Algarve Golf

Welcome to the Ferragudo Golf Course

Posted on by

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

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.


Vote for Tee Times

Espiche Golf – A Course evolved.

Posted on by

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

________________________________________________________________________________________

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. 

espiche-golf-course-foursome

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.

espiche-golf-club-golf-course

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. 

________________________________________________________________________________________

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.


Vote for Tee Times

June and July Golf in the Algarve: A Golfing Secret

Posted on by

The crowds have gone. The mornings and evenings have not.

The Algarve’s peak golf season belongs to spring — April and May bring mild temperatures, green fairways, and full tee sheets. What follows in June and July is a different proposition entirely. Fewer golfers. Longer days. A pace that feels closer to what the region actually is, rather than what the calendar tells most visitors to expect.

The Early Tee Time Is Your Friend

The Algarve coastline bathed in evening light during summer, Portugal
Summer in the Algarve means sunrise before 6:30am. An early tee time — 7am, or earlier at some courses — puts you on the fairway in conditions the midday golfer never sees. The light in those first hours is something particular: low and warm across the fairways, with a stillness to the air that belongs entirely to early morning. The cork oaks hold the shadow a little longer. The dew is still on the rough. By the time the sun is fully overhead, the round is done and the terrace is waiting.

The Long Evening Is an Underrated Asset

The Algarve in late June sees the sun set at around 9:15pm (timeanddate.com). That is not a minor detail. It means a back nine after dinner without the feeling of racing the clock. It means the kind of long, golden-hour light that does things to a links-style layout that a noon round cannot replicate. The western Algarve, in particular — where the Atlantic horizon sits just beyond the last fairway — earns that final hour of daylight more than most places. Summer evenings here are not a consolation. They are the whole point.

Green Fees in Summer: A Different Equation

Palmares Golf Course overlooking Meia Praia bay and the Alvor estuary, Lagos, Algarve
Peak spring green fees at the region’s flagship courses can be significant. Summer rates — particularly in June, before the school holiday surge — offer considerably better value without a corresponding drop in course quality. The greens have been through a full season of careful preparation. The price is lower because demand is lower. That gap is wider than most golfers realise, and it is one of the better-kept secrets on the European golf travel calendar.

The Courses That Reward a Summer Visit

Not every course in the Algarve plays identically in summer. Layouts with Atlantic exposure — set above the western coastline, or at elevation — benefit from the prevailing coastal breeze throughout the morning hours. Palmares, rising above Lagos and the long sweep of Meia Praia bay, is one of those courses: the views across the Alvor estuary alone justify the drive west. Boavista — designed by Howard Swan and chronically underappreciated — sits on the same western stretch, its two distinct sections climbing and descending through landscaped valleys in a way that rewards patience and repeat visits. Further east, the umbrella pines of Vilamoura Old Course offer shade and quiet that the busier spring months rarely allow.

The Region in Summer

The Algarve coastline bathed in evening light during summer, Portugal
The Algarve does not slow down in summer so much as settle into itself. The limestone cliffs along the coast turn amber in the late afternoon light. The fishing boats sit low in Ferragudo harbour. The market stalls in Loulé carry the smell of fresh bread and dried herbs, and the restaurants fill gradually rather than all at once. Evenings stretch long enough to make dinner feel genuinely unhurried. A cold Sagres on a terrace facing west, with the light still in the sky at nine in the evening, is one of those small, specific pleasures that cannot really be argued with. Golf brings you here in June and July. The region is the reason you book again.

Browse our Algarve golf holidays and start planning your summer.


Vote for Tee Times