Porto is a terrific city of charm and history. Running through the centre is the Douro River, which provides a wonderful backdrop for socialising in the restaurants and bars with tourists and locals alike. As the oldest city in Portugal, it has some glorious architecture and plenty of events that allow golfers to mix other interest into their trips. With so much to offer, couples looking to play golf, as well as see the sights, may find this a far more attractive offer than the cripplingly expensive courses of the Algarve. There are very few drawbacks, but perhaps as a trade off for all of these benefits, there is a bit of travelling required between the various courses. The roads, however, are a joy to drive on and are rarely too busy, although you may want to be in the passenger seat to appreciate the amazing scenery. 

The region surrounding Porto has a rich history and culture, making it a wonderful place for anyone to visit, especially if you are a golfer. The five most prominent courses surrounding the city have clubbed together with the best hotels, under the umbrella of ‘Porto Golf Destination’, to market themselves for golfers looking to enjoy the area. For those wishing to take groups of golfers, all of the courses visited were very hospitable, not just to individual golfers, but also to groups and visiting golf professionals, who are welcome to teach their own parties on the practice facilities. There is plenty of space on the courses, allowing for unhurried rounds, without the restrictions of time-conscious golf marshals. 

 

The course is extremely undulating with dramatic slopes and fabulous views. It would broadly qualify as mountainous parkland, and buggies, while not essential, are a very good idea, except for the hardened tri-athlete. The hilly course is not overly long, consisting of three par 5 holes, eight Par 4s and seven par 3s. The greens match the undulations of the course with swirling contours, which mesmerise the poorer putter. It is a very enjoyable, but somewhat unusual course.  The clubhouse, with its modern design has wonderful views across the complex and beyond. It serves delicious food and provides a genuine welcome to visiting golfers.

 

The club has an active membership and hosts regular competitions for club members at weekends. Golf is a more exclusive sport in this region than in the UK and there are numerous corporate events during the week to keep the club busy and prosperous.

Further details: www.golfedeamarante.com

 

The Vidago Palace is fit, quite literally, for a king. King Carlos I lost his kingdom shortly after commissioning the hotel, and so was never able to enjoy the fruit of his subjects’ labours, but you can, and it is not to be missed. The course at Vidago runs through the historic park, which was also built for the king, but is now a suitable match for the grandeur of the Palace. For the main part the course is fairly flat and well laid out in a traditional parkland style. The last few holes cling to the hillside, offering a different style of golf to the rest of the course before finishing behind the Palace with a long, fiendish par three.

The course is beautifully kept with the liberal use of water and general landscaping creating a good challenge for all standards golfer. All of the tees are lined with local stone, giving a distinctive look. While the course is quite easily walkable, the last few holes will tire those less fit as they approach the 18th. There is an excellent golf range and short game area where visiting groups are most welcome to come and practise.

 

The golf course clubhouse is a large open plan pavilion serving fabulous food and, unsurprisingly, a full array of lovely beer, wine and port. There are two patio areas on either side of the clubhouse offering golfers the chance of shade or sun at any time.

 

More details at: www.vidagopalace.com/pt/golfe

 

In the world of golf there are few better places to play than Estela Golf Club. For lovers of links courses, there is no better golf course in Portugal, and it easily eclipses the more commercial offerings on the Algarve.

Countering the powerful heat of the sun, the course has a complete irrigation system, covering all of the fairways, tees and greens. This is a links that is not spoiled by overwatering, or rock hard, like some of the classic British courses by the sea. It is all too easy to ‘lose’ fairways by cutting the water to an absolute minimum. The resulting fairways at Estela are springy and inviting to hit from, but still allow shots to be chased to their target.

 

From a scenic point of view, the backdrop of the Atlantic crashing against the beach is majestic; the emerald green of the course contrasts vividly with the ocean and its bleached blond sandy beaches. The waves form a noisy backdrop to the setting, but in the most tranquil of ways. The wind can vary from a light breeze of refreshing air to a firm, card-wrecking version, which is the ultimate challenge for many of us who love links golf.

 

The greens are in great order and the whole course is polished and presented beautifully. With two strips of nine holes both arriving back at the clubhouse, the layout occupies a narrow line of near perfect dunes (there are tunnels, which provide access to the beach for locals without inconveniencing golfers). There will have to be inevitable adjustments to the layout over time, as it is locked in a battle with coastal erosion. However, the two most affected holes can be reworked without too much problem. 

With equal halves of 36, the par 72 course can be played from a variety of tees, with the Championship tees being only for the brave, as they have a total yardage of nearly 7000 yards.  Despite this, the course does not feel overly long, as the natural shaping of the fairways causes the ball to run further. The first 6 holes are amongst the best, though 3, 4 and 5 are particularly awkward to negotiate, even for a skilled golfer – it is a thorough examination, but even if you play poorly, you are bound to still enjoy your visit. The back nine is also exquisite, but is slightly gentler on the scorecard. The course is tough but provides opportunities for good scoring and with four reachable par 5s there are good chances to pick up birdies, but it is unusual for all of these to be reachable on any one day due to the ocean breeze.

