Algarve

The Algarve is a golfer's paradise. Its mild climate, quality of its courses, beauty of landscape, and friendliness of its people, has made it one of Europe's most popular holiday venues since mass tourism started in the 1960s.

Long sandy beaches as well as idyllic coves are to be found along the 150 kms coastline stretching from Cape St. Vincent in the west to the River Guadiana which forms the border with Spain.

There is an average 3,000 hours sunshine a year which is more than any other European holiday destination and these conditions are ideal for golf most of the year round and the last decade has seen a dramatic increase in the number of golf courses andd golf resorts.

The climate is also perfect for all outdoor sports and activities including sailing, horse-riding, tennis, bird-watching, deep-sea diving, and when the sun sets there is a vibrant night-life awaiting the visitor.

The Algarve is rich in history and its way of life has been intimately linked with the sea from the time of the Phoenicians 3,000 years ago to the Golden Era of the Portuguese Discoveries in the 15th century. The province takes its name from the Arabic 'al gharb' meaning 'the west' and the Moorish occupation which lasted 500 years has left a fascinating heritage visible in many spheres including the architecture, language, agriculture, and food.

The small limewashed cottages topped by ornamental latticed chimneys have strong Arab overtones and the decorative glazed tiles (azulejos) so beloved by the Portuguese owe their origin to the Moor in the medieval period.

Sea food naturally dominates in the Algarve ranging from sardines, to mullet, bream, tuna fish, sole, cod and even shark.

Lobster, crayfish, prawns, and crab are widely available while squid, octopus, and cuttlefish are popular eating.

One of the most famous traditional Algarve dishes is 'ameijoas na cataplana' a sumptuous mixture of clams, cockles, sausage, ham, onion, garlic, white wine and spices, cooked in a copper vessel known as a cataplana. Not to be missed among the meat dishes, which are usually grilled, fried or barbecued, is 'cabrito estufado', a delicious kid stew cooked with onions, potatoes, tomatoes, and peas. Wine is one of Portugal's great pleasures and they run the whole gamut from youthful sparkling vinho verdes, through popular rosés, fruity dry whites, to robust reds, and venerable ports.

List of Courses

Parque da Floresta

Vale do Poço, Budens, 8650 Vila do Bispo. Telephone: (82) 653 33. Fax: (82) 651 57

Architect: Pepe Cancedo, 18 holes, Par 72 (5.524m)

Palmares

Meia Praia, Apartado 74, 8600 Lagos. Telephone: (82) 76 29 61. Fax: (82) 76 25 34

Architect: Frank Pennink, 18 holes, Par 71 (5.961m)

Penina

P.O. Box 146, Penina, 8502 Portimão Codex. Telephone: (82) 41 54 15. Fax: (82) 41 50 00

Architect: Sir Henry Cotton. Championship course: 18 holes, Par 73 (6.439m), Monchique course: 9 holes, Par 35 (2.987m), Quinta course: 9 holes, Par 31 (1.851m)

Alto Golf

Caixa Postal 1, Alvor, 8500 Potimão. Telephone: (82) 40 10 47. Fax: (82) 40 10 46

Architect: Sir Henry Cotton. 18 holes, Par 72 (6.125m)

Vale da Pinta

Quinta da Gramacho, 8400 Lagoa. Telephone: (82) 34 21 68. Fax: (82) 34 21 89

Architect: Ronald Fream, 18 holes, Par 71 (5.861m)

Quinta do Gramacho

Quinta do Gramacho, 8400 Lagoa. Telephone: (82) 34 21 68. Fax: (82) 34 21 89

Architect: Ronald Fream, 9 holes, Par 36 (2.980m)

Vale do Milho

Praia do Carvoeiro, 8400 Lagoa. Telephone: (82) 35 85 02. Fax: (82) 35 84 97

Architect: David Thomas, 9 holes, Par 72 (1.845m)

Back

Salgados

Apartado 2266, Vale do Rabelho, 8200 Albufeira. Telephone: (89) 59 11 11. Fax: (89) 59 11 12

Architect: Pedro de Vasconcelos, 18 holes, Par 72 (6.000m)

Pine Cliffs

Praia da Falésia, P.O. Box 644, 8200 Albufeira. Telephone: (89) 50 19 99. Fax: (89) 50 19 50

Architect: Martin Hawtree, 9 holes, Par 33 (2.324m)

Vilamoura I

Vilamoura, 8125 Quarteira. Telephone: (89) 32 16 52. Fax: (89) 38 07 26

Architect: Frank Pennink, 18 holes, Par 73 (6.331m)

Vilamoura II

Vilamoura, 8125 Quarteira. Telephone: (89) 32 15 62. Fax: (89) 38 07 26

Architect: Frank Pennink, 18 holes, Par 73 (6.256m)

Vilamoura III

Vilamoura, 8125 Quarteira. Telephone: (89) 38 07 24. Fax: (89) 38 07 26

Architect: Joseph Lee. Pinhal course:9 holes, Par 36 (2.935m); Lake course: 9 holes, Par 36 (2.953m); Marina course: 9 holes, Par 36 (3.146m)

Vila Sol

Alto de Semino, Est. Nacional 396, km 24,8, 8125 Quarteira. Telephone: (89) 30 21 44. Fax: (89) 30 21 47

Architect: Donald Steel, 18 holes, Par 72 (6.242m)

Vale do Lobo

8137 Vale do Lobo, Codex. Telephone: (89) 39 39 39. Fax: (89) 39 47 13

Architect: Sir Henry Cotton. Yellow course: 9 holes, Par 36 (2.905m); Orange course: 9 holes, Par 36 (2.753m); Green course: 9 holes, Par 35 (2.532m)

Pinheiros Altos

Quinta do Lago, 8135 Almansil. Telephone: (89) 39 43 40. Fax: (89) 39 43 92

Architect: Ronald Fream, 18 holes, Par 71 (6.049m)

Quinta do Lago

Quinta do Lago, 8135 Almansil. Telephone: (89) 39 45 29. Fax: (89) 39 40 13

Architect: William Mitchell(courses A, B and C) and Joseph Lee (course D).

Courses A/C: 18 holes, Par 72 (6.400m); Courses A/D: 18 holes, Par 72 (6.205m)

Courses B/C: 18 holes, Par 72 (6.488m); Courses B/D: 18 holes, Par 72 (6.293m)

San Lorenzo

Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo, 8135 Almansil. Telephone: (89) 39 65 22. Fax: (89) 39 69 08

Architect: Joseph Lee, 18 holes, Par 72 (6.238m)