Praia D’El Rey has further enhanced its reputation on the international stage after being named Portugal’s top-ranked golf resort in the latest Leading Courses European rankings.

The five-star Praia D’El Rey Marriott Golf & Beach Resort, located on Portugal’s celebrated Silver Coast, secured an impressive tenth place overall across Europe. The result saw it finish ahead of every other Portuguese venue in the standings, reinforcing its position as the country’s standout destination for resort golf.

Gonçalo Costa, director of golf at Praia D’El Rey Marriott Golf & Beach Resort, said:


“To be recognised as the top-ranked venue in Portugal and the tenth best in Europe is a tremendous achievement for the entire team. This achievement reflects not only the quality of the product we deliver, but also the consistent alignment between our operational standards, service culture and long-term vision.”

Leading Courses European Rankings Recognition

Now in its tenth edition, the rankings are compiled using a blend of verified golfer reviews from the Leading Courses community, guest ratings on Booking.com and an assessment of facilities, aiming to capture the full quality of the golf and hospitality experience rather than course design alone.

Unlike Santo da Serra’s national course-of-the-year honour, awarded to a single layout at the 2025 Golfamore Awards, Praia D’El Rey’s latest recognition comes from a European-wide resort ranking that evaluates not only golf quality, but the full destination experience across multiple courses, accommodation and facilities.

The latest recognition adds to a growing list of honours for Praia D’El Rey. Earlier this year, the resort’s hotel retained its national title at the World Golf Awards, once again being named Portugal’s Best Golf Hotel after first claiming the accolade in 2024.

Championship Courses Driving Portugal’s Top Golf Resort

A major part of Praia D’El Rey’s appeal lies in its status as one of Europe’s premier 36-hole golf resorts, offering two highly regarded courses set within the same coastal landscape.

Costa continued:


“What makes this honour especially meaningful is that it is driven purely by verified golfer feedback across the whole resort and both golf courses – West Cliffs and Praia D’El Rey. Knowing that guest feedback of all supporting departments have placed us among Europe’s very best is something we are incredibly proud of.

“We remain fully committed to continuous improvement, innovation in the guest experience and the ongoing optimisation of our operational performance, ensuring that we not only maintain but continue to elevate our standards of excellence.”

West Cliffs and Praia D’El Rey Golf Courses

The original Praia D’El Rey course, designed by American architect Cabell Robinson, opened in 1997 and remains a firm favourite. Set among pine forests and rolling dunes, the layout offers sweeping Atlantic views, with deep bunkers, sloping greens and sandy waste areas providing a stern but rewarding test.

Alongside it sits the striking West Cliffs Golf Links, created by Cynthia Dye and opened in 2017. Carved across 200 hectares of natural coastal terrain, the par-72 course has quickly attracted global attention. Expansive ocean views are present on every hole, but the challenge is unapologetic. While fairways can appear generous, accuracy is essential, and several tee shots demand long carries and confident decision-making.

West Cliffs also offers a range of tees identified by total playing distance in hundreds of metres, encouraging golfers to choose carefully to maximise both enjoyment and strategy.

With another major European ranking secured and continued recognition on the world awards circuit, Praia D’El Rey appears firmly established among Europe’s elite golf resorts. Its blend of championship courses, coastal scenery and high-end hospitality continues to set the standard for golf tourism in Portugal, and the Silver Coast shows no sign of slipping out of the spotlight.

For more details, visit www.praia-del-rey.com or www.westcliffs.com.

Related: Madeira confirms major golf expansion with three new course projects

Madeira has announced plans to add 36 new golf holes across three projects, including a Faldo-designed championship course at Ponta do Pargo and new nine-hole developments at Santo da Serra and Porto Santo Golfe, strengthening the island’s long-term appeal as a leading European golf destination.

Praia D’El Rey Named Portugal’s Top Golf Resort – Key Details

• Ranked Portugal’s number one golf resort by ‘Leading Courses’ in its European rankings
• Finished 10th overall in ‘Leading Courses’ European rankings.
• Home to Praia D’El Rey and West Cliffs championship courses.