Vidago Palace Portugal has officially earned its place among Europe’s most prestigious golf destinations. Recently crowned by Bunkered magazine as the ultimate “royal golf holiday,” this Northern Portugal gem offers more than manicured fairways and luxury suites, it delivers a full-fledged regal experience.

Set against the majestic backdrop of Trás-os-Montes and just a short trip from Porto, Vidago Palace is where Belle Époque grandeur meets modern golf. Its salmon-pink façade, stately interiors, and 18-hole championship course designed by Cameron & Powell create a perfect fusion of sport and splendour. Whether you’re teeing off under centuries-old trees or relaxing in the 2,500m² thermal spa, every moment feels fit for royalty.

Where Heritage and Sport Meet

Built in 1910 for the Portuguese royal family, the palace grounds offer more than luxury accommodation. The 18-hole golf course, redesigned by Cameron Powell in 2010, is a championship-level layout that blends natural terrain with challenging fairways and stunning mountain views.

The course recently hosted a stage of the Albatros Golf Challenge, drawing in both national-level amateurs and international guests. The event, coupled with the venue’s rich cultural backdrop and wellness offering, demonstrated how Vidago is carving a niche among Portugal’s more coastal-heavy golf destinations.

Inland Golf Holidays With a Unique Appeal

While Algarve and Lisbon dominate the golf holiday conversation, Vidago Palace Portugal offers a different pace, a quieter, more refined experience ideal for couples, wellness travellers, and golfers looking for something off the beaten path. Onsite amenities include a world-class spa, thermal baths, fine dining, and vintage décor that has been painstakingly restored.

Its location also serves as a great base for exploring the Trás-os-Montes region, known for its wine, nature, and authentic northern Portuguese culture. It’s a combination that appeals to seasoned golf travellers looking to go beyond the usual resorts.

Portugal’s Golf Ecosystem Expands

As the country looks to diversify its tourism model, destinations like Vidago help expand the map beyond the Algarve. With well-maintained courses, boutique luxury, and historical significance, they represent a new tier of golf holidays in Portugal, one rooted in slow travel and high quality.

For players who’ve already ticked off Vale do Lobo, Quinta do Lago, or Vilamoura, Vidago Palace Portugal presents a compelling next chapter.

Plan Your Royal Golf Holiday

For those inspired to explore this quieter corner of Portugal, our Porto Golf Holidays page offers handpicked packages tailored to the northern region’s charm.

Need transport sorted? We’ve got you covered with our Car Hire and Transfers options, ensuring your journey to Vidago is as smooth and stress-free as your time on the course.

Fairmont Victoria Golf Resort Portugal: Vilamoura’s Golf Flagship Reinvented

A new chapter is underway for one of Vilamoura’s crown jewels. The Victoria Golf Resort & Spa, long admired for its location beside the iconic Victoria Golf Course, soon to be renamed the Els Club Vilamoura, is being reimagined as the first Fairmont-branded hotel in Portugal.

As of 30 April 2025, global hospitality group Accor assumed management of the 260-room property, marking the beginning of a bold transformation. With a full renovation now in motion, the resort will soon join the prestigious Fairmont Hotels & Resorts portfolio, known globally for delivering refined luxury rooted in local culture. For golf travellers with an eye for comfort, consistency, and course access, this is a story worth following closely.

The property already features four restaurants, four bars, multiple outdoor pools, a gym, and a spa with six treatment rooms. Every room and suite includes a private balcony, and its expansive conference centre can host up to 700 guests, making it ideal not only for leisure breaks, but for high-end events, golf retreats, and society travel. As the resort undergoes its transformation, these features are being enhanced under Accor’s direction, with the Fairmont rebranding expected to complete in 2026.

But what truly sets this hotel apart is its proximity to the Els Club Vilamoura, formerly the Victoria Course and host of the Portugal Masters. Now a private members-only course designed by Ernie Els, it offers guests the rare opportunity to play one of the Algarve’s most prestigious layouts, steps from their room.

This development is more than cosmetic. It signals Vilamoura’s continued rise as the beating heart of luxury golf in Portugal. Already a mainstay in Algarve golf holidays, Vilamoura is being redefined, less as a sun-and-golf stopover, and more as a complete lifestyle destination. The arrival of the Fairmont brand only reinforces this trajectory.

According to Fairmont CEO Omer Acar, the company is “thrilled” to debut in Portugal through this flagship project, calling Vilamoura “one of the country’s most exciting and sought-after destinations.” The sentiment is echoed by property owner Arrow Global Group, whose long-term strategy is to create a multi-layered leisure, sports, and hospitality hub in Vilamoura. The result is a destination that blends international standards with authentic local experiences.

Guests won’t just be drawn to the greens. Beyond the fairways, the Algarve offers hiking along the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail, oyster tastings in the Ria Formosa, and day trips to the market town of Loulé, all easily reached from the resort. And with Faro Airport just 30 minutes away, access remains effortless.

For those planning golf holidays in Portugal for late 2025 or 2026, the Fairmont Victoria Golf Resort Portugal is poised to become a flagship experience: high-spec, well-located, and rooted in the best of Algarve golf.

Explore our full range of Vilamoura golf holiday packages