Monte Rei North

Par: 72 | Handicap: Men 24, Women 32 |  7,182 yards  |  Driving Range: Yes  

The rolling hills, well-placed doglegs and series of water hazards have made Monte Rei’s North Course a winner. The undulating parkland setup creates a brilliant backdrop for practising your swing, and 13 becomes the lucky number as that hole combines lakeside and sand for added testing oomph.

Quinta da Ria

Par: 72 | Handicap: Men 28, Women 36 |  6,579 yards  |  Driving Range: Yes  

Since it was established in 2002, this relatively flat course with its traditional layout has been a firm favourite for golfers in the Faro region. Tee off on this stunning Algarvian course and take on the challenging lakes, bunkers and olive trees, all accompanied by a testing breeze and stunning beach views.

Quinta de Cima

Par: 72 | Handicap: 36 |  7,202 yards  |  Driving Range: Yes  

Well-placed bunkers, open fairways and rolling greens dotted with almond, carob and orange trees make up this championship standard, 18-hole course. Designed alongside its sister course, Quinta da Ria, by architect Rocky Roquemore, this tricky course is the ideal place to put your putting skills to the test.

Amendoeira Faldo

Par: 72 | Handicap: Men 28, Women 36 |  7,194 yards  |  Driving Range: Yes  

Sir Nick Faldo’s brainchild has benefited from dramatic yet traditional fairway architecture, and its play on some UK golf courses integrates cacti and desert scrub bunkers instead. The elevated holes are there to put you through your putting paces, while you’ll get some reprieves on the downhill slopes.

Amendoeira O’Connor Jnr.

Par: 72 | Handicap: Men 28, Women 36 |  7,336 yards  |  Driving Range: Yes  

The handiwork of Christy O’Connor Jnr. complements the Faldo course but happens to be longer. It’s more of a fertile plot, with water hazards aplenty as you embark on a game amid leafy palms, orange groves and lush lakes. The holes are a mixture of pars across all 18, and the 7th-9th are the toughest.

San Lorenzo

Par: 72 | Handicap: Men 28, Women 36 |  6,822 yards  |  Driving Range: Yes  

Within the Quinta do Lago estate and neighbouring the Ria Formosa Estuary and its surrounding salt lagoons, this grassland golf course is a real looker. Its standout design feature is its figure-of-eight layout, which navigates a gentle set of first four holes that loop all the way round to a tricky yet rewarding final 18th.

Pinheiros Altos

Par: 72 | Handicap: Men 28, Women 36 |  6,820 yards  |  Driving Range: Yes  

Rich in greenery and split into three, you’ll be welcomed to an overall 27-hole playground of pure potential. Between The Pines, The Corks and The Olives, you’ll get to dip into the Bermuda fairway grass and all its testing, tree-lined holes. You’ll also get to tee off beside water hazards that add to the experience.

Pestana Vila Sol

Par: 72 | Handicap: Men 34, Women 36 |  6,992 yards  |  Driving Range: Yes  

Here you have it – a typical Algarve inland layout. This 27-hole course winds its way through pine and fig trees, and incorporates a number of lakes into the interesting design. The course has hosted the Portuguese Open on two occasions, so it’s pretty impressive! Plus, the par 3 7th requires a daring shot over water.

Penina Golf Course

Par: 73 | Handicap: Men 28, Women 36 |  6,860 yards  |  Driving Range: Yes  

Welcome to the country’s finest golf course, the Sir Henry Cotton Championship Course at Penina. It enjoys a supreme spot in western Algarve, where the grassland layout offers a challenging game punctuated by running streams, slopes and elevated greens. It’s dotted with palms for a taste of the tropical too.

Dom Pedro Millennium Golf Course

Par: 72 | Handicap: Men 28, Women 36 |  6,754 yards  |  Driving Range: Yes  

Studded by lakes and bunkers in what’s otherwise a large expanse of greenery, this 18-hole course might have a simplistic layout, but it’s a classic for a reason. It’s one of the best in Vilamoura and wows with pretty pine trees between holes 3 and 7, but it poses more challenges as the playmaking goes on.

Dom Pedro Pinhal Golf Course

Par: 72 | Handicap: Men 28, Women 36 |  6,948 yards  |  Driving Range: Yes  

The doors to this fine Algarvian course opened in 1976 and, since then, it’s been a revered parkland pick. Fab fairways are lined by pines that not only add charm to the scenery, but trickier elements to certain shots. All 18 holes are primed for thrill-seekers, and 8 is one of Vilamoura’s most photographed.

Dom Pedro Laguna Golf Course

Par: 72 | Handicap: Men 28, Women 36 |  6,694 yards  |  Driving Range: Yes  

Low coastal terrain has been given the full links course treatment here. Dotted with water hazards and trees, to give the layout the feel of a challenge, this 18-holer offers a modern test for all handicaps of golf fans. And thanks to bunkers and doglegs, it’ll put your accuracy under the microscope!