More details at the website: www.estelagolf.pt

 

Oporto Golf Club is the oldest in Portugal, having just celebrated its 125th anniversary, as well as one of the oldest courses in Continental Europe. It is a delightful links layout with small greens and a comfortable, traditional clubhouse, which is the perfect place to relax after a round of golf. Being right next to the beach, Oporto is normally blessed with a light, heat-relieving breeze, though this can become a powerful card destroying wind at certain times of the year. There are plenty of opportunities for birdies and the breeze is definitely a welcome relief in the warmer months.

 

It has grown and developed considerably over the years, starting out as very sandy par 43, before evolving into the impressive par 71 it is now. It also has brilliant practise facilities to warm up before your round – some practice on your short game would not go amiss while preparing for the small, challenging greens of the course. The historic course was one of the first places golf was played in Portugal, making it reminiscent of a traditional British club in all the best ways. While such time-honoured courses can sometimes appear quite formal, Oporto is a friendly club with a healthy respect for the game’s traditional aspects.

 

For further information visit: www.oportogolfclub.com/en

 

Ponte De Lima has a beautifully put together mountainous layout. There are some dramatic golf holes with steep descents and fine views across the whole of the Lima Valley – holes 1, 2, 8 and 9 have particularly extravagant views. Many of the holes are reminiscent of Woburn, but with far greater gradients on other parts of the course. It is great fun to play, though buggies are to be strongly recommended, especially on the 3rd hole, which, at 622 metres, is one of the longest holes in Portugal. 

 

It has a pleasant golf range and plenty of areas to hone your short game. The clubhouse is perfectly situated away from the hotel with its own exceptional restaurant. The 18-hole course, with a par of 71, provides a great place to relax and enjoy the surroundings, whether you are an amateur or a professional.

More details on their website: www.axishoteis.com/en/Axis-Hotels/Hotels/Axis-Golfe/Home.aspx

 

All of the courses in the region offer great golf and a wide variety of different challenges. There is something for every player – even if it is just a fantastic view.

 

This beautiful hotel is positioned right on the coast and, as a consequence, has stunning views of the ocean. It is the only coastal hotel to hold a five star status in northern Portugal and it is easy to see why it has gained this prestigious reputation. The hotel itself is modern and ideal for both leisure and business travel, as it offers a relaxing atmosphere and magnificent landscape. The swimming pools, both indoor and out, are a great way to unwind after visiting the Oporto Golf Course nearby. The food and service were notably superb. Anyone may enjoy a very pleasant stay here with all that is on offer from the close proximity of the beach to the complete relaxation of the spa.

www.hotelsolverdespa.solverde.pt/en

 

Amarante – Hotel Casa de Calcada

The five star hotel possesses an old world charm and traditional aspect that made for a wonderfully luxurious stay. The building itself has been declared by the Portuguese Government to be of special architectural, historical and cultural interest, and so maintains its classic style. It is steeped in history, as it has past through the hands of many great politicians throughout time until its renovation in 2001, which made it the luxury accommodation it is today. The atmosphere is refined, yet romantic. The Michelin star restaurant is a complete treat for foodies, and makes for a rich and elaborate evening after a day’s golf. 

www.casadacalcada.com/en

 

The whole property was given an €80million refit just a few years ago and, with the exception of the central staircase and the outer walls, everything was rebuilt to the original standard (or better) using traditional craftsmanship. It is a real treat to stay in such a fine setting. 

The hotel has one of the most advanced spas in Europe in a modern building behind the main Palace, joined to, but shielded by, the historic building. It’s a great blend of old and new, with neither being spoiled by the sale of the other, making it grand and marvellous, without being pompous. 

In the grounds there are numerous spa buildings, which date back to the original idea for the hotel, adding to its feeling of grandeur. This sense was further enhanced by both the food and service being of sublime quality, making for a wonderful stay.

www.vidagopalace.com/pt/hotel

 

The modern golf resort is a comfortable and convenient place to stay. It is perfectly positioned to take advantage of the local area and, of course, the golf course itself. There are extensive activities and facilities to make the most of during your time there, focused predominantly on enjoying the wonderful surrounding scenery. There is a fully fitted gym and spa to unwind around your golf, to ensure you are as content as possible. It is ideally situated and caters for all your needs.

www.axishoteis.com/en/Axis-Hotels/Hotels/Axis-Ponte-de-Lima/The-Hotel.aspx

 

There are remarkably good deals available for all but the busiest holiday periods throughout the Porto region. The area is less of a ‘hidden gem’ and more of an underappreciated paradise. Filled with a selection of outstanding golf courses and luxurious hotels, which are more wallet friendly than other areas of Europe, but easily of the same standard, this is not one to miss.