The best golf courses in Cascais

A classic at the foothills of the Sintra mountains that manages to be challenging without being a punishment. Designed by architect Rocky Roquemore and opened in 1993, Pestana Beloura quickly became one of the most popular courses in the Cascais–Sintra area. It’s the kind of course that invites you to take your time (and come back for a rematch). Expect fairways snaking through trees and postcard-worthy valleys. Technical, scenic and with a final hole that’s practically begging for a photo to make your colleagues back at the office jealous.

IN NUMBERS
Opening year: 1993
Holes:18
Par: 72
Length: approx. 5,498 m

Opened in 2001, it’s regularly named the best course in Portugal and ranks among the world’s finest – sitting at 84th place in the Golf World Top 100 World Resorts. To describe it, think of the sea meeting the land: sweeping views over the Atlantic and endless greenery all around. Designed to respect the natural ecosystem, it echoes the great Scottish links courses (minus the sheep). A definite must-play if you’re anywhere near the Golf Coast.

IN NUMBERS
Opening year: 2001
Holes: 18
Par: 71
Length: approx. 6,303 m

With the ocean ahead and the Sintra mountains behind you, Quinta da Marinha is the kind of course that stays with you and keeps calling you back for more. It works just as well for a relaxed round with friends as it does for a competitive two-ball or a solo escape that’s genuinely restorative. Designed by Robert Trent Jones, it offers a classic, versatile layout, strategic holes and sundrenched greens overlooking the Atlantic. Golf here goes beyond sport, it’s borderline therapy, with a view.

IN NUMBERS
Opening year: 1984
Holes: 18
Par: 71
Length: approx. 5,870 m

If any course deserves the word “epic”, it’s Penha Longa. Opened in 1992 and designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., this resort boasts 27 holes across different layouts that combine jaw-dropping natural beauty with technical challenges that test even seasoned players. It’s no surprise that Penha Longa has hosted top-level tournaments and earned its place among the world’s best courses – ranking 79th globally. Here, every demanding shot is rewarded with views that more than make up for the effort.

IN NUMBERS
Opening year: 1992
Holes: 18 + 9
Par (main course): 71
Length: approx. 5,926 m (Atlantic) and 2,437 m (Monastery)

For those who like a bit of history with their golf, Estoril Golf Club reads like a well-loved old book. Founded in 1929 and originally designed by Jean Gassiat, it’s one of the region’s most classic courses, packed with charm and tradition. Decades later, it remains a symbol of Portuguese coastal golf and a favourite spot for locals looking to challenge themselves on quieter mornings.

IN NUMBERS
Opening year: 1929
Holes: 18 + 9
Par: 69
Length: approx. 5,175 m (championship) and 4,368 m

The underdog of Lisbon’s golf scene, but with a backstory worthy of a novel. Founded in 1861 (yes, it really goes that far back) as the Lisbon Cricket Club, it was renamed Lisbon Sports Club in 1922. Today, its course winds through lush greenery in the valley of the Serra da Carregueira. It may not be the longest or the most famous, but it’s one of the most traditional and unmistakably Portuguese courses.

IN NUMBERS
Opening year of the current course: 1964
Holes: 18
Par: 69
Length: approx. 5,309 m

Fully immersed in nature, Belas Clube de Campo is a championship course designed by the same Rocky Roquemore behind other great courses. The 18-hole layout blends wide fairways with tricky greens, framed by lakes and the Sintra mountains in the background. A friendly warning: if the wind picksup, be ready. This is the day your swing and your good mood get properly tested. Alameda do Aqueduto, Belas Clube de Campo

IN NUMBERS
Opening year: 1998
Holes: 18
Par: 72
Length: approx. 6,109 m