For golf holidays close to Lisbon, the area an hour to the West of the city known as 'Estoril &
Sintra' holds all the key elements that make up a great golfbreak. Easy access with frequent flights
into Lisbon, a lively seaside town - Cascais - with plenty to see, do, eat and drink and, most
importantly, half-a-dozen fantastic golf courses clustered closely around the town.
Quite simply, it's one of the best places in Portugal for a golf holiday.
Golf holidays - Estoril
The province of Estoril occupies the area to the west of Lisbon and north as far as the medieval town
of Sintra. On the cusp of the coast is the old port of Cascais, which now thrives on a mix of
tourism and fishing, making it a holiday destination with plenty of life - and a touch of reality too!
Confusingly, there is also a town of Estoril. It sits right next door to Cascais and most of it
is consumed by Europe's largest Casino with a charming hotel alongside. It makes a quieter
alternative to Cascais as a golfing base.
In our opinion, Cascais is the place to stay: a lively town thriving from the trade brought to it by
its busy fish market beside the working port and also from the yachts moored in the new marina just
around the point. Cascais bristles with hotels, restaurants and bars, combining tourism with
real Portuguese life.
Cascais golf courses
The Golf Clubs west of Lisbon are tightly grouped around Cascais (another reason why it's the best
place to stay). The six courses within half-an-hour of the town centre offer a superb selection
of golfing tests: a course to please every golfer.
The three courses that attract most attention are the classic Quinta da Marinha underneath the
spreading parasol pines, the stunning Oitavos Dunes in the wild dunes beside the Atlantic Ocean and
the serene Penha Longa in the wooded hillsides around the luxury resort of the same name.
Golfing purists will enjoy the historic set-ups of Estoril and Lisbon Golf Clubs; the latter being
Portugal's very first course. And don't overlook Belas (next door to Lisbon G.C.) where you will
find a longer, more modern and more demanding test of golf.
Cascais golf holidays - where to stay?
In the very centre of Cascais, overlooking the harbour and surrounded by all that the town has to
offer is the Baia Hotel. A good three-star hotel with the primest of locations that offers
comfortable accommodation with a few hidden extras like the rooftop pool and underground parking.
For sheer luxury, head for the funkiest Pousada in Portugal - la Ciudella di Cascais***** built
inside the medieval walls of the Fortezza do Cascais. This place has everything: indoor and
outdoor pools, spa, restaurants, bars - even an art gallery! All enclosed within its unique and
sturdy setting.
For a good four-star option the Vila Galé at the back of town is hard to beat. Larger
rooms than the Baia hotel and a larger pool too; albeit with a short stroll into town (taxis are cheap
and plentiful though!).
If you prefer a luxury golf resort for your holiday base, then look no further than the splendid
five-star Penha Longa hotel with its wonderful spa and majestic 27-holes of golf.
The best hotel in Estoril is the fine old Palacio Hotel very close to the Casino do Estoril and with
strong links to the Estoril Gof Club it makes a very comfortable base for golfers that like old
fashioned service, fine dining and the occasional flutter...
What to see and do around Cascais
Many tourists flock to Cascais just for the long, hot sunny days tempered by the Ocean breezes but
there is so much more on offer besides the sandy beaches.
The ancient hilltop town of Sintra with its singular white town hall, dominated by the impossibly
pink and yellow Pena Palace, lies about half-an-hour inland from the coast and provides a full day out
strolling its narrow backstreets and taking a tour of the striking palace on the hilltop. It's
very close to the course at Penha Longa, so a post-match lunch and browse is also a possibility.
Another alternative for a full day out is of course the Portuguese capital Lisbon where there is so
much to see, along with the port of Belem famous for its tower, its seafood restaurants and its cream
tarts!
Dining out in Cascais, Estoril and Sintra
In Cascais, with its busy fish market and lively tourist trade, you will find many excellent fish
restaurants all around town. Plus, for meat eaters there is always the hot favourite of
'Piri-Piri' chicken, and no finer (or better value) establishment to enjoy it than the rudimentary Jardim
dos Frangos at the top of the High Street.
Estoril has less to offer in the way of dining out, apart from the enormous Casino with several
restaurants and the option of dinner with one of their spectacular 'cirque du soleil' style shows.
The old town of Sintra on the other hand has some very fine Portuguese restaurants. These (and
indeed the whole town of Sintra) have a feel of real Portugal, decked out in their traditional tiled
walls, with heavy oak tables covered in crisp white linen.
Getting to Estoril & Cascais
Getting to your golf holiday in Estoril and Cascais could hardly be any easier with so many flights to
Portugal's capital city Lisbon. From the airport you just head west on the motorway and in well
under an hour you will be arriving at your hotel (or striding towards the first Tee).
We can arrange flights for you to Lisbon with British Airways, TAP or any of the lo-cost airlines or we
are equally happy to let you book these yourselves if you prefer?
We can arrange a hire-car for the duration of your holiday, alternatively we have a very reliable coach
and minibus company that we use if you prefer to be chauffeured from golf course to hotel and back
during your golf holiday in Estoril and Sintra.
