When golfers are looking for a memorable destination that is within reach, especially one that offers a reliably pleasant climate and delivers a vast range of superb courses with high-quality hospitality to match, the Algarve will invariably be near or at the summit of the shortlist.
Since the game first emerged in this magical corner of Portugal in the 1960s, it has grown into one of the world's leading golfing hotspots, drawing in thousands of visitors annually from the UK, but it also holds significant appeal with travellers from throughout Europe and even, increasingly, from North America.
If you are someone who fancies an ideal getaway for the autumn, winter, or for any time of the year, frankly, then you really ought to start with the Algarve.
Many of you will be return visitors hoping to tick off even more of the tremendous layouts that can be played here. Others might be newcomers to these shores in search of the ideal first taste of what you can expect.
Whichever category applies to you, we may have just uncovered the perfect Algarve golf break that is ready for you right now.
NH Lagos is The Perfect Algarve Golfing Base
Located roughly an hour from Faro International Airport, NH Lagos can be found right in the heart of the historic city, which is famed for its coastal setting and walled Old Town that will delight those who appreciate the opportunity to step back through the ages.
Within this four-star hotel, you will have a choice of 296 rooms that are presented in a variety of styles, including suites with private balconies and spacious rooms ideal for families. Offering all the amenities that you could need during your stay, this is a wonderful space from which to explore both the surrounding town and the golf courses dotted along the coastline.
Boasting a trio of swimming pools, an acclaimed health club, a massage parlour and numerous beauty treatments to enjoy, you have the freedom here to pamper yourself and relax. NH Lagos is a platform for the ultimate in unwinding.
If you're someone who appreciates good food, then you will also be grateful for the cuisine that is available at the venue, which includes international, Italian, and Portuguese dishes, while the Aroma Bar has frequent live music in the evenings, with the nearby Duna Beach Club offering a dreamy setting for a sunset meal.
During your stay in town, you should also take in the remarkable clifftop trek at Ponta da Piedade and its rock arches and visit the Church of St Anthony and behold its Baroque architecture, while the medieval trappings of the Old Town make it a truly distinctive place to walk around and explore.
NH Lagos is extremely popular - and for very good reason. It's accessible and is brilliantly positioned to travel around the area and to reach some of the most unforgettable courses you can play in the Algarve.
Let's take a look at just some of the tee times you can make from here.
Palmares Golf Course is Simply Incredible
Just along the coast you will come across the spectacular Meia Praha beach, which, among many other fabulous things, is overlooked by the visually stunning Palmares Golf Club.
Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr, there are 27 incredible holes at Palmares, which is widely considered to be among Portugal's best golf courses. Split into three loops - Praia, Lagos and Alvor (the first two combine to complete the championship layout) - this is a highly strategic and scenic creation, with the more exposed parts bringing in the added challenge of elevation changes and the coastal winds that will frequently prove to be a stout threat to your score.
Showcasing different elements of character, the Alvor loop is tree-lined and presents hillside vistas, while the Lagos segment brings in lakes and dunes. But you will probably most love the Praia, which is where you will be introduced to the coastal holes with those views of the ocean that will take your breath away.
Palmares is somewhere that members of the Golfshake team have visited - and thoroughly enjoyed - through the years.
Golfshake Ambassador Andy Picken wrote in his review: "27 holes of excellent golf in three loops. Each differ in character and style. Awesome sea views linked with a natural setting that must have excited Robert Trent Jones Jr when he first viewed the canvas on which he was to create a memorable golfing experience. Sand scrapes and deep bunkers are well placed on all the loops. This is a golfing layout with the emphasis on fun."
Likewise, our Travel Editor Andy Waple, who knows more about golf in Portugal than most, is a huge fan of Palmares: "The three loops have very distinctive features and as a result Palmares offers a great golfing experience. No matter which two of the three are selected, players are rewarded with equally impressive conditioning throughout, at least in my experience, from playing there a number of times over the years."
While it may be truly magical and worth the journey to Lagos alone, Palmares isn't the only exceptional design that can be ticked off during your stay, with the likes of Morgado, Alamos, Salgados, Pinta, Gramacho, Alto and Penina being enticingly within reach of your grasp.
It's hard to go wrong when visiting the Algarve. It's one of the planet's leading golfing jewels for a reason. But whether you're a veteran of these parts or a newcomer who desires to see what the hype is all about, NH Lagos and Palmares will both create lasting memories that you will fondly recall.
Should you wish to know more about NH Lagos and the best golf packages for the western Algarve, please visit our travel partners Golfbreaks by clicking here.
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