10 Reasons to Play Golf in Lisbon

When you think about Portugal and golf, it would hardly be surprising if the Algarve first came to mind. But this is a country with far more to offer and Lisbon, the country’s capital city, should definitely feature in your thoughts if you are planning a trip to Portugal.

Attractions in the city include St George’s Castle, the Oceanarium, Belem Tower, and the Monastery at St Jerome. And, of course, there are plenty of nearby sandy beaches, with a huge choice of watersports.

Here are 10 reasons to visit Lisbon:

1. It is a vibrant city, with plenty to keep you occupied off the course
2. The climate is among the best you will find anywhere in Europe
3. There is a wide range of courses
4. Golf in Lisbon is cheaper than the Algarve
5. The courses will not be as busy
6. It takes less than three hours to fly to Lisbon from the UK
7. There is a wide range of accommodation to suit all pockets
8. The city provides a fantastic selection of bars and restaurants
9. Sandy beaches are within easy reach
10. It has a fantastic public transport network

You may be surprised to learn that there are TWENTY-NINE golf courses within striking distance of Lisbon.

And did you know that it has been voted Golf Destination of the Year (Europe) three times? When you take a quick look at some of the accommodation and courses, it is easy to understand why.

Let’s kick off by looking at some of the hotels that provide golf stay and play packages.

Palacio Estoril Hotel Golf & Spa

This luxury 5-star hotel is situated in the golden triangle of Estoril-Cascais-Sintra and featured in the 1968 classic James Bond thriller ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’.

Built in 1930, the Hotel Palacio Estoril is 25 minutes from Lisbon Airport and a 30-minute train ride from the centre of Lisbon. 

It has a reputation for luxury and has been renovated several times over the years.

There are 161 rooms in the hotel consisting of Classic rooms, Superior rooms, Superior Deluxe rooms, Junior suites, Executive Suites, Palácio Deluxe suites and a new wing for Duplex suites.

All rooms come with free Wi-Fi, air conditioning and a LCD TV with 100 Channels. There is a mini-bar and a safe.

Restaurant & Bars

The Four Seasons Restaurant is spread over two floors to accommodate 80 diners in its sophisticated and elegant ambience. The Bougainvillea Terrace overlooks the garden and pool and is the perfect area to relax, have a drink and listen to some music. The Bar Estoril was a favourite haunt of spies during the Second World War. It is a stylish and charming room with fantastic views of the poolside gardens.

Spa & Leisure

Banyan Tree Spa follows a luxurious new approach to Asian spa therapy and is run by one of the most luxurious spa chains in the world. It focuses on a non-clinical and holistic approach based on traditional Eastern healing therapies. It provides a range of massages and treatments that have been passed down from generation to generation.

Onyria Quinta da Marinha Hotel

The 5-star Onyria Quinta da Marinha Hotel is set in a beautiful location in Cascais, just 25 kilometers from Lisbon. With stunning views overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, this hotel offers guests an idyllic paradise for their golfing holiday, with all the modern facilities you could ever want or need.

There is a superb selection of leisure facilities which include an outdoor swimming pool with views over the golf course. Additionally, it boasts a great spa and health club to help you relax and unwind after a tough round on the course. The resort is ideally located within close proximity to Cascais.

With great facilities and beautiful scenic views of the onsite golf course and surrounding mountain range, the 198 guest rooms at this hotel are well designed and all have balconies for you to enjoy throughout your stay. All rooms feature a satellite TV, mini bar, air-con, a balcony/terrace, and a stylish en-suite bathroom.

You could also stay in one of the 27 beautiful villas available and enjoy your own luxurious sanctuary. Renovated in 2021 and complete with a kitchenette, fireplace, terrace, and stylish contemporary decor, these villas make a fantastic choice for a more private golf holiday.

Restaurant & Bars

With an excellent selection of restaurants and bars, the Quinta da Marinha resort can cater for all tastes. The Five Pines Restaurant serves up a great range of Portuguese cuisine for lunch and dinner, and the Rocca Restaurant boasts a charming atmosphere to delight all guests. Similarly, the Trent Jones bar is the perfect place in the Quinta da Marinha Resort to enjoy a quiet drink among friends.

Spa & Leisure

With a wide variety of body wraps, aromatic exfoliations, beauty treatments, and spa facilities which includes four treatment rooms, a Turkish bath, sauna and sensation showers, the on-site RitalSPA has everything you’ll need to relax off the golf course.

Related: 12 Golf Courses To Play Around Lisbon

For more details on all hotels and courses featured here, visit our golf travel partner www.golfbreaks.com