Vidago Palace Golf Review (Northern Portugal)
Vidago Palace Golf is one of Portugal’s most historic golf courses. Opened in 1936 and designed by Philip Mackenzie Ross — the same Scottish architect who designed Turnberry’s Ailsa Course — Vidago combines a Belle Époque setting with genuine architectural pedigree.
Course at a Glance
- Architect: Philip Mackenzie Ross
- Opened: 1936 (restored 2010)
- Holes: 18, par 72
- Style: Classic mountain heritage
- Location: Vidago, Trás-os-Montes (Northern Portugal)
- Distance from Porto Airport: 1h 30 minutes
What Makes Vidago Special
The course was originally laid out as part of the Vidago Palace Hotel complex — one of Portugal’s grand Belle Époque spa hotels — to attract international visitors taking the waters. Mackenzie Ross’s design has been carefully restored and is integrated into the surrounding forest of pines and chestnut trees.
The Vidago Palace Hotel (member of Pestana’s heritage hotel collection) provides the perfect base — historic, elegant and surrounded by the wider Trás-os-Montes mountain landscape. This is golf as a heritage experience rather than a high-volume resort outing.
For the Visiting Golfer
Vidago works best as:
- A specialist heritage round during a Northern Portugal + Douro Valley trip
- A weekend break combining golf + spa + wine
- A change of pace from high-volume Algarve trips
Practical notes: book 1-2 weeks ahead. Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) are ideal. Combine with a Douro Valley visit and a round at Oporto Golf Club for a 4-5 day Northern Portugal trip.
Related Pages
More courses in Norte
- Áxis Golfe Ponte de Lima (18 holes, par 71)
- Campo de Golfe de Amarante (18 holes, par 72)
- Campo de Golfe de Guardizela (18 holes, par 72)
- Campo de Golfe do Aqueduto (9 holes, par 27)
- Campo do Clube de Golfe de Vidago (18 holes, par 72)
➡️ See all golf courses in Norte.