Vilamoura is a hot spot for golfing holidays. With its warm summers, picturesque courses, and vibrant nightlife, it attracts avid players from around the world. Located between Faro and Albufeira on Portugal’s south coast, it’s easily accessible from the UK and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg for a week’s holiday, which is always a plus.
With a bustling marina lined with bars and restaurants, plus the sandy Vilamoura Beach, it’s an ideal holiday spot for golfers, couples, groups, and families.
Golf Courses in Vilamoura
Vilamoura Golf boasts five headline courses, each offering a unique challenge and ample opportunities to get your golfing fix in the Algarve.
The Millennium and Laguna courses share grounds, practice facilities, and a clubhouse. While they don’t quite match the standard of Pinhal or the renowned Old Course (more on those shortly), they still provide an enjoyable round of golf.
Laguna, designed by Joseph Lee in 1990 and measuring just under 7,000 yards off the tips, offers a links-like layout on coastal terrain. Personally, I found the Par 72 course lacking a little in character, with a layout that relies heavily on water hazards—perhaps too heavily. Some holes felt as though they were added to fill space rather than flow naturally.
Despite heavy rain before my visit, the course was in good condition. The Bermuda Miniverde greens were well-kept but showed signs of wear, likely from high traffic and spiked shoes. Still, with good company and great weather—which I was fortunate to have—Laguna made for a solid “first-day-of-the-trip” round.
Next door, the Millennium Course, designed by Martin Hawtree and opened in 2000, is a thoroughly enjoyable track. Just 60 yards longer than Laguna, it’s more sheltered and offers better scoring opportunities. It was noticeably better condition, partly due to its denser Bermuda 419 fairways compared to Laguna’s Bermuda Tahoma 31. The Bentgrass Penna4 greens also offered a truer roll and greater consistency when reading putts.
More tactically demanding than Laguna, Millennium requires thoughtful positioning off the tee and into the greens. The tree-lined fairways provided a tranquil, rewarding round.
Pinhal, a course I thoroughly enjoyed, was opened in 1976 and refined by Robert Trent Jones Sr. in 1985. The undulating par 72 features a parkland-style layout with pine-lined fairways and Bentgrass greens that provided a reliable roll throughout.
At 6,694 yards, it’s comparable in length to the Millennium and Laguna courses but is certainly more demanding. Wayward drives are punished, but the challenge adds to the enjoyment. The course was in excellent condition and made for a memorable round.
Then there’s the crown jewel: the Old Course.
Designed by Frank Pennink and opened in 1969, this iconic layout has hosted multiple DP World Tour events and is widely regarded as one of Portugal’s top-ranked courses. Measuring 6,839 yards and set among mature pine trees, it delivers a unique, risk-and-reward par 73 experience.
Recently, the course underwent an extensive and sustainable renovation to enhance its premium offering. These improvements include the introduction of water-saving grass varieties, a new sprinkler system, and electric maintenance machinery—moves designed to position it as one of Europe’s most eco-friendly courses.
The renovations also feature a brand-new, state-of-the-art clubhouse (opened in November 2024) with a pub-inspired restaurant, upgraded pro shop, living room, and terrace—a nod to tradition with a modern twist. The on-course changes have made the Old Course even more defined, with improved tee boxes, sharpened bunkers, and upgraded fairways, all without needing to close the course.
The round I played there was one of the highlights of my recent golfing travels—a privilege to experience, and a course I couldn’t wait to tell my mates about.
Vilamoura Golf, The Next Chapter: The Els Club Vilamoura
Vilamoura is on the cusp of an even more exclusive golfing future with the imminent arrival of The Els Club Vilamoura—Europe’s first Els Club and the Algarve’s first private members’ golf club. The project is a collaboration between four-time Major winner Ernie Els and Arrow Global, with DETAILS overseeing management.
Set to open in Summer 2025, the club is built on the former Victoria Course, which hosted the Portugal Masters from 2007 to 2022. The redesigned layout will reflect Els’s signature blend of elegance and challenge, with the project deeply personal to him—he and his family have long vacationed and played golf in Vilamoura.
This exclusive club will include a luxury clubhouse, private reception, and Els’s signature 261 Tap Room, providing a new level of service, privacy, and championship-quality play.
Accommodation in Vilamoura
During my visit, I stayed at the Hilton Vilamoura As Cascatas Golf Resort & Spa. Nestled among five solid courses and just minutes from the marina, it’s a luxurious and convenient base. The spacious rooms, many with balconies overlooking Pinhal, were ideal for relaxing between rounds.
The award-winning 7Spa offered hydrotherapy pools, a tranquil Zen garden, and a wide treatment menu—perfect for unwinding after a day on the greens. With six pools, great food, and a free shuttle to the beach and marina, the Hilton proves an excellent base for the trip.
Food, Nightlife & Lifestyle in Vilamoura
Coastal locations are always a win for seafood lovers. Vilamoura’s marina is packed with great restaurants and bars. One highlight was Cesteiro, a seafood gem where the mussels were so moreish we nearly ordered a second round. The wine list? Top-notch, which may have contributed to our spontaneous karaoke session following the meal.
Away from the coast, in Loulé, we dined at 11 da Villa, a charming tapas bar tucked down a cobbled side street. Authentic Portuguese dishes were matched with some of the best regional wines I’ve tasted.
Verdict
Vilamoura is a no-brainer for a golf getaway. Whether you’re after a casual round, world-class facilities, or a bit of both, this Algarve destination delivers. The quality and variety of courses—particularly the Old Course and the upcoming Els Club—make it a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Throw in buzzing nightlife, top-tier accommodation, and the Portuguese sun, and you’ve got yourself the perfect golf escape.
