Perfect Portugal Experience - David Whyte's Luxury Golf Experiences

From Lisbon to Porto

SIGNATURE LUXURY EXPERIENCE

I couldn't believe the quality and diversity that mainland Portugal offers. For starters, this most western country has hidden away some of the very finest links and parkland courses in Europe.

But it's the cultural life I truly fell in love with. The city of Lisbon is one of my favourites, one of the best in Europe. And Porto's equally charming so between the two, we've conjured up an amazing voyage of discovery.

Lisbon

The City of Light

Lisbon is the perfect blend of old world charm, amazing cuisine and, from early spring to late autumn wonderful weather. The vibrant heart of the Portuguese capital makes a perfect base from which to take in the city’s highlights and then drive out to its plethora of links golf courses, all of which are less than an hour away.

From our base in the exquisite Pestana Palace Hotel, we explore the city of Lisbon and its wider region, enjoying a wine-tasting tour in a private tram car, refined dinners in the country’s top restaurants, entertainment with Fado singers, horse-riding picnics on deserted beaches and so much more.

Golf Galore

There are several other courses worth noting. Penha Longa sits just south of Sintra, only half an hour away from downtown Lisbon. It’s not a links but an exceptional parkland that has hosted Portuguese Open. Praia D'El Rey and Royal Óbidos are both good courses close to West Cliffs.

Porto

The city of Oporto is not only renowned for its Port wine. You can explore the medieval Ribeira district, walk its cobbled streets or visit 19th-century Palácio de Bolsa.

Iberian Links

Oitavos Dunes near the glamorous suburb of Cascais is a great example of Lisbon’s seaside links, a rippling, sandy expanse that offers such a variety of challenges.

To the south of Lisbon lies the Tróia Peninsula with again, one an absolutely superb links layout. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Snr, Tróia can play long and tight, a stern but hugely rewarding test!

Historic Villages

The historic community of Óbidos with its castle and narrow, colourful streets are a photographer’s dream. Early Celt tribes, Phoenicians, Romans, Visigoths and Moors all had a hand in the town’s history.

There are several golf options nearby and the recently opened West Cliffs stands out as the most exhilarating. Laid out on natural linksland, this is not a course for the faint hearted! Tight, complicated and demanding at every turn, it will establish itself as most exciting courses to be built in Europe in a long time.