An unforgettable golf holiday to the Algarve: 7 nights in Quinta do Lago

Embarking on a golf adventure in the Algarve is a dream come true for any golf enthusiast, and I was fortunate enough to kickstart my golf season with a 7-night package to one of its most prestigious areas – Quinta do Lago.

This is an incredibly golf rich area with several courses within 15 minutes of the resort town, as well as copious accommodation options and the convenience of Vilamoura just 20 minutes away.

During the week we packed our trip, playing old favourites like the Vale do Lobo Royal Course, the world-famous QDL South Course, and even the brand-new golf experience at Ombria.

• Here is the epic breakdown of my trip:

My trip started with a short 2.5 hour flight from London Heathrow to Faro Airport in the Algarve. We jumped off the plane and via one of Golfbreaks’ preferred transfer partners, we were able to get to our villa in the wider Quinta do Lago area within 30 minutes.

Following our arrival to the villa, my group and I were split into the teams we would be playing in for the week in a golf holiday staple Ryder Cup format. After this, we enjoyed a BBQ at the villa which is one the great benefits of going on a self-catering golf trip!

We chose to get an early night so we were ready, fresh, and in a great mindset to enjoy the incredible golf that laid ahead.

After a bright and early start on the second day, we headed straight to Vale do Lobo for the first round of golf on the renowned Ocean Course. A top-quality resort with an impressive array of villas dotted around the property, Vale do Lobo is known far and wide and it certainly didn’t disappoint as our first-round destination.

Before heading out we stopped off on the exquisite putting green to try and get our eye in before heading onto the course, and the on-site staff were more than happy to assist us with things such as buggy hire, where the first tee was and any last-minute golf ball purchases.

Playing 6,704-yards, par-72 off the white tees, I found the Ocean Course to be every bit as tough as everyone had warned me beforehand. Whilst I was keen to blame it all on the fact I hadn’t had much sleep the night before, I soldiered on and found that while the course was indeed tight off the tee, prioritising accuracy over power, a lot of the holes were very gettable once you’d got your ball in play from the drive.

The Ocean Course had some fun and quirky holes to enjoy throughout the round too which certainly kept me on my toes. The double dogleg 9th stands out in particular despite not being a long hole, it really made you think about what shots you were playing and whether you could risk attempting to shape a shot round the trees or to just play it safe.

After golf we headed back to the Clubhouse for a few drinks on the wonderful terrace at Vale do Lobo which overlooks the putting green before heading onto The Cheeky Pup in Quinta do Lago, and then back to the villa to prepare for the evening's plans.

Following a fun evening out, the third day started with an early transfer to the Quinta do Lago Laranjal Course. Although not on-site with the other two Quinta courses – the North & South, Laranjal is only a short 10-minute transfer from the other courses and is more than worth the trip over.

Opened in 2009, the Laranjal Course is the newest addition to the courses in the immediate Quinta do Lago/Almancil area and is a tough challenge for all levels of golfer. The course is long measuring 6,628-yards par-72 and has a lot of undulations to both its greens and fairways. That said, it is quite open compared to the other courses in the area, meaning that you don’t have to keep it as tight off the tee.

However, knowing where to aim on the greens is paramount as there are plenty of hidden undulations – I would highly recommend a course guide!

My favourite hole has got to be the par-5 18th hole, with water left off the tee you can’t afford to hook or draw the ball, followed up by water to right on the second shot it does make you focus on ensuring you square up your club face before impact.

What’s also nice about Laranjal is the numerous orange trees that can be found around the course, and the club says you can pick as many as you would like throughout your round meaning you can stock up for your breakfast the next morning, or as a tasty snack after!

Day 4 began with an early breakfast in the villa, fuelling up for what we knew was going to be another full-on day of golf. Following breakfast, we hopped in our transfer for a quick 10-minute journey back over to Vale do Lobo to play the beloved Royal Course, one of the most recognisable in the whole of the Algarve.

Although slightly shorter than the Ocean Course, measuring in at 6,626 yards par-72 off the white tees, the Royal Course more than makes up for this with more strategic holes, tricky greens and approach shots that require careful planning.

However, despite this I still found it a very fair and playable course that was in outstanding condition which undoubtedly made it one of the most played-on courses in the area.

