From Fairway to Fortress: Your Golfing Adventure at Penha Longa Resort, Sintra
- davidfspinheiro
- Sep 28
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 7
Just 30 minutes from Lisbon, the Penha Longa Resort rises from the rolling hills of Sintra like a sanctuary for golfers who demand equal measures of championship challenge and five star indulgence. Housed within a former 14th century monastery, the Ritz-Carlton managed property marries historic charm with contemporary luxury. Suites and rooms open onto sweeping views of forest and fairway, while the resort’s amenities: an expansive spa and wellness centre, two Michelin starred restaurants: LAB by Sergi Arola (innovative and emotional gastronomic journey) and Midori (Japanese gourmet cuisine); and a serene outdoor pool, redefine leisure between rounds. It’s the kind of setting where golf is as much about lifestyle as it is about scorecard.
The star of the show is the Penha Longa Atlantic Course, crafted by Robert Trent Jones Jr. as a par72 layout that tumbles across Sintra’s dramatic topography. Expect elevated tees, water guarded greens, and coastal winds that sharpen shot making on holes like the risk/reward par5 6th and the photogenic downhill par3 13th. The adjacent Monastery Course, a charming nine hole course through historic ruins, offers a more relaxed but equally scenic round. Together, they create one of Portugal’s most versatile golf complexes, catering to both serious tournament play and leisurely afternoon loops.
What makes Sintra a true golf destination, however, is its depth. Pestana Beloura Golf, just 10 minutes from Penha Longa, delivers a more resort style parkland experience, while Quinta da Marinha Golf course, 20 minutes away in Cascais, stretches along the Atlantic with bold Trent Jones bunkering and ocean views.
From Penha Longa Resort, you’re also within 20 to 30 minutes away of Oitavos Dunes, ranked among Europe’s top links style courses; Estoril Golf, a historic venue dating back to 1929; Belas Clube de Campo, a modern eco conscious design nestled in green valleys; and Lisbon Sports Club, founded in 1861, a traditional tree lined layout that feels worlds away from the capital despite being under 30 minutes drive from Lisbon. Few regions in Europe deliver such a compact yet diverse roster of golfing options.
Beyond the fairways, Sintra seduces with experiences and adventure that elevate any golf trip into a cultural journey. The Serra de Sintra mountains plunge dramatically into the Atlantic, where cliffs meet golden beaches—perfect for a morning hike or an afternoon surf lesson in nearby Guincho. Within town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the pastel palette Pena Palace and Moorish Castle invite travellers to wander through centuries of architectural splendour. It’s a seamless blend of mountain and sea, history and hedonism. You can also take a scenic drive to the dramatic cliffs of Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of mainland Europe, or explore the charming coastal town of Cascais.
In the end, a Sintra golfing adventure anchored at Penha Longa Resort is more than a sporting holiday, it’s a curated immersion into Portugal’s most enchanting region. Here, a round of golf might be followed by a Michelin starred tasting menu, a palace tour, or a sunset stroll along the coast. For discerning golfers and their companions, Sintra delivers the rarest of combinations: world class golf framed by culture, nature, and an ineffable sense of place that lingers long after the final putt drops.
