Portimao Overview
Golf in Portimao
PORTIMAO,
The coastal town of Portimao has been an important location in the Algarve since Phoenicians times. The town and was extensively developed in the 19th century to become one of the most important centres in the Algarve of the fishing and canning industry until the early 1980s when a recession drove the remaining factories out of business. On the river front quayside there are cafes and the restaurants which promote the traditional meal of grilled sardines. Also, an award winning museum devoted mainly to the canning industry.
The beach area of Portimao is known as Praia da Rocha and had already become a tourist are in the 1930s. It is famous for its large sandy beach, its nightlife and its great selection of bars and restaurants offering different cuisines. A Boat Marina at the mouth of the estuary adds the fascinating sight of the many boats and yachts, and also a further choice of bars and restaurants in which to pass an agreeable evening.
There are four 18-hole golf courses in the immediate area of Portimao. The oldest is the Penina Championship Course on the west side of the town, the Alamos Course and its sister the Morgado Course located to the north of the town. The last golf course is the Alto Golf Course which lies between Praia da Rocha and the coastal village of Alvor.
ALVOR,
The historic fishing village and port of Alvor is another very popular destination for tourists to the Algarve. Most of the original buildings and its castle was destroyed in the earthquakes of 1532 and 1755. Alvor has maintained much of its Portuguese character and only developed with the advent of tourism.
Alvor village is located facing a natural lagoon opening onto the sea. There is a choice of a long open sandy beach or a number of small coves tucked under the cliffs. The quaint narrow streets are lined with bars with live music, and the different types of restaurants offering fresh fish cuisine.
Within minutes drive there are the 18-hole Penina Championship Golf Course and the 18-hole Alto Golf Course. Slightly further to the north are two 18-hole courses, the Alamos Golf Course and its sister the Morgado Golf Course.
Recent Portimao Course Reviews
Penina Resort
by
Michael
from Portugal
At great day at a wonderful old course
What a wonderful day at the course. It was the people here that made the difference. Both Pro Shop and Restaurant staff were especially kind and responsive to our every question. The course itself in need of a large cash infusion. Maintenance is happening to the primary areas but it appears that the budget isn't allowing for full course grooming. Meaning fairways, bunkers and even to a larger degree the rough. We lost more balls today than any round I can recall. In spite of this, it was a lovely day, we enjoyed playing and we would at least consider coming back again to try the Championship Course.
Food at the restaurant was delightful and all servers were please t and attentive. Food came out fast and was top notch.
Alto Golf
by
Craig
from Portugal
Machrie to Alto
My son I had a great round of golf at Alto. It’s a beautiful course with tree lined fairways with quite a few dog legs and tricky. We got hooked up in a 4 ball with another 2 which wasn’t the plan but was really nice. They left after nine and we stormed the back nine and an Irish 4 ball let us through., lovely guys. The greens are excellent and challenging. The course has been well looked after during a very hot summer. Absolutely loved the round. Very expensive and it would have been nice to have been given some Alto tees but we had to buy those as well as hire clubs and the buggy….. not even a bottle of water was provided. That said it was really good day.
Morgado
by
Martin
from United Kingdom
Autumn outing to the Algarve
I have been playing this course since it first opened.
As with Alamos the greens and tees were well watered but the fairways were burnt brown. Plenty of run though.
Despite the fact that the course is bone dry we were still finding stubbed out cigarette butts on the ground.
Why are some people so selfish and stupid?
Alamos
by
Martin
from United Kingdom
Autumn outing to the Algarve
We loved this course and returned having played it last year. The tees and greens were lovely but the fairways were burned to a crisp.
The lake by the 1st was empty and dry as a bone, as were all the streams and ponds even the reservoir, I think it's by the 9th was completely empty.
I pray the the coming months bring rain to the Algarve.
Alamos
by
Giles
from Ireland
Alamos Review.
If I could give it less I would. The staff are really nice there but that's about it. The course is by far the worst I've ever in my life played. The fairways were like concrete and not a patch of grass on them. The golf clubs we hired are the same clubs from 6 years ago. Absolutely brutal.
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