Two Icons, One Coastline: Play Algarve’s Finest Courses from Penina Hotel & Golf Resort and Dona Filipa Hotel
- davidfspinheiro
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
In the sun-drenched heart of the Algarve, two iconic resorts define the region’s enduring appeal for golf travelers: Penina Hotel & Golf Resort in the west and Dona Filipa Hotel on the central coast, neighbouring over 20 world-class golf courses between them.
Penina, set amid 360 acres of verdant parkland, blends classic Portuguese elegance with five-star comforts: grand lounges, refined dining salons, and serene wellness spaces that frame views of its celebrated fairways.
The resort’s crown jewel, the Penina Championship Course, a par73 designed by Sir Henry Cotton in 1966, remains one of Europe’s most celebrated layouts and the first golf course built in the Algarve region. Its links-inspired stretches, subtle elevation changes, and carefully contoured greens challenge even seasoned players, with standout holes like the 13th, a par5 stretching through a corridor of pines, and the demanding hole 5, a par3 over water. Complementing the main track are the gentler Penina Resort Course, a 9-hole (par35), ideal for relaxed rounds, and the Penina Academy Course (currently closed), a compact nine-hole layout perfect for sharpening the short game.
From Penina, the wider western Algarve golf scene unfolds with remarkable variety. Espiche Golf (25 minutes) a 18-hole par72 that offers an eco-conscious, valley-carved layout where native vegetation frames every shot; Boavista Golf (20 minutes) mixes undulating parkland holes with panoramic Atlantic vistas; and Palmares (30 minutes) combines dune-lined coastal holes with hillside terrain in a dramatic 27-hole routing. Closer still, NAU Morgado (15 minutes) delivers a spacious championship feel set between rolling farmland, while Pestana Alto (10 minutes) charms with Sir Henry Cotton’s signature doglegs and its famous 600-yard “Sir Henry” par5. Eastward, the Pestana trio: Gramacho, Vale da Pinta, and Silves (each 30–40 minutes), adds further depth with varied parkland and orchard-lined fairways that highlight the Algarve’s diverse landscapes.
An hour east along the coast (and only 20min from Faro Airport), Dona Filipa Hotel in Vale do Lobo offers a more contemporary expression of Algarve luxury. Its bright, coastal-chic interiors, ocean-facing suites, and elevated dining spaces channel the sophistication of Portugal’s golden triangle.
Guests here enjoy privileged access to the San Lorenzo Golf Course, often regarded as one of Europe’s finest. Designed around the Ria Formosa Natural Park, its routing sweeps gracefully between lagoon edges, umbrella pine forests, and subtly rising terrain. The closing sequence: from the water-flanked 16th to the heroic carry on the 18th hole, cements San Lorenzo as a must-play masterpiece that balances beauty with strategic bite.
Surrounding Dona Filipa is a constellation of elite courses that more make of Central Algarve a world-leading golf destination. The Vale do Lobo Ocean and Royal Courses (5 minutes) offer cliff-top drama and sweeping sea views, including the Royal’s iconic carry over red-rock cliffs. Quinta do Lago’s North, South, and Laranjal Courses (10–15 minutes) present three distinct challenges: from modern parkland routing to lakeside precision play. In nearby Vilamoura (20–25 minutes), the Vilamoura Golf collection is equally compelling: the Old Course blends heritage design with pine-tree corridors; Laguna embraces open, water-lined fairways; Millennium favours eclectic, forgiving terrain; Pinhal offers classic, tree-lined golf. Also in Vilamoura Pestana Vila Sol course brings a resort-style elegance across its 27 holes. Lastly for the adventurous, Ombria Golf (35 minutes) provides a tranquil, nature-immersed experience deeper inland.
Away from the greens, the Algarve rewards travelers with rich cultural texture and unforgettable natural encounters. In the west, a boutique wine tasting among the region’s growing portfolio of family-owned estates reveals volcanic soils, sea-salt breezes, and traditional Portuguese varietals. Along the coast, private boat excursions glide through limestone grottos and hidden coves near Lagos, offering a breathtaking contrast to the manicured fairways. Centrally, guests can savor sunset catamaran cruises off Vilamoura or explore local heritage through market tours and artisanal food experiences. These pursuits elevate a golf trip into a deeper journey that blends sport, nature, cuisine, and culture into an indulgent, multifaceted escape.
Together, the western and central Algarve form a tapestry of luxury hospitality, world-class golf, and unforgettable coastal lifestyle. Between Penina’s storied legacy, Dona Filipa’s modern refinement, and a landscape dotted with Europe’s most distinctive courses, the region stands as an irresistible destination for golfers seeking both challenge and charm in equal measure.