My favourite hole while playing was undoubtedly the 16th hole, par-3 over the cliffs to large green which seems minute from the tee box which is a testament to design. We stood on the tee waiting for the green to clear, this was the moment everyone had been waiting for the entire round the chance to write yourself into the annals of the golf tour by winning nearest the pin on what is possibly the most pictured hole in Portugal.

A gentle breeze was coming in from the sea on the left so I was thinking of playing a nice gentle draw and don’t hook it on the beach, only to completely duff the shot down the ravine onto the cliffs (the first lost ball of the trip!).

Some wiser members of our group then decided to play ultra safe and aim for a sandy waste area to the extreme right of the green, showing the numerous ways you can play this hole!

Day 5 was designed amongst my group to be a rest day for some, while others had the choice to play the brand-new golf course Ombria which I jumped at the chance to play. Opened in 2023, Ombria has already taken great leaps and bounds to be positioned as one of the Algarve’s best up-and-coming courses with nature being at the heart of its design.

A sustainable vision of designer Jorge Santana da Silva, the course weaves through ancient rivers and trees which have stood there for generations. It has achieved the standards of golf’s most ecolabel certifications and created a naturally diverse setting for a truly memorable round of golf.

Although the course was the shortest we played during our time, it was no less tough measuring in at 6,389-yards par-70. The course features numerous hazards, tough shots, lightening quick greens and huge elevation changes that make it one of the most exciting courses to play in the area. Despite losing many golf balls I found the course to be really fun and one that I would recommend to anyone visiting the Algarve. Ombria really offers something a little different from the other top golf courses in the Algarve.

There were numerous memorable holes but I think if I were to pick a favourite the 18th hole sums up exactly what Ombria is all about. A downhill driveable par-4 which is very reachable, however, like all classic risk and reward holes you pay a hefty price if you don’t absolutely button your drive. With out of bounds both left and right, and a large tree at the front of the green that will block off any lower drives, it’s just an incredible golf hole!

The penultimate day of the tour was an early start followed by a quick breakfast due to our early tee time on the Quinta do Lago North Course.

Characterised by its tight fairways and tricky greens, we knew what the North Course had in store for us, requiring our absolute A-game. The North places a premium on straight drives, good long iron play, strategic placement round the greens and knowing the pace of the greens.

Measuring in at 6,732-yards par-71, the North Course was in immaculate condition. I found it definitely suited a draw ball flight with most doglegs being right to left which suited my natural ball flight and my bad miss, the snap hook just fine!

The North Course had many memorable holes, one of my favourites was the 1st hole which is a dogleg left downhill par-4 which is reachable with the driver. That said, the course marshals request that you don’t hit it over the corner, meaning you’ll need to shape one round the corner onto a receptive green that has a lot of undulation and tricks to it.

The final day of the tour kicked off with a slightly more relaxed start thanks to a later tee time meaning we could chill out and reflect on what had been a thoroughly enjoyable week playing top courses amongst friends.

On our last day we played the Quinta do Lago South Course, arguably the most famous of the courses in the Quinta do Lago area, having been a former host of the Portuguese Open. This layout is characterised as being long measuring in at 7,108-yards par-71, requiring both power but also precision in the approach shots as you do need to plot your way around the course to avoid falling afoul of the many slopes and undulations.

While the whole of Quinta do Lago South Course is classic, I think if I were to choose a favourite hole it would have to be the par-4 16th hole which backs onto the lake. Despite being the SI 18 hole, it still presents a stern test and once you round the dogleg and see the beautiful lake in front of you it gives you an appreciation for the beauty of the area and what a wonderful golf course you are playing.

Following play we all rounded up in the clubhouse for the final scores of the tour where unfortunately my team had lost the Ryder Cup format 9.5 – 5.5. I also discovered that I had finished a solid midtable 4th position out of 8 which I was more than happy given what an up and down week I’d had!

Quinta do Lago and the wider Algarve is a destination that needs no introduction, 1000’s of golfers visit the region every year, and it truly has to be visited at least once as you will not regret it, from the sheer quality of the courses, to the lively nightlife, to the beauty of the area – you will not be disappointed!