Portugal Golf

Welcome to the Ferragudo Golf Course

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A New Algarve Parkland course with Character, History and Strategic Variety.

At Tee Times Golf Holidays, we recently had the opportunity to visit Ferragudo Golf Course and experience the layout firsthand ahead of its official opening. Walking the course gave us valuable insight into its design, character, and playing experience, reinforcing our belief that it will become a popular addition to the Algarve golf scene.

Now that Ferragudo Golf Course is officially open, golfers can book tee times and golf holiday packages through Tee Times Golf Holidays, with access to the latest availability and our local expertise to help plan their visit.

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The Algarve’s reputation as one of Europe’s premier golf destinations continues to grow, and the arrival of Ferragudo Golf Course adds another compelling chapter to that story. Located in the Portimão area and developed under the umbrella of the Pestana Group, Portugal’s largest hotel and tourism operator, this new parkland layout introduces a refreshing blend of natural integration, strategic design, and historical character.

Ferragudo Golf Course tee-off and fairway

Rather than relying on dramatic elevation changes or heavy water usage, Ferragudo places its emphasis on routing, angles, and shot selection. The course is set comfortably within the Algarve landscape, where mature vegetation and natural contours frame a layout that feels both modern and timeless.

A Par-73 with Flexible Yardages

Ferragudo plays as a Par 73 and offers multiple teeing options to suit a wide range of golfers:

  • White Tees: 5,841 metres
  • Yellow Tees: 5,227 metres
  • Red Tees: 4,594 metres

This flexibility ensures the course can be enjoyed both as a championship test and as a more accessible resort-style round.

A Course Defined by Variety

One of Ferragudo’s defining strengths is the sheer variety of its holes. The routing avoids repetition, instead offering a sequence of short and long holes that demand constant adjustment in strategy. Players are required to think carefully about positioning, especially on approach shots where angles into greens are often more important than raw distance.

Ferragudo Golf - a course with variety

Water is notably scarce throughout the round, used sparingly to maximum effect. In fact, it only comes into play on the closing hole — the Par 5 18th (Stroke Index 6) — where a lake guards the approach to the green, providing a dramatic finishing risk-reward decision.

History Embedded in the Landscape

Perhaps the most distinctive visual and architectural feature of Ferragudo Golf Course is its integration of historic ruins across the property. These remnants of the past are not merely decorative; they form part of the course identity and visual rhythm.

Ferragudo Golf Tee and Chapel ruins

The most striking of these is an old chapel positioned at a natural crossroads of the layout, influencing play on holes 9, 10, 12, and 13. Plans have been suggested to restore this structure and repurpose it as a halfway house — a unique feature that could become one of the most memorable stopping points in Portuguese golf.

A Parkland Built for Shot-Making

Ferragudo is not a course that overwhelms with brute difficulty, but rather one that rewards thoughtful execution. The absence of heavy water hazards places greater emphasis on fairway positioning, controlled iron play, and creativity around the greens.

Ferragudo Golf Parkland Couse

The result is a layout that promises variety, rhythm, and constant decision-making — a course where no two holes feel the same, and where scoring depends as much on imagination as on power.

Final Impression

With its thoughtful routing, historic atmosphere, and strong integration into the Algarve landscape, Ferragudo Golf Course is positioned to become a notable addition to the region’s already impressive golfing portfolio.

It is a course that invites repeated play, not because it is overwhelming, but because it reveals itself differently with each round.

Ferragudo is not just another Algarve golf course — it is a new identity shaped by land, history, and design intelligence.

Ferragudo Golf Course is a welcome addition to an already strong Algarve portfolio — and reason enough to start planning a visit. Browse our Algarve golf holidays and see what the region has waiting for you.


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Espiche Golf – A Course evolved.

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Our CEO, Carlos Ferreira, returned to Espiche Golf Course and was delighted to see the course’s progress.

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This week we returned to Espiche Golf, a course I had not played for quite some time. It was a very pleasant surprise to see how much the course has evolved over the last few years while still retaining the character and challenge that have always made it a respected venue in the Algarve. 

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One of the most noticeable improvements was the adjustment to several fairways, which now feel slightly more open. The course remains a strategic and technical test, requiring thoughtful shot selection and good course management, but the added width makes it more playable and enjoyable for a wider range of golfers. Importantly, this has been achieved without compromising the original design intent or identity of the course. 

