Palmares Golf Course climbs the hillside above the Bay of Lagos, on the Algarve's western coast, with Meia Praia beach and the Atlantic below. Frank Pennink laid out the original course in 1975. Robert Trent Jones Jr. reworked it in 2010, and it's since been ranked 26th in Golf World's Top 100 in Europe. That pedigree, matched with the setting, makes Palmares one to build a trip around.
Twenty-seven holes split into three nine-hole loops, Alvor, Lagos and Praia, playable in any order. Alvor climbs through pine-lined parkland with real elevation change. Lagos folds two lakes into its par three third and its par five sixth. Praia turns properly links, running through dune country with the Atlantic wind doing most of the defending. The 14th carries the course's signature hole status, and no two rounds at Palmares play quite the same.
The clubhouse looks out over the Alvor Estuary and the bay, with a restaurant, pro shop, locker rooms and a resident academy on site. Buggies are worth booking, given the terrain. Guests return to Palmares year after year, drawn back as much by the variety as the views. Book your round with Tee Times, and see why.
Florent Castets
2026-08-26
Wonderful course and very nice people
Christine Wehrle
2026-08-24
Good starter/woman, information are really good, waterstation etc.
The best of all places which we have played in the last two weeks.
Jeff Harrop
2026-08-18
Loved it. Course was great, staff very courteous
Roland Vejdemo
2026-07-20
Nice layout, very dry but of course this was in july. Condition 4 out of 5
Christopher Brighton
2026-07-03
OK but over 5 hour round, staff really friendly.
Jonathan Nicholls
2026-07-03
Helpful and friendly service, enjoyable course.
Jonathan Nicholls
2026-06-30
Welcoming staff and very helpful as it was our 1st visit. Lagos and Praia courses were a good experience.
Neil Popham
2026-06-12
Good welcome - staff very friendly. Course in good condition. Nice to play 19-27 this time.
Peter Clement
2026-06-11
Much improved compared with our last visit.
Greens were excellent.
Nick Jones
2026-06-03
Lovely course but due to the extremely windy conditions, it defeated us. That won't stop me from returning for another challenging round in the future.
David Lee
2026-06-02
One of my favourite courses in the Algarve
Nick Jones
2026-06-01
Fantastic course. Really challenging. We loved the links holes.
*Undulated - Gradual sloping fairways.
*Mixt Course - Mostly Parkland, and Praia Loop offers 6 holes of pure links
*Buggy Recommended - Yes
*Signature Hole - 14th
*Water hazards - Only two holes. 3rd Hole Par 3, and 6th par 5 at Lagos loop
*Exposed - Strength and direction of wind vital for club selection
*Dogleg -
*Comments - Nice mixture of holes, great views over Alvor bay .
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