelopment from the 1960s onwards.

The theme of this wonderful area of Portugal is golf and the luxurious hotels supplement the trip. There are 31 golf courses within the area, resulting in virtually limitless choice for the travelling golfer. Accompanying the golf is warm weather, daily activities and a vibrant nightlife.

Considering its extensive coast, there are a lot of beach activities that are also available. Whether you want to experience a sunset on a boat; go kayaking through the crystal-clear water or even spend a day fishing, this area of Portugal can accommodate all.

As the sun dips and the stars start to glisten, the Algarve truly comes to life with a wide range of night-time entertainment. There are plenty of restaurants, bars and nightclubs to keep your party occupied well into the evening - just don’t miss your morning tee time!

Useful Information

The majority of UK airports fly directly to Faro and the estimated flight time is two hours and 45 minutes. Upon arrival, there are several options to secure transport to your accommodation. You can either hire a private taxi or take a bus into the city centre - with regional and national connections available to take you further. If you were staying at Vilamoura, for example, it would be a 29-minute drive.

The Algarve is fortunate from a climate perspective, as it’s one of the warmest places through Southern Europe; it is an Atlantic influenced Mediterranean climate that experiences mild winters and warm to extremely hot and dry summers. Due to its convenient climate, a golf trip is viable all year round.

The combination of warm weather, superb facilities and award-winning accommodation results in the Algarve being a popular destination for a golf trip. With over 30 courses in this district of Portugal, there are plenty of facilities to accommodate the sheer influx of golfers that the Algarve receives on an annual basis.

For more information and how to book, visit Golfbreaks!