Golf in Lisbon - The best of both worlds

Jet off from the UK and in just 2 hours and 40 minutes you could be enjoying the year round sunshine and fantastic golf that is on offer in one of the worlds's oldest cities - Lisbon. If it is a golf and city break you after, then Lisbon must be high on your list. A number of stunning courses are witin reach of the historic city. 

The golf in Lisbon is of high quality and varied, it is hard to know where to begin, but lets start with Penha Longa Resort 5*. Onsite you will find the Atlantic Championship course and a nine hole course, both of which were designed by the legendary Robert Trent Jones Jnr. There is also a luxury 194 bedroom hotel with indoor and outdoor pool plus a number of restaurants and bars. 

Just 40 minutes from Lisbon Airport, Penha Longa's name translates as 'Long Rock' and the Championship course, which has hosted the Portuguese Open on multiple occasions, is ranked inside the Top 30 in Continental Europe. It set in stunning countryside and offers a great challenge to even the most talented of golfers. 

Another Robert Trent Jones layout is the ever popular Quinta da Marinha Golf Resort 5*. This fabulous resort not only boasts a high class hotel, but also a number of luxury villas as well as first class amenities onsite. 

The Golf Course at the Quinta da Marinha is a  par-71 layout and offers fantastic views out over the Atlantic Ocean and surrounding Sintra Mountains. The course measures 6500 yards and is built on gently undulating terrain. The back nine runs along the spectacular cliff tops of the Estirol Coast. In addition Quinta da Marinha is within 25km of Lisbon making the city within easy reach for a day trip. 

Another option for a golfing holiday in Lisbon is the rugged beauty offered by Oitavos Dunes Golf Club.  The course has a ' 'linksy' feel and is situated  within the beautiful Sintra-Cascais Natural Park. It is set amongst pine woods and reforested dunes in an area of outstanding natural beauty. It is also located by the sea and you can enjoy ocean views at all times. Cabo da Roca, the most western point in continental Europe, can be seen from a number of holes. 

When playing Oitavos Dunes you can stay at any number of hotels, but why not try the Golfbreaks.com recommended 5* VivaMahrina, a modern luxury hotel in the heart of Quinta da Marinah or the 4* Vila Gale Cascais whch enjoys views of the Atlantic as just 10 mins walk from the centre of the popular costal town of Cascais.

Praia D'El Rey Golf & Country Club is situated right on the Estoril coast. The front nine is parkland while the back nine buffers up against the Atlantic and as a result it offers up many of the challenges you would expect when playing links golf. 

The course was voted the third best in Portugal by Golf World magazine in recent years and it is easy to see why. Fantastic views of the sea and dunes prevail throughout the back nine. With the 12th being the stand out hole; your approach shot to the green is played with the Atlantic Ocean as the backdrop and once you arrive on the green the Belengas Islands become visible.

The Orizonte Golf Pass

The Orizonte Golf Pass is a initiative from Lisbon Golf that offers golfers visiting the area a chance to play some of the leading courses in close proximity to Portugal’s capital while offering exceptional value for money 

Golfers can choose from a selection of three and five-round passports and enjoy golf across stunning layouts including Quinta do Peru Golf and Country Club, Aroeira and Ribagolfe.

The three-round golf passports include the chance to play 18 holes at Quinta do Peru and both courses at Aroeira or rounds at Ribagolfe I, Ribagolfe II and Santo Estêvão. Alternatively, golfers can select the ‘5-Round Passport’ which offers the choice of all six golfing venues.

Ribagolfe, a host of the European Tour Qualifying School since 2009, provides two more challenging courses, both set within ancient cork oak forest, while golfers can also enjoy the 7,000-plus yards challenge at Santo Estevão and the 9-hole course in Oeiras, just 15 minutes from Lisbon’s centre. 

Be sure to ask Golfbreaks.com about the Orizonte Golf Pass when booking your holidy to Lisbon. 

The city of Lisbon

Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in the world predating other modern European capitals such as London, Paris and Rome and with this comes not only a fascinating history, but also beauty. The city is full of vibrancy & culture and is famous for it's old tram lines. 

If you are also a football fan you will be interested to hear that the city recently hosted the champions league final and is home to one of the world's greatest sporting rivalries - Benfica and Sporting Lisbon.

The city is also home to two amazing bridges, the first, the 25th April Bridge - named in honor of the countries revolution is the longest suspension bridge in the world. The second - Vasco de Gama Bridge is longest bridge in Europe. These bridges connect the city to the south bank of the river. 

The airport right in the centre of the city and is flown to by the vast majority of UK airports making Lisbon a easy destination to travel to. 

Within 1 hours drive of the city are the lively coastal towns of Cascais & Estoril, or if it is a historical town you are after you can visit Obidos in the north and traditional coastal spots such as Sesimbra in the South.

Learn more about golf in Lisbon and the fantastic courses on offer by visiting Golfbreaks,com - Click Here