Portugal is home to over 90 golf courses, which shows why this has been a bucket list destination for players of all ages and levels of experience. Whether you are a beginner looking into get better by training more often, or a seasoned player that has golf as an integral part of your weekly routine, Portugal is the place to be. Especially if you are able to find yourself a property near a golf course, that will allow you to really turn golfing into not only a hobby or a sport, but into your lifestyle.
Portugal: the Home of the Best Golf Properties in Europe
Many people, when thinking of Portugal, immediately visualise the Belém Tower, the pastries, the pristine beaches or maybe the Luís I Bridge. However, if you have a thing for golfing, you might imagine yourself standing in the beautiful green grass of one of Portugal’s amazing golf courses. In fact, the country is home to a region that has been consistently voted as the World's Best Golf Destination: The Algarve. Well, if you got to this article, then you probably already knew that, and the real question now is where to find the best properties near golf courses. A property that will get near you passion and enable you to enjoy golfing on a regular basis and with minimal time spent in commuting to the carpet.
Although southern Portugal definitely excels at offering a great golfing experience for enthusiasts of all levels, know that you do not need to be in the Algarve in order to live near a great golf course, as the country has over 90 of them. And if the idea is to truly turn the sport into a lifestyle, there is nothing better than to pack your bags and move into a property that will allow you to have your club in hands within just a few minutes, something that - as you will see in this article - is easily achievable in Portugal. Either to spend part of the year here or you wish to enjoy all seasons, keep in mind that the weather conditions will most likely always be at its A game, allowing to golf as much as your heart desires. All it takes is finding the right property. Let us help you with that.
Golfing as an Investment in Portugal
The passion for golf might be already motivation enough for you to consider having a property near a course. However, there is yet another reason that will appeal even to those who are not keen players: Golf is a great investment in Portugal. In fact, Portugal’s National Council of the Golf Industry has concluded that the sport generated €4.2 billion for the country in 2023, accounting for 1.6% of the Portugal’s GDP last year, with 111.000 jobs generated.
The sport also has an important role in reducing the seasonality in tourism, especially in the coastal region of the Algarve, since it keeps its popularity among its fans even outside the high season, and also goes for the whole country. In fact, in Portugal, it is possible to find golf tournaments happening almost every month of the year.
With all that, it is easy to see that purchasing a property near a golf course in Portugal is not only an act of indulgence, but a smart investment.
Where to Find the Best Golf Properties in Portugal?
The Algarve, Portugal’s Golfing Ace
Today's Golfer magazine readers have voted the Algarve region as the World's Best Golf Destination for 4 years in a row, and this is undeniably the best spot for golf aficionados in Portugal. There are some reasons for that: in the one hand, you have a destination that has a mild weather year-round, allowing you to practice and participate in tournaments with no need for super heavy clothing that could affect your performance. On the other, you have a region that was in great part structured around golfing with many facilities and services designed having sports fans like you in mind.
Just within the Golden Triangle alone, a prime location between Vila Moura, Almancil, and Quinta do Lago - famous worldwide for its luxury resorts and renowned golf courses – there are at least 5 high rated golf clubs. This is also the location of what one of the most unforgettable roles you will ever see. The Par-3 16th hole in Vale do Lobo’s Royal Golf Course was designed by Sir Henry Cotto and hangs dramatically above a clifftop hill facing an amazing view of Algarve’s shore.
The whole region hosts over 40 golf courses, almost half of the total in the country. To top it all off, the Algarve is an amazing place, filled with beautiful beaches, charming city centres, and nice weather year-round. It is also a place where you can find great apartments and spacious villas that are only a short drive – or walk – away from the field.
Charming 5-Bed Villa in Amendoeira Golf Resort
In fact, to be as close as possible to the action, a Golf Resort such as Amendoeira Golf Resort, is the way to go. Situated in Lagoa, this development has two award-winning 18-hole golf courses and one 9-hole golf course, the only one in the country that is illuminated, allowing for night-time matches.
