The Algarve is one of Europe's great golf destinations, and Silves sits right in the middle of it. The nearest course is practically at the end of our road, and within half an hour's drive you can choose from more than ten eighteen-hole courses. In winter, when it is too cold to play in northern Europe, it is fifteen to eighteen degrees here, and dry.
Silves Golf — one kilometre away
Our neighbouring course, quite literally. Two minutes by car, or a brisk walk. A friendly eighteen-hole course, fairly flat, with wide fairways and views of the castle and the Monchique hills.
It is not the toughest course in the Algarve, and that is exactly its charm: you play a relaxed round here without losing the whole day to it. The green fees are among the kindest in the region too. If you want to play in the morning and be by the pool in the afternoon, this is the one.
Within twenty minutes
Amendoeira Golf Resort near Alcantarilha is about twelve minutes away and has two courses: the Faldo Course, designed by Nick Faldo, rugged and desert-like, and the O'Connor Jr Course, greener and rather more forgiving.
Penina, towards Portimão at roughly twenty minutes, is the classic. Laid out by Sir Henry Cotton in the sixties on an old rice plain, and for years the home of the Portuguese Open. Flat, full of mature trees, and a course where you learn to account for the wind.
Also in that direction: Morgado and Álamos near Portimão (about eighteen minutes, two very different courses side by side), and Vale da Pinta and Gramacho near Carvoeiro (about eighteen minutes, set among olive and almond trees).
Salgados near Albufeira is about twenty minutes away and is the only genuinely links-like course nearby: open, full of water, right against a nature reserve with flamingos, and almost always windy.
A little further, still worth it
Vilamoura is about thirty-five minutes away and has five courses together. The Old Course among the umbrella pines is the prettiest; the Victoria Course, by Arnold Palmer, is where the Portugal Masters is played.
Another quarter of an hour brings you to Quinta do Lago and San Lorenzo, in the Ria Formosa. Expensive, but the finest golf in the country.
West, towards Lagos, Palmares, Boavista and Espiche are about thirty-five to forty minutes away. Palmares has holes so close to the beach that you find yourself watching the sea between shots.
Beginners, children and anyone curious
Vale do Milho near Carvoeiro is a nine-hole par-3 course about twenty minutes away. Short, fun and affordable — ideal with children, or if you have never held a club.
The larger resorts all have a driving range and an academy where you can book a single lesson. Clubs can be hired everywhere, so there is no need to drag your own bag onto the plane.
We are not fanatical golfers ourselves, but we do live among the courses. Let us know if you would like to play and we will sort out the tee times. If you want something before you set off, order fresh bread from the baker the evening before and it will be waiting for you in the morning.