Morgadinhos,
Vilamoura, Algarve 8125-307
Office
+351 289 320 370Pro shop
+351 289 320 370Fax
+351 289 320 321Website
Visit websiteAcademy
Vila Sol Golf AcademyThe Course:
18 holes. Tree-lined & open parkland. Undulating terrain - a few slopes to climb.
Surroundings:
Woodland and residential.
Designer:
Donald Steel
Above distances are for the Championship course. Also at Vila Sol is the 9-hole Academy course (previously holes 19-27 of the original 27-hole set-up).
37.091061
-8.093597
22 km W of Faro
From the A22 motorway (Faro - Portimao) take exit 12 (Loule / Quarteira) and follow the N396 direction Quarteira. After o.6 km turn left at T-junction, still on the N396 direction Quarteira. After 2.3 km at traffic lights cross straight over the N125 and continue on N396 direction Quarteira. After 2.8 km turn right into Vila Sol resort, then turn immediately right direction Golf and Hotel. After 1.3 km turn left into Golf & Hotel parking.
Vila Sol Hotel & Golf Resort (a member of the Pestana Golf Resorts group) is one of the best known of the Algarve courses, and one of its toughest golfing challenges, especially off the back tees. The relatively new Prestige loop (holes 19-27) maintains the Vila Sol tradition of tree-lined tightness, few if any fairway bunkers, but plenty of difficulty around the excellent greens.
The Prime loop (holes 1-9) starts and finishes with umbrella-pines tightly lining the fairways, and a middle section where water comes dangerously into play. (By the way, don't think you can drill your ball through the umbrella pine trees; you've got to go round or over them - try going through them and your ball may never come out!).
The Challenge-nine (holes 10-18) keeps the undulating theme going and has some of the best holes on the course; the downhill par-3 13th and the water protected par-5 14th being particular favourites.
From the Prime and Prestige courses there are pleasant views across to neighbouring Algarve hills, and the recent introduction of some new real estate around the course hasn't overly impacted the golf. Greenkeeping standards have improved over recent years to ensure alignment with what's expected of a 5-star resort location.
Stay&Play at Vila Sol: luxury onsite accommodation available, see Where2Stay section below.
Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends.
Must book in advance. Maximum handicap: men 28; women 36.
Contact club for full details, discounts, packages, etc. [Last updated: 2023].
Soft spikes only. Players generally walk this course.
Good
Vila Sol has hosted the Portuguese Open on more than one occasion (see our Tournaments section >by Venue >Vila Sol).
Vila Sol is a member of the Pestana Golf & Resorts group, whose golf facilities include: Gramacho, Vale da Pinta, Silves, Alto and Vila Sol located on the Algarve, and Beloura, which is located outside Estoril, near Lisbon.
Portugal's 29th best course (Golf World, 2022).
Morgadinhos, 8125-307 Vilamoura, Algarve
+351 289 320 320
Visit websiteWith a great climate, a wellness SPA and one of Portugal's top golf courses, the Vila Sol Hotel & Golf Resort offers a 5-star resort experience. You can choose hotel rooms or self-catering apartments, and enjoy great amenities, including four restaurants, tennis courts, Kids' Club and Golf Academy. During the summer, board the shuttle to the beautiful Algarvian beaches nearby.
Vila Sol
Vale do Lobo (Royal & Ocean courses); Vilamoura courses (Old, Pinhal, Millennium, Laguna, Victoria).
Quinta do Lago (North, South & Laranjal courses); San Lorenzo.
Rua Atlantico, 8125-410 Vilamoura, Algarve.
+351 289 300 780
Visit websiteThe Dom Pedro Golf Resort hotel is situated 150m from the beach, 50m from the casino and 200m from the lively Vilamoura Marina. The hotel's facilities include extensive gardens, outdoor pools, Spa with indoor pool, numerous sports facilities and three restaurants. Close by are other Dom Pedro hotels including the Dom Pedro Marina and Dom Pedro Portobelo. All three Dom Pedro hotels provide easy access to Vilamoura's renowned golf courses.
No
Vilamoura courses (Old, Pinhal, Millennium, Laguna, Victoria); Vila Sol.
Quinta do Lago (North and South courses); San Lorenzo; Vale do Lobo (Royal and Ocean courses)
Sony Open in Hawaii: played at Waialae Country Club near Honolulu, the Sony Open takes over the spotlight from The Sentry as the PGA Tour’s calendar-year opening event (Jan 15-18). The Sentry (not being played in 2026) was formerly known as the Tournament of Champions, with a field typically restricted to golfers who won a PGA Tour event in the previous calendar year.
Dubai Desert Classic: the DP World Tour’s first Rolex Series event of 2026, is contested for the 37th time (Jan 22-25). First won by Englishman Mark James in 1989, it now boasts a four-time winner, Rory McIlroy. Played on the Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis course, this once desert-surrounded course is the long-time flagship for Golf in Dubai.
Our visit last month included two rounds at Golf de Chantilly, one of France’s most prestigious clubs.
It offers two superb layouts: Le Vineuil, a five-star championship course with a rich history, and Longères, an excellent four-star course that provides a strong and enjoyable test.
The wider Paris region offers plenty more. Courses such as Fontainebleau, Golf de Saint-Germain, and several other top-rated layouts make this area one of Europe’s most rewarding golf destinations, offering a mix of woodland, heathland, and parkland designs.
The Dutch: "It's no' just a game", as they say in Scotland, and that's certainly true at The Dutch. With 5-star services throughout, a lavishly comfortable Loch Lomond-inspired clubhouse, and a superbly designed and presented golf course, one could not ask for more from this top-end private club.
Join us at The Dutch from August 21–24 for the Festival of Golf, featuring the HotelPlanner Tour. Experience four days of top-tier sport, live music, incredible food, and unexpected surprises. Explore the grounds, connect with others, embrace new challenges, and dive into an unforgettable celebration. Click here to buy tickets.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
You can subscribe to the Where2Golf channel on YT if you like to see more video content. You'll find a "Subscribe" button on any of our YouTube videos. Or if you want a quick and direct access subscribe here. Once done, any new published videos will show up in your Subscriptions feed.
