Golfing Region Portugal

Travel information at a glance - Golf holidays Portugal

• Portugal as a destination for golf vacations
• Good to know in Portugal

Portugal as a destination for a golf vacation

Golfing in Portugal: a sporting vacation - challenging golf courses await

Who hasn't dreamed of making a hole-in-one in breathtaking scenery and against a picturesque backdrop? There are over 30 golf courses in the Algarve alone and a further 26 around Lisbon. In total, there are almost 80 golf courses in Portugal, and you can even indulge your passion for the game with the little white ball on Madeira and the Azores. With such a wide variety, there is something for everyone. So nothing should stand in the way of a golf trip to Portugal.

A Scottish sport comes to Portugal

Scottish and English emigrants, who were involved in the port wine trade or the railroad industry, brought golf to Portugal in the 19th century. The oldest golf clubs in Portugal are the Lisbon Sports Club and the Oporto Niblicks Club. Many more clubs were founded in the 1930s, mostly in the region around the capital and in the Algarve. Since then, golf has been very popular in Portugal: young and old alike enjoy the sport in the fresh air and there are many international and exclusive golf hotels in Portugal.

If you want to explore the surrounding area after playing golf, there are many exciting excursions to take in the surrounding countryside.

Lisbon: latte with a breathtaking view

There is a lot to see in the Portuguese capital: Cathedrals, the imposing Hieronymus Monastery, the Torre de Belém (Lisbon's landmark), the Maritime Monument and much more. Each of the winding alleyways holds a surprise. From the Castelo de São Jorge, which towers over the rooftops of the city, you can enjoy a fabulous view and immerse yourself in the history of the country at the same time. There are many other viewpoints in the hilly city center, with cafés where you can enjoy a refreshment. Small, cake-like pastries ("pastéis") are typical of the country. Add to this a "café com leite" - a latte - and the typical local snack is complete. For main meals, things get more maritime, e.g. with stockfish, Portugal's national dish. But don't miss the port wine!

You should also be a good walker in Lisbon! Alternatively, you can travel by streetcar or cable car; in the city center, traditional carriages are still used, which fit perfectly into the cityscape. Line 28 runs to all tourist destinations and a day ticket costs around €5. Lisbon's old town has a certain 'worn-out charm' that defines the city and captivates visitors: You can read and experience its history on every street corner; the curved and mountainous is characteristic of the city.

Sintra: an enchanted place in Portugal

Situated on a hill near Lisbon, the small town of Sintra offers its visitors a little fairytale journey. The Palácio Nacional da Pena is a dream castle with wonderful gardens, which is not without good reason called the "Neuschwanstein of Portugal". If you don't mind stairs, you shouldn't miss the Moorish castle, from whose towers you can see as far as the Atlantic Ocean. From Sintra, it is not far to the western cape of Europe, Cabo da Roca, which was considered the end of the world before the discovery of America.

Golf in the Algarve: dream beaches and golf paradise

Visitors to the Algarve will find stunning coastal formations, small bays and fascinating landscapes. And for those interested in sport, there is one thing above all: the most golf hotels in Portugal. After all, the Portuguese sun is a great place to play! For a change of pace, you can relax and swim in one of the small bays on the soft sandy beach, visit the south-western tip of the continent in Sagres or historic towns such as Silves. An ideal combination for the perfect golf vacation in Portugal!

Good to know

What you should bear in mind on a golf trip to Portugal

There is little new for Germans: payment is made in euros, entry is possible with an identity card or passport, the European health insurance card is valid and roaming for phone calls and mobile data usage is becoming increasingly cheaper thanks to EU regulations. The biggest change is almost the time difference: Portugal is one hour behind German time. Portuguese is spoken, but large parts of the population speak good English. If you use a rental car, you have to pay a toll on the highways (the transponder is usually already installed by the rental company). The best time to travel is between May and September; the Algarve is mild all year round.

A little etiquette for golf trips in Portugal

In Portugal, it is customary to bring the bill ("a conta") on a small tray and the guest pays on it. The waiter then returns the change on this tray and you leave a tip when you leave the restaurant.

If you eat outside the hotels, you can expect the usual prices; in some typical restaurants far away from the tourists, it is cheaper - but you will have to make do without a German or English menu.

Portugal offers something for everyone with its scenic and cultural diversity. The many golf courses in Portugal look forward to your visit, as do the many sights and beaches. Golf trips to Portugal are the perfect way to combine sport and relaxation.