Portugal Golf Itineraries — Sample 4, 5 & 7-Day Trips
This page collects sample golf itineraries for visiting UK and Irish golfers — practical day-by-day plans that combine quality golf with sensible logistics. Use them as templates, adapt to your taste, then book directly with the courses (we don’t operate as a tour operator).
4-Day Algarve Quick Trip
The classic short golf escape. Fly in to Faro Friday morning, fly out Monday evening.
Day 1 (Friday): Arrive Faro 10:00. Collect rental car. Drive to Vilamoura (25 min) and check in. Afternoon round at Vilamoura Old Course (tee time 14:30). Dinner at the marina.
Day 2 (Saturday): Morning round at The Els Club (08:30 tee time). Long lunch at the clubhouse. Twilight round at Pine Cliffs for the cliff views (15:30).
Day 3 (Sunday): Drive 50 min east. Morning at Monte Rei (10:00 tee time) — the bucket-list day. Return to Vilamoura. Quiet dinner.
Day 4 (Monday): Final round at Vale do Lobo Royal (08:30) — finish with the cliff hole 16. Drive to Faro, return car, fly home.
Total: 4 rounds, 1 region. Realistic budget £900-1,400 per person (Sept-May).
5-Day Algarve Premium Trip
A pace that allows recovery and exploration.
Day 1 (Thursday): Arrive Faro morning. Settle into Quinta do Lago or Vale do Lobo. Lunch by the beach. Twilight round at Vale do Lobo Ocean.
Day 2 (Friday): Morning at Quinta do Lago South. Afternoon at the beach. Dinner at a Quinta do Lago restaurant.
Day 3 (Saturday): Drive west to Lagos (1h). Round at Palmares (10:00 tee). Late lunch in Lagos old town. Drive back. Quiet evening.
Day 4 (Sunday): Drive east 50 min to Monte Rei area. Monte Rei morning round (the marquee). Pair with lunch at the clubhouse. Return relaxed.
Day 5 (Monday): Final round at Vale do Lobo Royal or The Els Club. Drive to Faro, fly home.
Total: 5 rounds, all in central/eastern Algarve. £1,200-1,800 per person depending on resort tier.
7-Day Algarve Grand Tour
The fuller experience — explores the western and eastern Algarve.
Day 1 (Saturday): Arrive Faro. Base in Lagos for 3 nights (western Algarve).
Day 2 (Sunday): Palmares morning. Lunch in Lagos. Afternoon: walk the Lagos sea cliffs.
Day 3 (Monday): Penina for the heritage experience (Sir Henry Cotton). Or Espiche for the eco-style alternative.
Day 4 (Tuesday): Drive east to Vilamoura (1h). Check in. Vilamoura Old Course in the afternoon.
Day 5 (Wednesday): Quinta do Lago South morning. Beach in the afternoon.
Day 6 (Thursday): Drive east to Monte Rei. The marquee round.
Day 7 (Friday): Final round at Vale do Lobo Royal. Drive Faro, fly home.
Total: 6 rounds, 2 base towns, west + east Algarve covered. £1,500-2,400 per person.
5-Day Lisbon + Algarve Combination
Pairs Lisbon city with Algarve golf — for couples or non-golf days.
Day 1 (Thursday): Arrive Lisbon. Stay in Cascais or central Lisbon for 2 nights.
Day 2 (Friday): Round at Oitavos Dunes (Cascais). Afternoon in Sintra (Pena Palace + Quinta da Regaleira).
Day 3 (Saturday): Round at Penha Longa. Lisbon evening — Alfama or Belém.
Day 4 (Sunday): Drive south to Algarve (2.5h on A2). Check in to Vilamoura. Twilight round at a Vilamoura course.
Day 5 (Monday): Morning round at Quinta do Lago South. Drive to Faro Airport.
Total: 4 rounds + Lisbon city. £1,300-1,800 per person.
4-Day Silver Coast Trip
For the modern course enthusiast — West Cliffs and Praia D’El Rey are highlights.
Day 1 (Friday): Arrive Lisbon. Drive 1h north to Óbidos. Check in to a Marriott Praia D’El Rey or boutique Óbidos hotel.
Day 2 (Saturday): West Cliffs — the marquee course. Afternoon walk around medieval Óbidos.
Day 3 (Sunday): Praia D’El Rey — the established Cabell Robinson classic.
Day 4 (Monday): Final round at Royal Óbidos. Drive to Lisbon for evening flight.
Total: 3 rounds, distinctive modern courses, low-key alternative to the Algarve.
5-Day Northern Portugal + Douro Golf-Wine Trip
For golfers who also love wine. Specialist trip.
Day 1 (Thursday): Arrive Porto. Stay in Porto city for 2 nights. Walk Ribeira evening.
Day 2 (Friday): Morning at Oporto Golf Club — the British heritage course (founded 1890). Port wine cellar visits in the afternoon.
Day 3 (Saturday): Morning at Estela Golf (35 min north). Afternoon: drive 1h to Douro Valley. Check in to a wine quinta hotel.
Day 4 (Sunday): Douro day — wine tastings, river cruise, lunch at a quinta. No golf.
Day 5 (Monday): Drive 1h to Vidago Palace Golf — historic Mackenzie Ross course. Return to Porto. Fly home.
Total: 3 rounds + Douro wine experience. £1,100-1,700 per person.
5-Day Madeira Short Break
For year-round golf, mild climate, distinct experience.
Day 1 (Thursday): Arrive Funchal. Stay at Belmond Reid’s Palace or Casa Velha do Palheiro for 4 nights.
Day 2 (Friday): Morning at Palheiro Golf. Afternoon: walk a levada (water-channel hike).
Day 3 (Saturday): Drive up to Santo da Serra (45 min). 18 holes at altitude. Spectacular drive.
Day 4 (Sunday): Day trip to Porto Santo island (small plane, 25 min) for round at Porto Santo Golf (Ballesteros design on sandy island).
Day 5 (Monday): Final round at Palheiro Golf (different combination). Fly home from Funchal.
Total: 3-4 rounds. £1,200-1,800 per person.
Booking Notes
- Tee times book directly with each course (links above), 4-6 weeks ahead in winter peak
- Hire car essential outside Vilamoura/Quinta do Lago
- Hotel discounts often available with golf+stay packages — check resort websites
- Travel bag for the flight — see our flying with clubs guide
Related Resources
- Best time to play golf in Portugal — month-by-month
- Flying with golf clubs
- Etiquette and visitor guide
- Top 15 best courses — for choosing rounds
- Regional guides: Algarve · Lisbon · North · Silver Coast · Madeira
