Aroeira Pines
Frank Pennink carved Aroeira Pines through dense umbrella pine forest south of Lisbon in 1972, and the British press soon called it the Wentworth of Lisbon. A par 72 that hosted two Portuguese Opens and now trades as PGA Aroeira No.1, it remains the Lisbon coast's classic parkland test.
Photo: PGA Aroeira No.1 via Google.
The verdict
Frank Pennink laid out Aroeira Pines in 1972 on the wooded Setubal peninsula across the river from Lisbon, and it was an immediate hit, christened the Wentworth of Lisbon for the way its fairways run in private corridors between tall umbrella pines. A par 72 of about 6,650 yards, it hosted the Portuguese Open in 1996 and 1997 and has since been rebranded PGA Aroeira No.1, the senior partner to the newer Challenge course.
What makes it endure is the routing. Every hole sits alone among the pines, quiet and separate, with lush Bermuda fairways and a near total absence of fairway bunkers, so the trees themselves are the hazard. It is a fair, strategic, very playable course rather than a brute, and within easy reach of Lisbon it makes an obvious anchor for a city break with golf attached.
Aroeira Pines at a glance
- Opened
- 1972
- Designer
- Frank Pennink
- Type
- Parkland, pine forest
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- About 6,650 yds
- Green fee
- From about 110 euros
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from PGA Aroeira and leading course databases. Frank Pennink laid out the Pines course in 1972, a par 72 of about 6,650 yards, now operating as PGA Aroeira No.1. High season visitor green fees have been quoted around 110 euros for 18 holes, indicative 2026 and lower in the off season; rates change and packages are common, so always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
Aroeira Pines is a driving examination of the most enjoyable kind. With almost no fairway bunkering, the pines do the defending, lining each hole so tightly that the tee shot must find the short grass to leave a clear path to the green. Stray into the trees and the recovery is a chip back to safety rather than a heroic escape.
The greens are mature and true, gently contoured and well guarded by greenside sand, asking for a controlled approach rather than brute force. The variety holds up across the round, each hole presenting its own picture among the timber, and the par 3s in particular reward a committed iron through the still forest air.
It is a course that flatters good ball strikers and quietly punishes the wild, the kind of layout you finish wanting to play again with a better plan. Soft winter conditioning and firmer summer turf give it two distinct characters across the year.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Public resort course, part of the Aroeira complex; visitors and package guests welcome year round |
| Green fee | High season 18 hole visitor fee around 110 euros, lower in the off season and within stay and play packages, indicative 2026 |
| Booking | Book online or through your operator; resort packages often bundle the Pines with the newer Challenge course |
| On the day | Buggies and a driving range available; the mature pines give welcome shade through the warmer months |
| Getting there | Charneca de Caparica on the Setubal peninsula, about 25 to 30 minutes from central Lisbon across the bridge |
| Best months | March to May and September to November for warm, settled weather and firm, fast turf |
Access and fee details verified June 2026; Aroeira is a busy resort and rates and names change, so always confirm directly with the club or your operator before planning a visit.
Where to stay nearby
The Aroeira complex has its own on site lodging among the pines, which keeps both courses on the doorstep, while central Lisbon is close enough to base in the city and drive out for golf. A Lisbon base adds world class dining, history and nightlife to a golf trip and still leaves a short hop to the tee.
For a golf focused stay, the resort itself and the nearby Costa da Caparica beaches make an easy, relaxed pairing. It is an ideal region to build a Lisbon golf trip around, combining Aroeira Pines with its Challenge sibling and the other strong courses on the peninsula.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Aroeira Pines.
Build a Lisbon golf trip
We secure the Aroeira Pines tee times, pair them with the best of the Lisbon coast and book the lodging around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Aroeira Pines questions
Who designed Aroeira Pines and when did it open?
Aroeira Pines was designed by Frank Pennink and opened in 1972 on the Setubal peninsula south of Lisbon. It now operates as PGA Aroeira No.1.
What is the par and length of Aroeira Pines?
Aroeira Pines is a par 72 of about 6,650 yards, roughly 6,122 metres, routed through umbrella pine forest with almost no fairway bunkers.
How much does it cost to play Aroeira Pines?
High season visitor green fees have been quoted around 110 euros for 18 holes, indicative 2026, with lower off season rates and frequent stay and play packages. Always confirm current pricing directly before booking.
Did Aroeira Pines host the Portuguese Open?
Yes. The Pines course hosted the Portuguese Open in 1996 and 1997, and was nicknamed the Wentworth of Lisbon by the British press.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.