Golf Holidays in the Algarve: The Ultimate Guide
Why Autumn and Winter are the Best Times to Golf in the Algarve
Though the Algarve’s bustling beaches, heaving marinas, and buzzing restaurants draw crowds in summer, those who know the region well are aware that the region’s off-season tranquillity has a very different draw. The sea is still glittering turquoise, the sky is still (often) the brightest azure, and the sand is likely to still be warm under your feet, but as the temperature starts dropping, other activities start to take centre stage. Long walks or cycles through the countryside become extremely pleasant now that the sun’s not beating down from overhead, and then there’s autumn golf holidays in the Algarve.
Autumn settles in with warm light, winter arrives with calm skies, and the region’s iconic golf courses become serene, sun-kissed landscapes designed for pure focus… and pure pleasure.
Just minutes from LUX MARE, you’ll find legendary greens, sweeping pine forests, premium services, and the gentle hush that only the off-season can bring. If you’re considering a golf holiday in the Algarve for autumn or winter, this is where the magic begins.
Quiet Fairways and Ideal Conditions for Your Autumn Golf Holiday
The Algarve’s fairways have a reputation that stretches far beyond Portugal’s borders, and as most seasoned golfers will tell you, the best time to play is not summer. It’s now, under brilliant winter sun and soft autumn breezes. As for the courses available? You’ll be spoiled for choice… or you can explore one a day for a couple of weeks, or even a month, as the Algarve is home to a whopping 33 unique courses! And the best news is, most courses are open throughout winter and offer special winter rates, so all you have to do is head over here and get your clubs at the ready.
Algarve’s Top Golf Regions: Championship Courses for the Quieter Season
Golf Courses near Lagos
Let’s start close to LUX MARE at the Boavista course, less than a 10-minute drive away, where you’ll find an 18-hole championship course with views over the Bay of Lagos and Monchique hills.
Also nearby is the Palmares golf course, which sprawls across a vast hillside above Meia Praia, providing one of the most varied golfing experiences in the Algarve, thanks to three distinct nine-hole loops with striking views – excellent for experienced golfers. And Espiche, where fairways weave through unspoilt countryside, creating a course that rewards strategy over power.
Golf Courses in Carvoeiro
Further along the coast, Carvoeiro offers a hotspot of golf courses of varying levels of difficulty. From the formerly 9-turned-18-hole Gramacho course, which provides a faster-paced challenge on a course rated as “easy” to the inland par 72 18-hole, medium-difficulty Vale da Pinta course, framed by olive groves and providing stunning views of the Monchique hills, to Vale de Milho – a charming 9-hole course that favours precision play where a compact layout makes it ideal for guests wanting a relaxed winter round without committing to four hours on the course.
The Golden Triangle: Central Algarve Golf Courses (Almancil, Vilamoura)
Two of Europe’s most celebrated golfing destinations for golf holidays in the Algarve, Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo, remain at their finest all year round. Combined with Vilamoura to make the “golden triangle”, this area is home to 13 golf courses offering technical mastery, impeccable maintenance, and that unmistakable off-season tranquillity that makes every shot feel intentional.
Some of the highest-ranked options include the challenging water obstacles at the Dom Pedro course in Vilamoura, medium difficulty Quinta do Lago North and South courses, the former orange grove Laranjal course, and the challenging Royal and Ocean courses at Vale do Lobo – with the Royal’s cliff-edge par-3 standing as one of Europe’s most photographed holes.
In short, few golf resorts offer this level of variety without sacrificing quality, so if you’re seeking the best golf courses in the Algarve off-season, this is your playground.
Further Afield: Hidden Gems and Dramatic Coastal Courses
Just past Albufeira, under an hour away from Lux Mare, is Pine Cliffs – set high above the ochre cliffs of Falesia and offering one of the Algarve’s most dramatic golfing settings. Although only nine holes, the course is expertly maintained and deceptively technical, with its most famous hole, the iconic “Devil’s Parlour,” requiring a tee shot over a deep chasm straight towards the Atlantic.
Suppose you want to explore the Algarve hills, the Algarve’s newest golfing retreat might strike your fancy – dubbed to have been “carved out of nature”. In that case, Ombria gives you a chance to experience Algarve golf away from the coast, where the landscape is greener, quieter, and surprisingly atmospheric.
Set in the quiet hills above Vila Nova de Cacela, not far from the Spanish border, Monte Rei is widely regarded as the Algarve’s crown jewel, with the estate’s seclusion adding to its allure. In this quiet, luxurious sanctuary, golfers can enjoy one of Europe’s finest layouts at a relaxed winter tempo.
What to expect from golf holidays in the Algarve in autumn and winter
Planning golf holidays in the Algarve in autumn or winter means stepping into a slower, more refined version of the region, without sacrificing comfort or quality. Here’s what awaits:
The Weather
Curious about the weather in the Algarve in winter? Expect long, bright days between 16°C and 20°C. Warm enough for early tee times, cool enough for perfect focus. Compared with northern Europe, the Algarve feels like a different season entirely.
Dining and unwinding after a day on the course
After a day outdoors, the Algarve offers luxuries that feel tailor-made for the off-season. Sunset settles slowly over the Ria Formosa, restaurants glow with warm light, and the region’s culinary scene becomes effortlessly relaxed. Within many of the Algarve’s golfing resorts – particularly Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo – you’ll discover refined dining centred on fresh seafood, modern Mediterranean dishes, and elegant clubhouse meals overlooking serene fairways. Pair that with a glass of Algarve wine, and you have the perfect end to your golfing day.
Back at LUX MARE, unwind in your private villa sanctuary. Sink into the heated pool, watch the last golden tones stretch across the horizon, or simply enjoy the quiet that defines this time of year. Or, if you really want to get a bit more practice, enjoy your own personal putt in Casa L, allowing you to perfect your shot before heading out onto the fairways the next day!
LUX MARE: Your Ultimate Base for a Golf Holiday in the Algarve
With peaceful courses, warm winter days, and premium hospitality at every turn, your golf holiday in the Algarve promises to show you the best of the region… without the rush. Just let our concierge know you’re dreaming of a golfing day (or several), and we’ll arrange tee times, transfers, equipment, and insider recommendations, so all that’s left is to step onto the green and enjoy the moment.
At LUXMARE, your off-season golf holiday begins long before the first swing.
