Ponte de Lima Golf sits in the hills above one of Portugal's oldest towns, in the rural Minho countryside around 70km north of Porto. Opened in 1995 and designed by Daniel and David Silva, the course is built as two distinct nines, each with its own name and character, meeting at a clubhouse set between them.

The front nine, Quinta de Anquião, is the hilly half, running through old cork, oak and chestnut trees with genuine elevation change and views out over the Lima Valley toward Viana do Castelo. The back nine, Quinta de Pias, drops into more level ground through vineyards and orchards, offering a different kind of test after the climbs of the first half. Reviewers consistently rate the course highly for condition, and just as consistently recommend a buggy or electric trolley for the front nine's slopes.

The clubhouse, sitting between the two nines, has a restaurant, bar, terrace, sauna, pool and tennis courts alongside the golf shop and equipment hire. A handicap certificate is required to play. For golfers exploring northern Portugal who want a genuine change of terrain from hole to hole, and don't mind a proper hill workout along the way, Ponte de Lima delivers something distinct.