The north of Portugal is the quieter, more characterful side of Portuguese golf, where one of the oldest clubs in Europe runs along the Atlantic, parkland courses thread through pine and granite, and the city of Porto and the Douro valley are part of the trip. These are the seven best courses in Porto and the north, ranked, with our verdict on each and how to play them.
Photograph: Oporto Golf Club, via Google.
Porto and the north are not the Algarve, and that is the point. There are fewer courses, but they are full of history and character, and a trip here pairs the golf with one of Europe's great small cities and the terraced vineyards of the Douro. We judged these courses on the quality of the design, the conditioning, the playing experience and the setting, and we leaned toward the courses that reward the journey and that a visiting golfer can readily get on.
Every fact here, from founding dates to designers, was checked at the time of writing. The order is our editors' view, so reasonable golfers will reshuffle the order, and the field is smaller and more spread out than in the south. Think of this as a golf and culture region rather than a round a day buddies destination. If you want these built into a costed Porto and Douro golf trip, that is exactly what our concierge does.
Reviewed June 2026 by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Course facts verified at publication. How we research and review.
Our top pick and a piece of golf history. Founded in 1890 by British port wine families, Oporto is one of the oldest clubs in continental Europe, a genuine links laid out on the dunes near Espinho south of the city. It is short by modern standards but full of charm and character, with firm turf, sea breezes and a wonderful sense of the game's origins. A must play for anyone who loves the history of golf.
The region's true championship links, established in 1989 on the Atlantic shore north of Porto, a par 72 that runs out and back along the dunes with the ocean a constant companion. Exposed and demanding when the wind blows, it has been rated among the best courses in Portugal and is the most complete test in the north, a natural pairing with Oporto for a links double.
A beautiful parkland course in the grounds of the grand Vidago Palace hotel in the far north, built on an original Philip Mackenzie Ross layout and remodeled by the Cameron Powell design team for the hotel's relaunch in 2010. It weaves through a mature pine valley with granite walled tees and big undulating greens, and the spa hotel makes it the most luxurious golf stay in the region.
A short, hilly mountain course on the Quinta da Deveza estate near the lovely town of Amarante, opened in 1997 with dramatic elevation changes and views over the surrounding countryside. It is not long, but the terrain and the scenery make it a fun, memorable round, and Amarante itself is a charming base on the way to the Douro.
A scenic, undulating course in the green hills of the Minho near the historic town of Ponte de Lima in Portugal's far north, with steep changes in elevation and panoramic valley views. A characterful round in beautiful, vine clad country, it suits a golfer happy to swap length for scenery and a slower, more local pace in one of the prettiest corners of the country.
A compact, friendly course right on the coast just south of Porto, handy for a quick round when the city is your base. Modest in length and welcoming to visitors, with the beach alongside, it is an easy and enjoyable addition to a Porto trip rather than a championship test, and the location could hardly be more convenient.
Just south of the north proper, in the highlands around Viseu, Montebelo is a well regarded parkland course set among pines and granite with mountain views and generous, rolling fairways. A pleasant, scenic round and a worthwhile stop for a group touring between Porto, the Douro and central Portugal, with a comfortable resort behind it.
Founding dates, designers and access verified June 2026 from the clubs and recognized golf databases. Oporto Golf Club dates to 1890; Estela opened in 1989; Vidago Palace is built on a Philip Mackenzie Ross layout remodeled for the hotel's 2010 relaunch. Rates and availability change, so always confirm directly before booking. Looking for tee times? Check availability and book a round.
| Course | Setting | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Oporto Golf Club | Atlantic links, Espinho | History and a true links round |
| Estela | Dunes north of Porto | The region's championship test |
| Vidago Palace | Pine valley, far north | A luxury spa hotel golf stay |
| Amarante | Mountain, Quinta da Deveza | Scenery and fun on the way to the Douro |
| Miramar | Coast near Porto | A quick, convenient city round |
A shorthand only; tell us your dates and group and we will match the courses to you.
Tell us roughly when you want to travel and which courses you have your heart set on, and a concierge will secure the tee times, build the itinerary around the city and the wine valley and cost it to the head, with no obligation.
Oporto Golf Club is our top pick, a historic Atlantic links south of the city founded in 1890 and one of the oldest clubs in continental Europe. The seaside Estela Golf Club and the parkland course at Vidago Palace lead the chasing group.
Yes, as part of a wider trip. Porto and the north have fewer courses than the Algarve, but they combine historic links, scenic parkland golf and the city, the Douro wine valley and the Minho, which makes a rewarding golf and culture week rather than a course every day buddies trip.
Spring and autumn, from April to June and September to October, give the most reliable weather and the best conditions for golf in the north of Portugal. Summer is warm and busy along the coast, and winter is mild but wetter, so the shoulder seasons are ideal.
Tee time windows, course access changes and the trips worth taking. Every other week.
Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Founding dates, designers and access verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.