PGA TOUR Champions Confirms Portugal Invitational at Vilamoura Golf Course

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The Algarve will be the main event on the global golf calendar after the PGA TOUR Champions announced a new five-year deal to bring a professional tournament to Portugal. The Portugal Invitational is a historic event for golf in Vilamoura and the country as a whole. Arrow Global Group, Turismo de Portugal, and Turismo do Algarve support it. Portugal will host an individual strokeplay event for the first time, organised by the PGA Tour. This will help solidify its reputation as a top golf destination in Europe.

The Els Club Vilamoura will host the Portugal Invitational from July 31 to August 2, 2026. There will be 78 players in the tournament, including members of the World Golf Hall of Fame, stars of the PGA TOUR Champions, and a few players from the Legends Tour. The event will bring in some of the biggest names in the sport and put Vilamoura in the international spotlight with a prize pool of $3 million. The tournament is also part of a three-week stretch of top-level senior golf in Europe, between the ISPS Handa Senior Open and the Staysure Senior PGA Championship.

Ernie Els designed the Els Club Vilamoura, which is an important part of this story. The course was called Dom Pedro Victoria before it hosted the Portugal Masters on the DP World Tour from 2007 to 2022. Champions like Shane Lowry and Padraig Harrington played there. The new layout is based on Els’ idea of a balanced but difficult test, with world-class practice facilities to back it up. Els says that seeing the course chosen for a PGA TOUR Champions event shows that the design was meant to be ambitious and that Vilamoura can host golf at the highest level.

This news makes golf in Vilamoura even more appealing to fans and golfers who travel. The destination is already known for having a lot of great golf courses. It has championship golf, golden beaches, an award-winning marina, great food, and easy access to real Algarve experiences. The Ria Formosa lagoons, local seafood traditions, and the historic town of Loulé are all nearby and offer more than just golf.

Arrow Global Group sees the Portugal Invitational as a big step towards its long-term goal of making Vilamoura a world-class golf and lifestyle destination. Continued investment in hotels, marina infrastructure, improved golf courses, and future projects like a country club and beach club show that the goal is to bring in visitors all year round. Tourism leaders at both the national and regional levels have also talked about how the event will help the Algarve become more visible around the world, be more sustainable, and grow its economy.

The GOLF Channel will show all three rounds of the Portugal Invitational live, and people in more than 170 countries will be able to watch it. The tournament will also have Legends Tour players thanks to the partnership between the PGA TOUR and the European Tour Group. Expectations are high for a historic event now that Todd Rhinehart has been named Tournament Director. He has decades of experience with the PGA TOUR.

Vilamoura golf courses still have one of the best mixes of quality, variety, and atmosphere in Europe for golfers who want to plan a trip based on this news. This part of the Algarve is starting a new chapter, whether you’re coming to watch the legends or play the same fairways. You can find customised options in our Vilamoura golf holidays collection.

Tee Times Awarded Europe’s Best Golf Tour Operator 2025

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We are thrilled to share some fantastic news: The prestigious World Golf Awards have named Tee Times Golf Holidays Europe’s Best Golf Tour Operator 2025. This recognition is a huge milestone for our team and a moment we are proud to celebrate with all of you.

This award isn’t just ours: it belongs to every golfer who has trusted us to plan their dream round, every partner in Portugal and Spain who has worked alongside us, and our dedicated team who constantly strive to deliver the perfect golf holiday experience. Your support and confidence have been key to this achievement.

For over 30 years, our mission has been simple: to make golf holidays as smooth and enjoyable as a perfect drive down the fairway. Winning this award inspires us to continue improving, innovating, and helping golfers around the world make the most of their time on and off the course.

We look forward to creating even more unforgettable golf experiences, with more fairways, fewer bunkers, and holidays you’ll remember for years to come. From all of us at Tee Times Golf Holidays, thank you for being part of this journey.

You can explore our latest golf holiday packages and start planning your next perfect round through our Tee Times Golf Holidays page.

Condé Nast Johansens Selects 40 Luxury Hotels and Wellness Retreats in Portugal

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Portugal continues to shine on the global luxury stage, with Condé Nast Johansens selecting more than 40 standout hotels and wellness spaces across the country for its latest annual guide.

From the north to the Algarve and across the islands of Madeira and the Azores, the list shows a destination that combines elegance, authenticity, and a strong sense of place. Portugal is in second place in the world in terms of the number of suggestions; only the United Kingdom is ahead, which clearly shows that the country is becoming more appealing to travellers who know what they want.

The chosen places include 33 high-end hotels in some of Portugal’s best areas. Lisbon and the Tagus Valley are in the lead, with 15 suggested places, such as restaurants and wellness centres. The Palácio Estoril Hotel Golf & Wellness is a very famous name because it combines history with a focus on health. It’s a place where old-fashioned warmth and modern comfort come together, making it a good choice for people who care about both ambience and comfort.

Further south, the Alentejo adds a quieter, more soulful layer to the list, with four hotels that are praised for their character and connection to the landscape. Next is the Algarve, where high-end living is the main focus. Condé Nast Johansens gave a special “gold star” to the Tivoli group, which is part of Minor Hotels, recognising the hotels: Tivoli Carvoeiro, Marina Vilamoura, and Alvor. In addition, Serenity – The Art of Well Being at Pine Cliffs Resort was honoured for its spa offering, reinforcing the Algarve’s image as a destination where relaxation and refinement go hand in hand.

The islands also play a key role in this luxury trip. In the Azores, both located on São Miguel Island, Solar dos Cantos Botanic House & Garden and the iconic Terra Nostra Garden Hotel were chosen, highlighting a blend of nature, tradition, and understated elegance. In Madeira, five luxury hotels won recommendations, confirming the island’s long-standing reputation for timeless hospitality and natural beauty.

This recognition from Condé Nast Johansens is more than a list of names. It is a powerful statement about Portugal as a destination that provides emotion, quality, and memorable experiences. Whether it is a seaside resort, a historic palace hotel, or a tranquil island retreat, each location offers something that goes beyond accommodation. Our Portugal golf holidays collection shows the possibilities for those planning a fancy getaway with great golf courses close by.