Cascais Golf Courses Unite to Promote Portugal’s Atlantic Coast.

The 89 golf courses in Portugal, nearly half (38) are located in the Algarve, the nation’s sun-soaked southernmost region known for its stunning beaches and, naturally, its golf courses.

The Algarve’s golfing reputation began in 1966 when three-time Open Championship winner Henry Cotton inaugurated Penina, the region’s first golf course. This event marked the beginning of the Algarve’s transformation into a golfing hotspot, particularly for Northern Europeans seeking to escape their windy and rainy climates.

While the Algarve remains the leading golf destination in Portugal, Cascais, situated on the Portuguese Riviera, is emerging as a significant contender. Seven of its golf courses have collaborated to create the Cascais Digital Golf Passport. This innovative initiative offers live tee times and discounted rates for multiple courses in the area. “There are numerous high-quality golf courses in the Cascais area, each with unique designs and challenges,” said Manuel Saragga Heitor, golf director at Quinta da Marinha. “Renowned golf architects have designed many of these courses, adding to their prestige and appeal.”

“Not only does the new Golf Passport simplify the booking process, it helps market the region as a unified golfing destination, increasing the visibility of all participating courses and attracting more tourists.” The seven courses participating in the Cascais Digital Golf Passport are: Golf do Estoril (designed by Mackenzie Ross), Oitavos Dunes Golf Course (Arthur Hills), Lisbon Sports Club (Hawtree & Sons), Penha Longa Resort (Robert Trent Jones Jr.), Belas Club de Campo (Rocky Roquemore), Pestana Beloura Golf Resort (Rocky Roquemore), and Quinta da Marinha Golf (Robert Trent Jones Sr.).

Cascais, a popular seaside resort once favored by King Luís I of Portugal and other European nobility in the late 1800s and early 1900s, remains a prominent tourist destination for both Portuguese and Europeans. Located just 30 minutes from Lisbon, the municipality is one of the wealthiest in Portugal and the Iberian Peninsula.

Cascais and its surrounding area have hosted a variety of sporting and cultural events, from the prestigious America’s Cup sailing competition to the Coala Festival, a Brazilian music festival. Stakeholders hope the new Golf Pass will attract more attention, interest, and golf participation in the region, while also boosting the local economy.

“From parkland to links, golf courses around Cascais are renowned for their challenging designs, natural beauty, and excellent maintenance,” said Carlos Dias de Castro, golf director at Belas Club de Campo. “Cascais has a mild climate all year round with mild winters and warm, but not excessively hot, summers, which allows golf to be played comfortably in any season.”

Among the seven courses, Oitavos Dunes and Penha Longa are particularly notable. Oitavos Dunes, offering a true links experience, was ranked No. 55 in the world in 2017 by Golf Magazine and is a top-10 course in Portugal according to Golf Digest. The course features dramatic views of the Sintra Mountains, Atlantic Ocean, and Cabo da Roca. The area’s allure has even drawn Portuguese soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, who is constructing a £17 million home within sight of the course’s clubhouse.

Inland from Oitavos and Quinta da Marinha, Penha Longa, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., showcases remnants of an ancient Roman aqueduct, providing a striking backdrop on several holes. The Ritz-Carlton resort at Penha Longa incorporates a 14th-century monastery and chapel into its setting, while the sound of cars and motorcycles racing on the nearby Circuito do Estoril, home to the F1 Portuguese Grand Prix from 1984-1996, can be heard in the distance.

Already popular among British tourists, the courses involved in the Cascais Digital Golf Passport hope to attract American tourists as well. A flight from New York City to Lisbon is only slightly longer than a flight from New York to Los Angeles, making it a convenient option for U.S. golfers.

“Penha Longa and Cascais/Sintra are particularly appealing to Americans and British tourists for several reasons,” said Mariana Couto, leisure sales manager at Penha Longa Resort. “The region’s rich cultural heritage, including historic castles and UNESCO World Heritage sites, offers plenty of attractions beyond golf. English is widely spoken, making communication easy, and the renowned Portuguese hospitality ensures a warm and welcoming atmosphere.”

“Direct flights from major cities in the U.S. and U.K. to Lisbon make travel straightforward and convenient. The combination of these factors makes the region highly attractive to golf enthusiasts from both countries.”