Parque de Vidago,
Vidago, Vila Real 5425-307
Office
+351 276 990 900Pro shop
+351 276 990 980Website
Visit websiteGolf pro
Paulo Ferreira (Golf Professional)The Course:
18 holes. Tree-lined and open parkland. Gently undulating terrain - several slopes to climb, especially on the back-nine.
Surroundings:
Wooded hills and limited residential.
Designer:
Original nine-holes (at the northern end of today's layout, nearest to the Palace) designed by Philip Mackenzie Ross (1936); extended to 18-holes by Bob Cameron & Chris Powell, of Cameron Powell & Assocs (2010).
41.630945
-7.575433
2 km S of Vidago / 140 km NE of Porto.
A four hour drive from Lisbon, but what a drive! All on motorway; very scenic, taking in the vineyards of the Douro River valley.
Vidago Palace is home to a well-rated and pleasantly testing parkland golf course, laid out in the grounds of the opulent Vidago Palace Hotel. Far removed from the busy courses of the Algarve, here at the opposite end of the country, you'll find one of Portugal's lesser known gems.
The first four holes, played within the century-old park, lead you down into the picturesque Oura Valley. Here the holes occupy a mix of open and more tree-lined environments. A good-size stream (Ribeiro do Reigaz) meanders past several fairways and greens on its way through the property.
In contrast to the flatter "valley floor" front-nine, the back-nine contains much more elevation change as you traverse the western slope of the wooded valley. The last three holes on the back-nine are played at the layout's highest elevations, with lovely views of hills and villages beyond the Vidago Palace estate.
A hallmark of this course are the walls supporting the teeing grounds, all built of local pink marble stone. Also noteworthy are the many centuries-old trees that give the layout its natural parkland feel, and an array of interesting estate buildings you'll see along the way.
Pick of the holes: from the original nine-hole Mackenzie Ross layout, the stylish par-3 3rd requires a shot over the Ribeiro do Reigaz to find the opulently large, well bunker-defended green. Some may prefer the tight and testing up-and-over rolling par-5s at 15 and 17 (a bit contrived?), or the downhill par-3 18th, which arrives at the back of the grand hotel via an impressively terraced teeing-ground.
Stay&Play at Vidago Palace: luxury onsite accommodation available, see Where2Stay section below.
Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends.
Must book in advance. Proof of handicap required.
Contact club for full details, discounts, packages, etc. [Last updated: 2024].
Walking permitted. Golf carts available for hire.
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Vidago Palace is located not far from the historic city of Chaves, which is itself just a few kilometres from Portugal's northern border with Spain. The large number of hydrothermal springs in the Chaves area and beyond have given the city its credentials as a spa town. In ancient times, the springs were much used by the occupying forces of the Roman Empire.
Portugal's 28th best course (Golf World, 2022).
Parque de Vidago, Vidago, Portugal 5425-307.
+351 276 990 900
Visit websiteBuilt in 1910 at the end of the Edwardian era, inside a wooded property of several hectares, the Vidago Palace Hotel was much patronised by the Portuguese elite of the time. Set among 250 acres of woodland, this century-old palace hotel has recently been rejuvenated to its full splendor, and offers 70 luxury guest rooms and suites. A member of the Leading Hotels of the World collection.
Vidago Palace
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