Discover Portugal's Most Dramatic Golf Destination

By: Kieran Clark | Wed 07 May 2025

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Portugal has long established itself as one of the premier golf destinations on the planet, with the Algarve in particular being a beckon for travellers to experience immaculate courses in a magnificent climate.

However, other parts of the country are now beginning to rival the southern, Mediterranean coast in terms of quality. Running down the west of Portugal, the Silver Coast, or Costa de Prata, is a place known for its sandy beaches and traditional fishing towns, offering a more authentic slice of Portuguese hospitality.

Golf is becoming more prominent here - and we believe that the most dramatic example comes at Praia D'El Rey and West Cliffs, positioned just an hour to the north of Lisbon, with both benefitting from a breathtaking landscape to create truly unforgettable rounds.

But what do you need to know about these courses, the associated resorts, and the other nearby attractions?

Read on below and you might just discover your next golf holiday!

West Cliffs Golf Links

West Cliffs

Opened in 2017 and designed by Cynthia Dye, West Cliffs is the second course at the venue, and it has since been widely considered to be a modern masterpiece. Drawing inspiration from the likes of Whistling Straits in the United States, you can see the ocean from all 18 holes, with the back nine sweeping up the hill to offer even more spectacular vistas.

The native vegetation is a stunning feature of a layout that is undoubtedly one of the best in Portugal, but it's also a challenging one, with long carries in places and tough punishment for when you miss the wide fairways. The greens here are also striking, being huge and very undulating.

Despite being less than a decade old, West Cliffs feels part of the landscape and has done so since it opened, which is a testament to the genius and thought that went into its architectural design.

Praia D'El Rey Golf Course

Praia D'El Rey

Created by Cabell Robinson and unveiled back in the late 1990s, the Praia D'El Rey Championship Course combines tree-lined holes with links-style designs that take full advantage of the wild Atlantic coastline.

This has long been a real favourite of golfers visiting this wonderful destination in Portugal, which takes full advantage of a truly stunning setting and possesses the standard of layout that will test all players and provide them with an experience that they'll leave with happy memories of.

Despite being a challenge, it's a fair course, one that is playable, and that boasts superb levels of conditioning, making it an absolute treat to visit and play.

Accommodation

The golf is hard to surpass, but the accommodation choices you have here aren't bad either. The Praia D'El Rey Resort showcases an array of one bedroom apartments to four bedroom villas, meaning that there is something for everyone, while the five-star Marriott Hotel possesses 179 bedrooms (including nine luxury suites) that have views across the course or ocean.

Beyond the rooms, the hotel has a choice of five restaurants that serve a fine variety of produce, while a range of therapies and treatments are on offer at the Kalyan Spa.

West Cliffs has a group of apartments of differing sizes to choose from, while there are shuttle buses available to connect you between the courses, the clubhouses and your accommodation.

Other Golf Courses

If West Cliffs and Praia D'El Rey aren't enough for you, then there are other golf courses of note in the surrounding area too.

Bom Sucesso was laid out by Donald Steel, with the front nine featuring elevated terrain that provides views beyond, while the second half of the course runs through a forest of Eucalyptus trees.

Royal Obidos is a thrillingly challenging golf course to play, designed by the great Seve Ballesteros. There is plenty of water here but that adds to the layout aesthetically.

CampoReal is another Steel creation, one that is much closer to Lisbon and is set in rolling hills with plenty of undulations, engaging tee shots and eye-catching views.

Your Next Golf Holiday?

Our travel partners, Golfbreaks have a vast array of deals and packages available, which you can learn more about by clicking here for West Cliffs and here for Praia D'El Rey.