The standout feature of the day was the excellent overall conditioning. The greens were in superb shape—smooth, true, and consistent throughout the round. They demanded attention and rewarded confident putting. The fairways were equally impressive, with well-maintained turf and clearly defined playing lines. Tee boxes were also presented to a very high standard, contributing to a consistently high-quality playing experience from start to finish.

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We also played under quite strong wind conditions, which added an extra layer of challenge to the round. However, rather than taking away from the experience, it made the game even more engaging and, at times, highly entertaining. The wind forced creative shot-making and careful club selection, and as expected, it also led to a few lost balls along the way. For anyone planning a round here on a breezy day, we would definitely recommend bringing extra golf balls. 

Beyond the playing surfaces, the entire property was extremely well presented. Surrounding areas were clean and tidy, and the buggy paths were in excellent condition and clearly signposted, making navigation around the course simple and enjoyable. 

After the round, the clubhouse provided a very welcoming and relaxed atmosphere. It is a comfortable space to unwind, enjoy a drink, and reflect on the round, with friendly service and a laid-back setting that fits perfectly with the natural character of the course. 

espiche-golf-club-clubhouse

Espiche continues to stand out for its natural integration into the Algarve landscape, offering a peaceful and scenic golfing environment that enhances the overall experience. It feels mature, well managed, and clearly maintained with great attention to detail. 

Importantly, Espiche Golf is now firmly established as a relevant asset within the wider Algarve Golf Courses Portfolio. In a region known for its exceptional concentration of high-quality golf courses, Espiche contributes a distinctive offering—combining sustainability, strategy, and consistently strong conditioning. 

After some time away, it was rewarding to see the progress that has been made. Espiche has successfully improved both its presentation and playability while preserving the strategic essence that golfers appreciate. 

For anyone who has not played the course recently, it is certainly worth a return visit. 

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If Espiche Golf has slipped off your radar, this is a good moment to change that. The course is playing well, the setting is as scenic as it gets in the Western Algarve, and a round here makes for a very enjoyable afternoon. Browse course details and check availability on our Espiche Golf Course page.


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Portugal Opens Its First Municipal Golf Course

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Oeiras Green Valley is not just another venue. It is a statement about who golf is for.

On 7 June, the Câmara Municipal de Oeiras inaugurated the Oeiras Green Valley – Academia Municipal de Golfe, on the site of the former Cabanas Golf course in Barcarena.

Inauguration of Oeiras Green Valley – Academia Municipal de Golfe at the former Cabanas Golf site in Barcarena, Oeiras, June 2026

The ceremony was presided over by Isaltino Morais, President of the Câmara Municipal, and Pedro Nunes Pedro, President of the Federação Portuguesa de Golfe. Ambassadors Jorge Gabriel and Isabel Silva were among the hundreds in attendance.

From Derelict to Open

The site had stood idle since July 2024. The Câmara Municipal de Oeiras acquired two plots at the former Cabanas Golf complex, totalling 43 hectares — 22 of which now form the course.

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The project, developed in partnership with the Federação Portuguesa de Golfe, transformed a dormant facility into what is described as the first municipal golf course of significant scale in Portugal. (Jornal Económico)

A Course for Everyone

The Oeiras Green Valley is not designed for a members-only clientele. It will be open to schools, universities, sports clubs, companies, and the general public. Isaltino Morais was direct about the aim — to offer the sport to anyone, regardless of social or economic background.

Aerial view of the Oeiras Green Valley golf course in Barcarena, near Lisbon, Portugal

Pedro Nunes Pedro, President of the FPG, put it plainly: “The recovery of this space represents excellent news for the development of golf in Portugal and for the democratisation of access to the sport.” (FPG)

A New Chapter for Lisbon Golf

The Lisbon area already holds some of the most compelling golf in the country. The two championship layouts at PGA Aroeira sit within pine forests south of the city. The Penha Longa Atlantic Championship course unfolds across the foothills of the Serra de Sintra. And Oitavos Dunes at Cascais remains one of the most distinctive links-style layouts in Europe.

Oeiras Green Valley does not compete with any of them. It serves a different moment in a golfer’s journey — the beginning of one.

The Lisbon region offers some of the most varied golf in Portugal. From Atlantic linksland to mature parkland, the range is broad and the quality is consistent. Explore our Lisbon golf holidays and plan your next round.


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