Oitavos Dunes, in Cascais, is one of the best golf courses in the world

The Oitavos Dunes has once again cemented its position on the international golf stage entering the 2025 Golf World Top 100 World Resorts ranking in 84th position among the world’s best. The distinction, awarded by the British publication Today’s Golfer, recognises not only the quality of the courses but also the overall experience offered.

“What is a golf resort? This is an important point to clarify, as it explains why resort X was approved and resort Y was not. I define a resort as follows: the golf course and the accommodation must belong to the same company, and the accommodation must be on the same site or very close by. Whenever there is even a short journey between the two, the resort loses points in the ‘Location’ category,” reads the introduction to the guide, written by editor Chris Bertram, who assures that he has visited all of the award-winning resorts.

Opened in the Quinta da Marinha in 2001, within the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park and surrounded by pine trees with the ocean in the background, Oitavos Dunes was designed by the architect Arthur Hills. With a strong focus on following the land’s natural contours, the project prioritised preserving the existing trees and dunes, resulting in a course that is as beautiful as it is challenging.

Just a few minutes away, on the road to Sintra, the Penha Longa Resort also features in the ranking, coming in at 79th place. The hotel combines top-level golf with luxury accommodation, five-star services and a unique setting between Cascais and the Sintra mountains. It boasts two courses – Mosteiro and Atlântico, totalling 27 holes, designed by one of the most respected names in golf course architecture, Robert Trent Jones Jr.