If you wish to adventure yourself in other sports, the complex also have 2 FIFA standards football fields, 6 Savannah tennis courts, a fully equipped gym, and a jogging path. Your kids can have a lot of fun in the playground and in the pool and the whole family will enjoy nice meals together in the clubhouse’s restaurant. After so many activities, there is nothing better than to relax and have some quality time in your own fully furnished and equiped gorgeous 5-bedroom villa.
Modern 3+1-Bed Villa in Parchal
If you do not wish to have your property located inside a golf club, this 3+1-bedroom contemporary villa, tucked away between Portimão and Ferragudo, has 4 Golf courses within a short 10-minute drive.
Besides that, the property comes with a stunning pool, a cozy fireplace and a practical and inviting open plan, great to live life among friends and family. Each space is bathed with natural light thanks to the triple glazed windows that are everywhere and, if you need extra relaxion after hours of golfing, the suite has a jet massage bathtub offering an amazing view out the window.
Character 7-Bed Country House in Portimão
Maybe modern is not really your taste or you need even more space. In this case, you could enjoy a peaceful time in a restored 7-bedroom country house located in Portimão, that is a 5 minutes' drive from the closest of dozens of nearby golf courses.
Once you get back home, o can enjoy your private swimming pool, watch a movie on the cinema room, relax on the spa or simply have a nice stroll on the multiple gardens surrounding the property. If the idea is to really dive into sports, you can just hit the gym or make the best out of your own tennis court.
Fonte Santa Resort in Quarteira
Such a prestigious region for golf did not go unnoticed for us here at Portugal Homes as this was the chosen location for Fonte Santa Resort. Located in the heart of the Golden Triangle, this is a project has been carried out by our own Development & Construction department and that will soon be opened to accommodate over 160 golfing enthusiasts and tourists.
Located only 3 minutes away from Trafal Beach, and 10 minutes from Vale do Lobo Beach, this will be the perfect vacation escape with a jaw dropping pool, practical fitness centre, fun paddle and tennis courts, and ample green spaces and gardens.
Great Lisbon Area, Close to Golf and to Everything Else
Lisbon itself is not exactly known as a golfing hub. However, as the capital of the country, it naturally has some great options nearby. Cascais, Estoril and Sintra, shore cities of the Greater Lisbon Area, are part of the Lisbon Golf Coast, a selected area that has over 20 Golf Courses in it and that was awarded two times as the Best Golf Destination of the Year in Europe by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO).
Unique 4-Bed Villa in Aldeia do Juzo
This beautiful 4-bedroom villa, in Aldeia de Juzo, right in between Cascais, Estoril and Sintra, will get you, in less than 10 minutes, to Estoril Golf Club and its 18-role historic golf course, inaugurated in 1929 and to all the amenities the club has to offer such restaurant and pool, something that you also have on your own private villa.
With an open concept that privileges entertaining and family life, the property also has a custom design kitchen, with porcelain countertops and high-end integrated appliances, and a backyard with a covered patio and swimming pool.
How to Always Find the Best Properties Near Golf Courses in Portugal
Nowadays, finding property is a much easier task, with hundreds of real estate portals, many of which showcase their products in English, a great helping hand for expats and international investors. However, it is still very rare to find a filter dedicated to houses, villas and apartments specifically situated next to golf courses.
In that case, you would need to have in hands the exact location of the property – something that is often unavailable online, for safety reasons – and match that against you preview knowledge of existing courses in the surrounding area. If you do not have that knowledge, the research would then be two-folded: first, you would have to search for golf courses that fit your criteria as a player. Then, you would have to look for properties that are close by to all your preferred playing spots. That is a lot of work, and it would still bring no guarantee that the other characteristics of the region fit your style of living.
The perfect work around this hassle is to have a local real estate advisor that knows your taste, budget and desire to invest in Portugal golf properties, specifically. They will know what is in the market and which of the available listings are situated within walk or short ride distance form a great place to take your clubs and have a great time. This is something our experts here at Portugal Homes are used to do all the time. Therefore, if you have no idea where to start from, let us know so we can advise you on how to begin your search.
