Best golf & spa resorts in Portugal

Nothing quite compliments a challenging round of golf than some time in the spa. Whether you’re indulging in luxury treatments or simply enjoying some downtime in the pool or sauna, recuperation is important if you’re looking to get the upper hand on your playing partners.

To help you get the most out of your next trip, both on and off the course, we’ve put together a list of our best golf & spa resorts in Portugal. So, whether you’re looking to explore the cultural capital or the golf haven of the Algarve, with over 300 days of sunshine a year, any of the resorts below will provide the perfect base for your next golf trip.

Considered as one of the top golf, beach and spa resorts in Europe, Vale do Lobo is beautifully situated in the Algarve, just 30-minutes from Faro Airport. There are two excellent layouts on-site in the Royal Course and Ocean Course. The former is often considered the better of the two courses, with the famous par three 16th one of the most photographed holes in all of golf. The latter is another gem, flanked by beautiful umbrella pines and beachfront views, with plenty of links-like holes to contend with throughout.

For relaxation off the course, the resort’s Royal Spa is the perfect destination. Inspired by the salt mines of Loulé, this beautiful facility offers an array of treatments, including facials, body therapies and massages, as well as spa facilities such as a Turkish bath, hammam, sauna and indoor swimming pool. For the full Vale do Lobo experience, we’d recommend taking advantage of the many sports facilities (tennis, mini golf etc.), restaurants and bars, and on-site beach and swimming pools.

Situated less than 10-minutes from Vale do Lobo lies a true five-star hotel in the Conrad Algarve. Here you’ll find one of the leading spas in Portugal, with vast amounts of treatments available. There are 14 different massages on offer (including a bespoke golf massage), with facials and beauty treatments varying greatly. The spa comes complete with a 24-hour fitness centre, infinity pool, cold plunge pool, steam room and sauna, and indoor/outdoor relaxation zones.

Although it’s not officially a golf resort, Conrad is conveniently located within the popular resort town of Quinta do Lago, with golf passes available to the three courses at Quinta do Lago Golf. These are three of the premier layouts in the Algarve with perfect playing conditions, umbrella pine-lined fairways, tricky greens, and plenty of water hazards.

Moving from the Algarve to Portugal’s cultural capital, Lisbon, Penha Longa is a stunning five-star resort situated in the Sintra National Park. The on-site Atlantic Championship Course is a joy to play as you weave through 27-holes of rolling hills, beautiful scenery, and the resort grounds. This Robert Trent Jones Jr design is often considered to be within Europe’s top 100 courses and is best known for being a three-time host of the Portuguese Open.

The hotel’s 1,500 sqm, Thai-inspired spa is the perfect spot to unwind after an eventful round of golf. Take advantage of two relaxation areas, beautiful gardens with a contrast pool, and nine treatment rooms where services include hot stone massages, deep tissue restoration, and meditation experiences. With all of this and more, Penha Longa is certainly one of the top golf & spa resorts in Portugal.

Located seven miles south of Penha Longa, along the Cascais coastline, lies Palacio Estoril Hotel & Golf. Inaugurated in 1930, Palacio Estoril has always been known for its sheer luxury and even featured in the 1968 James Bond classic, ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’. The resort is five-star through and through, with beautifully laid out guest rooms, a great selection of bars and restaurants, and a spa and wellness centre.

The Banyan Tree Spa offers treatments (massages, beauty therapy and holistic treatments) by professionally trained therapists from Indonesia, Thailand or China. The dynamic pool acts as the centrepiece for the spa, with a Hammam, sauna, Turkish bath, and jacuzzi and steam rooms… serenity encapsulated!

Golf Do Estoril is situated just 5-minutes down the road and is Portugal’s oldest and most emblematic golf course. This old Mackenzie Ross design dates to 1929, just a year older than the hotel, with tricky narrow Bermuda fairways, hilly terrain, and views overlooking the Atlantic on occasion – a real joy to play.

As the name suggests, the Anantara Resort is located just 10 minutes outside of the popular golfer’s town of Vilamoura, with plenty of bars, restaurants, and courses to choose from. Here, visitors will have full access to the on-site Victoria Course, home of the Portugal Masters, and the rest of the Dom Pedro Golf Collections – including the Old Course, Millennium Course, Laguna Course and Pinhal Course. All five layouts offer a great challenge in the Algarve sunshine, with the Old Course undoubtedly the star of the show within their impressive portfolio.

The hotel provides a quiet, five-star retreat, with a beautiful pool and patio area acting as the main hub of the hotel (as showcased in the photo above). The spa and wellness centre offers award-winning luxury with a range of ancient Mediterranean therapies and rituals. The facilities include six treatment rooms, an indoor vitality pool, sauna, and steam room, and there is even a terrace overlooking the on-site golf course - what more could you want?!

A member of the “Leading Hotel of the World” since 1988, Hotel Quinta do Lago is a fantastic five-star resort with a private beach, four restaurants and bars, and well-appointed rooms and suites. The hotel borders the famous Ria Formosa and is the only seafront complex in Quinta do Lago.

In the summer months, the outdoor swimming pool and pool bar area is the perfect location to unwind, with great access to the hotel’s private beach and other local beaches. The on-site spa completes the Hotel Quinta do Lago experience, with an exclusive indoor pool, thermos spa, jacuzzi, Turkish bath, sauna, and four massage rooms that offer a variety of treatments.

As with the Conrad Algarve, guests staying at this hotel will have easy access to the three golf courses at Quinta do Lago Golf, plus the two courses at Vale do Lobo, and the many other endless options in the Vilamoura area.

Another five-star resort in the Cascais area, Lisbon, Onyria Quinta da Marinha has everything you could ever need on-site and more. The Quinta da Marinha Golf Course was designed by legendary architect Robert Trent Jones Snr and is a fantastic addition to the first-class hotel. This layout offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and Sintra Mountains, with more signature par-threes than any other course in the Lisbon area thanks in no small part to the many water hazards.

The hotel itself has fantastic facilities. Accommodation ranges from standard guest rooms and suites to private villas which offer scenic views overlooking the golf course and mountain range. The food options are also excellent, with Portuguese fine dining, a buffet-style eatery, a fish and seafood restaurant overlooking the Atlantic, and a relaxing clubhouse bar. As with any five-star resort, there is also an exceptional spa with a range of treatments in beautiful surroundings.

Hilton Vilamoura as Cascatas Golf Resort is a beautifully appointed, modern five-star hotel centrally located five minutes from Vilamoura and ten minutes from the local beaches. Guests will appreciate the hotel’s close proximity to the Dom Pedro Golf Collection, particularly the Pinhal Course which is located on-site. Pinhal is one of the Algarve’s most popular layouts, with beautifully laid-out fairways that weave through umbrella and Atlantic pine trees. Combine this with the Millennium, Laguna, and Old courses for a great value golf holiday!

Golfers and non-golfers alike can enjoy the tranquil setting at the hotel’s Seven Spa, with a range of treatments available. The spa is also home to an indoor thermal pool, zen garden, Turkish baths, saunas, and experience showers - great facilities at one of Vilamoura's leading resorts. Visitors will also be happy to know that the hotel comes equipped with five bars and restaurants, complimentary parking, a fitness centre, and a beautiful outdoor swimming pool.